Which factor is crucial when terminating fiber optic cables?

Aligning the fibers precisely to minimize signal loss is essential when terminating fiber optic cables because proper alignment ensures that the light signals can travel efficiently from one fiber to the other without significant disruption. When fibers are terminated, they need to make optimal contact with the connector to facilitate the smooth transmission of light. Misalignment can lead to higher levels of signal loss, which defeats the purpose of using fiber optics for high-speed data transmission.

Precision in this process allows for minimal reflection and scattering of light, which can occur if the fiber ends are not aligned correctly. The goal is to maintain the integrity of the signal as it travels through the fiber, and this is heavily dependent on the quality of the termination process. Therefore, the alignment of the fibers is a crucial factor in achieving effective communication through fiber optic cables.