6-17
Maintenance
Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements
If the performance, after the initial cleaning, seems poor try cleaning the con-
nector again. Often a second cleaning will restore proper performance . The
second cleaning should be more arduous with a scrubbing action.
To clean an adapter
The fiber-optic input and output connectors on many Agilent Technologies
instruments employ a universal adapter such a s those shown in the following
picture. These adapters allow you to connect the instrument to different types
of fiber-optic cables.
Figure6-8. Universal adapters.
1Apply isopropyl alcohol to a clean foam swab.
Cotton swabs can be used as long as no cotton fibers remain after cleaning. The
foam swabs listed in this section’s introduction are small enough to fit into
adapters.
Although foam swabs can leave filmy deposits, thes e deposits ar e very thin , and
the risk of other contamination buildup on the inside of adapters gr ea t ly out-
weighs the risk of contamination by foam swabs.
2Clean the adapter with the foam swab.
3Dry the inside of the adapter with a clean, dry, foam swab.
4Blow through the adapter using filtered, dry , compressed air.
Nitrogen gas or compressed dust remover can also be use d. Do not shake, tip,
or invert compressed air canisters, because this releases particles in the can
into the air. Refer to instructions provided on the compressed air canister.