FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 21-Feb-2027
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 86A - Optical fibres and optical fibre cables
• Current Stage: 5020 - Vote circulated - Formal Approval
• Start Date: 09-Oct-2026
• Due Date: 17-Jul-2026
• Completion Date: 09-Oct-2026
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-120: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable storage performance before installation, method E20

• Splited From: EN 60794-1-21:2015 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-21: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods
• Effective Date: 09-Sep-2025
• Splited From: EN 60794-1-21:2015/A1:2020 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-21: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods
• Effective Date: 09-Sep-2025

FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 is an IEC standard for optical fibre cables, prepared by IEC subcommittee 86A. It specifies Method E20 for checking cable storage performance before installation, with two test variants: circular coiling and “figure-8” piling.

What does FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 specify?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 specifies basic mechanical test procedures for armoured optical fibre cables, including cables used with telecommunication equipment and cables that combine optical fibres and electrical conductors. Its purpose is to establish uniform requirements for how these cables are stored and laid out before installation.

The document is organized into a short structure:

• Clause 1 - scope
• Clause 2 - normative references
• Clause 3 - terms and definitions
• Clause 4 - Method E20, split into E20A and E20B
• Bibliography

Clause 4 is the practical core of the document. It gives two ways to assess storage behavior before installation, depending on whether the cable is handled by circular coiling or by “figure-8” piling.

What are the key requirements of FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 focuses on whether an armoured optical fibre cable can be handled in storage and installation-like conditions without unacceptable damage or deformation. The details matter because the test results are used to judge how the cable will behave on ships, drums, or during laying.

Method E20 and its purpose

Clause 4.1 states that the test demonstrates whether an armoured optical fibre cable can be stored and laid out for installation. In practice, this means the method is aimed at cables used in underwater or other special protection situations where handling stresses are a concern.

Clause 4.2 defines two test routes:

• E20A - circular coiling method
• E20B - “figure-8” piling method

That split matters because the handling method reflects different installation practices and different mechanical risks.

E20A - circular coiling method

Clause 4.3 requires a sufficient cable length to make the specified number of coils, with the coil diameter agreed between manufacturer and user. The test uses a flat surface and no special apparatus beyond that.

The procedure calls for ambient-temperature conditions unless otherwise specified, starting from the production inner end of the cable and coiling from a manufacturer-specified starting diameter. The coils are held for more than 5 minutes. In practice, this checks whether the cable forms a stable, flat circle without springing up or twisting.

The requirement is simple: the cable shall form a smooth circle and remain flat around the full circumference. Clause 4.3 also requires the relevant specification and the report to state the coiling diameter, number of coils, temperature, and any observed cable condition or deviations.

E20B - “figure-8” piling method

Clause 4.4 applies when the cable is unwound from a drum and piled in a “figure-8” pattern to avoid torsional stress during installation. The minor dimension of the pile must be at least the larger of 1,5 m and the minimum cable bending diameter during installation, and the major dimension must be at least twice the minor one.

This method adds an attenuation check. Clause 4.4.3 requires attenuation to be measured before and after the test in accordance with IEC 60793-1-46. Clause 4.4.4 then requires no change in attenuation for single-mode fibres at 1 550 nm after the test, unless otherwise specified. In practice, this links mechanical handling directly to optical performance.

The report for E20B has to capture the pile dimensions, number of loops, temperature, attenuation result, cable description, visual condition, and any deviations.

What terms does FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 define?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 uses terms from IEC 60794-1-1 for its definitions, but several document-specific terms are central to understanding the method.

• Method E20 - the overall test for cable storage performance before installation.
• E20A - the circular coiling method, used for cables stored on ships.
• E20B - the “figure-8” piling method, used for armoured optical cables delivered on drums.
• Armoured optical fibre cable - a cable intended for special protection, including underwater use cases mentioned in the purpose.
• Attenuation - the optical loss measured before and after the test to see whether handling affected transmission.
• Single-mode fibres - fibres for which Clause 4.4.4 sets the no-change-at-1550 nm requirement.
• Minimum cable bending diameter during installation - a key dimension used to set the “figure-8” pile size.

