1、Transmission distance
Generally speaking, the transmission distance of copper wire does not exceed 100m, while the maximum transmission distance of optical fiber can reach 100km (single-mode fiber), far exceeding the transmission distance of copper wire.
2、Transmission rate
The current maximum transmission rate of copper wire up to 40Gbps (such as Class VIII network cable, DAC passive copper cable), while the maximum transmission rate of optical fiber up to 100Gbps (such as OM4 fiber patch cord), far beyond the copper wire.
3、Maintenance management
Copper wire crystal head production and equipment port connection and other operations are very simple, while the fiber optic shear fusion, equipment connection and other operations, more demanding, more complex operation.
4, price cost
In the case of the same length of optical fiber and copper wire, the price of optical fiber is generally slightly cheaper than the price of copper wire, but the price of fiber optic splicing equipment (such as fiber couplers, etc.) and construction, etc. is higher than copper wire, so in the project cost, the price cost of optical fiber is higher than the price cost of copper wire.
From the above comparison, optical fiber and copper wire have their own advantages, copper cable in voice transmission, indoor networks, horizontal cabling, POE systems and other applications still occupy an important position, will not be completely replaced by optical fiber, while copper technology is still in continuous research and development to meet the future needs of more equipment connectivity, so there is no need to worry that it will be eliminated by the times.
