Final answer:
The most common danger during fiber optic installations is caused by the laser light, which can be harmful to the eyes if directly viewed.
Step-by-step explanation:
During fiber optic installations, the most common danger is caused by the laser light that transmits data along the optical fibers. Due to the application of the principle of total internal reflection, the light that travels down these fibers of plastic or glass can potentially cause damage to the eyes if directly viewed. Moreover, optical fiber cables have cladding which prevents the light from being transmitted between fibers in a bundle, ensuring that optical signals do not produce undesirable effects in other adjacent fibers, a feature known as reduced crosstalk.
Moreover, fiber optics are extensively used in telecommunications, such as in carrying telephone conversations, Internet communications, and cable TV signals, due to their low loss, high bandwidth, and reduced crosstalk characteristics compared to electrical (copper) based systems. These cables have been placed on the ocean floor and underground to facilitate long-distance optical communications./p>