Calrec ARGO, Installation & Technical Manual

Page: 53 / 92

53
Cleaning fibre optic cables and
connectors
There are multiple ways to clean fibre-
optic cables and connectors.
Included below are some helpful tips to
properly clean fibre optic cables.
• Do not allow the end of the fibre optic
cable to make contact with any surface
including fingers.
• Do not excessively bend the fibre
cable. Bending the cable may cause
internal breaks along the fibre resulting
in poor performance or instability.
• Optics and optic coatings are easily
chipped and/or scratched. Use of
finger cots or powder free surgical
gloves while handling fibre optic
cables, will help ensure cleanliness.
• Only fresh (dry) spectroscopic grade
Isopropyl Alcohol should be used as a
cleaning solvent.
• Ensure that the module power is
off and that other light sources are
disabled.
Cleaning procedure
1. Blow the fibre surface with a stream of
Clean Dry Air, this will dislodge larger
loose particles.
2. Place 1-3 drops of spectroscopic
grade Isopropyl Alcohol in the centre of
a lens tissue.
3. Hold the fibre by the connector or
cable, place the wet portion of the lens
tissue on the optical surface and slowly
drag it across.
4. Examine the surface of the fibre end
under high intensity light using a direct
magnifying inspection microscope
or an indirect video inspection tool if
available. If streaks or contaminants
still remain, repeat the process using a
fresh lens tissue.
5. Immediately install a protective cover
over the end of the cable to avoid re-
contamination or insert the fibre back
into the previously cleaned receptacle
for immediate use.
Additional notes
Do not tip the can of Clean Dry Air whilst
aerosol spraying as liquid may be released
contaminating the surface of the fibre.
Do not use lens paper dry as dry lens
paper is extremely abrasive.
Do not use Acetone as a cleaning solvent
on the fibre optical surfaces.
To ensure the purity of the Isopropyl
Alcohol, do not insert the lens tissue,
swabs, etc into the liquid, instead, drip the
liquid on to the material.
Cleaning optical transceivers
The best way to clean a transceiver port
is to remove particles using a stream of
Clean Dry Air.
Included below are some helpful tips to
properly clean fibre optic modules.
• Always handle optical SFP modules in
an ESD safe manner using the proper
safety precautions.
• Ensure that the module power is off
and handle the modules with care.
• Always use Clean Dry Air or an
approved canned compressed air
supply.
• Always hold the can of compressed air
upright. Tipping may release liquids
into the air stream.
• Do not touch the inner surfaces of the
module including the Optical Sub-
Assemblies (OSA) or insert any foreign
objects into the ports.
• Use of finger cots or powder free
surgical gloves are not required but
may be used for cleanliness.
Cleaning procedure
1. With the clean dry air, blow the inner
barrel of the Transmitter and Receiver
Optical Sub-Assemblies (OSA). This
will dislodge loose particles.
2. Examine the surface of the OSA
lens under high intensity light using
the inspection microscope. If
contaminants still remain, repeat the
process.
Following these guidelines should
provide a successful installation and
ensure optimum reliability and system
performance.
For further information or advice please
feel free to contact Calrec.