If your machines, equipment or installations are exposed to extreme conditions, then the same probably applies to the cabling. High or low temperatures, vibrations or oil. All extreme conditions that copper cables, fiber optic cables or hybrid variants may have to withstand. From experience we can say: "Bring it on! We know how to handle it!”

Call me back

Wondering if we can do something for you? Leave your details here and we will call you back as soon as possible. Of course, you could also fill in the contact form.

*
*
*

Fiber optic cables for extreme conditions

Fiber optic cables are vulnerable. Because the core of optical fiber is so thin, it can easily break or crush. Then the signal blocks and the connection is broken. For this reason fiber optic cables are fitted with an aramid sheath. This increases the permitted tensile strength and prevents the fibre from breaking easily. To protect the cable from the conditions, there are various types of outer sheathing, fillers and armouring. But what about the connectors?

Fiber optic connectors for extreme conditions

The contact area for the transmission of the signal is extremely small in ordinary fiber optic connectors. In a single-mode connector this is only 9 micrometers. With Multimode connectors this is 50 or 62.5 micrometers. This is even thinner than the diameter of a human hair. If there is any dirt, dust, mud, water, oil or other contamination, this can completely block the signal transmission.

Because the tips of regular fiber optic connectors physically touch each other, contamination can also damage the contact surface irreparable. The result: high reflection and attenuation and therefore an unreliable signal, or no signal at all. We must avoid this, or we can choose a different connection. But how do we do that?

Expanded Beam Connectors

In industrial applications, in the military, during television productions or other outdoor use it is not always possible to clean the connector tips properly or to keep them clean. These circumstances are completely different from a data centre, where connections are rarely detached and switched. In extreme circumstances we can’t depend on a perfectly clean connector tip.

In this case, Expanded Beam connectors are the perfect solution. The original beam size of the optical beam is increased up to 2000 times. Therefore, a small amount of dirt does not block the beam. Besides of that, the connector tips do not make physical contact with each other, so contaminated connectors cannot damage one another. The contamination no longer affects the transmission of the light signal and simply rinsing and drying the connector is all it takes for a reliable connection.

For years, we have been an official assembly partner of Fibreco and Stratos, two top manufacturers of Expanded Beam connectors. With them, we build reliable cable assemblies in all varieties, so there is a choice for every application. Together with Fibreco and ODU, we even developed an industrial hybrid connector with power, signal and optical fibers in one housing, suitable for daily connection and disconnection. Expanded Beam fibre optic connectors are a perfect solution with:

Expanded Beam glasvezelconnectoren zijn een perfecte oplossing bij:

  • Extremely high or low temperatures
  • Shocks
  • Vibrations
  • Radiation
  • Corrosive conditions
  • High electromagnetic interference (EMI)
  • High radio interference (RFI)

Industrial fiber optic connectors

If it’s not a problem to keep fiber optic connections clean in industrial conditions, there are a number of other solutions. Think of rectangular industrial connectors where optical fiber is combined with power and signal. But there is also a wide variety of circular fiber optic connectors with two or more fibers for various industrial applications.

Modulaire industriële connectoren

Modulaire industriële connectoren vormen betrouwbare verbindingen met een hoge mate van flexibiliteit. Onder zware omstandigheden in binnen- en buitenomgeving. De grote variatie aan inserts maakt het mogelijk om voor elke toepassing exact de juiste combinatie te kiezen. Zo zijn kabelassemblies met modulaire connectoren nog meer gericht op uw specifieke toepassing.

Modular industrial connectors

Modular industrial connectors provide reliable connections with a high level of flexibility under harsh conditions in indoor and outdoor environments. The large variety of inserts makes it possible to choose exactly the right combination for each application. This way, cable assemblies with modular connectors are even more focused on your specific application.

A lot of experience with extreme conditions

We have extensive knowledge and experience in the design, development, production and maintenance of cable assemblies for extreme conditions. Contact our specialists directly and convince yourself.

MCAP assemblies - Cable assemblies for all conditions