Polymer optical fiber (POF) cables are often used in industrial environments with low data rate and range requirements. These cables have a plastic core and cladding, protected by a 2.2 mm diameter coating. They are typically used in breakout cables, which have two POF cores, filler material, and strain relief elements. Phoenix Contact offers a wide range of breakout cables with POF cores for different applications. In addition, specially adapted tool sets are the solution. They are used to connect connectors, making the assembly of POF fibers easy and safe.

Pure quartz glass fiber (GOF) is increasingly used in industrial networks for fiber-optic cabling due to its high data rates, attractive cost, and easy management. Many specialist companies have established themselves in fiber-optic connection technology field, specializing in fusion splicing and large-volume connector assembly. Phoenix Contact offers the necessary cabling and connection technology products, including fiber-optic cables and fiber-optic splice boxes. However, if you prefer to perform GOF connector assembly in-field, a specially adapted tool set allows SC and LC connector assembly on site. Furthermore, The connectors contain factory-prepared fibers. All that remains to be done is to strip the cables and prepare the fibers. This results in a reliable, long-term stable connection with low attenuation values.

Oliver Krause, team leader for automation and control technology at Drolshagen plant, explored alternatives to conventional connectors at Hannover Messe 2022. He discovered contactless NearFi technology for data transmission at Phoenix Contact’s booth. The laser welding machine processes workpieces in four steps. First, the workpieces are inserted, then, the workpieces are aligned with each other. The tolerances are then checked and the workpieces are welded. Finally, the finished workpiece is married and given a barcode. Sensors at each processing station are picked up by a Profinet I/O module, communicating machine states and workpiece positions to the controller. The data forwarding and power supply are contactless, making it wear-free.

Industrial automation relies on Ethernet with a 100 Mbps data rate, but NearFi technology offers contactless and protocol-independent Ethernet connections with low latency. NearFi couplers transmit 50 watts of power and real-time Ethernet data over a small distance, ensuring coexistence with existing wireless technologies like Bluetooth or WLAN. Moreover, Phoenix Contact’s IP65 housing and M12 connections make them suitable for demanding environments. NearFi couplers are ideal for moving applications with high interference risk.