Chapter 7: Maintenance
Preventive Maintenance
Part No. 24001157
VersaMux-4000 Operation & Installation Guide
Page 7-3
Revision C
Preventive Maintenance
There is no preventive maintenance schedule for the VersaMux-4000 units. Upon
receipt of the VersaMux-4000 from DNE (or distributor), we recommended that
you visually inspect the unit. Scheduled cleaning of the VersaMux-4000 unit is
determined by the environmental conditions of the installation site. Exterior
surfaces may be cleaned with an antistatic cloth using a commercially available
nonabrasive cleaning agent.
Cleaning Electrical
Connectors
Dirty electrical connectors may be cleaned with a brush dipped in isopropyl
alcohol (industrial grade). Allow the connector to air dry before use.
Cleaning Optical
Connectors
Fiber optical cable consists of two main components; an outer “cladding” and an
extremely thin glass “core”. For single-mode, the core can be as small as 8 to 9 µm
in diameter. For reference, a human hair is typically greater than 50 µm in
diameter. Light travels down the core of the fiber reflecting off the mirror-like
interface where the core and cladding meet
1
. Dust particles as small as 1 µm
diameter on the optical fiber end, obscuring the core, can significantly degrade
performance. Particles 8 µm in diameter or larger on the end of the core can cause
a complete failure of the optical system.
NOTE:
Avoid touching the ends of optical cables or ports. If touched, they must be
cleaned.
Optical connectors must be cleaned immediately before being mated even if dust
protectors were installed.
To clean the optical connectors you will need:
•
Lens-grade, lint-free tissue (the type sold for eyeglasses or camera
lenses works well)
•
Industrial grade isopropyl alcohol (note that the type sold for
medicinal use is not suitable since it is diluted with water, mineral oil
and other contaminants)
•
Canned dry air (used for optical transmitter or receiver ports)
WARNING:
Remove the power cable from the VersaMux-4000 unit
before attempting to clean the electrical connectors.
1.
The mirror-like characteristics are due to the difference in refractive indices of
the core and cladding material.