August 26, 2009 -- Fresh on the heels of its acquisition by General Cable, Gepco is debuting its field-deployable and expandable HMS and HMD modular hybrid fiber distribution racks. According to the company, both series of distribution racks are designed to simplify and improve the cable installation process as an on-site termination solution for SMPTE 304M format camera connectors, which are typically challenging to field-terminate.
Optimized for modularity and expandability, both the HMS and HMD feature an internal cable management design with configurable ports for multiple cable formats, including 9.2 mm SMPTE hybrid cable, discrete electrical and fiber cables, or HDC3R three-channel hybrid cable.
The internal management design delivers a streamlined breakout for interconnecting cable between racks by eliminating the need for excessive heat shrink, furcation tubing, and additional cable strain relief. Mounted in non-conductive, electrically isolated modules, the HMS and HMD can be configured with Lemo brand SMPTE 304M or Neutrik's OpticalCon connectors, which can easily be expanded, interchanged or serviced.
Available in two versions, the HMS Fusion Splice and HMD Internal SC Breakout, both racks deliver the same modularity and cable management designs.
The HMS features an internal fusion splice tray for direct fusion splicing to the fiber in the hybrid connector. The direct splice method delivers the lowest attenuation to maximize the loss headroom of the signal chain, maintains Gepco. Unlike other conventional splice systems, the HMS splice tray was designed specifically for the management of larger cables such as 3 mm breakout and 900-micron tight-buffered fiber, allowing for a cleaner and more robust splice management. To eliminate the need for specialized fusion splice equipment, the HMD can be spliced with almost any type of fusion splicer and does not require custom jigs or fixtures.
The HMD features an internal SC breakout with optional fusion splice mating connectors. The internal SC breakout design provides a quick disconnect for the hybrid modules, enabling for both faster servicing and modularity, says the company. The interconnecting fiber between racks can be terminated with conventional polishing methods or with optional fusion splice SC connector kits.
"Gepco first introduced the original standard for hybrid fiber distribution systems in 2003, and we are very proud to introduce our latest generation of hybrid products," says Scott Fehl, product marketing manager for the Gepco and Isotec Brands. "The new Gepco HMD and HMS systems deliver the best solution for hybrid fiber cable management and expandability, in a format that accommodates the latest technology used in field terminating optical fiber cables."
On the Web:
www.gepco.com
www.generalcable.com
