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8-16 Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements
Figure 8-6. Damage from improper cleaning.
While these often work well on first insertion, they are
great dirt magnets. The oil or gel grabs and holds grit
that is then ground into the end of the fiber. Also, some
early gels were designed for use with the FC, non-con-
tacting connectors, using small glass spheres. When
used with contacting connectors, these glass balls can
scratch and pit the fiber. If an index matching gel or oil
must be used, apply it to a freshly cleaned connector,
make the measurement, and then immediately clean it
off. Never use a gel for longer-term connections and
never use it to improve a damaged connector. The gel
can mask the extent of damage and continued use of a
damaged fiber can transfer damage to the instrument.
• When inserting a fiber-optic cable into a connector, gen-
tly insert it in as straight a line as possible. Tipping and
inserting at an angle can scrape material off the inside of
the connector or even break the inside sleeve of connec-
tors made with ceramic material.
• When inserting a fiber-optic connector into a connector,
make sure that the fiber end does not touch the outside
of the mating connector or adapter.
• Avoid over tightening connections.
Unlike common electrical connections, tighter is not
better. The purpose of the connector is to bring two
fiber ends together. Once they touch, tightening only
causes a greater force to be applied to the delicate
fibers. With connectors that have a convex fiber end,
the end can be pushed off-axis resulting in misalign-
ment and excessive return loss. Many measurements
are actually improved by backing off the connector
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