Known as a backbone of today’s fast speed and reliable communication networks, fibre optics is a transmission medium relies on light signals instead of electric current for high-speed data transfers. Optical fibers are the thin threads of flexible plastic or glass that functions as a “light-pipe” or “waveguide” to transmit light signals between two ends of the cable.
The downside of these cables is that they are easily vulnerable to contaminations like dust particles, oils from human hands, water spotting and damages like pitting, chips, and scratches that occur on the surface of the fibers. These problems occur either due to regular use and mating or de-mating of cables, or due to the inadequate cleaning procedure. These issues with the fibres will gradually decrease the performance of this high-speed data-communication medium.
To avoid such problems, right fiber optic testing, cleaning and inspection procedures need to be implemented at regular time intervals. Inspection on optical cables can be done before and after cleaning. It is a good practice to inspect cables before in order to find and locate the real problem so that appropriate cleaning and troubleshooting methods can be executed. For example, you may be implementing the best cleaning approach, the inspection procedure showing a different type of damage that cleaning is not a solution.
Mentioned below are some important points to remember about inspection:
Inspection is not always essential if your cleaning method is consistent and correct.
Eye inspection technique will be more effective to find larger contamination, but not minute particles or oil deposits. It is a good idea to use various inspecting devices such as video scope, hand scopes, and microscopes to locate contaminations and damages.
Use scope inspection, is it is essential for your application. This is because of the reason that it is very time consuming technique, especially, when it is need to inspect tens, or even hundreds of connecting devices in an installation.
After you done with the inspection, cleaning of fiber optic is executed. During this, several types of cleaning tools are used in order to ensure that cable is completely free from dust contaminations. Compressed air canes (that have nozzle tube extension with a pressing button on the top), Isopropyl alcohol, dry and wet wipes, cleaning swabs, soaking, and ultrasonic are some of the most common tools used for loosen dirt contaminations and dissolve oils.
No comments:
Post a Comment