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| Fiber Certification and Testing |
 OptiFiber® OTDR DTX CableAnalyzer™ Series DSP CableAnalyzer™ Series FiberInspector™ Pro FiberInspector™ Mini FiberViewer™ Fiber Optic Cleaning Kits SimpliFiber™ Optical Loss Test Kits CertiFiber® VisiFault™ Visual Fault Locator |
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Fiber Optic Cleaning Kits
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| What to avoid when cleaning end-faces |
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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.
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