Intrusion Alarm

Fiber-optic cables are joint or branched inside infrastructure cabinets scattered around public spaces. Virtually unprotected, the cabinets are a potentially weak link in any fiber network. Micropol’s intrusion alarm efficiently detects any intrusion in cabinets.

Fiber-optic networks are the lifeblood of our connected society. Minimizing the risk of disturbances is a matter of national concern. There are, however, potential weaknesses in many networks that should be addressed to improve security. This is especially urgent in these uncertain times, when eavesdropping or sabotage are real threats.

Like power cables, fiber-optic cables must be joint or branched to reach their destination. These connections are made inside infrastructure cabinets located in public spaces and easily accessible for installation, upgrading, or maintenance. Unfortunately, for misuse, too.

The cabinets are often easy to open using a simple tool. The fiber cables are coiled up in joint closures inside the cabinet, which may or may not be protected by a padlock, yet are easily penetrable for an intruder. Once opened, the fiber is fully exposed and at the mercy of the intruder.

The key to damage control is rapid intrusion detection. Here is where the Micropol’s intrusion alarm comes into play. Immediately after the joint closure has been opened, an alarm goes off to a remotely located control unit.

The alarm solution can use the spare fibers from the very same cable it is set to protect. There is no extra wiring needed, nor a dedicated power supply or additional engineering. Only access to two out of many redundant fibers is combined with a clever add-on mechanism inside the joint closure.

New and existing cabinets can therefore be vastly safety boosted – quickly, easily, and cost-effectively. Each alarm unit solution can have up to 40 serial-connected units up to 100 kilometers or more apart.

When opening the joint closure, a sensor is triggered, which in turn bends the fiber. This causes a change in the back reflection of the light beam in the fiber and activates the alarm. A control unit identifies which sensor has been activated and sends a notification to enable fast and accurate corrective action.

The simplest solutions are often the best. A sensor, two spare optic fibers, and a remotely located dedicated control unit are all it takes to make a robust and easily installed and maintained alarm solution. A cost-effective investment in the vital fiber-network infrastructure of today’s society.