How to clean SMPTE 304M fiber optic connectors.

2. EXPENSE OF NOT CLEANING TERMINI
The Cost of Not Cleaning Connectors:
Average cost of a 10 meter SMPTE 304M assembly: $650
Average cost to repair an assembly (4 fiber termini): $300
Average cost to repair camera and bulkhead connector (2 fiber termini): $250
Standard out of service repair times: 2 to 4 weeks
MSRP Sticklers® 2.0mm Cleaning Kit: $127.75
Cost to Clean a Termini > $0.64
Importance of Cleaning Termini:
 Mating contaminated termini is most common cause for scratches and pits to the fiber termini
 Scratched and pitted termini have to be returned to the factory for repair or replacement
 Cleaning termini before mating saves the repair expense and out of service downtimes
 Static is the primary force that draws and holds dust to virtually all surfaces involved with the connector

3. IMPACT OF CONTAMINATION
Socket Terminus Pin Terminus
Ø 2.0mm ceramic
ferrule
Socket alignment
sleeve
Ø 2.0mm ceramic
ferrule
Dust Particulates with Static Bond
Mating ForceMating Force
 Dust and wear debris residing on sleeve is pushed onto the termini end faces
 As the ferrules mate, the dust particles break it apart into smaller pieces and spread
 The dust shifts on the end face causing scratches and pits on the fiber
Mated Termini

4. STICKLERS® 2.0MM CLEANING KIT
Sticklers® 2.0mm
Cleaning Kit
Mechanical Tools
for 2.0mm
Max. Effective Terminus End face Cleaning Region: Ø2.0mm Ø400μm to Ø600μm
Max. Contamination Removal Effectiveness Level: Heavy Duty Light Duty Only
Cleans Alignment Sleeves: Yes No
Dissipates Static Bonds: Yes No
Cleans MIL DTL 38999 Pin and Socket Termini: Yes No
Cleans MIL PRF 28876 Pin and Socket Termini: Yes Varies
Qty P/N Description
2 S16 100 individual S16 CleanStixx™ Optical Grade Cleaning Sticks
2 FA1 100 individually wrapped Outdoor CleanWipes™ wipes
1 POC03M 3oz (89ml) can of Fiber Optic Splice & Connector Cleaning Fluid
1 Bag Field Grade Canvas Bag
Sticklers® 2.0mm Cleaning Kit MSRP $126.75

5. STICKLERS® CLEANING PERFORMANCE
Socket Terminus
Pin Terminus
S16 CleanStixx™ Sticks
Dust Particulates
Ø1.4mm Protruded Cleaning
Outdoor CleanWipes™ wipes
 Sticklers® Broadcast Kits costs $0.64 to maintain termini versus $150+ to repair termini
 CleanStixx ™ sticks and CleanWipes™ wipes trap dust in the alignment sleeve on the terminus end face
 Fiber Optic Splice & Connector Cleaner dissipates the static bonds holding the dust

6. CLEANING FLUID PROPERTIES COMPARISON
Sticklers® Fiber Optic Splice & Connector Cleaner Isopropyl Alcohol
Flammability: Non flammable, no flash point Highly flammable, Flash point 12˚C
Shipping Classification: Nonhazardous, Non regulated Regulated Flammable Liquid
Residues:  None and filtered to submicron purity for particulates
 Water content: <12 ppm
 Leaves residues and water marks with
purity varying by grade
 Purity decreases when exposed to air
 Water content: Up to 300,000 ppm
Hygroscopic behavior: Will absorb small amounts of water to speed cleaning of
water based oils
Absorbs moisture from air which leaves
residues when drying
Specific Gravity: 1.45 0.79
Viscosity: 0.61cPs 2.43cPs
Surface Tension: 13.6 dyne/cm 21.7 dyne/cm
Shelf Life: Unlimited Normally < 12 months
 Higher density floats particles off surface (Water = 1)
 Lower viscosity helps for wetting and cleaning (Water = 1.002)
 Lower surface tension enhances particulate cleaning (Water = 72.8)
Sticklers® Fiber Optic Splice and Connector Cleaner does NOT freeze like competing aqueous based solvents

7. CASE FOR STICKLERS® 2.0MM CLEANING KIT
Typical Fiber Based Broadcast Deployment
1. Sticklers® 2.0mm Cleaning Kits Offers a 20% Savings
 Kit is >20% less expensive when compared to buying all the individual contents, bag and assembling it
 Kit contents can be re-ordered to lower the total cost of ownership
2. Sticklers® 2.0mm Cleaning Kits Breaks Static Bonds
 The Fiber Optic Splice & Connector Cleaner in the Sticklers® Kit breaks the static bonds making nearly 100% effective
 No mechanical cleaning tool currently on the market is capable of eliminating static bonds which hold dust
3. Sticklers® 2.0mm Clean Kits Clean The Whole End Faces and Alignment Sleeves
 The Sticklers® CleanStixx™ S16 sticks completely clean the whole termini end face and alignment sleeves
 Cleaning tools have a limited effective cleaning region of 400μm to 600μm
Camera Connector
2 termini
Bulkhead Connector
2 termini
Interconnect Assembly
4 termini (2 per end)