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Visual Inspection and Cleaning of

Multimode and Single Mode Structured

Cabling System Interconnect Components

BEST PRACTICES FS061

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY BEFORE PROCEEDING

Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1

2.0 Subject Connectivity Systems in Link Segments and Channels ................................... 2

3.0 Safety Precautions ....................................................................................................... 2

4.0 Defect Classification ..................................................................................................... 2

5.0 Equipment List .............................................................................................................. 4

6.0 Acceptable Visual Criteria and Cleanliness Standards ................................................. 6

7.0 General Inspection Guidelines ...................................................................................... 6

8.0 General Cleaning Procedures ...................................................................................... 9

9.0 Troubleshooting Unacceptable Interconnect Performance ......................................... 11

10.0 Best Practices .............................................................................................................. 12

1.0 Introduction

This document outlines the Panduit recommended procedures for visual inspection and cleaning of

multimode and singlemode structured cabling system interconnect components (connectors and

adapters) and specifies workmanship requirements, tools and best practices, to be utilized for end

face inspections in the field.

Clean fiber optic components are a requirement for quality connections between fiber optic

equipment. Cleaning of the fiber optic interfaces is one of the most basic and important procedures for

maintaining fiber optic systems.

Defects due to workmanship in connectors such as pits, cracks, voids and scratches can result in

high insertion loss and low return loss. In some instances, these can impact reliability when defects

are severe enough or located in particularly sensitive areas of the end face. Connector assembly

manufacturers and individuals performing on-site fiber terminations magnify and examine these end

faces in an attempt to assess the quality of the polished surface and make corrections if required.

It is also possible for high power laser systems (up to 200-mW coupled power) to fuse contaminants

present in the core area onto the fiber surface when the laser is powered on. This action may render

the core non-cleanable and the fiber unusable.

Summary of content (12 pages)

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Visual Inspection and Cleaning of Multimode and Single Mode Structured Cabling System Interconnect Components BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2018 FS061 READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY BEFORE PROCEEDING Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Subject Connectivity Systems in Link Segments and Channels ................................... 2 3.0 Safety Precautions ...........................
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2018 FS061 Refer to IEC document 61300-3-35 for inspection test and measurement guidelines which presents visual inspection criteria and test methods. Standards created by inspection equipment manufacturers and connector manufacturers typically state tolerances concerning the locations and severity of the defects as well as specifying the magnification used for the inspection.
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© Panduit Corp. 2018 BEST PRACTICES FS061 Cracks Cracks in the fiber are fractures of the material that may appear as lines on the surface. Unlike a scratch, a crack can go deep into the fiber. Cracks in the fiber can present the same types of problems as scratches, but cracks have the potential to grow under load. Cracks near the edge of the fiber can lead to edge chips. Edge chips can then become loose contamination and can affect the mating of the connector.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2018 FS061 Defect Location Defects can be further investigated and classified by their location on the end face surface. The end face surface is defined as the mating surface of a fiber optic connector. It consists of a glass core and cladding, surrounded by a ferrule made of ceramic, plastic, or metal. It is critical to keep this entire area protected from damage at all times.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2018 FS061 Figure 2 – Recommended Cleaning Equipment/Consumables for Single and Array Type Connectors Fiber Inspection Microscope (200x) and adapters Panduit P/N FSCOPEY Adapter inspection tool Non-woven cloth wipes Panduit P/N FWP-C MTP* Fiber Connector Cleaning Tool Panduit P/N FMTPFCT (Female) Cleaning Swabs Panduit P/N FSWB-C Electro-Wash PX by Chemtronics or similar 1.25mm Fiber Adapter Cleaner 2.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2018 FS061 6.0 Acceptable Visual Criteria and Cleanliness Standards Perform an end face inspection BEFORE the cleaning process using a fiber inspection scope at 200x magnification. Defects should be noted, classified and dealt with by the inspector according to defect type, size, severity and location per tables, below.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2018 FS061 The most common form of adapter contamination appears in the form of a “Dust Ring”. See Figure 3 for typical end face examples and Figure 5 below for a visual explanation. The particles inside and on the walls of an adapter sleeve are pushed to the contacting surface by both ferrules. Once there, they are collected on the mating end faces of each of the ferrules.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2018 FS061 Fiber Inspection and Cleaning Note: Per industry standards, Panduit fully supports the practice that all fiber connector end faces be inspected and if necessary, cleaned and re-inspected prior to mating. Initial Inspection 1. Ensure that no laser or power source is present. 2. Remove any protective caps that may be present on the individual fiber you intend to test. 3.
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© Panduit Corp. 2018 BEST PRACTICES FS061 Cleaning Regimen C – After both Regimen A and B are deemed insufficient 12. At this point, if material of any type remains on either end face, proceed to the use of a wet cleaning fluid such as Chemtronics Electro-Wash PX or equivalent. b. Apply Electro-Wash PX cleaner – (F.I.S. part #F1ES810) - to a cleaning swab, as in step #9. Rub swab over the entire end face of the dirty connector with moderate pressure to remove any remaining contaminants. c.
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BEST PRACTICES © Panduit Corp. 2018 FS061 Table 2 - Typical Fiber End Face Defects and Recommended Actions Defect Epoxy bond line cracks Fiber “pistoning” - The axial movement of the fiber within the connector body/ferrule. Fiber protruding or convex - A surface irregularity caused by incomplete polishing. Fiber recessed or concave - A surface irregularity caused by excessive polishing.