As a key component of the optical fiber network, the reliability of the FBT coupler depends on regular cleaning and scientific maintenance, which can significantly extend its service life and ensure the quality of signal transmission. Below we will explain the operating specifications, key maintenance measures and common problem analysis.
Cleaning operation specifications
Fiber end face cleaning
Use professional fiber cleaning tools such as alcohol cotton or dust-free wiper to remove dust and oil from the connector end face to ensure that the optical signal transmission loss is minimized. Please avoid touching the end face of the fiber connector during operation to prevent secondary contamination.
Equipment surface maintenance
Wipe the FBT coupler housing with a soft cloth to remove dust, and check whether the housing is cracked or damaged, and replace it in time to maintain the protective performance.
Key maintenance measures
Environmental control:
- Beter install the FBT coupler in a constant temperature (-40℃～85℃) and low humidity (humidity <85%) environment to avoid high temperature or humidity causing colloid aging or splitting ratio drift.
- Keep fiber coupler away from strong electromagnetic interference sources and ensure good ventilation to prevent equipment overheating and performance fluctuations.
Physical protection:
- The fiber bending radius of the FBT fiber coupler must be greater than 30mm to prevent excessive bending from causing additional loss or structural damage.
- Check the locking status of the connector (such as SC/FC interface) regularly to confirm that there is no risk of loosening or falling off.
Performance monitoring:
- Use an optical power meter to detect output loss of the FBT coupler every 6 months. Abnormal fluctuations (such as > 0.5dB) require checking for end face contamination or cone damage.
- Record changes in splitting ratio of the FBT coupler, especially in high temperature environments (> 60°C), the inspection cycle should be shortened. If necessary, disable or optimize the heat dissipation design.
How to avoid common problems?
The two big problems we may meet is pollution aging and improper operation.
- Pollution and aging: End face contamination is the main cause of signal attenuation for FBT coupler. We can avoid this by verify that there is no residue after cleaning, replace the sealing parts if it ages, and silicone modified materials are recommended to improve humidity tolerance.
- Operation Taboos: in order to properly use fiber coupler, please do not clean with electricity (to prevent laser burns), avoid pulling the fiber or heavy pressure on the taper area of the FBT coupler.
