Which media type is least susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI)?

Fiber optic media is least susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) because it uses light signals to transmit data rather than electrical signals. In contrast to copper wire, coaxial cables, and twisted pair cables, which transmit information through electrical currents, fiber optics relies on the transmission of light through glass or plastic fibers.

Since light is not affected by electromagnetic fields, fiber optic cables can operate in environments with high levels of EMI without experiencing degradation in signal quality or data loss. This characteristic makes fiber optics particularly advantageous in areas with significant electrical noise, such as industrial settings or locations near large machinery.

In contrast, copper wire, coaxial cable, and twisted pair are more vulnerable to EMI because they can pick up interference from surrounding electrical devices and signals. This can result in issues such as crosstalk, noise, and reduced data transmission integrity in those types of media. Hence, fiber optic cables present a superior alternative when immunity to interference is a critical requirement.