HP 70000 series - Connector Cleaning Procedures

Dry
and
W
et
Connections
Fiber-optic
connectors
can
be
used
dry
or
wet.
Dry means without index-matching compound;
wet
means
with
an
index-matching
compound.
Use
dry
connectors whenever possible since dry
connectors
are
easier
to
clean
and
to
keep
clean. Dry connectors can be used with physically
contacting
connectors
such
as
HMS-10/HP
,
Diamond
R

,
ST
,
DIN,
and
PC
connectors
.
Depending
upon
the
type
of connector, physically contacting connectors can typically achieve
return
loss
performance
between
30 and 40 dB. If a physically contacting connector has 40 dB
return
loss
or
better
, making a wet connection will probably not improve (and can degrade)
performance
.
F
or
most measurement applications, the HMS-10/HP connector with a dry
connector
interface
provides
a low-loss and low-reection connection.
Cleaning Dry Connectors
Clean connectors are the key to good connections. Use the HP 15475A Optical Connector
Cleaning Kit to help keep your connectors clean. The cleaning kit includes a card with cleaning
instructions and recommended cleaning materials for optical connectors. It can be ordered
from any HP sales and service oce.
In
addition
to
the
HP
15475A
Optical
Connector
Cleaning
Kit, clean compressed air and
lint-free
swabs can be used to clean ber-optic connectors. Clean compressed air is used to
dry
a connector or to displace particles (dust) from the ber end. Electronics-grade isopropyl
alcohol is an acceptable substitute for connector cleaning solution.
Note
If
a nger has touched the ber-optic tip or other contamination is suspected,
clean the tip with a new paper and cleaning solution.
Lint-free
foam
swabs
are
recommended
for
cleaning
the
connectors
because
they leave no
particles
.
Cotton
swabs
can
be
used
as
long
as
no cotton bers remain on the end face after
cleaning.
Use
a
clean
swab
each
time
you
clean
a
connector and use a clean applicator when
applying
index-matching compound.
Use
the following procedure to clean dry connectors.
1.
Clean the connector ferrule with lens cleaning paper and cleaning solution.
2. Apply cleaning solution to a lint-free swab or lens cleaning paper and clean the ber end.
Some amount of wiping or mild scrubbing of the ber end can help remove particles when
application of the cleaning solution alone will not remove them. This can be done by
applying the cleaning solution to a swab or lens paper and moving it back and forth across
the ber end several times. This technique can help remove or displace particles smaller
than one micron.
3. Allow the connector to dry (about one minute) or dry it immediately with clean compressed
air. Compressed air reduces the chance of deposits remaining on the ber end. Compressed
air should be blown horizontally across the ber end.
Note
Do not shake or tip the compressed air can, because this can cause particles in
the can to be released with the air.
4. When the connector is dry, use a piece of clean adhesive cleaning tape to remove particles
from a dry ber end. If the cleaning tape is not perfectly clean, it can actually increase the
number of particles on the ber. This type of cleaning tape is included in the HP 15475A
Optical Connector Cleaning Kit.
C-2 Fiber-Optic Connections