Who uses FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 is used by cable manufacturers, test laboratories, and cable users who need to verify handling performance before installation. It is also relevant to buyers and quality engineers specifying armoured optical fibre cables for ship loading, drum delivery, underwater deployment, or other special protection applications.

What changed in FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 from the previous edition?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 partially replaces IEC 60794-1-21:2015+AMD1:2020 CSV. The stated technical changes are that it cancels and replaces method E20 of that document, updates the typical cable structures in the object, adds a figure for Method E20A, adds details to be reported for Method E20A, and introduces the “figure-8” piling test method as Method E20B.

Which standards are used with FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 refers to IEC 60793-1-46 for measuring changes in attenuation before and after the test. It refers to IEC 60794-1-1 for terms and definitions, and IEC 60794-1-2 as the general reference guide for test methods and general requirements. Together, these documents supply the measurement method and the general cable terminology needed to apply Method E20 correctly.

What does the FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 document contain?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 contains two worked test procedures with sample preparation, apparatus, procedure, acceptance requirements, and reporting items. Figure 1 shows the circular coiling set-up and Figure 2 shows the “figure-8” piling set-up, so the reader can see the intended cable arrangement.

Clause 4.3 and Clause 4.4 each separate the method into sample, apparatus, procedure, requirements, details to be specified, and details to be reported. That structure is useful for laboratories and quality teams because it tells them what to prepare before testing and what to record afterward.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025
01-september-2025
Optični kabli - 1-120. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Zmogljivost shranjevanja kablov
pred namestitvijo, metoda E20
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-120: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable storage performance before installation,
method E20
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-120: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d'essai mécaniques -
Performance de stockage du câble avant installation, méthode e20
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025
86A/2595/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-120 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-08-01 2025-10-24
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2500/CD, 86A/2593/CC
IEC SC 86A : FIBRES AND CABLES
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
France Mr Laurent Gasca
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: HORIZONTAL FUNCTION(S):

ASPECTS CONCERNED:
SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING
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The attention of IEC National Committees, members of
CENELEC, is drawn to the fact that this Committee Draft
for Vote (CDV) is submitted for parallel voting.
The CENELEC members are invited to vote through the
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This document is still under study and subject to change. It should not be used for reference purposes.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of
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Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant “In Some
Countries” clauses to be included should this proposal proceed. Recipients are reminded that the CDV stage is the
final stage for submitting ISC clauses. (SEE AC/22/2007 OR NEW GUIDANCE DOC).

TITLE:
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-120: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods - Cable storage performance before installation, Method E20

PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2029
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oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-120 © IEC 2025
1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD . 2
4 1 Scope . 4
5 2 Normative references . 4
6 3 Terms and definitions . 4
7 4 Method E20 – Cable storage performance before installation . 4
8 4.1 Object . 4
9 4.2 General . 4
10 4.3 Method E20A: Circular coiling method . 5
11 4.3.1 Sample . 5
12 4.3.2 Apparatus . 5
13 4.3.3 Procedure . 5
14 4.3.4 Requirements . 5
15 4.3.5 Details to be specified . 5
16 4.3.6 Details to be reported . 6
17 4.4 Method E20B: “figure-8” piling method . 6
18 4.4.1 Sample . 6
19 4.4.2 Apparatus . 6
20 4.4.3 Procedure . 6
21 4.4.4 Requirements . 7
22 4.4.5 Details to be specified . 7
23 4.4.6 Details to be reported . 7
24 Bibliography . 8
26 Figure 1 – Test set-up of the circular coiling method . 6
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-120 © IEC 2025
29 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
30 ____________
32 OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
34 Part 1-120: Generic specification –
35 Basic optical cable test procedures –
36 Mechanical test methods – Cable storage performance before installation,
37 Method E20
39 FOREWORD
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