How to clean the connector of MTP / MPO fiber jumper?

Why use MTP / MPO fiber optic jumper?

MTP / MPO fiber patch cords with 12 or 24 cores in a single interface have proved to be a feasible solution. MTP / MPO multi-core fiber connector meets the standards of 40Gbase-SR4 and 100Gbase-SR10. It can accommodate 12 or 24 cores in a connector with the same size as SC connector. As a result, MTP / MPO fiber patch cords provide up to 12 or 24 times the density and save circuit card and rack space.

About MPO / MTP connector

MPO / MTP connector is the most commonly used multi-core optical fiber connector in high-density network. It can accommodate 1-2 rows of fibers (12 core MPO / MTP connector and 24 core MPO / MTP connector) in one connector. Compared with single core connector, the surface area of MPO / MTP connector is larger. MPO / MTP connector can be divided into two types: male MPO / MTP connector (with guide pin) and female MPO / MTP connector (without guide hole). The two connectors are connected to realize the butt joint between optical fibers. The alignment accuracy of MPO / MTP connector insert is determined by the eccentricity and spacing of optical fiber, the matching accuracy of guide pin and optical fiber.

Cleaning and dedusting method of MPO optical fiber jumper

Choosing proper cleaning methods and tools can get twice the result with half the effort for MPO / MTP connector cleaning. Now we will learn more about the cleaning and dust removal method of MPO optical fiber jumper.

When cleaning the MPO / MTP connector, every fiber core should be carefully cleaned, because the pollution of any fiber core may affect the performance of MPO / MTP connector. In addition, due to the design of male MPO / MTP connector with guide pin, many users ignore the cleaning of MPO / MTP connector insert edge, which is one of the reasons why MPO / MTP connector is not thoroughly cleaned. Therefore, we should select appropriate tools and methods to clean MPO / MTP connector.

Before cleaning, we should check the insert of MPO / MTP connector to determine whether it needs cleaning. Once it is determined to clean MPO / MTP connector, we usually prefer dry cleaning method, which can effectively remove dust and grease, and will not pollute the plug due to the use of alcohol detergent. However, sometimes dry cleaning can not completely eliminate the pollutants in the connector. Therefore, if there are pollutants found in the MPO / MTP connector after dry cleaning, the method of wet cleaning + dry cleaning should be used for secondary cleaning. After the second cleaning, if there is still pollution, the method of wet cleaning + dry cleaning should be used again. It should be noted here that if the connector is polluted due to permanent damage, the MPO / MTP connector should be replaced.

Dry cleaning tools for cleaning MTP / MPO fiber optic jumper connector

CLE-box box cleaner

CLE-box box cleaner is a kind of alcohol-free antistatic cleaner, which is suitable for most optical fiber connectors, including LC / SC / FC / ST / MU / MTP / MPO / D4 / DIN connectors. CLE-box box cleaner can remove dust and oil stains on the surface of MTP / MPO optical fiber jumper connector. It is equipped with ultra-fine textile fiber replaceable cleaning tape, which can easily and effectively clean the end face of MTP / MPO optical fiber jumper connector without scratching or scratching the surface or leaving traces of alcohol. In addition, the tape of the cleaner can be replaced after more than 500 times of use. Therefore, cle-box box cleaner is more cost-effective for engineering laboratories, assembly lines or field applications where long-term use of the cleaner is required.

How to use cle-box box cleaner：

1: Slide the cover to expose the cleaning cloth.

2: Slide the ferrule end face along the cloth surface in the direction shown on the cartridge.

3: Press the lever to pull out a new cleaning cloth for another cleaning.

4: Press the lever to close the slide cover.

Be careful:

1. When cle-box fiber box cleaner is used to clean MTP / MPO connector, it is only suitable for cleaning the male of MTP / MPO connector. For the female of MTP / MPO connector, wet cleaning tool is required.

2. Do not move the connector back and forth on the cleaning cloth. Only move in one direction to avoid unnecessary pollution.

