Optical fiber connector transmission principle

What is the transmission principle of fiber optic connectors, and how to clean fiber optic connectors. The following ZR Cable answers these two questions.

What is the transmission principle of optical fiber connectors?

Fiber optic terminus is the core component of fiber optic connectors. Different from the circumferential contact conduction of electrical contacts, optical terminations are generally transmitted through end-face contact, and the optimal optical performance and good mechanical properties are achieved by polishing and grinding the end face. One end goes into the other.

1. The optical terminal is composed of high-precision ceramic pins and calibration sleeves. The optical fiber is fixed in the inner hole of the ceramic pins. After the end face is polished, it is pressed tightly by the springs at both ends to make it contact reliably. The diameter of the ceramic pin used in the contact piece is generally Φ2.5mm, Φ1.25mm, etc., and the accuracy of the diameter and coaxiality can reach 0.1um.

2. MT type optical terminal is a terminal for multi-core optical fiber connectors. The main material is pps, which is an important component of optical fiber connectors such as MPO and MTP. Connectors using MT optical terminations generally have higher density, and a single termination can simultaneously transmit up to 72 optical signals. The terminations use guide pins at both ends to guide the alignment, allowing multiple fibers to be centered in the ferrules at the same time.

Optical fiber connector transmission principle

How to clean fiber optic connectors

1. Cleaning tools

To clean fiber optic connectors, you need the following equipment:

(1) Powder-free rubber gloves or finger cots;

(2) Lint-free fiber cleaning cloth and cotton swab;

(3) Absolute ethanol, namely alcohol (optical grade, purity >99.5%);

(4) Compressed air (no oil, no water), or a wooden stick rolled with the tape inside the double-sided tape;

(5) Microscope.

2. Cleaning steps

Please strictly follow the following procedures to clean and maintain the fiber optic connector:

(1) Turn off the laser switch and set the key switch to the "OFF" position;

(2) Remove the protective sleeve (black) of the connector, remove the window (also known as the protective lens), and wipe the entire surface of the connector with an optical cleaning cloth dipped in alcohol;

(3) Put the optical fiber connector under the microscope (magnification is 20 times), so that the quartz column of the connector can be clearly imaged under the microscope, observe carefully, and use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to clean the dust or tiny particles on the surface of the quartz column, complete After cleaning, it must be wrapped with non-woven fabric and placed on the desktop, and then continue other work to prevent dust from contaminating the surface of the quartz column again.

(Note: Cleaning the quartz column must be done in a dust-free environment)

(4) Put the window under the microscope so that it can be clearly imaged under the microscope, carefully observe the lens, clean the dust and tiny particles inside and outside the lens with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, and put it back into the connector, and finally it needs to be placed in the microscope again. Check to see if it is clean.

(5) Use a double-sided bakelite stick to stick off the dust on the protective inner cover, and then use a cotton swab and alcohol to further clean it and put it back on the connector.

3. Matters needing attention

Do not reuse lint-free cotton cloths or swabs;

Do not touch the protective lens of the fiber optic connector with your fingers;

Do not blow the dirt on the surface of the protective lens directly with your mouth, which may bring new dirt;

Do not touch the tip of the cleaning swab with your fingers;

Please clean the protective cover and sleeve before putting them back on the fiber optic connector;

When using compressed air, do not blow the dirt directly from the front, but use the side blowing method to avoid the dirt from sneaking into the surface;

If the fiber optic connector cannot be immediately reattached to the optic, cover the tail with a protective cap cleaned with compressed air.