INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Cabling powered by end-face , both in the core and cladding areas . The following is a table taken from the document that outlines the limits for single mode with a return loss of 45dB .
Cleaning Methods There are a range of cleaning products on the market and it is almost a case of you pay your money and make your choice . The two most popular are the cassette type cleaners such as Cletops or the Pen / Swab type . Whatever the choice , it is important to follow the correct procedure / instruction . Failure to do so could lead to even more contamination being introduced .
The following is a flow chart outlining the suggested process for cleaning fibre connectors .
Conclusion
Cleaning fibre is not a mystery it just requires some common sense and a little thought before the cleaning process starts . There are , of course , some warnings that must be noted .
Here are just a few of the dos and don ’ ts :
• Never touch the end-face of the fibre connectors - natural body oil can be a major cause of contamination
• Always keep a protective cap on unplugged fibre connectors – protection from both damage and contamination
• Do not clean bulkhead connectors without a way of inspecting them – how else will you know whether the cleaning is successful ?
• Always store unused protective caps in a sealed container - they can also be a major source of contamination if not stored in a clean environment .
• Never re-use any tissue , swab or cleaning cassette reel
• Never touch any portion of tissue or swab where alcohol was applied – you could be introducing both dirt and body oil
• Never use a wet cleaning method without a way of dry cleaning immediately afterwards - the wet process can leave a harmful residue that is hard to remove when it dries
Finally , be warned : Ensure all the fibre connectors you intend to clean are disconnected . And NEVER look into a fibre with either a fibre microscope or the naked eye when the lasers are on .
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