Let's face reality. Spring cleaning. I mean, does anyone really enjoy cleaning? I don't know about your situation, but I definitely won't count down my winter until I can brush the house from top to bottom, and soon it gets dirty with muddy feet and claws, beach sand, grass cutting, and other things that wander around with the warming weather.

But dirty things will always happen. Although cleaning may not be a very interesting thing, there is always a sense of satisfaction when it is done and everything looks good.

The same applies to fiber optic cables and networks. When the dirty connector end faces in the channel cause losses and reflections, they cannot perform at their best.

Experts from Fluke Networks have provided some advice to help you pick yourself up in the spring and make a renewed commitment to clean and inspect the end faces of each fiber before making final connections.

Tip # 1: Use the correct tools to complete the work

Would you try using a hair dryer to remove dust from your home? may not So, why do you use canned air to clean the fiber end face, while all it does is successfully blow the particles around? Just like dust removal for delicate furniture, lint free fabric is a method for removing end face pollutants.

Tip # 2: Understand Your Solvent

Have you ever tried using the wrong cleaning agent to clean mirrors or windows, only to be annoyed by stripes and residue? When it comes to fiber end faces, any old cleaning agent will not cut them. For example, isopropanol will leave a "halo" that causes attenuation. So, clean the windows with window cleaner and clean the fiber optic end face with fiber optic cleaning solution.



Tip # 3: Avoid Pollution

Have you just washed the kitchen floor and don't know how the new stains appeared? When it comes to fiber cleaning, there will always be some sources of contamination that may not be obvious - even if the end face has just been cleaned. Dust in the air, dirty ports, and connector dust covers all have ways to re contaminate the fiber optic end face.

Tip # 4: Follow the Golden Rule

One of Ms. Wang's golden rules is to always remove dust before vacuuming, but the golden rule of fiber cleaning is to always check, clean, and recheck. Because even if you think you have cleaned the fiber end face correctly, you cannot be sure until you check it again.

Tip # 5: Dependency Standards

There is a standard to ensure that the cleanliness of the fiber optic end face passes inspection. The IEC 61300-3-35 standard for basic testing and measurement procedures includes specific cleanliness grading standards for evaluating qualified or unqualified certification when inspecting fiber optic end faces. Fluke Networks' FI-7000 fiber end face tester can certify fiber end faces as compliant with IEC 61300-3-35 standard within one second. If only I could clean my house so quickly!