In the fiber optic system, besides optical transmission equipment and optical devices, fiber optic consumables are also an essential part. Optical device dust caps, fiber optic sleeves/enclosures, fiber optic fusion protection sleeves, fiber optic cleaning consumables stuff kits, etc. are all classified as fiber optic consumables. These consumables are widely used in fiber optic systems and play a role in protecting the fiber and fiber end face. In all consumables, optical device dust caps are used in almost every nook and cranny of the fiber optic system, therefore, their role cannot be underestimated. So, what is the role of the optical device dust cap? And it will happen to the fiber optic system how the impact?

Dust cap in the fiber optic system to play what character?

Dust cap plays an important role in fiber optic system, it can protect fiber optic connectors, fiber optic adapters, optical interfaces of optical modules and ports of other devices from external environmental pollution and external damage to prevent severe network slowdown or network failure. In short, dust caps should be used on any infrequently used fiber optic splices or optical interfaces.

Several common types of dust caps

As mentioned above, almost all ports in a fiber optic system require dust caps to prevent contamination or damage to the ports when they are not in use. Among them, fiber optic adapters, fiber optic connectors and optical modules are common optical devices that require the use of dust caps in fiber optic systems, and the dust caps for these optical devices are called adapter dust caps, connector dust caps and optical module dust plugs, respectively.

Adapter dust caps-protection of fiber optic adapters and couplers

SC adapter dust cap

Splice dust cap - to protect the connector of the jumper or the sleeve of the connector

SC connector dust cap

Optical module dust plug-also called port dust cap, generally used in the optical interface of unused optical modules

SFP optical module dust plug

According to the material, the dust cap can be divided into plastic dust caps and metal dust caps. Plastic dust caps are much cheaper than metal dust caps, not only because the metal dust caps are more expensive than plastic metal parts, but also because it is manufactured to prevent electromagnetic disturbance. In addition, most of the metal dust cap is with chain metal dust cap, metal dust cap above the metal chain can ensure that the dust cap in and equipment respectively will not fall or lost.

ST metal dust cap with chain

According to the use of different, adapter dust cap and connector dust cap is divided into LC dust cap, SC dust cap, ST dust cap, FC dust cap, etc..

What is the impact of dust caps on fiber optic system?

Dust cap is a necessary accessory for fiber optic connectors, fiber optic adapters and unused optical modules, its role in the storage and delivery of fiber optic connectors, fiber optic adapters and optical modules is very significant, to prevent mechanical damage to these optical devices. When the optical device is not in use, the dust cap in a way also has a dust function, but this does not mean that the dust cap can completely prevent the contamination of optical devices, on the contrary, the dust cap may also be one of the sources of fiber optic system pollution. The air is full of dust everywhere, the dust cap inside is not an exception, so when the dust cap and the end face of the optical device touch, will inevitably constitute a different degree of contamination of the end face. In addition, some of the residual dust cap inside the general residual processing grease, gel or other pollutants used.

Unfortunately, most users are not aware of this point. They think that the dust cap can keep the end face of the optical device clean, does not constitute pollution, so they want to use the optical device, usually after removing the dust cap will be used directly in the optical fiber system, without any cleaning process, but this operation will constitute an optical interface additional loss. When you find that your fiber optic system does not reach the best function, you should think back to your use of optical devices when the proper cleaning of its work, small details can constitute a great deal of trouble.