TYPICAL SPORTS BROADCAST APPLICATION
 Camera in stadium
 Camera control
unit in truck
In truck cable assembly
 Incoming &  Outgoing stadium infrastructure
 Truck exterior panel
Truck to Stadium wall box cable assembly
SMPTE 304M Plug
Two Ø 2.0mm ferrules
Two or four electric contacts
SMPTE 304M Jack
Two Ø 2.0mm ferrules
Two or four electric contacts

Each connector has 2 fiber end faces

Each connector pair has 4 fiber end faces

Example has at least 5 connector pairs
(10 end faces total) for a each camera
Industry Standard: SMPTE 304M -2009 Section 6 requires max IL 0.45dB (0.10dB is typical) and RL ≥ -45dB
NEGATIVE IMPACT OF CONTAMINATION
Jack Connector
Plug Terminus
Ø 2.0mm ceramic ferrule
Ø 2.0mm ceramic ferrule
\
Dust Particulates with Static Bond
Socket alignment
sleeve
Mated Connector Pair
Mating Force
\
Mating Force

Dust residing on sleeve is literally pushed into the contact zone of the mated connector pair

The mating force between the two ferrules is ~ 15,000psi in the contact zone

The dust breaks apart and is ground into the ceramic and glass

The dust contamination causes scratches and pits on both fiber end faces
IMPORTANCE OF CLEANING
Importance of Cleaning Termini:

Mating dust based contaminated connectors will cause scratches and pits to the end face

Mating oil based contaminated connectors will negatively impact back reflectance

Scratched and pitted end faces have to be returned to the factory for repair or replacement

Cleaning end faces before mating will save on repair expense and out of service downtimes
Fiber Core
Fiber Cladding
200m
Contact Zone
Fiber Core
2D image of end face wiped on t shirt
Isometric image of same end face
The residue created by the wipe on the t-shirt is combination fabric softener and skin oils
IMPORTANCE OF INSPECTING & CLEANING
Case for cleaning using the stadium broadcast example:
Let’s assume a 30M (100’) exterior cable with jacks on both end costs the broadcaster $1200.
Decide Not To Inspect & Clean
Decide To Inspect & Clean
Assume 30 secs for inspect & clean an end face
and use fiber cleaning consumables - $100 (max)

Save time and money not inspecting cleaning fiber – $0


Bring three redundant cables in case scratched or dirty
end face happens - $3600

Return damaged cables to supplier for repair - $300 per
cable plus shipping with two week repair lead time
Bring one redundant cables in case of scratched
end face happens - $1200

Return damaged cables to supplier for repair $300 per cable plus shipping with two week repair
lead time

Inspecting & Cleaning reduces broadcaster’s annual OPEX by:
 Reducing downtimes
 Repair expenses
 Reduce cable assembly redundancy
Industry Standard: SMPTE 304M -2009 Appendix A recommends optical testing & inspecting to I$EC 61300-3-35
STICKLERS® JACK CLEANING RECOMMENDATION
Sticklers® P/N
MCC-S25
MCC-POC03M
Description
2.5mm CLEANSTIXX® Cleaning Sticks
Fiber Optic Splice & Connector Cleaner®
cleaning fluid
Step 1: Insert the cleaning stick in the
side port for the cap of the cleaning fluid
Advantages of Wet-Dry Cleaning using a stick cleaner

The combination of the cleaning fluid plus the stick breaking
up contamination and eliminate electrostatic charge

Stick provides the largest cleaning area which prevents
particle migration and pulls off dust from the jack’s sidewalls
Cleaning Tips:
 Tilt can slightly when dispensing fluid
 Gently push cap – a little fluid goes a long way
Step 2: Insert the stick into the jack and
rotate the cleaning stick 6 to 8 times in the
same direction
STICKLERS® PLUG CLEANING RECOMMENDATION
Sticklers® P/N
MCC-P25
MCC-POC03M
Description
Pin CLEANSTIXX® Cleaning Sticks
Fiber Optic Splice & Connector Cleaner®
cleaning fluid
Advantages of Wet-Dry Cleaning using a stick cleaner

The combination of the cleaning fluid plus the stick breaking
up contamination and eliminate electrostatic charge

Stick provides the largest cleaning area which prevents
particle migration and pulls off dust from the jack’s sidewalls
Cleaning Tips:
 Tilt can slightly when dispensing fluid
 Gently push cap – a little fluid goes a long way
Step 1: Insert the cleaning stick in the
side port for the cap of the cleaning fluid
Step 2: Place the stick over the ferrule and
rotate the cleaning stick 6 to 8 times in the
same direction
CONNECTOR CLEANING AND SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION
REASON FOR CLEANING CONNECTORS:

Mating dirty connectors will cause scratching and pitting ruining termini end faces

Cleaning both end of mated connector pair before mating will extend service life of
assemblies and ensure reliability of signals
COMMON SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION:

Wear debris generated from moving parts when
mating connectors

Electrostatic charge caused by contact friction from
dry cleaning processes

Cross contaminated alcohol that has been diluted from
atmospheric moisture, lint from paper based wipes,
and broken cellular structure of foam tipped sticks
Image of dust contaminated end
face courtesy of Promet Optics
CASE FOR USING STICKS AND CLEANING FLUID
1. CLEANING PERFORMANCE:

The use of cleaning fluid breaks up heavy oils and residue
contamination


The strands in the cleaning tip create a capillary action which
wicks up contamination from the end face
2. ELMINATION OF ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE EFFECT:

The cleaning fluid becomes the dissipative medium that eliminates the
electrostatic charge on the ferrule and connector housing


Cleaning with a moisten cleaning stick does not create an electrostatic
charge during the wiping process

The cleaning stick’s tip makes contact with the socket wall during the
rotation process which dissipates the electrostatic charge
Using the cleaning fluid will ensure compliance to IEC 8497-1 Sect 10

CASE FOR USING STICKS AND CLEANING FLUID
3. LARGEST EFFECTIVE CLEANING REGION:

The cleaning stick’s tip diameter is able to reach contamination that resides in the outer
regions of the ferrule end face


Removing contamination from end face periphery significantly reduces particle migration
LIMITATIONS OF ALL MECHNICAL CLEANERS:

Dry wiping causes an electrostatic charge from the contract friction between the cleaner’s
cleaning strand flowing across the ferrule end face

Wet-dry cleaning is ineffective because the cleaning strand wicks up on both sides of the
cleaning strand requiring multiple engages


The cleaning tip outer diameter is reduced to prevent contact with socket walls that would
interfere with the cleaning strand flow


The effective region is < Ø0.8mm for Ø2.5mm ferrule
For More Information Contact:
Brian Teague
Product Line Manager – Sticklers Fiber Optics
C: +1.860.406.2576
[email protected]