What type of noise does optical fiber help avoid in industrial settings?

Optical fiber is particularly effective at avoiding electrical noise in industrial settings due to its inherent design and operating principles. The absence of metallic components in optical fiber means that it is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI), which is a common source of electrical noise in environments with heavy machinery and equipment. Unlike copper cabling, which can pick up stray voltages and interference from nearby electrical sources, optical fiber transmits data through light signals. This property allows optical fiber to maintain high signal integrity and reliability even in noisy industrial environments, where electrical disturbances can significantly affect data transmission over copper connections.

Thermal noise, medium frequency noise, and radio frequency noise can also be present in industrial settings, but these types of noise generally impact different types of transmission media. Optical fiber's immunity to these forms of interference is why it is often the preferred choice for communication systems in industrial applications.