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    How Dust Based Contamination Cause Signal Loss Between a Mated Connector Pair?

    by:
    CLEANING: Ask FOC Ask FOC
    Published: July 2, 2017
    , Last updated: September 10, 2025

    QUESTION: How dust based contamination cause signal loss between a mated connector pair?

     

    ANSWER:

    Dust particles that are not removed will interfere with the signal’s path as the light passes between the two mated fibers. The light from the outgoing ferrule could be absorbed or reflected back into the fiber as the signal comes into contact with dust particles. There are also times when the dust particles can interfere in the mating process causing small air gaps. That slight gap can causing a diffuse reflection effect where the signal is reflected in multiple angles which splikes the insertion loss.

     

     

    ADDITIONAL CONTENT & RESOURCES:

     

     

     Answered by AskFOC Technical Team WITH the Sticklers MicroCare Corporation Team July 2, 2017

     

     

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    © 2017 Fiber Optic Center, Inc. Article Title: How Dust Based Contamination Cause Signal Loss Between a Mated Connector Pair? Author: FOC FAQ Published: July 2, 2017

    This article is an original publication of Fiber Optic Center, Inc. It is shared publicly for educational and reference purposes to support learning and professional development within the fiber optics industry.

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    About the Author
    FOC FAQ Fiber Optic Center has a team of technical experts and marketing strategists with decades of years in the field. This team contributes to the fiber, cable and specialty industries coverage through news, alerts, reports and general media information.
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    About Fiber Optic Center, Inc.
    Fiber Optic Center, Inc., (FOC), is an international leader in distributing fiber optic components, equipment and supplies and has been helping customers make the best cable assemblies in the world for over two decades. Several areas of specialization and expertise, in which they are the industry leader, make them the preferred choice for many of the world’s fiber professionals. In these key technology areas, FOC is "at least as technical as the manufacturer" about the products they sell. Striving to "make the business part easy," they offer outstanding and personal customer service, low or no minimum purchase order values, and from-stock delivery on industry-leading products and technology. FOC is the industry connection to the most innovative optical products, technologies and technical experts who integrate their manufacturing knowledge and vast experience into customers' worldwide operations. @FiberOpticCntr

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