Optical Cable Corporation Introduces IRIS Breakaway Fiber Optic Inter-Connect System

“When an impact shears a traffic cabinet from its base, the impact not only damages the cabinet, but also has the potential to do significant damage to the fiber back bone as well,” explains Daniel Roehrs, OCC Vice President of Business Development. “OCC fiber optic cable used in Intelligent Transportation Systems is extremely rugged and designed not to break,” says Roehrs. “That dependability makes the overall system very durable, but it can cause extensive damage to a traffic control system when the cabinet is ripped from its base following a collision or natural disaster.”

To protect the fiber plant, IRIS disengages the fiber optic cable upon impact. OCC’s patent pending technology uses a sensing ring that detects horizontal or tangential force within a 360 degree horizon. If tension is detected, a mechanical latch trips, disengaging and retracting the connector under positive pressure within milliseconds, thereby avoiding extensive repairs and downtime. Fully restored connection can be made within minutes without field repair or retermination of the fiber optic cable.

According to Roehrs, IRIS is ideal for both new installations and retrofits and features a plug-and-play interconnect that can accommodate from six to 12 fiber optic channels. The system is pre-terminated to eliminate field installation time and reduce cost and is completely dust- and waterproof, extending field maintenance cycles. The fully sealed harsh environment connector can even survive temporary flood conditions, and is virtually maintenance free for the life of the cabinet.