Design of a Portable Optical Fiber Cable Metallic Layer Rodent Resistance Tester

摘要

Based on the study of a new rodent resistance evaluationrnmethod [1][2], a handheld tester has been developed as arnportable optical fiber cable metallic layer rodent resistancerntester. It has one changeable pair of simulated alloy lowerrnrodent incisors fixed to a resistive force sensor and a V shapedrnholder for testing samples. The alloy lower incisors used werernmade to simulate the average gnawing performance of redrnsquirrels ,brown rats and Rattus flavipectus. A battery-operatedrndigital force gauge is used to store and /or display the test forcernlevel imparted by the tester. The penetration force to a givenrnhard or soft metallic armoring layer, plastic sheath or otherrncable elements from a rodent can be simulated by the handheldrntester. It has solved the many problems associated with livernanimal testing where animals are not always willing or able torngnaw through hard metallic armoring layers. Using the newrntester it is also easier to achieve more repeatable testing resultsrnthan with live rodent testing.