1. Electrostatic charge test
Comparison For Ø2.5mm cleaners

2. electrostatic charge source
Dry Wipe
Ceramic Ferrule
Contact friction knocks the electrons around both surfaces
The surfaces with the most friction develop the highest levels of electrostatic charge
Charged dust particles are attracted to each other and accumulate
Dielectric ceramic and composite fiber optic ferrules are electrical insulators and the electrostatic charge does not decay

3. electrostatic charge impact on fiber connections
Isometric image of dust on LC
IEC Inspected LC with dust
The charged ferrule surface will attract dust particulates which negatively impacts the insertion loss of the mated connector pair
Where does the dust come from?
Dust on test and inspection equipment
Wear debris from the contact friction of the connector parts from the mating and demating process
Charged dust particles in the air coming from the cooling fans on networking gear and the HVAC system
The only way to confidently eliminate electrostatic charge is to introduce a cleaning fluid like the Sticklers Fiber Optic Splice & Connector Cleaner precision cleaning fluid

4. Cleaners, Contact Friction and Ferrules
The image below compares the electrostatic charge of the FerruleMate 2.0 to the Sticklers 2.5mm CLEANCLICKER 750 cleaner to see what the transfer voltage is to a SC/APC connector after 5 repeated engagements
The electrostatic charge that is transferred from the cleaner remains on the ceramic ferrule which will eventually attract duct and wear debris particulates
250 FerruleMate 2.0
400+V
2.5mm CLEANCLICKER 750
< 50V

5. Electrostatic charge preliminary testing
Test Set Up:
Record local temperature and relative humidity
Set Electrostatic Locator to LO and Zero out
Record test surface to verify zero charge
Engage cleaner 3X in a row and place electrostatic locator 7.5mm from cleaners surface on cleaner body and on the nozzle
Zeroed out electrostatic locator on a polished granite surface
Temperature = 22°C (72°F)
Relative Humidity = 46%
Test Group:
2.5mm CLEANCLICKER 750
IBC Brand Cleaner SC
250 FerruleMate 2.0
IBC Brand Cleaner M250

6. 2.5mm CLEANCLICKER® 750 Cleaner results
I repeated the test 5 times and slide the electrostatic locator along the cleaner’s handle and the nozzle to determine if there were any vulnerable points on the 2.5mm CLEANCLICKER 750 cleaner
The readings were consistent and the needle stayed at zero each time at all points

7. 250 Ferrulemate 2.0 Cleaner results
I repeated the test 5 times and placed the electrostatic locator on the nozzle and the side wall of the 250 FerruleMate 2.0
The readings were consistent and coming at +500V on the nozzle and the cleaner housing

8. IBC Brand cleaner M250 Cleaner results
I repeated the test 5 times and placed the electrostatic locator on the nozzle and the top and side wall of the IBC Brand Cleaner M250 housing
The readings were consistent and coming at -125V to -200V

9. IBC brand cleaner SC Cleaner results
I repeated the test 5 times and placed the electrostatic locator on the nozzle and the side wall of the IBC Brand Cleaner SC housing
The readings were consistent and coming at +100V to +150V on the nozzle and around +150V for the cleaner housing

10. For More Information Contact:
Brian Teague
Product Line Manager – Sticklers Fiber Optics C: