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