What is a common challenge when installing fiber optic cables?

Excessive bending of cables is a common challenge when installing fiber optic cables because fiber optics are sensitive to physical stress and bends. Unlike traditional copper wires, fiber optic cables can suffer from signal loss and degradation when bent beyond their specified bend radius. When installing these cables, it's crucial to follow manufacturers' guidelines regarding bend radius to ensure that the fiber can maintain its performance. If cables are tightly bent or kinked during installation, this can lead to increased attenuation, which reduces the quality and reliability of the transmitted signals.

Other challenges like heavy weight, high cost of connectors, and low availability of materials, while they may exist in certain scenarios, are not as universally impactful on the installation process as excessive bending is. The risk of damage due to improper handling and installation practices is a primary concern in fiber optic installations.