OFS Announces Release of Hand-Held FITEL S178 Fusion Splicer

January 18th, 2010 – OFS today announces the commercial release of its hand-held core-alignment FITEL® S178 Hand-Held Core-Alignment fusion splicer to the global market.

“The key advantage of the FITEL S178 splicer is its speed and durability,” said Linda Dembowski, General Manager, Optical Connectivity Solutions. “By combining speed, precision, durability and portability in one unit, the FITEL S178 fusion splicer ushers in a new range of applications for core alignment splicing.”

The FITEL S178 fusion splicer is significantly smaller and lighter in weight than previous models. Its canopy design, durable metal body frame and rubber shock absorbers provide robust protection, enabling use in demanding environments without compromising splicing performance. Along with its rugged durability, the S178 also offers the added user convenience of an innovative, mirror-free alignment system which allows for simplified maintenance. The new battery system provides up to 200 splicing cycles (splicing/heating).

While increasing speed and durability, the FITEL S178 fusion splicer continues the FITEL fusion splicer tradition of quality and excellence by delivering precise, accurate splices even under rigorous conditions in the field.

Product Features:

Rugged and compact handheld design. The S178 design endures harsh
environmental conditions.
Fast splicing and heating. The S178 can splice in 7 seconds at super
low loss and heat in 25 seconds.
200 cycles. The S178 can splice and heat 200 cycles with new battery
configuration.
Available for all METRO/ LAN / FTTX fibers. The S178 is available for
METRO/ LAN/ FTTX fibers including ultra bend-optimized fiber including
EZ-Bend® fibers.
Compatible with the OFS and leading brand splice-on-connectors.