Micro Care Introduces Fiber Optic Connector Cleaner
Micro Care Corp. (New Britain, CT) has announced two new technologies for cleaning fiber optic connectors. The first innovation is a new Fiber Optic Connector Solvent in a pump-spray canister. The second is a family of swabs specifically designed for cleaning inside tiny fiber optic connectors.
The communications industry has long been bedeviled by the difficulty of cleaning fiber optic connectors. Exacerbating this problem is the continuing trend towards thinner, higher-capacity fiber optic cables and connectors. The labor cost inherent in installing thousands of perfectly clean male and female connectors is becoming a major factor in every large fiber optic installation. Traditional alcohol wipes have failed to deliver the consistent cleaning required.
The cleaning solvent is a nonflammable, environmentally safe, residue-free solvent formulated to clean fiber connector end-faces. The new product, based on a patented azeotrope of Vertrel specialty solvents from DuPont, is SNAP-approved, plastic-safe and double-filtered to 0.2 microns during packaging. It dissolves light oils, salts, grime and uncured epoxies, and—since it also is mildly hygroscopic—it will absorb small amounts of moisture while cleaning. The cleaner can remove the messy but vital silicone pastes used inside the fiber optic cables.
The solvent is packaged in a unique nonaerosol pump spray which is even permitted on board commercial aircraft. Since the container is hermetically sealed, cross-contamination cannot occur, ensuring that clean, pure cleaning fluid is used on every cleaning job. The compact size fits easy in the hand, and makes it easy to fit in tool kits, instrument cases and inspection packages.
Micro Care also has developed a proprietary cleaning swab for fiber optic connectors. The new cleaning sticks are made of a synthetic, extruded polyester. The cleaning sticks come in three sizes, each engineered to fit the most popular sizes of connectors, including the troublesome 0.0125 connectors favored on military projects, and can clean both male and female shaped connectors.
No fibers, binders, adhesives or outgassing contaminates the connector. Since recleaning is rarely required, the cleaning sticks offer time-savings in a complex optical installation.
Manufactured by Micro Care, the products are marketed exclusively by AFL Telecommunications under the Noyes brand.
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