Cleaning fiber optic connectors and end faces with Sticklers™
View all our MicroCare products here.
Transcript:
In this section, we are going to look at the best practices for cleaning fiber connectors. We will focus on cleaning a connectorized block, terminal and optical connector using the 2.5mm, cleaned like a 750 and 2.5mm clean stick products. But the cleaning process you should follow applies to both the 1.25mm clean like a 750 and the MPO clean click of products you will find in your cleaning kit for all connector types.
We advise that you clean the connector inside the adapter before cleaning the cable assembly. This is not compulsory but helps to create some consistency to your cleaning process and reduces the possibility of missing a connector. It is vital that you clean both ends of the mated pair. If you only clean one end and the other end will be contaminated.
The mated connectors will cross-contaminate and you could potentially ruin both interfaces permanently. Once you remove the protective cap from the connector is blocked. Terminal. Remove the end cap from your clean clicker and place this in the slot at the bottom of the tool. Then twist the handle from locked to unlocked. Insert the barrel of the clean clicker down to the bottom of the adapter, and then push the handle in one smooth motion until you hear and feel the tool click.
This will indicate a full rotation of cleaning fiber has been achieved. The CleanClicker 750 is a very effective tool, and in the vast majority of applications will completely remove contamination with a single click. To clean the cable assembly, place the end cap back onto the tip of the clean. Click and remove the lid. The opening in the lid is designed to accommodate the 2.5mm ferrule of an SC, ST, FC or OptiTap connector.
Insert the clean click into the cable and push the handle down until once again you hear and feel the click. If you've discovered slightly higher than normal levels of contamination when testing either end of the connector pair, you will need to follow a more comprehensive cleaning process, generally known as wet to dry cleaning using your splice and connector, cleaning fluid and cleaning wipes when using the wet to dry method, never apply the cleaning fluid directly onto the cleaned like a tip, as it is hard to control how much fluid is applied, and you may oversaturate the connector during cleaning.
Instead, open the lid of your cleaning fluid. Remove a single cleaning wipe from the box, fold it in half, and press down once or twice to extract a measured dose of fluid. Touch the tip of the cleaned liquor onto the wet section of the wipe so that it is slightly moist. You can now clean the connector inside the adapter, or replace the end cap to clean the cable assembly for heavy contamination in the adapter.
You can also use the cleaning sticks you will find in your orange kit, along with the supplies and connector cleaning fluid to use this method of cleaning. Tilt the can of fluid slightly. Insert the stake into the side port and push down on the lid. Insert the stick into the side port of the adapter. Turn it clockwise 6 to 8 times and remove the sticks have been engineered with a mechanical crimp, so don't worry about pushing down too hard.
If you do, the tip will retract back into the handle and prevent damage to the fiber interface. When using a cleaning stick, make sure you only remove one stick at a time and reseal the sleeve. Otherwise, you run the risk of contaminating the remaining sticks. Never use the same stake more than once. Otherwise, there is a high risk of cross-contamination.
This process should be followed when cleaning. SC, ST and FC connectors or when using the 1.25 mil clean clicker to clean LC connectors, and the MPO clean clicker to clean multi-mode connectors. Remember to either lift the lid or remove the cap entirely, depending on whether you're cleaning a male or female connector. The clean white box can be used to clean most male connector types to clean.
Hold the white tight against the side of the box and remove any slack in the cloth following the direction listed on the side of the box. Pull the connector across the way. The box has been designed to accept multiple fibers on a single white, and the color-coded panel will also help you to identify which section of cloth is being used.
Eliminating potential cross-contamination. To perform a wet-to-dry wipe, simply apply a small amount of the cleaning fluid at the top of the wipe using the extension tube supplied with the fluid. Place your connector in the wet section and pull it across the wipe into the dry section. It is best practice to discard the first wipe in the box if you've not used the product for some time.
This will help to eliminate potential contamination. You should now have all of the tools and information required to effectively clean connectors. It is important to remember that the sticklers splice and connector cleaning fluid should be introduced on the wet-to-dry method, followed when dealing with increased levels of contamination. And if you are faced with high levels of contamination in the adapter, the clean stakes and fluid would be the most effective method.
