1. Brian Teague Product Line Manager – Sticklers® Fiber Optics
Sources of Static Charge with Optical Connectors & Ways to Dissipate the Charge
Brian Teague
Product Line Manager – Sticklers® Fiber Optics

2. External Sources of Dust
Humans – dead skin, hair, clothing lent, dirt from shoes
Handling packaging materials – cardboard boxes, styrofoam , paper
Friction debris – HVAC system fan belts, toner dust, lifting floor panels
Fiber connectors – mating/demating, test & measurement tools

3. Static’s role in Dust Accumulation
Contact friction knocks the electrons around both surfaces
The surfaces with the most friction develop the largest charge
Charged dust particles are attracted to each other and accumulate
Dry Wipe
Ceramic Ferrule

4. Insulators Ceramic and Composite MT ferrules are all dielectric
Static charge on the ferrule has no conductive medium
Introduction of moisture creates the conductive path to dissipate the static bonds

5. Impact of static on end faces
Static charge from the dry wiping of the ferrule end face
Test and inspection equipment
Moving components mating and demating connectors
Distance: 4mm Particulate: Fe
Distance: 2mm Particulate: Fe
Distance: 2mm Particulate: Ni
Cleaned End Face

6. Dust on the end face

7. Typical Relationship Between Humidity & Static Charge
Static charge and moisture
Typical Relationship Between Humidity & Static Charge
Dissipative
Easily charged
Typical premises RH levels are in the 25% to 40% range
Humidity levels vary with the room
Introduction of a cleaning fluid creates a medium for the static charge

8. Wet-dry cleaning overview
Cleaning fluid increases the local humidity level to dissipate static
Hygroscopic fluids & containers that draw in air are vulnerable to cross-contamination
Pre-saturated wipes are vulnerable to contamination from packing materials
Aqueous or water based products freeze

9. Hygroscopic related contamination

10. Issues cleaning with Isopropyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is hygroscopic meaning it attracts water molecules
Isopropyl alcohol is flammable and has a high vapor pressure
Common alcohol dispensers pull in air during the pumping action
Paper based wipes and foam based sticks generate debris

11. cleaning considerations
What kind of contamination have connectors been exposed to?
What are conditions like at the work site?
Residues/dust particles/both
Light or severe contamination level
Material degradation
Ventilation/air flow
Flammability concerns
Operating & storage conditions
Air quality
Atmospheric dust & moisture levels
How do the solvents need to be transported ?
What are regulatory requirements?
Need for air shipment
Hazmat restrictions
No-spill/no-leak containers
DOT, restrictions
RoHS, GHS & REACH compliance
Substance & chemical restrictions

12. Technique recommendations
Best Practices for Cleaning Fluids:
Use hermetically sealed containers to avoid cross contamination
Less is more – Dispense just enough to clean a connector
Best Practices for Sticks & Swabs:
Rotate stick at least 6X in a single direction
Limit force to about the same pressure you would use for a writing pen
Never excessively scrub the end face to prevent scratching with wear particulates
Best Practices for Wiping Connectors:
Wipe connectors in a single direction
Always wipe MT based connectors (i.e MPO) in a single direction vertical direction
Tilt end face for APC so the 8˚ angle is touching the wipe
General Best Practices:
Never look directly into a connector with the bare eye
Inspect, clean if necessary & re-inspect
Reusing wipes & sticks causes cross contamination

13. Wrap up final thoughts
Dust is the most common contaminate with fiber optic interconnects
Static charge attracts and bonds with dust particles
Static is an expensive problem
Creates call back and customer complaints
Network down times and repeat cleans
Dust will cause create end face defects - scratches and pits
Wet-Dry cleaning creates a conductive medium for dissipating static charge

14. Thank You for your time and support of BICSI South Central
Brian Teague
Product Line Manager – Sticklers Fiber Optics
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