Fiber optics cleaning technics

Highlights :

Tools

There are as many different cleaning techniques as there are fiber optic network technicians. While some techniques work some of the time, reliable and lasting performance of your fiber links require inspection and proper cleaning processes with every mating. Here are some well-known bad habits:

Dry Cleaning:
Cleaning end-faces without use of any solvent is not only likely to be ineffective, but it can actually cause more problems. Using a dry cleaning method will only be effective on one type of contaminant: skin oil. For all other types of contaminants, dry cleaning is dangerous. For dust and debris, a lack of solvent can allow these particles to scratch or chip the end-face as they are wiped away. Use of specialty solvent effectively lubricates the particles and lifts them from the surface of the ferrule so that they do not cause damage as they are trapped by a lint-free cleaner. Further, dry cleaning can generate a static charge that will draw more dust to the end-face in the time it takes you to plug your connector into a port. Fluke Networks’ solvent is oxygenated and therefore will not only prevent generation of an additional charge, but also it will neutralize any preexisting static charge.

Wet Cleaning:
Cleaning with only a pre-soaked wet wipe or excessive solvent will leave liquid behind on the end-face which also causes problems. As that excess solvent dries, it can leave behind of film of dissolved contaminants that were never properly removed. In addition, residual isopropyl alcohol (IPA) can leave behind a “halo” as it dries that not only causes attenuation, but also can be very hard to remove. No solvent should remain at the conclusion of a cleaning.

Canned Air and Dusters:
Canned air and dusters are ineffective and should not be used to clean end-faces. The only thing dusters do is blow large particles around. On a patch cord, this may be effective, but inside a port this can result in those same particles settling elsewhere. Dusters are ineffective on smaller, statically-charged particles and totally useless on oil-based contaminants such as buffer gel or body oil. Last, dusters often expel a propellant that becomes a whole new contaminant that now requires an effective cleaning process to remove.

Thinking New Equals Clean:
Do not be lulled into thinking that end-faces on factory-terminated patch cords or pigtails will be clean when they are brand new and covered with a dust cap. Though dust caps are great at preventing damage to the end-face, the caps themselves can be a source of contamination. The plastic used to create dust caps will outgas a residue as its plasticizers deteriorate over time and the surface of the cap may contain mold-release substances used in their high-speed production process. Don’t be surprised to find a contaminated end-face upon removal of a protective cap.

For repeatable and reliable end-face cleaning, always use Fluke Networks’ tools to follow the recommended wet and dry process.

Specialized Solvent
For years isopropyl alcohol (IPA) was used to clean fiber end-faces, but now there are customized solvents that are far superior, such as Fluke Networks’ Fiber Optic Solvent Pen. Most importantly, this specialized solvent is more effective than IPA at dissolving all contaminants, especially non-ionic compounds such as buffer gel and pulling lube. You will get a better clean every time and with every contaminant.

Next, our solvent has a lower surface tension than IPA that allows it to envelop particles and debris, effectively lifting them from the surface of the end-face as they are carried away by a wipe or swab.

Many smaller particles carry a charge that bonds them to the ferrule or an end-face. Unlike IPA, this solvent is oxygenated to neutralize this charge so that the charged particle can be removed and more particles are not attracted onto the end-face.

When cleaning end-faces inside ports or equipment, the evaporation rate of solvents become significant as it is harder to guarantee removal of all solvent. Fluke Networks’ customized solvent has an evaporation rate tailored to stay long enough to work yet still disappear before mating. It evaporates much faster than IPA.

IPA is highly hygroscopic and therefore draws water vapor that can then dry on the end-face and leave a residue, which sometimes appears as a “halo”. Using Fluke Networks’ solvent will avoid this problem.

Kit Contents
Cleaning Cards: Contain 12 individually sealed cleaning zones for use as necessary – perfect for troubleshooting.
Cleaning Cube: Lint-free wipes spooled up inside a miniature cube clean up to 500 end-faces.
Fiber Optic Solvent Pen: Specialty fiber optic solvent is precisely applied from pen dispenser. Solvent is incredibly effective yet plastic-safe.
2.5mm Swabs: Use in conjunction with solvent to clean end-faces inside ST, SC, FC and all other 2.5mm diameter ports.
1.25mm Swabs: Use in conjunction with solvent to clean end-faces inside LC and MU ports.
Carrying Case: Rugged case snugly stores all cleaning tools, has room for additional items and displays complete reordering information.

Cleaning Instructions
Inspect every end-face first. If it is clean, then it can be inserted as is. Most likely, it has accumulated some form of contamination and needs to be cleaned right before insertion:

Cleaning patch cords with a Cleaning Card:
1. Remove the plastic cover from one cleaning zone.
2. Apply a minimal spot of solvent to the starting corner of the cleaning zone.
3. Holding the connector perpendicularly, swipe the end-face from the wet spot into a dry zone.
4. Inspect again to ensure a complete cleaning. If necessary, expose a new cleaning zone and repeat steps again.

Cleaning patch cords with a Cleaning Cube:
1. Pull a clean wipe from the Cleaning Cube.
2. Apply a minimal spot of solvent to the starting edge of the wipe.
3. Holding the connector perpendicularly, swipe the end-face from the wet spot into a dry zone.
4. Inspect again to ensure a complete cleaning. If necessary, repeat the steps again on a new portion of the exposed wipe on the Cube.

Cleaning inside ports with Swabs:
1. Pull a clean wipe from the Cleaning Cube.
2. Apply a minimal spot of solvent to the wipe.
3. Touch the swab to the wet spot on the wipe for 3 seconds to absorb a minimal amount of solvent. A damp swab works better than a wet one.
4. Insert the swab into the port and turn several times while applying gentle pressure.
5. Follow the damp swab with a dry one, using the same procedure to remove any remaining solvent from the end-face and alignment sleeve.