Installation Manual

BEST PRACTICES
FS061
© Panduit Corp. 2018
Table 2 - Typical Fiber End Face Defects and Recommended Actions
Defect
Recommended Action
Epoxy bond line cracks
Replace connector.
Fiber “pistoning” - The axial movement of the fiber
within the connector body/ferrule.
Positive pistoning - May be addressed by re-polishing.
Negative pistoning – Replace connector.
Fiber protruding or convex - A surface irregularity
caused by incomplete polishing.
May be fixable by additional re-polishing.
Fiber recessed or concave - A surface irregularity
caused by excessive polishing.
Replace or re-terminate connector.
Ferrule Damage
Replace connector.
Surface Pits
Re-polish if in core (SM, MM and MPO/MTP*) or if present
in cladding (SM).
Surface Cracks
Replace connector.
Fiber Edge Chips
May be addressed by re-polishing.
Surface Scratches
May be addressed by re-polishing.
Shattered - radial cracks in the core/clad
Replace or re-terminate connector.
Sub-Surface Cracks
Replace or re-terminate connector.
Note: For all Issues regarding visual inspection procedures of fiber optic connector end faces, refer
also to the latest edition of the IEC document 61300-3-35.
10.0 Best Practices
1. Inspection and rework areas should be kept as clean as possible at all times to avoid risk of
connector contamination. Fiber connectors and adapters under inspection should not be allowed
to contact areas that have a high risk of connector contamination (e.g. floor, fingers, etc.).
2. It is recommended to utilize the dry-cleaning method first due to possibilities of contamination with
misuse of the isopropyl alcohol. Wet cleaning should be used only when dry cleaning proves
insufficient.
3. Panduit connectors and adapters are shipped with dust caps or plugs installed. These caps should
remain in place at all times when the connectors are not in use, in order to avoid contamination
and possible damage. Always keep dust caps on connectors, patch panels, and anything else
within the signal path,until such time as these items are utilized.
4. A connector removed from an adapter found to be contaminated indicates that the mating
connector is also contaminated; therefore both connectors plus the adapter must be
cleaned and inspected, before the connectors are re-mated.
5. When inserting a connector into an adapter, ensure that the tip does not touch the outside of the
adapter. This could cause the fiber end to contact unintended surfaces, producing scratches and
creating contamination on the fiber end face.
6. Use lint-free, non-woven pads and dry reel cleaners to dry clean the connectors.
7.
Use gun-type reel cleaners or a cleaning swab (Panduit Part Number FSWB-C) to clean adapters where
one
side of the adapter cannot be accessed.
8. Re-inspect connectors utilizing a 200x fiber microscope to ensure cleanliness before capping or
reconnecting.
9. For cleaning connectors or adapters permanently affixed to the equipment, please consult the
manufacturer’s specifications to minimize or eliminate the chance of damaging equipment.
For Technical Support: www.panduit.com/resources/install_maintain.asp
*MTP is a registered trademark of US Conec Ltd
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