NEOCLEAN-R2 box cleaner

NEOCLEAN-R2  box cleaner is produced by ntt-at, which is very suitable for SC / FC / ST / LC / MU / MTP / MPO connector cleaning. It is similar to CLE-box cleaner, but it has its own advantages. Its cleaning cloth is thick and can be used for better cleaning, but it will not wear the end face of MTP / MPO fiber jumper cleaner or leave any fibrous material. The neoclean-r2 cartridge cleaner uses a simplified tape propulsion mechanism for smoother operation and lower production costs. In addition, it is made of antistatic material and has excellent antistatic performance. The operation is very simple. Just turn the winding wheel to expose the new cleaning cloth and slide the connector on the cleaning cloth. At the same time, the neoclean-r2 box cleaner can clean more than 400 times, but the tape inside is irreplaceable.

One button cleaner

MTP / MPO one key cleaner is specially used to clean the end face of MTP / MPO connector (without alcohol). It can remove all kinds of pollutants, such as dust, 70% IPA residue, distilled water residue, grease, etc. by simple one button operation. Neoclean-m one key cleaner can effectively clean MTP / mpo-8 / 12 / 24 connector, while NEOCLEAN-M2 one key cleaner is used to clean MTP / mpo-16 connector. MTP / MPO one key cleaner can be used to clean the ferrule with or without guide pin, as well as clean exposed connector.

Cleaning procedures for bare connectors

1: Open the protective cover of the cleaner tip attachment.

2: Insert the connector into the cleaner.

3: Press the cleaner until you hear a click.

4: If conditions permit, fiber mirror can be used to check the cleaning effect of the connector.

Cleaning procedures for connectors in adapters

1: Remove the attachment.

2: Insert the cleaner tip into the MTP / MPO adapter.

3: Press the cleaner until you hear a click.

4: If conditions permit, fiber mirror can be used to check the cleaning effect of the connector.

Wet cleaning tool for cleaning MTP / MPO optical fiber jumper connector

Traditional wet cleaning tools are used to clean exposed single fiber and multi fiber connectors, such as LC / SC / FC / St / mu / MTP / MPO connectors. Common cleaning tools are cleaning wipes and cotton swabs.

Cleaning wipes

The cleaning wipes are made of pure raw wood fiber and have a distributor box, which can draw out the cleaning wipes at one time and prevent the generation of static electricity. The cleaning wipes can be used with isopropanol, and the lint free and friction free cleaning wipes are very suitable for cleaning the end faces of MTP / MPO connectors without scratching or residual lint.

No cashmere foam clean cotton swabs

The velvet foam swab is cheap, easy to operate and has excellent cleaning ability. It is very suitable for cleaning most of the pollutants in optical fiber connectors. The basic cleaning steps are as follows: immerse the cleaning swab in isopropanol; insert the swab into the MTP / MPO connector; gently press and rotate the swab to clean the end face of the sealing washer; finally, wipe the end face of the connector with a dry cotton swab to ensure thorough cleaning.

There are other cleaning methods:

One click fiber cleaner

MPO / MTP one click fiber cleaner is used to clean MPO / MTP multi-core connector. Its use method is similar to that of 1.25 mm / 2.5 mm one click fiber cleaner, which greatly simplifies the fiber cleaning work in high-density cabling data center. The one touch fiber cleaner is a very convenient cleaning tool. It can clean both the single MPO / MTP connector and the MPO / MTP connector on the adapter panel. When using, the cleaning process can be completed with only one click. A one click fiber cleaner can be used about 600 times.

Cassette fiber cleaner

The cassette type fiber cleaner is suitable for almost all connector cleaning applications where the plug can be contacted, including LC, mu, SC, FC, St, MPO / MTP, MTRJ, etc., and can be used for a long time only by replacing the tape. When using the cassette type optical fiber cleaner, it should be noted that the connector core should slide in one direction to prevent secondary pollution.

MPO / MTP optical fiber patch cord is widely used in high-density cabling system. It has small space occupation and can save installation time and cost. It is an ideal solution for high-density cabling environment. As an important technology to upgrade to 40 / 100g Ethernet, MPO / MTP optical fiber jumper is being used by more and more people.