The Quick Answer
Match the cleaner to the ferrule. For 1.25 mm ferrules, use a QBL CLEP 1.25 mm cleaner or the Platinum Tools 1.25 mm pen cleaner. For 2.5 mm ferrules, use a QBL CLEP 2.5 mm cleaner or the Platinum Tools 2.5 mm pen cleaner. For MPO, QBL makes a P or T type cleaner and an R type cleaner. For CS connectors, use the QBL CS connector cleaner.
Which Ferrule Size Do You Have?
Most single-fiber connectors use one of two ferrule sizes:
- 1.25 mm: LC and MU connectors
- 2.5 mm: SC, FC and ST connectors
A cleaner made for one size will not clean the other. If your work covers both LC and SC, you need one of each. MPO and CS connectors are different formats again and need their own cleaners.
Comparison
| Product | Ferrule or format | What the maker lists | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| QBL CLEP 1.25 mm Mini | 1.25 mm | Mini body, 800 cleans | $37.99 |
| QBL CLEP 1.25 mm Long | 1.25 mm | Long body, 800 cleans | $37.99 |
| Platinum Tools Pen-Style Cleaner, 1.25 mm | 1.25 mm | Pen style, for 1.25 mm ferrules | $109.43 |
| QBL CLEP 2.5 mm Mini | 2.5 mm | Mini body, 800+ cleans | $37.99 |
| QBL CLEP 2.5 mm Long | 2.5 mm | Long body, 800 cleans | $37.99 |
| Platinum Tools Pen-Style Cleaner, 2.5 mm | 2.5 mm | Pen style, for 2.5 mm ferrules | $109.43 |
| QBL MPO Cleaner, P or T Type | MPO, P or T type | 600 cleans | $67.99 |
| QBL MPO Cleaner, R Type | MPO, R type | 500 cleans | $109.99 |
| QBL CS Connector End-Face Cleaner | CS | 950+ cleans | $72.99 |
| QBL Fiber Cleaning Kit | Kit | Packing list not yet available | $99.99 |
Clean counts are QBL's own figures for its units.
The Picks
QBL CLEP Cleaners, 1.25 mm and 2.5 mm
Best for. Techs who want a separate cleaner for each ferrule size, with a choice of body.
QBL makes the CLEP in both ferrule sizes, and each size comes in a mini body and a long body: 1.25 mm mini, 1.25 mm long, 2.5 mm mini and 2.5 mm long. QBL rates them at 800 cleans each (800+ for the 2.5 mm mini). Buy by ferrule size first, then pick the body that suits where your connectors are.
Platinum Tools Pen-Style Fiber Cleaners
Best for. Techs who prefer a pen-style cleaner, or who already carry Platinum Tools test gear.
Platinum Tools makes the pen cleaner in two versions: the FC125 for 1.25 mm ferrules and the FC250 for 2.5 mm ferrules. As with the CLEP, buy the one that matches your ferrule size.
QBL MPO Cleaners
Best for. Data center and backbone techs working on MPO trunks, cassettes and panels.
An MPO connector holds many fibers in one ferrule, so it needs a cleaner made for that format. QBL makes two: the P or T type, rated at 600 cleans, and the R type, rated at 500 cleans. Match the type to your MPO hardware. If you are not sure which type your connectors and ports need, check the part number on the hardware with its maker before you order. Our MPO/MTP cleaning guide covers the routine.
QBL CS Connector End-Face Cleaner
Best for. Techs working with CS connectors, a very small duplex connector used on some high-density data center optics.
The CS connector cleaner is made for that format. QBL rates it at 950+ cleans.
QBL Fiber Cleaning Kit
Best for. Techs who would rather buy their cleaning tools in one kit.
QBL's Fiber Cleaning Kit is the kit option. We do not have a QBL packing list for it yet, so we are not listing its contents here; if you need specific pieces, buy them on their own from the table above.
Also in the Range
QBL also makes the Opti-Fiber Cleaner, rated at 500 cleans, and the Fiber Lock Cleaner in a mini and a long version. QBL has not yet confirmed which connectors each one fits, so they are not in the table above.
Dry Cleaning, Wet Cleaning and Inspection
For most dust, a dry clean is enough. Oily residue and dried contamination can need a wet clean with a solvent and lint-free wipes, followed by a dry clean. We do not sell solvent or wipes on their own. Our guide to wet vs dry fiber cleaning explains when each is used.
Inspect the end face after you clean it, and clean again if it fails. If you need a scope, the Platinum Tools Wireless Fiber Inspection Scope has 200X magnification, works wired or over Wi-Fi with an iOS and Android app that shows pass/fail zones, and includes SC and LC tips.
Cleaners We Do Not Sell
You will also see cleaners such as the US Conec IBC cleaners and the Sticklers CleanClicker line from MicroCare. We do not sell them. The same questions apply: ferrule size, connector format and clean count.
How to Choose a Fiber Cleaner
- Ferrule size. 1.25 mm for LC and MU, 2.5 mm for SC, FC and ST. Buy one for each size you work on.
- Connector format. MPO and CS connectors need cleaners made for them.
- Where the connector is. Patch cord ends and ports set inside a panel can call for different bodies. Pick the body that reaches the connectors you clean most.
- Clean count. Divide the price by the rated cleans to compare cost per clean.
- Inspection. Plan on a way to check your work. A cleaner alone does not tell you the end face passed.
FAQ
What is the difference between a 1.25 mm and a 2.5 mm fiber cleaner?
The size of the ferrule it cleans. LC and MU connectors use 1.25 mm ferrules. SC, FC and ST connectors use 2.5 mm ferrules. A cleaner made for one size will not clean the other.
Do I need wet cleaning, or is a dry clean enough?
For most dust, a dry clean is enough. Oily residue or dried contamination can need a wet clean with solvent and lint-free wipes, followed by a dry clean. Inspect after cleaning to know which you need.
How do I clean MPO connectors?
Use a cleaner made for MPO, since an MPO connector holds many fibers in one ferrule. QBL makes MPO cleaners in P or T type and R type. Match the type to your MPO hardware, then inspect after cleaning.
How many cleans do I get from a fiber cleaner?
It depends on the cleaner. QBL rates its CLEP cleaners at 800 cleans, its MPO cleaners at 600 (P or T type) and 500 (R type), and its CS connector cleaner at 950+.
Do I need to inspect a connector after cleaning it?
Yes. Cleaning does not guarantee a clean end face. Inspecting with a fiber scope after cleaning is the only way to know it passed.
Shop Fiber Cleaners
See every cleaner we carry in fiber cleaners.
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