Inability to carry electrical current The dielectric nature of optical fibers, which provides so many advantages, precludes the transmission of electrical power. If power transmission capability is required, conductors can be included in fiber-optic cables where they can then double as strength members. Though the raw materials for low-loss fibers are abundant, they must be highly purified before being fabricated into fiber. The attenuation of glass and silica fibers is increased following exposure to nuclear radiation. Pure silica fibers is less vulnerable than fiber purposefully doped with an impurity to provide a graded refractive-index profile.
Plastic fiber is much less vulnerable than glass or silica fiber.