Procedure 14-29: Clean optical pluggable transmission module
Overview
This procedure describes the Alcatel-Lucent recommended method for cleaning uninstalled optical pluggable transmission modules using specific tools and materials that have been proven to be effective in the assembly and testing of optical transmission equipment.
Important!
Pluggable transmission modules are shipped with a dust cover installed into the optical ports to maintain cleanliness during storage and/or transportation. It is recommended that the dust cover be kept in place to maintain cleanliness until the optical fiber is connected. With proper care and handling, cleaning the pluggable transmission modules should not be necessary.
Because a major source of contamination is often a contaminated mating connector, it is extremely important to clean the connector ferrule end surface each time before making connections. To clean the connector ferrule end surface, refer to Procedure 14-3: Clean optical fibers, dual LC adapters and LC lightguide buildouts (LBOs).
Before you begin
Prior to performing this procedure, refer to Laser safety and Electrostatic discharge in Chapter 1, Safety.
Steps
Complete the following steps to clean an optical pluggable transmission module.
1 |
Remove the protective dust cover from the pluggable transmission module. Keep the dust cover clean until reinstalled later, if required. | ||
2 |
If the canned dry nitrogen or air is held upside down, inert gas may be released onto the connector surface. The inert gas leaves contamination on the connector surface that cannot be removed. When performing this step hold the canned dry nitrogen or air upright. While holding the canned dry nitrogen or air, position the tip of the nozzle extension as close as possible, but not close enough to make physical contact, to the sleeve inside the port receptacle and make three consecutive short blows (approximately one second each). Repeat this step for the other port. | ||
3 |
Using the stereo zoom scope, visually inspect the pluggable transmission module. If required, repeat Step 2 up to two more times then continue with the next step. | ||
4 |
Do not perform this step on the receive (RX) port. The receive (RX) port contains a lens for focusing a wide input. The lens is more easily scratched than cleaned. This step should only be performed on the transmit (TX) port if the air blows did not work. If required, insert a CLETOP stick into the transmit (TX) port sleeve until vertical force can be applied to the fiber stub end surface. Rotate the CLETOP stick five full rounds. | ||
5 |
Using the stereo zoom scope, visually inspect the pluggable transmission module. If required, repeat Step 4. | ||
6 |
Important! It is recommended that the dust cover be installed into the optical ports on the pluggable transmission module to maintain cleanliness until the optical fiber is connected. If required, reinstall the dust cover into the optical ports to maintain cleanliness. End of steps |
