A Full Introduction to MTP®/MPO Cleaning Tools

Dirt, dust and other contaminants on MTP®/MPO fiber optic cable connectors will greatly affect the transmission quality in a fiber link or even result in network failure for the whole optical system. To maintain efficient connections among a wide range of devices, the following MTP®/MPO cleaning tools are highly recommended.

Generally speaking, there are two types of MTP®/MPO connector cleaning methods, namely dry connector cleaning and wet connector cleaning. And thereinto, dry cleaning is more recommended, as wet cleaning may harm the equipment even though stubborn stains can be removed with this method. Read How Much Do You Know About Fiber Connector Cleaning to learn more about connector cleaning methods. Correspondingly, here a set of MTP®/MPO fiber cleaning tools are introduced according to the two types in this article.

Dry MTP®/MPO Fiber Cleaner

Despite traditional dry wipes, dry MTP®/MPO cleaning tools are developed for more effective and convenient uses.

Fiber Cleaning Cassette

It is also called reel-type fiber optic cleaner, designed with the micro-fiber cloth that removes contaminants from ferrule end faces for single and multi-fiber male connectors.

NEOCLEAN-R2 Cassette Cleaner

The advanced NEOCLEAN-R2 cassette cleaner from NTT-AT is suitable for SC/FC/ST/LC/MU/MTP®/MPO connectors. Its durable cleaning cloth provides strong cleaning power without fraying or leaving any fibers. With a simplified tape advance mechanism, it offers smoother operation and cost savings. Made from anti-static material, fiber cleaning cassette delivers excellent anti-static performance. Cleaning fiber connectors is easy with this cleaner—simply turn the winding reel to expose a new cleaning cloth and slide the connector on it. The fiber cleaning cassette can be used more than 400 times.

Figure 1: NEOCLEAN-R2 Cassette Cleaner.

Fiber Pen Cleaner

The MTP®/MPO fiber pen cleaner is designed for cleaning the ferrule end-faces of MTP®/MPO connectors without the use of alcohol. With just an easy one-push operation, it can clean a variety of contaminants such as road dust, 70% IPA residue, distilled H2O residue, skin oil and so on. US Conec IBC™ Brand Cleaner MPO II and NEOCLEAN-M one-push pen cleaners are capable of cleaning MTP®/MPO-8/12/24 fiber connectors effectively at once, while US Conec IBC™ Brand Cleaner MTP®-16™ and NEOCLEAN-M2 one-push pen cleaners are designed to clean MTP®/MPO-16 fiber connectors at a time. These MTP®/MPO fiber cleaning pens are suitable for cleaning ferrules with or without guide pins. Moreover, they can clean both exposed MTP®/MPO cable connectors and connectors in adapters. Read FS One-Push Cleaner Introduction and User Guide to learn more about it.

Figure 2: MTP®/MPO Pen Cleaner.

Read the instructions below to learn how to use MTP®/MPO-8/12/24 one-push cleaner for exposed connectors and connectors in adapters.

Fiber Cleaning Procedures for Exposed MTP®/MPO Connectors

Step 1: Open the protective cap of the attachment at the tip of the cleaner.

Step 2: Insert the connector into the cleaner.

Step 3: Press the cleaner until hearing a click sound.

Step 4: Inspect the connector using a fiberscope if permitted.

Fiber Cleaning Procedures for Connectors in Adapters

Step 1: Take off the attachment.

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

Step 3: Press the cleaner until hearing a click sound.

Step 4: Inspect the connector using a fiberscope if permitted.

Wet MTP®/MPO Fiber Cleaner

Traditional wet cleaning tools are for exposed single and multi-fiber connectors such as LC/SC/FC/ST/MU/MTP®/MPO etc. Commonly used ones are cleaning wipes and foam swabs.

Fiber Cleaning Wipes

This cleaning wipe is made of pure virgin wood fiber with a dispenser box that allows drawing out wipes one-at-a-time and preventing electrostatic shock. Used with isopropyl alcohol, this lint-free and non-abrasive wipe is ideal for MTP®/MPO connector end face cleaning without the risk of scratching or lint residue.

Figure 3: Fiber Cleaning Wipes.

Fiber Optic Foam Swabs

These lint-free foam swabs are ideally suitable for cleaning contaminants from almost all fiber connectors due to their low price, easy operation and excellent fiber cleaning performance. The basic cleaning procedures are as follows: dip a cleaning swab in isopropyl alcohol; insert the swab into the MTP®/MPO connector; lightly press and turn the swab to clean the ferrule end face; follow up with a dry swab to ensure a thorough cleaning.

Figure 4: Lint-Free Foam Swabs.

Conclusion

No matter dry MTP®/MPO fiber cleaner or wet MTP®/MPO fiber cleaner, the ultimate purpose of cleaning kits is to enable high-quality transmission in optical fiber connections. As for MTP®/MPO connectors, dry cleaning tools such as fiber cleaning cassette cleaner and one-push fiber pen cleaner are quite effective and convenient. Wet cleaning using cleaning wipes or foam swabs with isopropyl alcohol is also useful but more aggressive. It is important to choose a suitable MTP®/MPO cleaning tool, but it is also vital to remember the golden rule of fiber cleaning, which is to always inspect, clean and inspect again. Because the act of cleaning itself is a potential source of contamination.