6
FRDA Series
Instruction Manual
Maintenance
Cleaning
If the units need to be cleaned, avoid the use of all solvents and use low-pressure clean air to remove loose dirt. Use low-
pressure clean air to clear the connectors of any debris. Dirty or scratched connector end faces will greatly reduce the unit’s
performance. Foam-tipped swabs such as the 2.5mm Mini Foam Swab offered by Fiber Instrument Sales (P/N F1-0005) may
be saturated with denatured alcohol* and inserted into the optical port for cleaning. DO NOT INSERT A DRY SWAB INTO THE
OPTICAL PORT AS THIS MAY DAMAGE THE FIBER END FACE. Many fiber optic installations experience degraded performance
due to dirty optical connector end faces. The following procedure should be used to properly clean the optical connector end
faces.
Required Cleaning Equipment
• Kimwipes
®
or any lens-grade, lint-free tissue. The type sold for eyeglasses work quite well.
• Denatured Alcohol.*
* NOTE: Use only industrial grade 99% pure isopropyl alcohol. Commercially available isopropyl alcohol is for medicinal use and
is diluted with water and a light mineral oil. Industrial grade isopropyl alcohol should be used exclusively.
• 30X Microscope.
• Canned Dry Air.
Directions for Cleaning
1) Fold the tissue twice so it is four layers thick.
2) Saturate the tissue with alcohol.
3) First clean the sides of the connector ferrule. Place the connector ferrule in the tissue, and apply pressure to the sides
of the ferrule. Rotate the ferrule several times to remove all contamination from the ferrule sides.
4) Now move to a clean part of the tissue. Be sure it is still saturated with alcohol and that it is still four layers thick. Put
the tissue against the end of the connector ferrule. Put your fingernail against the tissue so that it is directly over the
ferrule. Now scrape the end of the connector until it squeaks. It will sound like a crystal glass that has been rubbed
when it is wet.
5) Use the microscope to verify the quality of the cleaning. If it isn’t completely clean repeat the steps with a clean tissue.
6) Mate the connector immediately! Don’t let the connector lie around and collect dust before mating.
7) Air can be used to remove lint or loose dust from the port of a transmitter or receiver to be mated with the
connector. Never insert any liquid into the ports.
Connector Handling
1) NEVER TOUCH THE FIBER END FACE OF THE CONNECTOR.
2) Connectors not in use should be covered over the ferrule by a plastic dust cap. It is important to note that inside of
the ferrule dust caps contains a sticky gelatinous residue that is the by-product of the making of the dust cap. This
residue will remain on the ferrule end after the cap is removed. Therefore it is critical that the ferrule end be cleaned
thoroughly BEFORE it is mated to the intended unit.
