Effective Cleaning Methods for Connectors

Austin, Texas – Megladon Manufacturing Group announced today a new white paper on the electric field generated when cleaning fiber optic connectors.

Introduction

The performance of a fiber optic cable is dependent on more than just the quality of the materials used and workmanship of the manufacturer. How the cable is installed has a significant bearing on its performance in a given application. How was the cable routed? Were bend radius specifications considered? Was it handled properly? Was it inspected and cleaned prior to installation? Field technicians have a great deal of information to process when deploying fiber, and it is important to equip them with the proper information and tools to perform the highest level of work.

Whenever a connector comes in contact with the cleaning surface and is pulled across it, a charge is generated on that endface called a tribocharge. A tribocharge is created any time two materials are brought into contact and then separated (friction). Accumulation of tribocharges, and the increase of the electric field from said charges as a result of repeated cleanings, creates a scenario that can attract airborne particles and also make surface contamination difficult to remove.

Megladon and its partners have designed tests that measure the strength of the electric field generated through practical fiber handling, and using this data and static principles, can recommend a basic cleaning method that increases the success of a fiber connector installation. Click here to read the full white paper.