Why is important to clean optical fibers?

by www.fiber-mart.com
A high percentage of fiber optic transmission problems are the result of contaminated connectors and couplers. Dirt not only impacts the speed and performance of a network, but also damages equipment.
 
As a manufacturer of fiber optic cables Datcom is keenly aware of the implications of improper cleaning of end faces and recommends the following points to ensure that your fiber networks are always up and running. 
 
Dust caps are for protection only and do not mean that the fiber inside is clean. 
Inspection of ferrules with a scope is a must and if possible used with an analysis software. Even the most experienced technician cannot visually determine the cleanliness of a fiber. 
 
Do not use alcohol when cleaning fiber. It is hygroscopic which means it attracts water molecules from the air. 
Use a wet to dry cleaning process to avoid electrostatic attraction. 
Use an optical grade cleaning fluid for the static to dissipate. 
 
Use optical grade lint free wipes that have high absorbency and strength. 
Use cleaning sticks that are made from multiple fibers and can spread and contact the entire surface of the end face when port cleaning. 
 
Proper installation practices, coupled with advanced inspection procedures and professional cleaning products will not only save a technician repeated onsite visits and time. But also eliminate customer complaints along with loss of confidence and money. 

评论

发表评论

此博客中的热门博文

Common Armored Fiber Optic Cables

  Armored fiber optic cables are often installed in a network for added mechanical protection, as they have extra reinforcing in the cable housing to prevent damage. Two types of armored fiber optic cables exist: interlocking and corrugated. Interlocking armor is an aluminum armor that is helically wrapped around the cable and found in indoor and indoor/outdoor cables. It offers ruggedness and superior crush resistance. Corrugated armor is a coated steel tape folded around the cable longitudinally. It is found in outdoor cables and offers extra mechanical and rodent protection.   The Structure of an Armored Fiber Optic Cable In basic armored fiber cable designs, the outer sleeve provides protection against wind, solvents, and abrasion. This outer sleeve is usually made of plastic such as polyethylene. The next layer between the sleeve and the inner jacket is an armoring layer of materials that are difficult to cut, chew, or bu
阅读全文

what the Differences Between FBT Splitter and PLC Splitter

  In FTTx and PON architectures, optical splitter plays an increasingly significant role to create a variety of point-to-multipoint fiber optic networks. But do you know what is a fiber optic splitter? In fact, a fiber optic splitter is a passive optical device that can split or separate an incident light beam into two or more light beams. Basically, there are two types of fiber splitter classified by their working principle: fused biconical taper splitter (FBT splitter) and planar lightwave circuit splitter (PLC splitter). You may have one question: what’s the difference between them and shall we use FBT or PLC splitter?   What Is FBT Splitter? FBT splitter is based on a traditional technology to weld several fiber together from side of the fiber. Fibers are aligned by heating for a specific location and length. Because the fused fibers are very fragile, they are protected by a glass tube made of epoxy and silica powder. And then a stainless steel tube covers the inner glass tu
阅读全文

Introduction of Optical Fiber Couplers and How Do They Work?

 What are optical fiber couplers? A fiber optic coupler can be defined as an optical component used with one or more input fibers and several output fibers in fiber optic systems. A coupler essentially puts two or more cores of fibers together to connect. The simple coupler is the fused fiber 2x2 coupler. Couplers are used as multiplexers that are resistant to certain wavelengths. A fiber output depends on the wavelength of light and the frequency of polarization. The fiber refractive index also plays a significant role in the performance. Let’s checkout how do optic couplers work to understand this better. How do fiber optic couplers work? Either fiber optic couplers separate optical signals into multiple paths or combine multiple signals in one direction. Optical signals are more complicated than electrical signals, making it more difficult to design optical couplers than their electrical copy. Unlike electrical currents, the optical signal consists of a stream of signal carriers, in
阅读全文