Prior to the development of fiber optic cleaning tools such as the IBC Brand connector cleaner typically fiber-optic end face cleaning was accomplished through the use of a tool such as the Cletop. A Cletop is very useful in cleaning connector interfaces that are available in your hand. However, they are difficult to use when attempting to clean connectors in the back of a patch panel or the interface to a piece of test equipment, etc. Often times connector end face residue and dirt can be transferred from a bulkhead or test equipment interface to a cable assembly interface, thus creating loss in the overall fiber-optic system. This loss is extremely critical in determining the overall performance of a 10/40 or 100 GigaBit per second transmission system.

Recently, new tools have been developed that allow you to clean connector interfaces both in cable assemblies as well as patch panels, test equipment interfaces, and bulkheads. These new tools essentially replace Cletops as well as provide additional functionality not available through the use of a Cletop.

FiberSolutions Inc. has been a woman owned distributor of fiber optic cleaning tools for over 25 years. This longevity in the industry allows us to make recommendations and explain the differences between many of the new fiber optic cleaning tools being introduced into the market. The purpose of this blog is to outline the features of the new IBC Brand connector cleaner available from US Conec.

IBC Brand connector cleaners are manufactured by US Conec. They are mechanical cleaning tools designed to clean fiber optic connectors residing in a bulkhead adapter, a patch panel faceplate or a cable assembly. The IBC Brand connector cleaner utilizes a cleaning strand to gently sweep and lift away the dust and dirt that resides on the connector interface.

The benefit of the connector cleaning methodology implemented by the IBC Brand connector cleaner is the fact that it actually breaks away the dirt and then sweeps it off the fiber end face when the strand advances. This is accomplished by the dual mechanism within the tool. It actually rotates to break away the dirt and then advances the tape to remove the dirt from the connector interface. This dual action of cleaning actually does a very good job at cleaning all types of fiber optic connector interfaces.

Some of the features of the US Conec IBC Brand cleaner is the simple pushing motion to engage the tool. This results in an audible click that allows the operator to know that the tool has been deployed. The IBC Brand connector cleaner is a dry cleaning method. This makes the tool easily transportable in a briefcase or hand tool carry-on. The IBC Brand connector cleaner offers over 525 uses per tool. This makes this a very economical tool to use for cleaning fiber-optic interfaces.

The US Conec IBC Brand cleaner is available in multiple styles:
1. IBC Brand cleaner M250 – Utilized for 2.5 mm cleaning surfaces including FC, ST, FC, E, 2000, Mil 83526 and other harsh environment connectors
2. IBC Brand cleaner M 16 – Cleans 1.6 mm pin and socket terminations in a MIL- 38999 connector
3. IBC Brand cleaner SC – Cleans SC, ST, FC, and E 2000 connectors with a UPC and APC polish
4. IBC Brand cleaner LC – Cleans LC and MU connectors with a UPC and APC polish
5. IBC Brand cleaner HC- Cleans OptiTap connectors for F TTX applications
6. IBC Brand cleaner M20 – Cleans SMPTE 304M connectors in broadcast and MIL/COTS 2.0mm connectors.

IBC Brand cleaners are useful in applications including: telecom central offices, data centers, CATV head ends, outside plant applications, FTTX applications, fiber to the antenna for WiMAX and cellular networks, Broadcasting applications, and military and civilian aviation applications.

The US Conec IBC Brand cleaner is part of the US Conec family of fiber optic cleaning tools.
The IBC Brand cleaning tool can also be incorporated into the Fiber Solutions CleanFiber Optical Cleaning kit as an additional accessory.
Fiber Solutions Inc is a well-established fiber-optic distribution company providing the finest products in fiber optic cleaning applications. In addition Fiber Solutions offers fiber optic test equipment, cable assemblies, patch panels, splicing products, hand tools, and many other fiber-optic related products. We at Fiber Solutions are pleased to be a provider of some of the finest cleaning products available in the fiber-optic industry including all those available from US Conec. You can find all of these tools available on our website at http://www.fibersolutionsonline.com. You can also contact our customer service representatives at 800-743-4237, or e-mail us at info@fibersolutionsinc.com.