Fiber optic cables use light to transmit data, whereas traditional cables rely on electrical signals, which are more prone to interference and loss over distance. It's important to choose the. The differences between optical fiber grades A, B, C, and D primarily pertain to the quality of the fiber end-face, which significantly impacts performance metrics such as insertion loss (IL) and return loss (RL). There are a wide range of fiber optic cable types, styles, and with different connectors on each end. Connector types play a crucial. Signal loss in optical fiber is measured in decibels (dB). A loss of 3 dB across a link means the light at the far end is only half the intensity of the light that was sent into the fiber.