Fiber Optic Training

Fiber Optics
Understanding Fiber
• Characteristics
• Bend Radius
• Connector Identification
• Documents
• Tools
• Inspection
• Cleaning
• Examples
• Packaging
• Good Practices
Notice:
This training course is provided by Athens Aviation Training Systems
Practical Use:
The primary goal of this training course is general familiarization of using the fiber
optics inspection and cleaning tools. It is not intended to take the place of processes
or procedures set forth by the Airline or the Airframer.

NOTE:
All the material in this training course is for reference use only.
Always refer to the Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM), Component Maintenance
Manual (CMM) or the Fault Isolation
Manual. (FIM)
Understanding Fiber
Both fiber optics and copper wire have the same goal, to transmit
information from one place to another, but use different methods to do so.
Fiber-optics use light pulses through glass or plastic instead of using
electronic pulses down copper lines.

Copper Bundle Fiber Bundle

Understanding Fiber
– WEIGHT - Fiber is much lighter than copper cables to help reduce aircraft weight.
– SPEED - Fiber optic networks operate at high speeds - up into the gigabits.
– BANDWIDTH - Large carrying capacity and combines the data from multiple
copper cables into one fiber. Some 10 billion digital bits can be transmitted per
second alone an optical fiber link in a commercial network, enough to carry tens
of thousands of telephone calls.
– DISTANCE - Signals can be transmitted further without needing to be "refreshed"
or strengthened.
– ENVIRONMENT - Greater resistance to electromagnetic noise such as radios,
motors or other nearby cables, and operates with far less heat buildup.

COPPER FIBER
BANDWIDTH MAX. IS 1 GIGABIT 10 GIGABIT AND CLIMBING
FUTURE NEEDS CAT 7 IS STILL BEING DEFINED VERY EXPANDABLE AND IS EVOLVING
DISTANCE 100 METERS @ 1000 Mbps 40 km+ @ 10,000 Mbps
Negative response to EMI/RFI and
NOISE No Effect
Voltage surges
SECURITY Easily tapped into Almost impossible to tap
PULL-STRENGTH 25 pounds 100-200 pounds
Understanding Fiber
The 787 has a large number of fiber optics cables.
• ATA (23-51), (31-31), (31-61), (34-42), (42-21), (46-11), and (46-12).
Note – Some Fiber Optics do not have dispatch relief (ATA 31-61 and (42-21).
Fiber Optics is a part of the communications System/ Digital Data
transmission
Understanding Fiber
The 787 has a large number of fiber optics cables.
• ATA (23-51), (31-31), (31-61), (34-42), (42-21), (46-11), and (46-12).
Note – Some Fiber Optics do not have dispatch relief (ATA 31-61 and (42-21).
Fiber Optics is a part of the communications System/ Digital Data
transmission

Buffer Coatin g
Cable Jacket Cor e

Strength Member s Cladding

3
Understanding Fiber
Light pulses move easily down the fiber-optic line because of a principle
known as total internal reflection or (Critical angle).
• “When the angle of incidence exceeds a critical value, light cannot get out
of the glass; instead, the light bounces back in.”

Diagram of total
internal reflection
in a optical fiber
Understanding Fiber
Angle ‘A’ is known as the Critical Angle for the fiber
• When light strikes the cladding at an angle less than Angle ‘A’ the light
will be reflected and travel down the fiber
• This is known as Total Internal Reflection
• When light strikes the cladding at an angle greater than Angle ‘A’ the light
will leave the fiber and be lost

Cladding Cladding
A A
Minimum Bend Radius
All fibers have a defined Minimum Bend Radius
• “Determined by the properties of the fiber and jacket
– Provided by the manufacturer
• Bending the fiber to a radius smaller than the specified bend
– Will cause loss of internal reflection and possible breakage
– Loss of light will cause system errors or total failure
• Excessively bending the fiber
– Will cause reduction/loss of total internal reflection
– Light escaping the fiber
• The tighter the bend
– The more light that escapes the fiber
Bend Radius
Do Not bend a fiber optic cable to a (bend radius) of less than 10 time the
diameter of the cable.
Do Not bend a fiber optics bundle or assembly that contains more than
one cable to a (bend radius) that is less than 10 times the diameter of the
largest cable in the bundle
Good Rule = Make sure the bend radius is always more than 1.5 inches or
3.8 cm

.
Sample of over bent cable
Sample of Breakage
Connector Identification
Contact (or terminus) goes in a connector for mating-
Physical contact:
– 2 fibers in contact
– Polished with a radius
– Compression from spring(s)
– Alignment of the fibers in the ferrules thanks to a sleeve

FORCE FORCE
Connector Identification
The connectors come in many shapes and sizes.
– The technician will need to locate the proper alignment guides for the inspection process..
 Examples: Ferrules & Sleeves

Brass Sleeves. Ceramic Sleeves.

