Does a little dust affect Toslink connector?

[aikofan]

While messing with the cables in the back of my PC, I accidentally pulled out the Toslink cable, and it fell on the dusty floor behind my desk. I picked it up, blew some of the dust off the connector with my lips, and then plugged it back in, and it seems to be working fine. But then I got to thinking--even after blowing on it, the optical connector is a lot dirtier than it was previously, since it was lying on an area of the floor behind my desk that never gets cleaned. Can this have a subtle negative affect on the performance and sound, or is it like an on/off thing, where if it works, it works, and if the signal was affected at all, it would be really obvious? And if it's the former, should I clean it with an alcohol wipe or something like that?

 

[Doodski]

While messing with the cables in the back of my PC, I accidentally pulled out the Toslink cable, and it fell on the dusty floor behind my desk. I picked it up, blew some of the dust off the connector with my lips, and then plugged it back in, and it seems to be working fine. But then I got to thinking--even after blowing on it, the optical connector is a lot dirtier than it was previously, since it was lying on an area of the floor behind my desk that never gets cleaned. Can this have a subtle negative affect on the performance and sound, or is it like an on/off thing, where if it works, it works, and if the signal was affected at all, it would be really obvious? And if it's the former, should I clean it with an alcohol wipe or something like that?

The end of the fiber optic inner is polished and you may scratch it by rubbing it. I would run it the way it is.

 

[Randyman...]

Pretty much works or it doesn't. Toslink is much more forgiving than MTP type optical connections where a few specs of dust will cause links to fail.

Specific optical cleaners exist - but for Toslink - I'd just blow it off.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

If it functions properly, then everything is good.
Interruption of a digital signal would lead to clicks, pops, and disruptions -there would be no doubt of something's wrong.
So don't worry, enjoy the music!

 

[EERecordist]

Optical communications are summarized in the article:

https://www.edn.com/eye-diagram-basics-reading-and-applying-eye-diagrams/

TOSLINK is not going to be that sensitive to dust. You can clean it if you like with an eyeglass cleaning cloth or a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol dragged across the connector end without applying pressure or scrubbing. I would keep the caps over unused sockets. That is not necessary in electrical contacts except in harsh environments.