20MM-LT10L Optical Transmitter Operating Manual
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6. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
6.1 Cleaning Fiber Optic Connectors
DANGER:
The fiber optic connector carries invisible laser radiation
while working, so should avoid charged operation.
Dirty optical connectors are the leading source of poor performance in a
broadband optical fiber network. Dirty optical connectors lead to optical signal
loss and reflections, which in turn can seriously degrade signal-to-noise (SNR)
performance and, in some cases, distortion performance. We recommend that
you clean all mating fiber connectors before connecting them to an optical
transmitter.
In addition, if you suspect that the optical connector of 20MM-LT10L may have
been exposed to contamination (by a dirty fiber cable connector, for example),
you should properly clean the optical connector before connecting the optical
fiber.
CAUTION:
Improper cleaning of an optical connector can do more
harm than good. Never spray a clean-air product onto the
surface of an optical connector. Spraying air onto an
optical connector can cause condensation on the connector
surface, leaving water spots and trapping dust. Failing to
wipe a connector on dry lens paper immediately after
wiping on paper wet with isopropyl alcohol can also lead
to condensation on the connector. Using low-grade
cleaning paper or other cloth to wipe an optical connector
can leave microscopic fibers on the optical connector
Surface.
6.1.1 Cleaning Patch Cord or Pigtail Fiber Optical Connectors
To clean optical connectors, we recommend using a fiber optic connector cleaning
cartridge (such as NTT Cletop). If a cleaning cartridge is not available, follow these
steps.
To clean the optical connector of a patch cord or pigtail:
1.
Fold a piece of unused dry lens cleaning paper twice, for a four-ply thickness.
2.
Use a drop of high-grade isopropyl alcohol to wet part of the paper.
3.
Lay the connector on the lens cleaning paper with the tip touching the paper.
4.
In one continuous motion, pull the connector from the wet part of the paper to the
dry part.