Micronor Inc.’s MR386 ZapFREE Fiber Optic Microswitch has been awarded Electronic Component News magazine’s 2017 ECN IMPACT Award for electromechanical products.

The MR386 Microswitch is a V-series compatible fiber optic micro switch that directly replaces conventional micro switches in environments where electromechanical and electronic switch technologies fail to perform. The entirely nonelectrical, passive optical sensor provides electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference immunity, isolation from high voltage and lightning, inherent safety in explosive atmospheres, and can operate interference-free over long distances of up to 4000 m.

Industrial and MRI-safe models are offered. The industrial model targets the most challenging environments and features an extended temperature range of −40 to 80 ºC. The nonmetallic MRI-safe model was purposely designed for use inside the bore and is magnetically invisible to the imaging process. With a temperature range of −5 to 60 ºC, this model targets medical, hospital, laboratory and instrumentation applications.

Micronor is a developer of fiber optic kinetic sensors for both industrial and medical applications.