Optical modules can be categorized into commercial grade (0°C to 70°C), extended grade (-20°C to 85°C), and industrial grade (-40°C to 85°C) according to the different operating temperature ranges. Industrial-grade optical modules are optical modules that can be used in harsh high and low-temperature operating environments, and have advantages such as high durability and adaptability.

Industrial-grade optical modules can be categorized into SFP, SFP+, XFP, SFP28 and so on according to the different encapsulation types. According to the different fiber types can be divided into single-mode and multi-mode industrial grade optical modules. General optical module common operating temperature is mainly commercial grade (0 ℃ ~ 70 ℃), industrial-grade optical modules and commercial-grade optical modules in addition to the difference in operating temperature, there are several differences:

1, the chip withstand different temperatures: commercial-grade optical modules 0 ℃ ~ 70 ℃, industrial-grade optical modules -40 ℃ ~ 85 ℃, and the same as what can support the operating temperature.

2, different application environments: commercial-grade optical modules are generally used in enterprise networks, data centers, server rooms and other network environments, while industrial-grade optical modules are generally used in harsh environments with large differences in operating temperatures, such as remote mountainous areas, outdoor, tunnels and so on.

3, different test methods: commercial-grade optical modules only need to carry out room temperature aging test can be, while the industrial-grade optical modules need to carry out high and low temperature aging test, but also need to carry out temperature compensation, in order to control the optical module stable working current supply, due to the increase in the cost of raw materials and manufacturing costs, the industrial-grade optical module product prices will also be relatively high.

Industrial-grade optical modules are generally used in conjunction with industrial-grade Ethernet switches, and are used in industrial Ethernet application scenarios in factory automation, railroads and intelligent transportation systems (ITS), power utility substations, marine, oil, gas, mining and other industries. So what factors need to be considered when buying industrial-grade optical modules?

1, transmission rate: industrial-grade optical modules also have transmission rate points, different transmission rates of the optical module application conditions are not the same, according to the switch to support the rate to choose the rate of optical modules, the transmission rate is generally backward compatible.

2, transmission distance: generally single-mode industrial-grade optical module transmission distance than the multi-mode industrial-grade optical module transmission distance is long, the price is slightly more expensive, so if there is no requirement for the transmission distance, then you can give priority to multi-mode industrial-grade optical module.

3, single-fiber or dual-fiber: industrial-grade optical modules have single-fiber and dual-fiber points, generally single-fiber bi-directional optical module prices are more expensive, but can save fiber resources, to fill the gap in the lack of fiber resources. Single-fiber bidirectional optical module price is relatively cheap, but need to use more than one fiber, fiber optic resources sufficient users can choose.

4, hardware: industrial-grade optical module electrical components and enclosures need to be designed using hardened parts, and chips and lasers are required to achieve industrial-grade temperature (-40 ℃ ~ 85 ℃) grade requirements.

5, compatibility: in the purchase of the business can be communicated with the requirements of the optical module for real machine testing, in order to examine its compatibility with the equipment, and at the same time to see whether the optical module production standards are in line with the corresponding international standards and FCC certification.

Walsun's industrial-grade optical modules using new optical devices, industrial-grade chip program, can ensure that the optical module in the harsh environment of high-performance operation.

Additional Learning Hub Resources 

What is the difference between industrial-grade optical modules and commercial-grade optical modules? 

How to Solve Optical Module Compatibility Problems 

Optical module common faults and solutions 

How to use SFP optical modules with switches 

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