Technical data
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General Information
Cleaning Optical Connectors
To clean a non-lensed connector
CAUTION Do not use any type of foam swab to clean optical fiber ends. Foam swabs can leave filmy deposits
on fiber ends that can degrade performance.
1 Apply isopropyl alcohol to a clean, lint-free cotton swab or lens paper.
Cotton swabs can be used as long as no cotton fibers remain on the fiber end after cleaning.
2 Before cleaning the fiber end, clean the ferrules and other parts of the connector.
3 Apply isopropyl alcohol to a new, clean, lint-free cotton swab or lens paper.
4 Clean the fiber end with the swab or lens paper. Move the swab or lens paper back and forth across
the fiber end several times.
Wiping or mild scrubbing of the fiber end can help remove particles when application of alcohol
alone will not remove them. This technique can remove or displace particles smaller than one mi-
cron.
5 Immediately dry the fiber end with a clean, dry, lint-free cotton swab or lens paper.
6 Blow across the connector end face from a distance of 6 to 8 inches using filtered, dry, compressed
air. Aim the compressed air at a shallow angle to the fiber end face.
Nitrogen gas or compressed dust remover can also be used.
CAUTION Do not shake, tip, or invert compressed air canisters, because this releases particles in the can into
the air. Refer to instructions provided on the compressed air canister.
7 As soon as the connector is dry, connect or cover it for later use.