x Installation and Service Guide
Laser Safety Information
Note: The Optical Link Card (OLC) referred to in this information is part of the Serial Optic
Channel Converter assembly.
This system contains a laser product called the Optical Link Card (OLC). In the U.S., the
OLC is certified as a Class 1 laser product that conforms to the requirements contained in
the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regulation 21 CFR Subchapter J.
Internationally, the OLC is certified as a Class 1 laser product that conforms to the
requirements contained in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard 825
(1984), the Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE) standard 0837 (1986), and the
CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) Harmonization
Document HD 482 S1 (1988). The German testing institute VDE assigned a certificate of
conformity to DIN IEC 825/VDE 0837/02.86 and CENELEC HD 482 S1/03.88; the certificate
registration number is 3642.
In addition, Statens Provningsanstalt (Swedish National Testing Institute) tested and
approved the OLC for use in Sweden as a Class 1 laser product and assigned the approval
number SP LA 89:184. The CDRH certification label and the VDE certificate of conformity
mark are located on the plastic retainer of the OLC product. Figure 1 shows the system
Class 1 information label required by IEC 825.
Class 1 laser products are not considered to be hazardous. The OLC internally contains a
gallium aluminum arsenide (GaAlAs) semiconductor laser diode emitting in the wavelength
range of 770 to 800 nanometers. This laser diode is a Class 3B laser that is rated at 5.0
milliwatts. The design of the OLC is such that access to laser radiation above a Class 1
level during operation, user maintenance, or service conditions is prevented.
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT
LASER KLASSE 1
LUOKAN 1 LASERLAITE
APPAREIL A LASER DE CLASSE 1
TO IEC 825:1984/CENELEC HD 482 S1
Figure 1. Class 1 System Information Label Required by the IEC 825 Standard
The Optical Link Card (OLC) must only be connected to another OLC or a compatible laser
product. Any compatible laser product must contain the open fiber link detection and laser
control safety system used in OLC. This is a requirement for correct operation of the optical
link. In addition, the OLC product is designed and certified for use in applications with
point-to-point optical links only. Using this product in any other type of optical link
configuration (for example, links containing optical splitters or star couplers) is considered
as not using the product correctly and may require that the user certify the laser product
again for conformance to the laser safety regulations.