And while computer signals might bounce unimpeded through a cable, light gets weaker as it reflects its way along. Light traveling through a glass cable loses about 1 percent of its intensity over each foot traveled, even more when traveling through bends. But the acrylic cables lose about twice that. When finished, the high-tech lights, below, cast a gentle glow over the vintage staircase at the Watertown house. The biggest problem with the acrylic cables, unlike the glass ones, is that they might degrade.
Heat can cause the plastic sheathing to oxidize and discolor the plastic within.
Dust will not only dim the light transmission if particles work their way into the ends of fiber-optic cables but will also cause deterioration of the plastic cables over time. Finding a contractor who can do that might be difficult, he concedes. As with anything else, never volunteer to be the guinea pig for your contractor. Instead, Madden suggests looking in the yellow pages for a theatrical lighting installer or supplier, who will be the most likely at this point to have experience with fiber-optic cables. He then attaches a coupler with the six cables to be lit.