Cleaning Recommendation for Optical Transceiver

October 18, 2019 by Network Lead, HHEPO

Proper fiber cleaning of connector end-face is very important to ensure the performance of the whole fiber systems.
In fact, optical transceiver module is no exception as the contamination of the optical port of a transceiver will also
lead to network failure. However, many people overlook the importance of optical transceiver cleaning or do not clean
it in a proper way.

When to Clean?

As we know, the connector end-face of fiber jumper is always recommended to clean before connection. But the
optical port of the optical transceiver should not need frequent cleaning unless there is a problem because they have
less risk of being contaminated compared to jumper. In general, if you have cleaned your connectors, but still
experience low-power output from an optical transceiver or a fault signal from your equipment, you should clean the
optical port of the transceiver.

How to Clean

The best way to clean the optical port of a transceiver is to use the air duster (also called clean dry air) to blow away
small dust particles. In addition, lint-free stick/swab is also required for dry cleaning. The detailed cleaning procedure
is shown as below:

▪ Remove the dust cap from the optical transceiver.

▪ Use an air duster to remove any dirt or particles.
▪ Insert a lint-free stick of the appropriate size (2.5 mm or 1.25 mm) and turn clockwise. Dry
cleaning is recommended here. Thus, Don’t use alcohol-based cleaning sticks.
▪ Repeat steps 2 and 3 if necessary.
 ▪ Remove the lint-free stick and reinsert the dust cap to the transceiver. Always keep the dust cap
inserted in the transceiver when not in use.
▪ Place the transceiver on a clean and static-free area, such as an antistatic mat.

Tips: To prevent cross contamination, always make sure that the connector of jumper that will be plugged into the transceiver is cleaned before connection.

Summary

Optical ports of transceivers also require proper cleaning to ensure the fiber transmission performance. It is
recommended to clean the transceiver port when there is an error on port. Dry cleaning is recommended to use with
air duster and lint-free. Moreover, cross contamination should be avoided by always using cleaned jumper.