What is a common consequence of excessive bends in a fiber optic cable?

Excessive bends in a fiber optic cable can lead to signal loss due to the physical properties of the optical fibers. When a fiber optic cable is bent beyond its specified bend radius, the light signals traveling through the fiber can escape or not transmit efficiently through the core. This loss of light results in a degradation of the signal strength and overall performance of the communication system. The bending causes additional stress on the material and can even lead to microbending or macrobending, both of which can disrupt the intended light path and manifest as increased attenuation or reduced data integrity.

In contrast, options such as increased tensile strength, improved data transmission, or having no impact on performance do not accurately reflect the realities of fiber optic technology under stress conditions like excessive bending. Proper installation and adherence to recommended bending parameters are crucial to maintaining the integrity and efficiency of fiber optic communications.