Fiber Systems

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Plastic Fiber Optics

Plastic Fiber Optics Specifications

Construction

Optical Fiber: acrylic (PMMA) monofilament, except as noted.

Protective Jacket: black polyethylene, except as noted

Threaded End Tips and Hardware: nickel-plated brass, except as noted.

Probe End Tips: annealed (bendable) 304 stainless steel

Angled End tips: hardened 304 stainless steel

Ferrule End Tips: 303 stainless steel

Sensing Range

Refer to the specific fiber optic/sensor combination

Implied Dimensional

Tolerance

All dimensions are in millimeters: x = ±2.5 mm, x.x = ±0.25 mm and x.xx = ±0.12 mm, unless specified.

“L” = ±40 mm per meter

Minimum Bend Radius

8 mm for 0.25 mm diameter fibers

12 mm for 0.5 mm diameter fibers (except DURA-BEND™)

25 mm for 1.0 mm diameter fibers (except DURA-BEND™)

38 mm for 1.5 mm diameter fibers

Repeat Bending/Flexing

Life expectancy of plastic fiber optic cable is in excess of one million cycles at bend radii of no less than the

minimum and a bend of 90° or less. Avoid stress at the point where the cable enters the sensor (“control end”)

and at the sensing end tip. Coiled plastic fiber optic assemblies are recommended for any application requiring

reciprocating fiber motion.

Chemical Resistance

The acrylic core of the monofilament optical fiber will be damaged by contact with acids, strong bases (alkalis) and

solvents. The polyethylene jacket will protect the fiber from most chemical environments. However, materials may

migrate through the jacket with long term exposure. Samples of fiber optic material are available from Banner for

testing and evaluation.

Temperature Extremes

Temperatures below -30° C will cause embrittlement of the plastic materials but will not cause transmission loss.

Temperatures above +70° C will cause both transmission loss and fiber shrinkage.

Operating Temperature

-30° to +70° C, unless otherwise specified

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APPLICATION NOTES AND WARNINGS !

Plastic fiber assemblies with “U” in the suffix of the model numbers have unterminated control

ends (the end that is coupled to the photoelectric sensor). The customer can cut these fiber optic

assemblies to the required length using the supplied cutter. Use only the supplied cutter to ensure

optimal light coupling efficiency.

Terminated plastic fiber assemblies are optically ground and polished and cannot be shortened,

spliced or otherwise modified.

Do not subject the plastic fibers to sharp bends, pinching, high tensile loads or high levels of

radiation.

When ordering fiber lengths in excess of 2 m, take into account light signal attenuation due to the

additional length.

Due to their light transmission properties, plastic fiber optics are recommended for use only with

visible light fiber optic sensors.

Use caution when applying fiber optics in hazardous locations. Although fiber optic assemblies are,

by themselves, intrinsically safe, the sensor and associated electronics must be LOCATED IN A SAFE

ENVIRONMENT. Alternatively, fiber optics may be used with NAMUR sensor model Q45AD9FP

(page 152). Fiber optics do not necessarily provide a hermetic seal between a hazardous environment

and the safe environment.

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