Fiber Optic Cleaning Best Practices for Fusion Splicers

Cleaning Fusion Splice V-Grooves

When cleaning the alignment grooves (or v-grooves) on a fusion splicer many technicians will use an alcohol Presaturated wipe to remove the contamination.  If the contamination is not removed, it can be incorporated in the splice, causing decreased transmission of the fiber, or a total blocked signal. Also, the common practice of using a cotton swab for this precision application can leave lint residue. Rarely is an alcohol wipe or cotton swab capable of a good cleaning job in this application. 

Coventry 38542 swabs offers the technician a better tool to clean the contamination directly out of the alignment groove without leaving any lint or residual alcohol from an oversaturated pad. The swab can be used dry for removing mild contamination, or slightly dampened with Electro-Wash PX Degreaser, or FW2190 Water Based (Non-flammable) liquids to remove stubborn contamination. Simply wipe the edge of the swab in the v-groove to remove the contaminants.  To lightly wet the 38542 swab, dispense a small amount of the Cleaner onto a lint free wipe, such as the QbE Cleaning Platform or Coventry 6704F Lint Free Wipes.  Place the swab head into the wiper and lightly moisten. 

Precision Cleaning Fusion Splice Mirrors  

The need to clean Fiber Optic equipment is often not as detailed as cleaning End Face and connection geometry. However, contaminated physical components of fusion splice equipment, connections on OTDR and other measurement tools can affect performance of these precision devices.

Historically precision components on fusion splice equipment were cleaned with cotton tips and “low lint” paper wipers. These materials have the deleterious potential of leaving contaminants on surfaces that must be completely lint or contaminant free to perform to high -test standards.

Drawing on cleanroom standard materials, the Coventry 51125F are constructed of highest quality non-linting polyester. The material will clean fusion splice mirrors without leaving lint residue associated with any cotton tip.

• Always refer to manufacturer’s specific instructions before cleaning.
• Lightly pass the Coventry 51125F over the reflection mirror. Observe the mirror to assure there is no lint or other contaminant.

• Do not use a solvent unless specifically approved for your model fusion splicer by the manufacturer of the device. Some mirrors can have a protective coating, which can be damage by improper use or overuse of a solvent.
• IF a solvent is approved, lightly moisten the 51125F swab with the solvent. DO NOT OVER SATURATE. Dry with a second 51125F swab for maximum performance.
• Use a Coventry 6704F Lint Free Wipe with Chemtronics CP410 for cleaning of keypads and other surfaces. ITW Chemtronics CP400 is a high-quality IPA solvent source for cleaning mirrors. In addition, the Non Flammable water based cleaner the FW2190-ML is an option.