Connector Cleanliness: IEC 61300-3-35 Standard

Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) and Fiber-to-the-Building (FTTB) connections have seen significant growth worldwide over the past few years, driven by increased demand for high-speed internet and substantial investments from both private and public sectors. In the United States, FTTH deployments set a record in 2023, with nearly 9 million new homes connected. Currently, fiber networks pass over 51% of U.S. primary homes, thanks to expanded efforts, including federal funding targeting improved rural connectivity​.

The primary appeal of fiber optics for network operators lies in its high performance and reliability, with the added benefit of reduced maintenance needs. However, one critical component continues to contribute significantly to network issues: the optical connector. According to research by NTT Advanced Technology, connector issues account for four of the top five causes of network failures, with the leading issue being contamination of connector end faces. This problem is prevalent among major fiber network providers in Asia as well, where insufficient emphasis on maintaining connector cleanliness is responsible for around 90% of reported failures.

In the past, optical transport networks and data center fiber interconnects were less affected by connector contamination due to their controlled environments. However, with the growing use of fiber in outdoor networks, connectors are now commonly found in less protected areas, such as roadside cabinets, pedestals, and customer premises, where they are more exposed to dust and humidity due to a lack of filtering and environmental controls. Although contamination of connectors is a frequent issue, it can be easily resolved by cleaning, especially focusing on the ferrule end face, which is the most critical area.