best practice for cleaning Smpte 304M connectors for broadcasters

Typical Sports Broadcast Application  Camera control unit in truck In truck cable assembly  Truck exterior panel Truck to Stadium wall box cable assembly  Camera in stadium  Incoming &  Outgoing stadium infrastructure Each connector has 2 fiber end faces Each connector pair has 4 fiber end faces Example has at least 5 connector pairs (10 end faces total) for a each camera SMPTE 304M Jack Two Ø 2.0mm ferrules Two or four electric contacts SMPTE 304M Plug Industry Standard: SMPTE 304M -2009 Section 6 requires max IL 0.45dB (0.10dB is typical) and RL ≥ -45dB

Negative Impact of Contamination Jack Connector Plug Terminus Ø 2.0mm ceramic ferrule Ø 2.0mm ceramic ferrule \ Socket alignment sleeve Dust Particulates with Static Bond Mated Connector Pair \ Mating Force Mating Force Dust residing on sleeve is literally pushed into the contact zone of the mated connector pair The mating force between the two ferrules is ~ 15,000psi in the contact zone The dust breaks apart and is ground into the ceramic and glass The dust contamination causes scratches and pits on both fiber end faces

2D image of end face wiped on t shirt Isometric image of same end face Importance of cleaning Importance of Cleaning Termini: Mating dust based contaminated connectors will cause scratches and pits to the end face Mating oil based contaminated connectors will negatively impact back reflectance Scratched and pitted end faces have to be returned to the factory for repair or replacement Cleaning end faces before mating will save on repair expense and out of service downtimes 200m Contact Zone Fiber Core Fiber Cladding Fiber Core 2D image of end face wiped on t shirt Isometric image of same end face The residue created by the wipe on the t-shirt is combination fabric softener and skin oils

Importance of Inspecting & cleaning Case for cleaning using the stadium broadcast example: Let’s assume a 30M (100’) exterior cable with jacks on both end costs the broadcaster $1200. Decide Not To Inspect & Clean Save time and money not inspecting cleaning fiber – $0 Bring three redundant cables in case scratched or dirty end face happens - $3600 Return damaged cables to supplier for repair - $300 per cable plus shipping with two week repair lead time Decide To Inspect & Clean Assume 30 secs for inspect & clean an end face and use fiber cleaning consumables - $100 (max) Bring one redundant cables in case of scratched end face happens - $1200 Inspecting & Cleaning reduces broadcaster’s annual OPEX by:  Reducing downtimes  Repair expenses  Reduce cable assembly redundancy Industry Standard: SMPTE 304M -2009 Appendix A recommends optical testing & inspecting to I$EC 61300-3-35

STICKLERS® Jack Cleaning recommendation Sticklers® P/N Description MCC-S25 2.5mm CLEANSTIXX® Cleaning Sticks MCC-POC03M Fiber Optic Splice & Connector Cleaner® cleaning fluid Step 1: Insert the cleaning stick in the side port for the cap of the cleaning fluid Advantages of Wet-Dry Cleaning using a stick cleaner The combination of the cleaning fluid plus the stick breaking up contamination and eliminate electrostatic charge Stick provides the largest cleaning area which prevents particle migration and pulls off dust from the jack’s sidewalls Cleaning Tips: Tilt can slightly when dispensing fluid Gently push cap – a little fluid goes a long way Step 2: Insert the stick into the jack and rotate the cleaning stick 6 to 8 times in the same direction

STICKLERS® Plug Cleaning recommendation Sticklers® P/N Description MCC-P25 Pin CLEANSTIXX® Cleaning Sticks MCC-POC03M Fiber Optic Splice & Connector Cleaner® cleaning fluid Step 1: Insert the cleaning stick in the side port for the cap of the cleaning fluid Advantages of Wet-Dry Cleaning using a stick cleaner The combination of the cleaning fluid plus the stick breaking up contamination and eliminate electrostatic charge Stick provides the largest cleaning area which prevents particle migration and pulls off dust from the jack’s sidewalls Cleaning Tips: Tilt can slightly when dispensing fluid Gently push cap – a little fluid goes a long way Step 2: Place the stick over the ferrule and rotate the cleaning stick 6 to 8 times in the same direction

Image of dust contaminated end face courtesy of Promet Optics Connector cleaning and sources of contamination REASON FOR CLEANING CONNECTORS: Mating dirty connectors will cause scratching and pitting ruining termini end faces Cleaning both end of mated connector pair before mating will extend service life of assemblies and ensure reliability of signals COMMON SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION: Wear debris generated from moving parts when mating connectors Electrostatic charge caused by contact friction from dry cleaning processes Cross contaminated alcohol that has been diluted from atmospheric moisture, lint from paper based wipes, and broken cellular structure of foam tipped sticks Image of dust contaminated end face courtesy of Promet Optics

Case for using Sticks and Cleaning Fluid CLEANING PERFORMANCE: The use of cleaning fluid breaks up heavy oils and residue contamination The strands in the cleaning tip create a capillary action which wicks up contamination from the end face ELMINATION OF ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE EFFECT: The cleaning fluid becomes the dissipative medium that eliminates the electrostatic charge on the ferrule and connector housing Cleaning with a moisten cleaning stick does not create an electrostatic charge during the wiping process The cleaning stick’s tip makes contact with the socket wall during the rotation process which dissipates the electrostatic charge Using the cleaning fluid will ensure compliance to IEC 8497-1 Sect 10

Case for using Sticks and Cleaning Fluid LARGEST EFFECTIVE CLEANING REGION: The cleaning stick’s tip diameter is able to reach contamination that resides in the outer regions of the ferrule end face Removing contamination from end face periphery significantly reduces particle migration LIMITATIONS OF ALL MECHNICAL CLEANERS: Dry wiping causes an electrostatic charge from the contract friction between the cleaner’s cleaning strand flowing across the ferrule end face Wet-dry cleaning is ineffective because the cleaning strand wicks up on both sides of the cleaning strand requiring multiple engages The cleaning tip outer diameter is reduced to prevent contact with socket walls that would interfere with the cleaning strand flow The effective region is < Ø0.8mm for Ø2.5mm ferrule

For More Information Contact: Brian Teague Product Line Manager – Sticklers Fiber Optics C: +1.860.406.2576 briant@microcare.com