Why Fiber Cleaning is necessary?

The dust is invisible to the naked eye and is very easy to attach to the fiber connector. In the routine maintenance of the fiber optic connector, the fiber optic connector is contaminated with oil, powder and other contaminants. These contaminants may cause problems such as unclean fiber tips, aging connectors, degraded cable quality, and unobstructed network links. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the fiber connector regularly and take dust-proof measures.

Parts Needed to be Cleaned

The parts on fiber connector that needs to be cleaned are the fiber end face, the fiber tip, and the optical module port that connects the fibers.

These parts are the easiest to enter into dust and contaminant, and are also the most prone to problems due to contaminants. Therefore, to keep the fiber connector clean is to thoroughly clean these three parts.

Ways to Clean the Optical Fiber Connector

I will talk about optical fiber connector cleaning methods in three parts: ways to clean fiber end face, ways to clean fiber tip and ways to clean optical module port that connects the fiber.

Ways to clean fiber end face

Fiber ends are generally exposed to the air, so they are easily attached to dust and oil. Due to the exposion, it is convenient and quick to clean them. There are three ways to clean the fiber end face.

1. Clean with dust-free cotton swab and alcohol

Sprinkle alcohol on the dust-free cotton swab and wipe the fiber end face repeatedly until it is clean. Finally, wipe the fiber end face with dry, dust-free cotton swab to keep the end face dry.

2.Clean with fiber optic cleaner cassette

The fiber cleaner cassette is a cleaner used to clean the fiber end face. When using, place the fiber end face on the cleaning tape and wipe it gently. The tape can be rotated to replace the used parts during the cleaning process. The fiber cleaning cassette can be used for approximate 500 times and is easy to operate.

3.Clean with fiber optic cleaner

Fiber cleaners are primarily used to clean fiber ends. Connect the fiber connector to the fiber cleaner and clean the fiber end face with a single push. Fiber cleaners are typically used 750 times. It’s simple to operate and with low cost.

Ways to clean fiber tip

Contaminants in the fiber tip are generally inside the joint and are not easy to clean. Therefore, cleaning the fiber tip requires some professional cleaning tools. There are mainly two ways to clean the fiber tip.

1.Clean with fiber optic cleaning pen

The fiber cleaning pen can be used to clean the fiber tip. Insert the pen into the fiber tip and clean the ferrule end of the fiber by pressing the operation button. This method is simple and the cost is low.

2.Clean with automatic electronic fiber optic cleaner

The automatic cleaner is an electric fiber tip cleaner. Connect the fiber tip to the automatic cleaner and press the button to complete the cleaning.

Ways to clean the optical module ports

The ports of optical module are usually in contact with optical connectors such as LC, SC, and MTP, so the source of contamination generally comes from the ferrules of these connectors. Optical modules are much less contaminated than fiber optic connectors. Moreover, frequent insertion and removal of the optical module will reduce the service life of the optical module. In practical applications, the port needs to be cleaned only when the transmission performance of the optical module is degraded.

1.Clean with dust-free cotton swab and alcohol

First put the dust-free cotton swab on the alcohol, then insert it into the optical module port. And turn it clockwise, and rotate it in the same direction for one turn.

2.Clean with fiber optic cleaning pen

The fiber cleaning pen can be used not only to clean the fiber tip, but also to clean the optical module port. The usage is similar to what introduced of cleaning the fiber tip.

Every cleaning and maintenance of the fiber optic connector will cause loss. Therefore, in daily network transmission, we should make better dust proof work, so as to prevent it from happening!

FAQ: Fiber Optic Cleaning Solutions

Q: Why Clean Fiber Optic Connectors?

A: Fiber optic communication is achieved by transmitting a beam of light down an optical fiber. Typical fiber optic cores (signal carrying portion) are 9µm single mode and 62.5µm multimode. To put this in perspective, a typical human hair measures 90µm in diameter.

This makes cleanliness of optical connections (SC, LC, MTP, etc.) extremely important. Common contaminates such as dust, dirt, oils, etc. may be larger than 9µm and can attenuate or completely block an optical signal much like dirt attenuates visible light transmitted through windows.

Many optical networks have tight loss budgets. Dirty connectors can quickly exceed the allowed loss. Dirty connectors are a common cause of costly down time for networks. Cleaning connectors is quick and inexpensive - network downtime and service calls are costly. It is a good practice to clean and inspect connectors each time they are disconnected. Dust and dirt are everywhere.

Q: What are “common contaminates” – What am I cleaning off?

A: A few of the common connector contaminates are listed below:

• Dust/Dirt

Dust and dirt are a fact of life. There are always particles airborne and on surfaces. Slight air currents can transport them to exposed fiber optic connectors.

• Metallic particles

Connector bodies and fiber housings are commonly made from plated metal (especially military connectors). Normal wear and tear will scrape off the platting in tiny particles. Normal wear and tear of hand tools can also produce tiny metal particles. Metal particles are similar to dirt with two exceptions:

A charged connector (easily produced by dry wiping) is a magnet for metallic particles. They will literally jump to an electro-statically charged connector.

Metallic particles are by nature abrasive. Dry wiping can cause the fiber end to be scratched and damaged by metallic particles.

• Oils

Human skin is naturally oily. Contact with an optical connector virtually guarantees instant contamination of the connector end face.

In the field, other oils such as WD-40, hydraulic fluid, etc. may be in use. These will contaminate the connector and can be just as stubborn to remove as WD-40 streaks from a window. Always remember, the “signal” is a beam of light. Cleanliness really means – optical clarity.

Q: Do I need to inspect connectors – or is it sufficient to just clean them all?

A: Yes, you should always inspect fiber connectors prior to reconnecting them. Multiple cleans may be required to remove some contaminates. Further, inspection is needed to identify damaged fiber ends (cracked glass, pits, etc.).

Q: Can I use IPA Alcohol to clean fiber optic connectors?

A: IPA is commonly used to clean fiber optic connectors. However, it is not an ideal cleaner for connectors. If you do use IPA, make sure it is optical grade 99%. Never use common drug store IPA (rubbing alcohol) – approximately 70% pure.

Concerns with using IPA Alcohol for optical cleaning:

• First, even 99% IPA can leave a residue behind.

• IPA is hydrophilic. It has a great attraction for water. When IPA is exposed to air, it takes on atmospheric moisture, which reduces the purity.

• Does the water content of your IPA matter? Yes. 

• When water dries, the evaporation process draws in air. With the air come dust particles and other impurities to recontaminate the connector.

• Slow drying is undesirable for cleaning connectors in adapters because a small amount of remaining IPA caught between connectors actively transmitting high signal power can flash evaporate the IPA and damage the fiber end face. When this happens, the connectors must be replaced.

• Safety: IPA is flammable and must be handled with appropriate Hazmat precautions and paperwork.

• IPA cannot be shipped by air. Thus, when technicians fly to a jobsite, they cannot bring their IPA with them. Instead, they may end up running to a drug store to pick up a bottle of rubbing alcohol. While convenient, it definitely is not optical grade!