Various Types of Fiber Terminations

LC FC

SC ST
Connector Identification
Documents:
• SIL >> 787-SL-20-002 = Recommendations for Fiber Inspection and Cleaning.
• AMM>> DMC-B787-A-20-10-34-00A-280B-A = Fiber Optic Cable Detailed inspection
• AMM>> DMC-B787-A-20-10-34-01A-280C-A = Fiber Optic Connector on a Module –Special Detailed
Inspection /Cleaning.
• SWPM >> Standard Wiring Practices Manual S280W701

Identification:
Follow the AMM to identify the connector and the applicable Inspection Guide
Documents
787-SL-20-002 SIL

DMC-B787-A-20-10-34-00A-280B-A Inspection and Testing

DMC-B787-A-20-10-34-01A-280C-A Inspect & Cleaning

S280W701 , section 20-12-20 and 21 Inspect Clean Assy. Inspect,Clean, Assy.,Repair, Etc.
 Tools
• The Fiber Optics Inspection tool Kit as called out in AMM: DMC-B787-A-20-10-34-01A-280C-A.
• The Inspection Kit P/N = FBP-787-1 and,
• The Cleaning Kit P/N = E-250 or the Cleaning Pen.
Note: Tt may be necessary to use alcohol and cleaning tips in addition to the Cleaning Pen.
You may also need a Hex Key 5/64
For removing the alignment sleeve
Inspection
• Follow the Inspection procedure called out in the SWPM S280W701 and /or AMM DMC-B787-A-20-10-34-
01A-280C-A
• Identify the correct tools for the connector you are going to inspect.
• With the scope examine the termini end face.
• Look for any obstructions, such as contamination, scratches, cracks or pits.
• Compare any obstructions to the criteria set forth by the SWPM and or the AMM.
• If the end face is dirty with debris you will need to clean it and then inspect again.
 Initial Connector End-Face
- Inspection using
Approved inspection equipment

Yes Make connection to a

End-face clean mating connector
clean?

No

Dry-Clean with approved cleaning tool

(Cletop or equivalent)

Re-inspect using approved

inspection equipment

End-face Make connection to a

clean mating connector
clean? Yes

No

Wet-Clean No
using Did dirt or
approved debris move
cleaning or change?
solution
immediately Yes
followed by

Dry-Clean with approved cleaning tool

(Cletop or equivalent)

Re-inspect using approved

inspection equipment

Reject No End-face Yes Make connection to a

Cable clean mating connector
clean?
 Protect Fiber Terminations
 Use caps to protect the end face from dirt and damage.

Ends protected by
caps
Cleaning
• Follow the Cleaning procedure called out in the SWPM S280W701 and /or AMM DMC-B787-A-20-10-34-
01A-280C-A . Get the cleaning kit from the Tooling Room P/N = E-250
• Identify the correct cleaning material for the connector you are going to clean.
• You may have to remove the alignment sleeve if it has one. Air clean the alignment sleeve and store it in a
clean place.

• Roll a swab on to the end face to remove any obstructions/particulates. Rotated swab in one direction
making sure not to force the swab on to the end face.
• Only use the same swab once and discard.
• Inspect the termini again and if necessary repeat cleaning.
• Once the termini is acceptable install a clean dust cap or reinstall the unit to close the connection.
• Look for any obstructions, such as contamination, scratches, cracks or pits.
• Compare any obstructions to the criteria set forth by the SWPM and or the AMM.
• If the end face is dirty with debris you will need to clean it and then inspect again.
Cleaning
Dust, Scratches, Pits, and Other Debris
The fiber core is approximately the size of a human hair
– It doesn’t take a big piece of dirt to block the light

• Dirt, dust, and chemical residues

– Absorb or deflect light
• reduce power output from the fiber
– Can cause Scratches and Pits
• reduce the power output from the fiber
– will transfer to the mating connector
• Will damage it as well

All the above defects can cause loss of light power in the fiber and the
system to fail functionally
Cleaning
 Fiber Examples

Pin A (note white center) Pin B

Pin A after cleaning Pin B after cleaning

 Dirty Fiber Examples

• These are a couple of examples of dirty or damaged fibers that

may not function properly.
Scratch on face and particle
Grease and oils from fingers contamination
Dirty Fiber Examples
 Fiber Optic Packaging Practice

When receiving in from stores:

– Individual fibers should be mounted to a rigid support
such as cardboard.
– Fiber Optic terminations must be protected with a cap to
avoid damage.
– Fiber Optic leads on an assembly should be temporarily
secured for transportation.
 Fiber Optic Packaging Practice
Undesirable packaging
Bag could be bent thus damaging fibers

Desirable packaging
Fiber backed by cardboard prevents bending
Good Practices
• Always cover open fiber to prevent contamination.
• Never touch the fiber end face.
• Make sure the work area is clean.
• Never force any object on to the end face.
• Inspect /clean any open fiber before closing a connection.
• Be fragile with fiber cables / handle with care to avoid damage.
• Do not ingest any of the chemicals used to clean fiber while operating heavy machinery.

Fiber Optics Safety

• The light that travels through the optical fiber is invisible to the human eye and may cause damage to
your eyes.
• Always assume there is light in the fiber. Never look directly into the end of a open fiber without taking
necessary precautions.
• Don’t play with matches.
Questions