Fiber Optic Connector Care - Nortel 2330 Installation Instructions Manual

If you suspect damage to a fiber optic cable, either due to mishandling
or an abnormally high error rate observed in one direction, reverse the
cable pairs. If the high error rate appears in the other direction, replace
the cable.

Fiber optic connector care

Before connecting fiber optic connectors to transmission equipment,
test equipment, patch panels, or other connectors, ensure fiber optic
connectors are clean. The performance of an optical fiber connector
depends on how clean the connector and coupling are at the time of
connection.
A damaged or dirty connector can damage a connector with which it pairs.
A connector must be absolutely clean before you insert it into a transmitter
or receiver.
Never clean an optical connector while it carries light. Optical power
can cause ignition of the cleaning material when it contacts the end
of the optical connector and destroy the connector. Typical cleaning
materials, for example, tissues saturated with alcohol, combust almost
instantaneously after you expose them to optical power levels of +15 dBm
or higher.
Visually inspect the connector to determine cleanliness and to determine
if it needs replacing. You must replace a connector that has a scratch
across the core, or a scratch that appears to end in the core.
The proper connector cleaning method depends on the connector
contaminants:
•
Judge cleanliness by visual inspection with a fiber microscope. First
inspect the connector, and then clean as required.
•
If you suspect only the possibility of dust particles (for example,
which can occur when you leave a connector uncapped in a clean
environment), use high-quality canned air or a reel cleaner, for
NN47263-303 03.01 7 September 2009
Copyright © 2007-2009 Nortel Networks. All Rights Reserved.
CAUTION
Risk of equipment damage
Do not crush fiber optic cable. If fiber optic cable is in the
same tray or duct with large, heavy electrical cables, it can be
damaged by the weight of the electrical cable.
WARNING
Risk of eye injury
When you inspect a connector, ensure that light sources are
off. The light source in fiber optic cables can damage your
eyes.
Nortel Secure Router 2330/4134
Installation — SFPs
Care of fiber optic equipment 11