Practice Test GeeksCFOT - Certified Fiber Optic Technician Practice Test
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Fiber Optic Cleaning and Inspection Flashcards

7 cards from real CFOT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Fiber Optic Cleaning and Inspection flashcards as text

  1. How many inspection zones are defined for single-mode connector end-faces per IEC 61300-3-35?

    Answer: 4

    IEC 61300-3-35 defines four concentric zones (A, B, C, D) from the core outward to the contact area of the connector end-face.

  2. What purity level of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is recommended for cleaning fiber optic connectors?

    Answer: 99%

    99% pure IPA minimizes water residue that could contaminate the end-face or cause spotting after the solvent evaporates.

  3. Which cleaning tool is designed specifically to clean the ferrule end-face of a connector installed inside an adapter?

    Answer: Stick cleaner (push-to-clean device)

    Stick cleaners are inserted into adapters to contact and clean the ferrule end-face without removing the connector from the bulkhead.

  4. What contaminant transferred by direct hand contact with fiber end-faces is particularly problematic because it leaves a persistent film?

    Answer: Skin oils

    Skin oils form a thin, persistent film that bonds strongly to the glass surface and significantly increases insertion loss if not properly cleaned.

  5. Per IEC 61300-3-35, what is the allowable number of scratches in Zone A (core region) for a single-mode PC connector to pass inspection?

    Answer: No scratches are allowed in Zone A

    Zone A of a single-mode PC connector must be completely free of scratches to meet IEC 61300-3-35 pass criteria because any scratch directly blocks the light path.

  6. How should fiber optic connectors be stored when they are not mated or in use?

    Answer: Cap them with protective dust caps

    Dust caps protect the ferrule end-face from airborne contamination and physical damage when connectors are not mated.

  7. What can occur when two contaminated fiber end-faces are mated under the spring pressure of a connector?

    Answer: Hard particles can be embedded into the glass causing permanent damage

    The mating force can embed hard particles into the polished glass surface, causing permanent pits or scratches that cannot be removed by any cleaning method.