Choosing The Best Solvent for Fiber Optic Cleaning
Solvent Packaging
Good solvent packaging for fiber optics cleaning is sealed and portable. Hermetically sealed containers eliminate the opportunity for contamination of the cleaner and prevent accidental spillage. Portability assures that the solvent is not cumbersome to installers, and can easily be included in a fiber optic cleaning kit.
Pen Packaging
Solvent dispensing pens are an excellent way to apply solvent to clean fiber optic end faces. The pens employ a valve to protect the solvent from environmental contamination and leakage. When pressed onto a cleaning surface, the valve is automatically opened to release a small amount of solvent. The felt tip of the pen dispenses a small amount of solvent without splattering excess solvent. The pens fit easily into a tool bag or pocket.
Aerosol Packaging
An aerosol can of solvent is also a good way to deliver solvent to cleaning surfaces. Aerosols are also hermetically sealed. While the containers are not quite as portable as a pen, the increased size enables them to hold cleaner, reducing costs and adding convenience for large cleaning jobs.
Solvent Choice
Using a solvent significantly improves the performance of the optical fiber connector cleaning process. Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is not recommended in this application because of its poor solvency and because of its tendency to leave a residue.
Excellent alternatives exist. The most widely used precision solvents for fiber optic cleaning are precision hydrocarbons. These fiber optic connector cleaners perform well on a wide range of soils and eliminate static electrical charges which could attract contamination after cleaning. They evaporate quickly and have low toxicity. The single drawback is that the chemistry is flammable. Considering that the quantities used are relatively small, storage and safety concerns from this flammability is usually minimal. Recommended products are the Fiberwash™ MX pen and Electro-Wash® PX in an aerosol package.
For those requiring a non-flammable fiber optic cleaner, a hydrofluoroether (HFE) blend solvent is an excellent choice. These solvents are non-flammable, clean fiber connectors well, and have low toxicity. Cleaning must be done quickly, as the evaporation rate is very fast. Recommended products are the Fiberwash NF pen and Electro-Wash® PX in an aerosol package.
Solvent Types for Fiber Optic Cleaning
