Brian Teague Product Line Manager – Sticklers® Fiber Optics Sources of Static Charge with Optical Connectors & Ways to Dissipate the Charge Brian Teague Product Line Manager – Sticklers® Fiber Optics

External Sources of Dust Humans – dead skin, hair, clothing lent, dirt from shoes Handling packaging materials – cardboard boxes, styrofoam , paper Friction debris – HVAC system fan belts, toner dust, lifting floor panels Fiber connectors – mating/demating, test & measurement tools

Static’s role in Dust Accumulation Contact friction knocks the electrons around both surfaces The surfaces with the most friction develop the largest charge Charged dust particles are attracted to each other and accumulate Dry Wipe Ceramic Ferrule

Insulators Ceramic and Composite MT ferrules are all dielectric Static charge on the ferrule has no conductive medium Introduction of moisture creates the conductive path to dissipate the static bonds

Impact of static on end faces Static charge from the dry wiping of the ferrule end face Test and inspection equipment Moving components mating and demating connectors Distance: 4mm Particulate: Fe Distance: 2mm Particulate: Fe Distance: 2mm Particulate: Ni Cleaned End Face

Dust on the end face

Typical Relationship Between Humidity & Static Charge Static charge and moisture Typical Relationship Between Humidity & Static Charge Dissipative Easily charged Typical premises RH levels are in the 25% to 40% range Humidity levels vary with the room Introduction of a cleaning fluid creates a medium for the static charge

Wet-dry cleaning overview Cleaning fluid increases the local humidity level to dissipate static Hygroscopic fluids & containers that draw in air are vulnerable to cross-contamination Pre-saturated wipes are vulnerable to contamination from packing materials Aqueous or water based products freeze

Hygroscopic related contamination

Issues cleaning with Isopropyl alcohol Isopropyl alcohol is hygroscopic meaning it attracts water molecules Isopropyl alcohol is flammable and has a high vapor pressure Common alcohol dispensers pull in air during the pumping action Paper based wipes and foam based sticks generate debris

cleaning considerations What kind of contamination have connectors been exposed to? What are conditions like at the work site? Residues/dust particles/both Light or severe contamination level Material degradation Ventilation/air flow Flammability concerns Operating & storage conditions Air quality Atmospheric dust & moisture levels How do the solvents need to be transported ? What are regulatory requirements? Need for air shipment Hazmat restrictions No-spill/no-leak containers DOT, restrictions RoHS, GHS & REACH compliance Substance & chemical restrictions

Technique recommendations Best Practices for Cleaning Fluids: Use hermetically sealed containers to avoid cross contamination Less is more – Dispense just enough to clean a connector Best Practices for Sticks & Swabs: Rotate stick at least 6X in a single direction Limit force to about the same pressure you would use for a writing pen Never excessively scrub the end face to prevent scratching with wear particulates Best Practices for Wiping Connectors: Wipe connectors in a single direction Always wipe MT based connectors (i.e MPO) in a single direction vertical direction Tilt end face for APC so the 8˚ angle is touching the wipe General Best Practices: Never look directly into a connector with the bare eye Inspect, clean if necessary & re-inspect Reusing wipes & sticks causes cross contamination

Wrap up final thoughts Dust is the most common contaminate with fiber optic interconnects Static charge attracts and bonds with dust particles Static is an expensive problem Creates call back and customer complaints Network down times and repeat cleans Dust will cause create end face defects - scratches and pits Wet-Dry cleaning creates a conductive medium for dissipating static charge

Thank You for your time and support of BICSI South Central Brian Teague Product Line Manager – Sticklers Fiber Optics Cell: +1.860.406.2576 brianteague@microcare.com