Fiber optic cables are often perceived as being fragile and prone to breakage, but this is not entirely accurate. It is true that each fiber is very fragile. And without a protective barrier, the risk of breaking is quite high. Tension and stress: Fiber optic cables can be damaged if they are subjected to too much tension or stress, as this can cause the fibers to break. Several factors can contribute to the breaking of fiber optic cables: Physical Stress: Fiber optic cables can break due to excessive physical stress, such as bending, pulling, or crushing. When a cable is bent beyond its minimum bend radius, the fibers inside can fracture, leading to signal loss or. Debunked: Fiber optic cables are much more durable than people think.