EMI Characteristics

EMI Characteristics

Because fiber-optic cables don’t use electrical signals to transmit data, they are totally immune to electromagnetic interference. The cables also are immune to a variety of electrical effects that must be taken into account when designing copper cabling systems.

When electrical cables are connected between two buildings, the ground potentials (voltages) between the two buildings can differ. When a difference exists (as it frequently does), the current flows through the grounding conductor of the cable, even though the ground is supposed to be electrically neutral and no current should flow. When current flows through the ground conductor of a cable, the condition is called a ground loop. Ground loops can result in electrical instability and various other types of anomalies.

Because fiber-optic cable is immune to electrical effects, the best way to connect networks in different buildings is by putting in a fiber-optic link segment.

Because the signals in fiber-optic cable are not electrical in nature, they cannot be detected by the electronic eavesdropping equipment that detects electromagnetic radiation. Therefore, fiber-optic cable is the perfect choice for high-security networks.