Standard fibre-optic connector sensitive to dust and dirt
ODU's modular MAC range includes fibre optic connectors with standard ceramic 1.25 or 2.5 mm tips, similar to multimode or singlemode SC and LC connectors. Because the tips of these fibre-optic connectors make physical contact with each other, they are sensitive to dust and dirt. As a result, cleaning the connector tips is necessary with every coupling. If this is not done consistently, the coupling surface gets damaged and high reflection and attenuation cause unreliable signal transmission.
Based by Fibreco Mini Expanded Beam
As an official assembly partner of Fibreco, we know this US manufacturer's Mini Expanded Beam range well. Based on this, we developed a special aluminium insert in 2020, together with Fibreco and ODU. Since then, the advantage of Expanded Beam is also reflected in the industrial ODU connectors.
How Expanded Beam works
The core of an optical fibre is thinner than the diameter of a human hair. In multimode optical fibres, it is 50 micrometres and in singlemode it is even only 9 micrometres. So dirt, dust, mud, water, oil or any other contamination easily disturbs or blocks the transmission of the optical data signal.
The lens of an Expanded Beam connector magnifies the original optical beam some 2,000 times and does not make physical contact with the lens of the mating connector. So contamination has little or no effect on signal transmission. Simply rinsing and drying the connector is sufficient for a reliable connection.
Hybrid connectors
The modular design of the industrial ODU connectors allows numerous configurations. For example, we combine AC power, DC power, Ethernet, coax, optical fibre, air and liquid in one connector housing. Our inserts with Fibreco Expanded Beam connectors are available in both multimode and singlemode and in multiples of 4 channels. So integrating reliable fibre optic connections is a piece of cake.
Are you also looking for reliable hybrid cable assemblies with fibre optics for industrial applications? We do not shy away from any challenge, so challenge us!
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