July 2026 Standards Update: Innovations in Telecommunications, Audio, and Video Engineering

In July 2026, key international standards for the telecommunications, audio, and video engineering field were released, addressing the industry’s growing complexity and evolving technological demands. Covering connection hardware, cyber security for power systems, automation in critical infrastructure, and mechanical testing of optical cables, these five new standards offer up-to-date specifications and methodologies essential for design, manufacturing, installation, and compliance. This article (Part 1 of 2) examines these publications and their implications for quality managers, engineers, compliance officers, and decision-makers keen on maintaining operational excellence and regulatory alignment.

Overview

The telecommunications, audio, and video engineering sector is the backbone of modern information society, supporting everything from high-speed internet and streaming to the automation of critical infrastructure like power grids. As the sector advances, standardized methodologies ensure the reliability, interoperability, and safety of hardware and networks. Staying current with the latest standards is essential for organizations to maintain competitive advantage, meet client expectations, and satisfy evolving compliance regulations.

In this article, you'll learn about:

• The latest requirements for fibre optic connectors and passive components
• Newly defined role-based access controls for secure power system management
• Expanded logical node architectures for automation in hydro, steam, and gas-powered utilities
• New methods for mechanical and operational testing of optical fibre cables

Detailed Standards Coverage

IEC 61300-3-30:2026 - Endface Geometry of Rectangular Ferrules

Fibre Optic Interconnecting Devices and Passive Components – Basic Test and Measurement Procedures – Part 3-30: Examinations and Measurements – Endface Geometry of Rectangular Ferrule

IEC 61300-3-30 specifies state-of-the-art methods for measuring the endface geometry of rectangular multifibre ferrules, including crucial attributes like fibre positioning, endface angles, tip radii, and core dip for multimode fibres. Accurate measurement is critical to achieving optimal physical contact in multimode and single-mode fibre connectors, directly affecting signal fidelity and long-term reliability.

Key requirements include:

• Use of three-dimensional interferometry for shape analysis
• Defined regions of interest for varied ferrule types (e.g., MT-16 and MT-32)
• Preparation and reporting based on geometry limit (GL) parameter tables for ferrules of 16, 24, and 32 fibres
• Enhanced definitions and updated illustrations for computation and reporting

Industries employing fibre optic networks, equipment manufacturers, and quality assurance teams must adopt these improved methodologies to ensure precise, repeatable connector measurements. Notable changes in this edition include clarified region diameters, new support for emerging ferrule types, and improved annex figures.

Key highlights:

• Introduction of x116 and x132 ROIs supporting new MT-ferrule types
• Clarified fibre proximity and region measurement conventions
• Advanced core dip calculation for multimode fibres

Access the full standard:View IEC 61300-3-30:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC 62351-8:2026 - Role-Based Access Control for Power System Management

Power Systems Management and Associated Information Exchange – Data and Communications Security – Part 8: Role-Based Access Control for Power System Management

IEC 62351-8:2026 addresses cyber security in increasingly automated and interconnected power systems by standardizing role-based access control (RBAC). RBAC restricts resource access to predefined roles, supporting the principle of least privilege and separating authentication from authorization. This approach is integral to mitigating risks from both internal misconfiguration and external threats in power system management.

Key aspects covered include:

• Assignment of roles to users, automated agents, and applications
• Specification of RBAC process models, role assignment, and permissions mapping
• Secure access controls for both local (wired or HMI) and remote (wireless, dial-up, or computer agent) interactions
• Encoding and handling of custom roles and permissions for interoperability
• Access token management, including X.509 certificates, JSON Web Tokens (JWT), and RADIUS/LDAP support

Utilities, grid operators, smart grid vendors, and their IT security departments should integrate these guidelines to ensure resilience and regulatory compliance. Adoption provides a granular alternative to traditional super-user models, reducing the scope for security breaches and unauthorized control actions.

Key highlights:

• Structured RBAC model for increased cyber security
• Support for multiple access token profiles (certificates, JWT, LDAP/RADIUS)
• Interoperability with other IEC standards and custom role definitions

Access the full standard:View IEC 62351-8:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC 61850-7-410:2026 - Logical Node Classes for Power Station Automation

Communication Networks and Systems for Power Utility Automation – Part 7-410: Basic Communication Structure – Hydroelectric Power Plants, Steam and Gas Turbines – Logical Node Classes

The third edition of IEC 61850-7-410 offers a comprehensive update to logical node models for the automation of hydroelectric, steam, and gas power stations. Logical nodes define modular data structures for communication and control, enabling seamless integration of diverse utility assets into centralized systems.

The standard:

• Provides new and extended logical node (LN) classes tailored to hydro, steam, and gas domains
• Introduces a layered architecture model for system control and management
• Incorporates enhancements for modelling generator, turbine, and related asset functions
• Supports scalable extensions and harmonization with related standards (e.g., IEC 61850-7-420 and IEC 61850-7-500)
• Aligns logical node naming, data object structures, and maintenance/supervision features

Target users include utility control system integrators, automation engineers, and manufacturers of industrial automation systems for the power sector. The technical revision introduces domain-driven LNs, improved model modularity, broader asset coverage, and updated PSS (Power System Stabilizer) functionalities.

