Instruction Sheet 408-8895 Installation and Cleaning Procedures for Fiber Optic Buildout Attenuators (BOAs) BOA Shown Installed In Line Between Two Patchcords and an Adapter BOA Patchcord Adapter Patchcord faces are clean BEFORE mating. 4. Align the plug end of the BOA with one end of the adapter, and insert the BOA into the adapter. Refer to Figure 2, Detail A. Make sure that the BOA is fully connected. For a BOA with threaded ends, finger-tighten the BOA to a torque of approximately 0.23 N-m [2 in.-lb]. For BOAs with a key, make sure that the key is aligned with the key slot of the adapter. Figure 1 To avoid damage to the adapter, patchcord, or CAUTION 1. INTRODUCTION BOA, DO NOT use any tools to tighten the BOA. Fiber optic BOAs are used to control power levels in fiber optic cable (or lines) used in telecommunication and CATV applications. For application requirements for the BOAs, refer to Application Specification 114-1129. All numerical values on this instruction sheet are 5. Remove the protective cover from the receptacle end of the BOA. 6. Inspect and, if necessary, clean the end face of the BOA and the end face of the patchcord according to Section 4. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that ALL end CAUTION faces are clean BEFORE mating. in metric units [with U.S. customary units in brackets]. 2. DESCRIPTION Configured as a connector with a plug (or ferrule) at one end and a receptacle at the other end, the BOA can be installed at a distribution patch panel, in line between two patchcords and an adapter (shown in Figure 1), or directly at the receiver interface. BOAs, like patchcords, are available with ends that thread, snap, or twist to fully connect. 7. Align the end face of the patchcord with the receptacle end of the BOA, and insert the patchcord into the BOA. Refer to Figure 2, Detail B. Make sure that the patchcord is fully connected. For a patchcord with threaded ends, finger-tighten the patchcord to a torque of approximately 0.23 N-m [2 in.-lb]. For BOAs with a key slot, make sure that the key NOTE of the patchcord is aligned with the key slot of the BOA. Detail A 3. INSTALLATION Plug End of BOA The following steps describe installation of the BOA in line between two patchcords and an adapter; basically, the same steps apply to installation at a distribution patch panel and installation directly at the receiver interface. DANGER Key (Ref) Key Slot (Ref) Never look into the end of a patchcord or BOA One End when the connecting ends of the fiber optic cable of Adapter are attached to an optical power source. Infrared light is invisible but can damage eye tissue. Detail B End Face of Patchcord Key (Ref) 1. Identify the line to be attenuated. Disconnect the patchcord from the adapter. 2. Remove the protective cover from the plug end of the BOA. Key Slot (Ref) 3. Inspect and, if necessary, clean the end face of the BOA and the end face of the patchcord according to Section 4. E 2006 Tyco Electronics Corporation, Harrisburg, PA All International Rights Reserved Tyco is a trademark. Rev B IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that ALL end CAUTION NOTE NOTE 21 AUG 06 Receptacle End of BOA Figure 2 TOOLING ASSISTANCE CENTER 1-800-722-1111 This controlled document is subject to change. PRODUCT INFORMATION 1-800-522-6752 For latest revision and Regional Customer Service, *Trademark Other products, logos, and company names used are the property of their respective owners. visit our website at www.tycoelectronics.com 1 of 2 LOC B Installation and Cleaning Procedures for BOAs 408-8895 4. INSPECTION AND CLEANING 4. Blow clean dry air over the end face. Cleanliness of the fiber optic interface is extremely important for system performance. It is recommended that all end faces be inspected and clean BEFORE installing (or mating) the BOA according to the following procedure. 5. Using the microscope, inspect the end face again to make sure that all contamination is removed. If not: The following tools and materials are necessary for inspection and cleaning the end faces of the BOA and any mating connectors. Follow the operating instructions packaged with the tools and safety guidelines packaged with the materials. -- TEXWIPE TX604 TechniClothTM wipers or dry, lint-free cloths -- fiber optic reel cleaner with cassette NOTE a. Moisten a wiper (or dry, lint-free cloth) with the isopropyl alcohol (or use an alcohol fiber wipe), and wipe the end face using a back-and-forth motion. b. Wipe the end face with a wiper (or dry, lint-free cloth) to remove any alcohol residue. If the wiper is not effective, use the reel cleaner. c. Blow clean dry air over the end face. 6. Repeat these steps, as necessary, until the end face is clean. In some cases, static charge from wipers or cloths attracts dust particles and prevents the end CAUTION IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that ALL end faces are clean BEFORE mating. face from becoming clean. The fiber optic reel cleaner will eliminate static buildup while cleaning the end face. -- TEXWIPE TX759B MicroAbsorbantTM swabs or equivalent -- isopropyl alcohol (99% reagent grade) or equivalent alcohol fiber wipes -- fiber optic inspection microscope with magnification of 200 , probe, and probe tip appropriate for application (SC, FC, ST, or D4) -- clean dry air (filtered laboratory or canned) 4.1. Plug End of BOA and Mating Connector (If Able to Be Disconnected) 1. Using the microscope, inspect each end face for contamination. If contamination is not present on either of the end faces, mate the BOA and the mating connector immediately to prevent contamination. If contamination is present, proceed with the following steps for each contaminated end face. 2. Place a wiper (or dry, lint-free cloth) on a smooth, flat, hard surface. 3. Holding the plug end of the BOA or connector perpendicular (with end face facing down) to the wiper, wipe the end face across the wiper using a short, quick motion. NOTE Wiping too delicately will not adequately clean 4.2. Receptacle End of BOA and Mating Connector (If Not Able to Be Disconnected) 1. Using the microscope with the probe and appropriate probe tip installed, inspect each end face for contamination. If contamination is not present on either of the end faces, mate the BOA and mating connector immediately to prevent contamination. If contamination is present, proceed with the following for each contaminated end face: 2. Insert a swab into the receptacle end of the BOA or into the connector until it touches the end face. 3. Carefully rotate the swab in one direction, sweep it back and forth, then pull it out. Discard the swab. CAUTION DO NOT RE-USE A SWAB. A used swab can contaminate the end face. 4. Repeat these steps, as necessary, until the end face is clean. CAUTION IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that ALL end faces are clean BEFORE mating. 5. REVISION SUMMARY S Updated document to corporate requirements S Deleted part number in Section 1, INTRODUCTION the end face. 2 of 2 Rev B