Compact fiber size for tight locations
- Small size and flexibility allow positioning and installation in tight spaces
- Plastic fiber assemblies are typically single strands and can access very tight areas
- Plastic fibers also perform well under repeated bending
- Pre-wound plastic fibers can be used in reciprocating machinery applications
Reliable performance in harsh or explosive environments
- Fiber optics can be constructed to resist environments with corrosive substances or extreme moisture and are immune to electrical noise
- Fiber optics contain no circuitry and have no moving parts, so they can safely transport light to and from hazardous sensing locations
- Most glass fiber optic components are very rugged and can operate reliably in extreme temperatures
- Jacketing materials such as polypropylene and stainless steel are used to protect plastic and glass fiber optic components in harsh environments
- Fiber optics are lightweight, allowing fiber optic components to withstand high levels of vibration and mechanical shock
Flexible to meet a wide range of application needs
- Some optical fibers have bendable probes that can be optimally shaped based on physical properties and meet application-specific optical requirements
- Specialty fibers can be used for water detection, object clear detection, or vacuum feed-through areas
