Bending standard audio cables, such as coaxial cables or HDMI cables, is not difficult. Optical audio cables, on the other hand, are unique. They can be delicate, especially when optical audio cables are used to transmit audio signals between devices in our homes the majority of the time.
When compared to other cables that transmit audio signals, optical audio cables do so by using light. Other cables, on the other hand, do not exhibit this property. So, can optical audio cables be bent?
Optical audio cables can be bent in general, but they should never be bent to protect the delicate nature of optical cables. These cables are extremely brittle due to their ease of bending and twisting. When it comes to signal transmission, this bending could pose a significant challenge.
They will not work as intended if bent since the optical cable relies on light to transfer audio data. Poor signal transmission and poor conveyance of audio signals will arise as a consequence of this bending. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that the wires are not bent at any point throughout the installation process or even after.
To make matters worse, when you tread on optical audio wires or stretch them too suddenly, the cables may become bent or twisted within seconds, which results in garbled sound. A smart suggestion could be to keep them out of the way so that they don’t end up on the ground in the first place.
Furthermore, owing to the possibility of breaking the sheath that is incorporated inside the cable, these optical cables must never be twisted in any way.
This phenomenon, even though it is not apparent, is one of the key reasons why these optical audio connections fail to perform effectively, particularly when they are bent, which exacerbates the problem. This is quite unfortunate since the only option to resolve the situation is to purchase a new cable.
What will happen if I bend an optical audio cable?
If your optical wires are twisted or have severe kinks, this is one of the worst things that can happen to them. As a result of these problems, the cable may get damaged, which may prohibit light from being sent through it.
Most of the time, if you have an optical audio cable that is bent, there is a high possibility that the cable may end up breaking at any moment.
However, when you only have some mild twists in your cables, it is possible that your optical audio cables will not be seriously damaged; but, when you have large bends and kinks in your wires, your optical audio cables may be severely damaged.
What You Should Know About Avoiding Optical Audio Cable Damage
For the most part, while dealing with optical audio cables, the most essential thing to know is that they must be handled with utmost caution at all times. You must thus exercise caution while exerting excessive stress on your optical audio cables, since doing so may cause them to shatter or fracture over time if the force is exerted excessively.
Moreover, they have the potential to cause a large degree of attenuation, which might result in a loss of light and other effects.
You must also take steps to avoid stepping on these cables; for example, if they are positioned on the floor of your home, make certain that they are not directly walked on or that they are covered to prevent them from being damaged.
It is not possible to repair an optical audio cable that has been damaged by a break in the protective sheath inside the cable. In this case, the cable must be replaced. As a result, if this happens, the only thing you can do is replace the optical audio connection that is currently connected to your device.
Conclusion
Because optical wires are very delicate, they should never be bent in any way. Because of their fragility, they are very susceptible to bending, which is why they should always be handled with utmost care. The bending has a variety of implications, including signal loss or attenuation, among others.
Taking proper care of your optical audio cables may help avoid all of these issues from occurring. There are several things that you can do to make sure that your optical audio cables are in good shape and that you do not risk them getting bent in any way.
