User manual

Specialized Solvent
For years isopropyl alcohol (IPA) was used to clean fiber end-faces, but now there are customized solvents that are
far superior, such as Fluke Networks’ Fiber Optic Solvent Pen. Most importantly, this specialized solvent is more
effective than IPA at dissolving all contaminants, especially non-ionic compounds such as buffer gel and pulling lube.
You will get a better clean every time and with every contaminant.
Next, our solvent has a lower surface tension than IPA that allows it to envelop particles and debris, effectively lifting
them from the surface of the end-face as they are carried away by a wipe or swab. Many smaller particles carry a
charge that bonds them to the ferrule or an end-face. Unlike IPA, this solvent is oxygenated to neutralize this charge
so that the charged particle can be removed and more particles are not attracted onto the end-face. When cleaning
end-faces inside ports or equipment, the evaporation rate of solvents become significant as it is harder to guarantee
removal of all solvent. Fluke Networks’ customized solvent has an evaporation rate tailored to stay long enough to
work yet still disappear before mating. It evaporates much faster than IPA. IPA is highly hygroscopic and therefore
draws water vapor that can then dry on the end-face and leave a residue, which sometimes appears as a “halo”.
Using Fluke Networks’ solvent will avoid this problem.