EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, Method E25

IEC 60794-1-125:2026 specifies the ripcord functional test procedure used to measure the functionality of the cable ripcord. This first edition cancels and replaces cancels and replaces Method E25 of the first edition of the IEC 60794-1-21:2015.

Lichtwellenleiterkabel – Teil 1-125: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Mechanische Prüfverfahren - Funktionsprüfung der Reißleine, Verfahren E25

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-125: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais mécaniques - Essai de fonctionnement du fil de déchirement, Méthode E25

L’IEC 60794-1-125:2026 spécifie la procédure d’essai de fonctionnement du fil de déchirement utilisée pour mesurer la fonctionnalité du fil de déchirement du câble. Cette première édition annule et remplace la Méthode E25 donnée dans la première édition de l’IEC 60794-1-21:2015.

Optični kabli - 1-125. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Funkcionalni preskus Ripcord, metoda E25

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 25-Jun-2026
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 86A - Optical fibres and optical fibre cables
• Current Stage: 6055 - Ratification Completed (DOR) - Publishing
• Start Date: 12-Jun-2026
• Completion Date: 12-Jun-2026
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, Method E25

Relations

• 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
• Refers: EN IEC 60794-1-1:2023 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-1: Generic specification - General
• Effective Date: 09-Jun-2026

Overview

EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 is an international standard published by CLC and IEC that specifies the ripcord functional test method (Method E25) for optical fibre cables. This standard focuses on evaluating the functionality of cable ripcords - the embedded cords designed to facilitate the safe and efficient opening of optical cable sheaths. As the first edition, EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 replaces the previous Method E25 from IEC 60794-1-21:2017, reflecting an updated editorial structure with no technical changes while aligning with the ongoing series of optical cable test procedures.

Key Topics

• Ripcord Functional Test Scope:
  • Establishes procedures to test ripcords integrated in optical fibre cables.
  • Ensures ripcord can rip through the cable sheath (jacket and armour, if present) without breaking.
• Test Methodology:
  • Specifies sample preparation and minimum lengths for reliable testing.
  • Details the use of a climatic chamber to simulate real-world installation temperatures (minimum/maximum), as referenced in IEC TR 62691.
  • Outlines the test steps, including preconditioning, pulling the ripcord through 1 meter of sheath, and evaluation criteria.
• Requirements and Reporting:
  • The ripcord must fully open the sheath over a specified length without failing.
  • If initial tests fail, additional specimens must be tested for statistical reliability.
  • Reports must document sample construction, ripcord material, temperatures, and test results.

Applications

The guidelines in EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 are critical for:

• Optical fibre cable manufacturers: Provides a standardized process for assessing the performance and reliability of ripcords during product development and quality control.
• Network installers and operators: Ensures that optical cables can be safely and efficiently accessed in the field, minimizing the risk of damage to fibre elements during sheath removal.
• Certification bodies and testing laboratories: Offers a repeatable, internationally recognized procedure to validate cable designs prior to deployment in telecommunication networks.
• Procurement and specification: Supports purchasing decisions by standardizing ripcord performance expectations for cables deployed in a range of environmental conditions.

Testing ripcord functionality as described is vital for reliable cable access in construction, maintenance, and repair scenarios where efficient and controlled sheath removal is necessary for splicing or reconfiguration.

Related Standards

For comprehensive quality assurance in optical fibre cables, organizations should reference these related standards:

• IEC 60794-1-1: Optical fibre cables - Part 1-1: Generic specification – General
• IEC 60794-1-2: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - General guidance
• IEC 60794-1-21: Basic optical cable test procedures – Mechanical test methods
• IEC TR 61931: Fibre optic terminology
• IEC TR 62691: Guidelines for installation of optical fibre cables

These standards collectively address terminology, general requirements, test methods, and installation guidelines for the manufacture, specification, and deployment of optical fibre cables.

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Keywords: EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026, optical fibre cables, ripcord functional test, cable sheath opening, Method E25, optical cable test procedures, mechanical test methods, fibre optic standards, cable testing, IEC standards

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-125:2025
01-april-2025
Optični kabli - 1-125. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Funkcionalni preskus Ripcord,
metoda e25
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, method e25
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-125: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais mécaniques - Essai de
fonctionnement du fil de déchirement, méthode e25
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-125:2025
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-125:2025 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-125:2025

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-125:2025

86A/2534/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-125 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-02-07 2025-05-02
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2448/CD, 86A/2530/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
Attention IEC-CENELEC parallel voting
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
CENELEC online voting system.
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 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, Method E25

PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2028
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
electronic file, to make a copy and to print out the content for the sole purpose of preparing National Committee positions.
You may not copy or "mirror" the file or printed version of the document, or any part of it, for any other purpose without
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oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-125:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-125/Ed1 © IEC 2025 – 2 – 86A/2534/CDV
1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD . 3
4 1 Scope . 5
5 2 Normative references . 5
6 3 Terms and definitions . 5
7 4 Graphical symbols and abbreviated terms . 5
8 5 Method 25 – Rip cord functional test . 6
9 5.1 Object . 6
10 5.2 Sample . 6
11 5.3 Apparatus . 6
12 5.4 Procedure . 6
13 5.5 Requirements . 6
14 5.6 Details to be specified . 7
15 5.7 Details to be reported . 7
16 Bibliography . 8

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-125:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-125/Ed1 © IEC 2025 – 3 – 86A/2534/CDV
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