APA Cables & Networks Introduces Ruggedized "One-Touch" Splitter

Plymouth, MN - APA Cables & Networks, a provider of fiber connectivity systems for Fiber-to-the-x (FTTx) networks and wholly owned subsidiary of APA Enterprises, Inc., announced a new line of ruggedized passive connectivity solutions for the Outside Plant (OSP), including the industry's first ruggedized splitter. APACN's ruggedized splitter addresses environmental and human handling issues that today's splitters cannot combat. It also provides fiber protection, management and maintenance in an OSP environment, especially in today's FTTx deployments.

"While traditional riser-rated material meets established industry standards, the reality is that fiber is being installed deeper into the outside plant. This threatens the performance and reliability that fiber promises," commented Cheri Beranek Podzimek, APA Cables & Networks president. "The availability of ruggedized cabling material prompted us to introduce a new standard for reliability in the OSP with a line of ruggedized patchcords, pigtails and splitters that can withstand the environmental and human handling issues of harsh environments."

Less Handling Required

Human handling is the number one reason for network downtime—a situation which is exacerbated by extreme weather environments. Unique to the APACN ruggedized splitter is its "one-touch turn-up" design, allowing output legs to be handled only during customer turn-up. Unlike many competing products that require the output legs to be moved to a parking lot after the splitter is installed, then moved again when the customer is turned-up, APACN's easy one-touch approach requires less human handling, thus reducing the chance of fiber damage.

The superior flexibility inherent in the ruggedized splitter's optical cable is maintained in temperatures ranging from -55° C to +85° C and will not sag or wilt during temperature cycles. This flexibility helps in preventing microbends in the fiber which could lead to network failure points and ultimately, customer downtime. In addition to being a part of APACN optical components, the ruggedized optical cable is available as patchcords or pigtails for the OSP as well as in pre-connectorized solutions. "Traditional optical cables are stiff, full of memory, and hard to manage at very low temperatures. They also will sag during bouts of high temperatures," commented Johnny Hill, APA Cables & Networks vice president of product development. "Our ruggedized solutions address temperature extremes on both ends of the thermometer, improving network reliability and protecting revenue generating circuits."

SOURCE: APA Cables & Networks, Inc.