User`s guide

7410F IFL Installation and User’s Guide Appendix I Cleaning Fiberoptic Connections
Foxcom Proprietary Information
Document No. 93-006-01-A
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6. Appendix I Cleaning Fiberoptic Connections
The unit has an FC/APC angle polished optical connector for very high optical
return loss performance. The units are specified into singlemode fiber i.e. 9/125
micron core diameter. Full performance is specified only for low return loss
optical plant - meaning that the fiber must be fusion spliced and all connections or
splices must have a return loss greater than -60 dB. With these guidelines in mind,
link lengths beyond 40 kilometers (for DFB based products) can be achieved with
high performance. Specific performance and/or design assistance is available by
request from Foxcom.
If there is low/no signal or noisy signal at a Foxcom module, the connector should
be cleaned. Dirt on the inside connector tip can impair the flow of light causing
problems in signal transmission. Foxcom modules are sealed but dirt can
occasionally enter during installation and alignment.
The input and output optical ports of all Foxcom equipment are known in the fiber
optic world as bulkhead ports. Foxcom uses FC/APC connectors.
The purpose of this document is to define the cleaning procedure for the FC/APC
bulkhead fiberoptic ports and for the fiberoptic connector which is connected to
the bulkhead port.
The following materials are representative of the types of cleaning materials that
should be used for cleaning the fiberoptic ports and connectors. They are available
from several suppliers.
Description Manufacturer
Kimwipes Kimberly Clark
Cletop Automatic Connector Cleaner Cletop
Fiberoptic Swab Cletop or FIS
Fiberoptic Compressed Air Chemtronics
Wiping clothes should be made of lint free alcohol free nonabrasive materials.
Swabs should have a tightly wrapped tip and be talcum free. For removing dust
from receptacles, a canned compressed gas is recommended. Do not use
commercial compressed air because of risk of contamination.