Why Fiber Optic Modules Wear Faster in AV-over-IP Systems Than IT Networks

Fiber optic transceivers in AV-over-IP environments face significantly faster wear than those in traditional IT networks due to continuous high-bandwidth streaming. Unlike office networks, where data traffic fluctuates, AV systems push uncompressed 4K video and multichannel audio through modules like SFP+ and QSFP28 at near-maximum capacity 24/7, generating persistent heat that accelerates component degradation. Real-world deployments in theaters have shown modules losing optical power and experiencing link instability after 6-7 years, especially in challenging environments with poor ventilation, dust, and temperature fluctuations—conditions far from the climate-controlled data centers where IT equipment typically operates.

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