Clearfield Announces New Fiber Access Panel

MINNEAPOLIS — Fiber connectivity specialist Clearfield announced the new CraftSmart Fiber Access Panel (FAP), whose 1-RU tie-panel design ensures that fiber is appropriately consolidated, protected and distributed and also delivers front and rear adapter access with a convenient pull-out drawer format.

As companies drive fiber deeper into the network, they are tasking fiber installation to crafts people primarily experienced with copper. The CraftSmart FAP, with its superior access and integrated slack storage, was designed - with input from Clearfield customers - to be especially craft-friendly. The new panel is currently shipping and has already been deployed into existing and new active electronics cabinets, customer premises and business-class networks, and as the demarc point for cell backhaul installations.

“Communications service providers have been using tie panels for years, but in listening to their concerns, we’ve learned that many are frustrated with the down-and-dirty philosophy of commodity equipment vendors,” comments Johnny Hill, Clearfield’s chief operating officer. “Our entire CraftSmart product line is targeted at ensuring that service providers have the right enclosures for their needs – instead of having to use legacy products for emerging applications.”

“We looked at dozens of standard tie panels in the market, but were disappointed with their lack of attention to access,” explains Joe Samsel, director of facility engineering for Zayo Bandwidth. “Clearfield hit the mark for the access and price point we were looking for.”

Technical Details
The CraftSmart FAP is a 1RU panel supporting up to 24 ports of connectivity. The “all-front” access design features a slide-out drawer providing uninhibited access for installation and maintenance of feeder and distribution patch cords or multifiber IFC or OSP assemblies. Integrated slack storage provides the proper route paths and protection for fiber assets in tie panel or patch-and-splice applications.