Importance of Fiber Optic Cleaning And Maintenance To Our Communication Network

 Fiber optics have now become the very backbone of our communication network. Slightly larger than a human hair, these fibers relay billions of data across the globe. As more companies rely on fiber optics capability, it is important to do proper maintenance to prevent any disruption issues later on. Although fiber optics are powerful, they are also extremely fragile and can be damaged with bending as well as contamination brought about by accumulation of dirt. Contamination by dirt maybe a small thing but it can cause wide performance problems and unreliability of the network.

Maintenance of Fiber Optics

Regular maintenance is the key to optimize the performance of your fiber optics. Using tools that are specifically created for cleaning is essential but knowing which one works best would ensure that you are not left with future issues.

One of the popular cleaning materials that are used by those who deal with fiber optics are lint-free wipes. Even though lint-free wipes are cheaper, it is still necessary to check if they are truly lint-free. As these wipes are generally made from cellulose fibers, they can easily clean visible marks but may leave residues that cause issues later. Wipes should only be used once as re-using it can cause recontamination of the cleaned surface. The liquid material to use with the wipes should also be made of high quality water-free isopropyl alcohol. One should look for reagent-grade alcohol as this type of liquid is safe for humans, cleans static very well and does not freeze unlike others.

Some companies do sell dry cleaning materials that one can use to remove dirt on the cables. Before implementing wet cleaning, technicians should first try to do a dry cleaning technique which involves tools such as a pocket cleaner or a cartridge cleaner. The film would remove any dirt from the cable, lint free wipes or swabs may also be used.

Best Practice When Cleaning Cables

Before undergoing any cleaning of cables, it is crucial that one should turn off any laser sources by unplugging the cables at both ends. If required, safety tools such as glasses, boots and clothing material should be worn to protect oneself as well as prevent any damage to the cable. Initial inspection prior to cleaning would allow one to use the proper cleaning tools thus saving time and money. To prevent any contamination of the cleaning tools, they must be stored in a clean, dry and resealable container.

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