1-209948-3 - Tyco Electronics

Instruction Sheet

Installation and Cleaning Procedures for 408-8895

2006 Tyco Electronics Corporation, Harrisburg, PA

All International Rights Reserved

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TOOLING ASSISTANCE CENTER 1-800-722-1111

PRODUCT INFORMATION 1-800-522-6752 This controlled document is subject to change.

For latest revision and Regional Customer Service,

visit our website at

www.tycoelectronics.com

21 AUG 06 Rev B

Fiber Optic Buildout Attenuators (BOAs)

Figure 1

BOA

Patchcord

Adapter

Patchcord

BOA Shown Installed

In Line Between Two Patchcords and an Adapter

1. INTRODUCTION

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

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.

3. INSTALLATION

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.

Never look into the end of a patchcord or BOA

when the connecting ends of the fiber optic cable

are attached to an optical power source. Infrared

light is invisible but can damage eye tissue.

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.

3. 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

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.

To avoid damage to the adapter, patchcord, or

BOA, DO NOT use any tools to tighten the BOA.

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

faces are clean BEFORE mating.

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

of the patchcord is aligned with the key slot of the

BOA.

Figure 2

Plug End

of BOA

One End

of Adapter

End Face of

Patchcord

Receptacle End

of BOA

Detail A

Detail B

Key (Ref)

Key Slot (Ref)

Key (Ref)

Key Slot (Ref)

NOTE

DANGER

CAUTION

NOTE

CAUTION

NOTE

408-8895

Installation and Cleaning Procedures for BOAs

Rev

of 2

4. INSPECTION AND CLEANING

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.

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 TechniCloth

wipers or

dry, lint–free cloths

— fiber optic reel cleaner with cassette

In some cases, static charge from wipers or

cloths attracts dust particles and prevents the end

face from becoming clean. The fiber optic reel

cleaner will eliminate static buildup while cleaning

the end face.

— TEXWIPE TX759B MicroAbsorbant

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.

Wiping too delicately will not adequately clean

the end face.

4. Blow clean dry air over the end face.

5. Using the microscope, inspect the end face

again to make sure that all contamination is

removed. If not:

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.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that ALL end

faces are clean BEFORE mating.

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.

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.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that ALL end

faces are clean BEFORE mating.

5. REVISION SUMMARY

Updated document to corporate requirements

Deleted part number in Section 1,

INTRODUCTION

NOTE

CAUTION