Which of the following is not a characteristic that limits fiber optic cable length?

Fiber optic cables are designed to transmit data over long distances through light signals, but several factors can limit their effective range. Absorption refers to the loss of signal strength as light is absorbed by the materials within the fiber, which directly affects the maximum effective length of the cable. Dispersion, on the other hand, involves the spreading out of light pulses as they travel through the fiber, which can lead to signal degradation and limits how far data can be transmitted without distortion.

Attenuation is a measure of the reduction in signal strength as light travels along the fiber and is a critical factor in determining the maximum length of a fiber optic cable. High levels of attenuation can significantly impact performance, making it difficult to maintain a clear signal over long distances.

In contrast, voltage is not a characteristic relevant to the performance of fiber optic cables because these cables transmit data via light rather than electrical signals. Therefore, while absorption, dispersion, and attenuation are critical aspects that affect the transmission length of fiber optics, voltage does not play a role in limiting the cable's length, making it the correct choice for this question.