363-206-295
About This Document
Issue 1 December 1997 xlv
Lightwave Safety Precautions
In its normal operating mode, a lightwave system is totally enclosed and presents
no risk of eye injury. It is a Class I system under the FDA/CDRH scheme.
The lightguide cables that interconnect various components of a lightwave system
can disconnect or break and may expose people to lightwave emission. Also,
certain measures and maintenance procedures may expose the technician to
emission from the semiconductor laser during installation and servicing. Unlike
more familiar laser devices, such as solid-state and gas lasers, the emission
pattern of a semiconductor laser results in a highly divergent beam. In a divergent
beam, the irradiance (power intensity) decreases rapidly with distance. The
greater the distance, the less energy will enter the eye and the less potential risk
for eye injury.
Inadvertently viewing an unterminated fiber or damaged fiber with the unaided
eye at distances greater than 5 to 6 inches normally will not cause eye injury
provided the power in the fiber is less than a few mW at the shorter wavelengths
and higher at the longer wavelengths. However, damage may occur if an optical
instrument, such as a microscope, magnifying glass, or eye loupe, is used to stare
at the energized fiber end.
!
CAUTION:
Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than
those specified herein may result in hazardous laser radiation exposure.
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