World’s First Fiber Optic Microswitch Scores First Place for Electromechanical/Mechanical Devices
Micronor’s MR386 ZapFREE® Fiber Optic Microswitch has been awarded Electronic Component News magazine’s 2017 ECN IMPACT Award for 
Electromechanical/Mechanical products. Micronor Chief Engineer Robert Rickenbach accepted the prestigious, First Place award from ECN and Group Editorial Director Joyceann Garippa at last month’s special dinner event.
The MR386 Microswitch is the world’s first V-series compatible fiber optic micro switch. It directly replaces conventional micro switches in environments where electromechanical and electronic switch technologies fail to perform. The entirely non-electrical, totally-passive optical sensor provides EMI and RFI immunity, isolation from high voltage and lightning, inherent safety in explosive atmospheres, and can operate interference-free over very long distances – up to 4000 meters.
Two models are offered – Industrial and MRI Safe. The Industrial model targets the most challenging environments and features an extended temperature range of -40ºC to +80ºC. The non-metallic MRI Safe model was purposely designed for use inside the MR bore and is magnetically invisible to the imaging process. With a temperature range of -5ºC to +60ºC, this model targets medical, hospital, laboratory and instrumentation applications.
About Micronor
Since 2003, Micronor Inc. has been a pioneer of innovative Fiber Optic Kinetic Sensors for both industrial and medical applications. Products include Fiber Optic Position Sensors, Rotary Encoders, Linear Encoders, Signaling, E-Stop, Microswitch, Accelerometer, and Temperature Sensors. These sensors are designed for challenging applications where immunity to EMI, RFI, microwaves, high voltage, magnetic fields, radiation and/or explosive atmospheres is required, as well as MRI compatibility or long distance operation. Micronor maintains regional sales, service, engineering, and manufacturing facilities in both California, USA and Switzerland.
