Why are fiber optic systems immune to electromagnetic interference?

Fiber optic systems are immune to electromagnetic interference because they transmit data using light instead of electrical signals. This method of transmission utilizes light pulses sent through thin strands of glass or plastic fibers. Since light is not affected by electromagnetic fields, fiber optics can operate in environments with significant electromagnetic noise without distortion or loss of signal quality.

In contrast, systems that rely on electrical signals are susceptible to interference from various sources, such as motors or radio frequency transmissions, as these interference factors can disrupt the electric signals being transmitted. Additionally, while some forms of shielding can help to mitigate interference issues in electrical systems, fiber optics inherently avoid these issues through their use of light, leading to clearer and more reliable data transmission.