Key highlights:

• Domain-specific LN classes for all major power station facets
• Enhanced architecture for interoperable and extensible modelling
• Inclusion of maintenance and supervision nodes

Access the full standard:View IEC 61850-7-410:2026 on iTeh Standards

EN IEC 60794-1-117:2026 - Optical Cable Test Procedures for Bending Stiffness

Optical Fibre Cables – Part 1-117: Generic Specification – Basic Optical Cable Test Procedures – Mechanical Test Methods – Bending Stiffness, Method E17

This European standard provides three precise methods (E17A, E17B, E17C) for evaluating the bending stiffness of optical fibre cables, an attribute critical to their durability during installation and operation. The tests measure a cable’s resistance to bending under different fixture setups, enabling manufacturers and specifiers to ensure mechanical robustness without sacrificing flexibility or risking fibre damage.

Key technical features include:

• Three-point bend (E17A), cantilever bend (E17B), and buckling bend (E17C) methodologies
• Requirements for sample preparation, apparatus, and reporting protocols
• Objective criteria for evaluating cable stiffness according to application-specific needs

Organizations in manufacturing, quality control, cable installation, and R&D will benefit from improved benchmarking and performance validation, particularly when designing cables for challenging environments.

Key highlights:

• Harmonized evaluation methods for bending stiffness
• Updated apparatus and criterion definitions for reproducible measurements
• Suitable for legacy and next-generation fibre optic cable designs

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 60794-1-117:2026 on iTeh Standards

EN IEC 60794-1-136:2026 - Push Force Determination During Cable Blowing Installation

Optical Fibre Cables – Part 1-136: Generic Specification – Basic Optical Cable Test Procedures – Determination of the Maximum Applicable Push Force During Cable Installation by Blowing

This standard introduces practical procedures for determining the maximum safe push force on optical cables during air-assisted (blowing) installation, a preferred method for microduct cables used in dense, modern fibre networks. Correct force specification prevents microbending and excessive stress that could permanently damage fibres.

Key technical details:

• Reference (E36A) and alternative (E36B) test methods for push force determination
• Applicability to microduct cables without rigid reinforcement elements
• Defined test setup, apparatus, and reporting requirements
• Ensures cable integrity and performance longevity in the field

Cable manufacturers, network engineers, and installation contractors will find these methods essential for minimizing installation risks and ensuring compliance with operational warranties.

Key highlights:

• Standardized methodology for assessing push force during blowing installation
• Tailored to modern, low-diameter optical cables
• Enhances installation reliability and network durability

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 60794-1-136:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Adoption of these July 2026 standards delivers significant advantages:

• Operational quality: Improved measurement, testing, and security protocols help organizations maintain network uptime, data integrity, and physical reliability.
• Compliance: These standards are increasingly referenced in procurement contracts and regulatory frameworks. Organizations aligning with them face fewer risks of rejection, inspection failures, or penalties.
• Risk mitigation: Enhanced cyber security (via RBAC) and mechanical safety testing reduce vulnerability to attacks, operational hazards, and costly downtime.
• Future proofing: Manufacturers, utilities, and infrastructure managers that implement these standards demonstrate readiness for technological upgrades and new market demands.

Adherence typically follows defined transition periods (e.g., 12–24 months), but early compliance can translate to market leadership and smoother regulatory audits.

Technical Insights

Several technical themes run across this set of standards:

• Precision measurement: Increased reliance on 3D interferometry and robust statistical analysis ensures that test measurements for ferrule geometry and cable stiffness are not only accurate but also reproducible
• Security-first design: RBAC in IEC 62351-8 offers granular access control, separating user roles from permissions—a best practice for critical infrastructure
• Modularity and extensibility: Logical node classes in IEC 61850-7-410 accommodate extensions for emerging functions, supporting easier upgrades and cross-domain integration
• Comprehensive test protocols: Multi-method approaches (e.g., EN IEC 60794-1-117’s E17A/B/C) accommodate various use-case needs, improving reliability and quality assurance

Implementation best practices:

• Review internal processes for conformity with new methods and requirements.
• Invest in calibrated test equipment and software for 3D measurements and automated result analysis.
• Update organizational security policies to enforce RBAC in both human and machine interactions.
• Set internal training and documentation initiatives for engineering and quality teams to align with updated standards.

Certification and Testing:

• Many of these standards support externally audited certification schemes where third-party attestation can provide business value in procurement and client assurance.

Conclusion & Next Steps

The July 2026 standards for telecommunications, audio, and video engineering set new benchmarks for security, reliability, and quality. For organizations prioritizing best-in-class operations, early adoption and thorough implementation will deliver measurable benefits—improved interoperability, minimized risk, and assured compliance.

Recommendations:

• Review each applicable standard relevant to your domain
• Update internal testing and compliance frameworks accordingly
• Explore the full standards documents for granular details and authoritative guidance
• Stay engaged with latest updates on iTeh Standards for continued leadership in your sector

For further information, full documentation, and ongoing updates, visit the iTeh Standards platform or subscribe to alert services for your industry.