1. best practice for cleaning
Smpte 304M connectors for broadcasters

2. 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 Section 6 requires max IL 0.45dB (0.10dB is typical) and RL ≥ -45dB

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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 - $1200
Inspecting & Cleaning reduces broadcaster’s annual OPEX by:
 Reducing downtimes  Repair expenses  Reduce cable assembly redundancy
Industry Standard: SMPTE 304M Appendix A recommends optical testing & inspecting to I$EC

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 Sect 10

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

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