OT1550-DM Intelligent Direct Modulated Optical Transmitter
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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 OT1550-DM may have been
exposed to contamination (by a dirty fiber cable connector, for example), you should
properly clean the OT1550-DM 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.
