how best to clean RJ45 ports

[SH]

I have a 48 port network switch in the loft.

I am having connectivity issues when I patch in an unused port on the
switch to a unused patch panel socket (which has just been wired up to a
new wall socket elsewhere in the house.

I have to wiggle both ends of the ethernet patch cable before I get a
stable ethernet connection.

Neither switch or the patch panel come with protect dust/dirt covers for
the RJ45 sockets

Whats the recommended way of cleaning these RJ45 sockets?

[Andy Burns]

SH wrote:

> Whats the recommended way of cleaning these RJ45 sockets?

See answer elsewhere ...

[Raj Kundra]

Compressed Air

[uk.comp.homebuilt]

I am not *recommending* it, but here's a suggestion: use a small bit of
one of those 'magic sponges' you get in the pound shops (melamine foam).
glue it to a wooden coffee stirrer stick, slightly dampen it with
IPA, and use that, gently.

The sponges are slightly abrasive but do not give off 'fluff', which is
the problem with q-tips. etc. I would think that this would remove
actual 'tarnish' (as distinct from 'dust') better than compressed air.

Years ago you could get flexible strips with leather bonded onto them,
for cleaning switch contacts. I wonder if they are still made?

J^n

[Gordon]

If is is dust. After awhile dust turns to dirt and sticks to the surface,
which is hard to remove.