Fiber optic lighting advantages include the ability to locate lighting fixtures in locations where traditional electric fixtures cannot be installed or in areas that are difficult or impossible to service. Because the illuminators can be mounted in a remote area and the fiber carries little or no heat, designers are free to create with fewer restrictions.

Fiber optic lighting is composed of 2-3 components. An illuminator, Fiber optic cable and/or fixtures when needed.

The popularity of fiber optics among designers include the color changing ability of fiber through the use of color filters and special effects that can be produced through the use of color wheels, synchronous controllers and DMX systems.