| First, let's understand why a fiber | | | | a fiber optic connector could be |
| optic connector needs cleaning. You may | | | | contaminated, look at this tutorial: Is |
| never need to clean the RJ45 connector | | | | there only one method for fiber |
| for your computer's Ethernet network | | | | connector cleaning? There are many |
| connection, then why do you need to | | | | different ways to clean a fiber optic |
| clean a fiber optic connector if it | | | | connector. They are not exclusive but |
| serves the same purpose as a networking | | | | rather complementary to each other. |
| connection? While, the answer lies in | | | | When one method failed, you can always |
| how optics work differently than | | | | try another method. And that is why |
| electronics. In electronics, as long as | | | | there are so many fiber optic supplies |
| you have a contact between two | | | | for cleaning fiber connectors available |
| connectors, they work perfectly; or at | | | | on the market. 1. Air spray. Air dusters |
| least most of the time. But for optics, | | | | are used to blow loose particles from |
| light beams travel in straight lines, | | | | optical fiber connector end face. Optic |
| they bounce off whenever they hit | | | | grade is more expensive. Air spray is a |
| anything and thus loss their energy. So | | | | non-abrasive fiber optic cleaning |
| in order for a light beam to carry the | | | | method. 2. Lint-free wipes with |
| information signal and travel thousands | | | | isopropyl alcohol. The operator folds |
| of miles of optical fiber, its path must | | | | the lens paper (such as the lint free |
| be kept crystal clear, including fiber | | | | wipes) into 4~6 layers and lay it flat |
| optic connectors in the network. What | | | | on a table. He then holds the connector |
| part of a fiber optic connector should | | | | vertically straight and cleans the end |
| be cleaned, exactly? OK. Now comes the | | | | face in figure 8 motion. 3. Reel fiber |
| critical part. What part in the fiber | | | | optic connector cleaners. Connector reel |
| connector needs cleaning, exactly? The | | | | cleaner is a dry cleaning method with a |
| short answer is the ferrule's body and | | | | quick, reliable operation and uniform |
| its end face. But what exactly is a | | | | results. They use 2 micrometer weaved |
| ferrule? Ferrule is a cylindrical and | | | | polyester cloth to clean optical fiber |
| also the most critical part in an | | | | connectors. This is an abrasive fiber |
| optical fiber connector. It is usually | | | | optic cleaning method but pad underneath |
| made from stainless steel or Zirconia. | | | | cleaning cloth mitigates this |
| Zirconia is a type of white colored | | | | significantly. 4. Stick or swab type |
| ceramic which is an extremely refractory | | | | cleaners. These specially built Cletop |
| material. It offers chemical and | | | | sticks come in 2.5mm and 1.25mm |
| corrosion inertness to temperatures well | | | | versions. They are designed for dry |
| above the melting point of alumina. | | | | cleaning fiber optic connector mating |
| Zirconia is the preferred material for | | | | sleeves, bulkhead adapters and |
| high quality fiber optic ferrules. | | | | receptacles. 5. In-situ cleaning. This |
| Ferrules have a tiny hole in the center | | | | semi-automated fiber optic cleaning |
| which holds optical fiber in place. Then | | | | method is specially designed for fiber |
| the fiber is scribed and precisely | | | | optic connectors plugged in patch panels |
| polished to flush with the end face of | | | | and hardware devices. 6. Pre-saturated |
| the ferrule. Two fiber connectors can | | | | or soaked wipes. Pre-saturated wipes are |
| then mate to each other with a mating | | | | good for cleaning glass fiber or |
| sleeve. When mated, two ferrules' end | | | | connector end faces. They are available |
| faces contact each other perfectly and | | | | in a convenient pre-saturated towelette. |
| thus pass light from one fiber to | | | | The towels are durable and non-linting. |
| another. Ferrules get dirty from dust, | | | | Pre-saturated wipes are a convenient |
| stain and debris made by constant | | | | option for field use. Fiber Optics For |
| plugging and unplugging after having | | | | Sale Co. offers all types of fiber optic |
| been used for a while. These | | | | supplies for fiber optic cleaning. Check |
| contaminations will block the light path | | | | it out by yourself at |
| and thus seriously reduce the light | | | | Colin Yao is the sales manager at Fiber |
| power and may disable the network | | | | Optics For Sale Co. and specializes in |
| connection. To get a better sense of how | | | | fiber optic supplies. |