Cleaning fiber optic - Performed to meet the intended functioning of cables!

Gradually with time, contamination such as dirt, dust, oil, scratches and chips get accumulated on the fiber cables that leads to performance degradation of optic cables. Therefore to keep quality connections it’s must to perform cleaning process which is technically termed as fiber optic cleaning.

Before heading towards the process, let’s first discuss few precautions that are must to be followed:

Disconnect the both ends of cable

Wear safety glasses

Inspect before you start the cleaning process

Do not touch the ends of cable with hands

After taking all these aforementioned measures into consideration, then come the procedural steps regarding it. Enlisted below are the 4 steps used in cleaning fiber optic cables:

Inspection:

In order to carry right steps of cleaning and testing procedure, it’s vital to first inspect the cables, as one step of improper cleaning method can cause negative effects on cables surface like that of scratches and chips. Therefore, inspection is must to be followed before and after the cleaning process via the help of microscopes, video scopes and hand scopes.

Cleaning:

Depending on the type of contamination (dust, dirt, oil) that is accumulated on the cables, wide variety of cleaning fiber optic measures is used by fiberqa.com. For example:

Air cleaning method: t comprise of air spray, canned air, and air duster bottles that have narrow nozzle tube which blows the dust particles from the surface of the cable and connector.

Wet method: It comprise of isopropyl alcohol, wipes, swabs that are used to dissolve the oil. With this method of cleaning the loosen dust particles are easily removed. Where wipes are directly be used to clean the surface, swabs are used to reach out at those ends where cleansing through wipes is not possible. A professional can either start direct with this method or first start off with air cleaning process and then with wet process.

Drying:

Due to the use of cleaning solvents, water spots do get accumulated on the surface of cables which can cause problem, if left. Therefore, dry cleaning process is must to be implemented that would be consisting of open air dry, pressurized air dry and dry wipe.

Re-polishing:

After determining the scratches, burns, and chips cleaning process is used and successively after that re-polishing is done, so that cables are again put back for efficient working.

After having looked at all the above aspects of fiber optic cleaning process, make sure the gadgets you are using are periodically cleaned, so that they can meet their intended functioning.

Make use of necessary cleaning fiber optic equipment to ensure correct functioning of fiber optic cables!

Concept of fibre optic cleaning and cleaning methods

Optical fibre cables are collection of multiple strings of fiber optics that are made of flexible glass or plastic. These thin thread like structures use light as a carrier to transfer data from one location to another. When thousands of these glass or plastic threads are put together into a single cable that acts a sheath over it, they are able to pass on light waves up to 60 miles.

Another interesting fact of optical fibers is that electrical signals like voice and television signals, with the help of an optical transmitter, are transformed into fast and high quality optical carriers. Due to their fast data transferring speed, fibre cables are widely used in many electronic devices and communication networks. In order to keep these features of optical fibres protected, they must be inspected and cleaned timely.

Unlike copper cables, the loss of optical fibre connections is infrequent due to damage or breakage of cable. However, contaminations like dust particles, oils from hands while handling a cable, powdery coatings etc., and have potential to disrupt the functioning of cables. Even a minute dust particle attached on the fibre end-face can affect the communication or can fail the entire network.

If maintenance or cleaning procedures is not followed up on time, they can cause problems like damage of fibres, scratching on the fibre surface, pitting, and instability in laser system that can degrade the effectiveness of the optical signal.

There are number of techniques have been developed to clean optical fiber cables and connecting devices. The task of cleaning of fiber optic cables at http://fiberqa.com is carried out through dry and wet cleaning.

Wet cleaning method involves the use of solvents and lint-free wipes to de-contaminate the fibre surface. Fold the piece of a wipe or paper and lay it on a properly cleaned surface. Now, apply few drops of alcohol, typically isopropyl alcohol, on the wipe paper. To clean the end-face of the fibre, hold the connector vertically and move the wipe on the surface in a figure –eight forms. After repeating the same pattern 3-4 times, remove the solvent residuals with air duster or a lint-free wipe.

Another method to accomplish the task of cleaning is dry method in which cable connectors are cleaned without using solvent. It generally involves the use of air dusters, dry wipes, or reel based connector cleaners. This technique is generally abrasive in nature and need a professional to accomplish this task without leaving cables with damages or pitting.

Timely cleaning of optical fibres and connectors not only saves your time and money but also prevent the optical networks from potential failures.

Cleaning of fiber optic cables and connectors reduce replacement expenses and gradually increase the performance of the overall network.

Points that you must consider before cleaning fiber optic system

Wires and cables are used in every sector for transferring data from one place to another. Data sharing is essential in each and every industry for the smooth functioning of an organization. That is why, all the businesses prefer to use the system that is effective and robust.

Earlier copper wires were used for sending information from one place to the other. Now, the scenario has changed completely. With advent in technology, fiber optic systems have come to existence revolutionizing the way data is transferred from one location to the other.

Fiber cables have become very popular these days due their features and advantages associated with their usage. With such systems, users can browse Internet at a very high speed. Files can be opened and downloaded at a high speed, enhancing online experience of the users of the web.

When compared with other wires, fiber cables are robust and easily fulfill purpose for which they have been designed and installed in numerous industrial sectors. One thing more that makes this system popular worldwide is that they can easily bear different types of weather conditions and work for years to come.

However,this system demands proper maintenance at regular intervals so that it canfunction properly. Cleaning fiber optic requires skills. One must know how to handle different types of components that are part of this system.

Generally, there are four components that have a major role to play in proper functioning of the entire unit.

Ferrule- It is a round cylinder made from ceramic responsible for making contact with glass.

Body- It is a component that holds ferrule in its place.

Connector Housing- It is a unit that keeps other elements on their place and establishes a connection with customer’s equipment.

Dust Cap- It prevents accumulation of dust and dirt.

Apart from this, there are a few steps you need to follow to carry out cleaning process without any trouble.

Do not forget to turn off the laser source and make sure that you have disconnected wires from both ends.

Make sure that end of the cable does not come in contact with any surface.

Make use of special equipment or gloves to handle this system.

For plugging and unplugging, a connector housing must be used.

During the entire cleaning procedure, the end of the connector should not be touched.

In the beginning of the cleaning process, a microscope is used to inspect the end of the fiber. If any contamination is found, it is cleaned with dry cleaning methods.

Today, different types of dry cleaning products are available in the market, making this process simple and convenient.

Read thoroughly the instructions that you need to follow before starting with cleaning fiber optic!