EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026

• Abstract:

  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.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 02-Jul-2026
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 86A - Optical fibres and optical fibre cables
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 03-Jul-2026
• Due Date: 28-Aug-2026
• Completion Date: 03-Jul-2026
• Ref Project: SIST 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)

• 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
• Referred By: EN IEC 62148-1:2018 - Fibre optic active components and devices - Package and interface standards - Part 1: General and guidance
• Effective Date: 07-Jul-2026
• Referred By: EN 3745-505:2018 - Aerospace series - Fibres and cables, optical, aircraft use - Test methods - Part 505: Cable tensile strength
• Effective Date: 07-Jul-2026
• Referred By: CLC/TS 50621:2016 - Guideline for the repair of damaged installed optical fibre cables and microducts
• Effective Date: 07-Jul-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

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 60794-1-21:2015
SIST EN 60794-1-21:2015/A1:2020
Optični kabli - 1-125. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Funkcionalni preskus Ripcord,
metoda E25 (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)
Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 1-125: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren
für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Mechanische Prüfverfahren - Funktionsprüfung der Reißleine,
Verfahren E25 (IEC 60794-1-125:2026)
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 (IEC 60794-1-125:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 60794-1-125

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM July 2026
ICS 33.180.10 Supersedes EN 60794-1-21:2015 (partially); EN 60794-1-
21:2015/A1:2020 (partially)
English Version
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)
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-125: Spécification Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 1-125: Fachgrundspezifikation -
générique - Procédures fondamentales d'essais des câbles Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel -
optiques - Méthodes d'essais mécaniques - Essai de Mechanische Prüfverfahren - Funktionsprüfung der
fonctionnement du fil de déchirement, Méthode E25 Reißleine, Verfahren E25
(IEC 60794-1-125:2026) (IEC 60794-1-125:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2026-06-12. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 E

European foreword
The text of document 86A/2670/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 60794-1-125, prepared by SC 86A
"Fibres and cables" of IEC/TC 86 "Fibre optics" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and
approved by CENELEC as EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2027-07-31
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2029-07-31
document have to be withdrawn
This document partially supersedes EN 60794-1-21:2015 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if
any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60794-1-125:2026 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standard indicated:
IEC 60794-1-2 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60794-1-2
IEC 60794-1-21 NOTE Approved as EN 60794-1-21
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod),
the relevant EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available
here: www.cencenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60794-1-1 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-1: Generic EN IEC 60794-1-1 -
specification - General
IEC 60794-1-125 ®
Edition 1.0 2026-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical fibre cables -
Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, Method E25
ICS 33.180.10  ISBN 978-2-8327-1230-6

IEC 60794-1-125:2026-05(en)
IEC 60794-1-125:2026 © IEC 2026
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 2
INTRODUCTION . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Object . 5
5 Sample . 5
6 Apparatus . 5
7 Procedure . 6
8 Requirements . 6
9 Details to be specified . 6
10 Details to be reported . 6
Bibliography . 7

IEC 60794-1-125:2026 © IEC 2026
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Optical fibre cables -
Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, Method E25

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National
...