EN IEC 61300-3-14:2026

Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 3-14: Examinations and measurements - Error and repeatability of the attenuation settings of a variable optical attenuator

IEC 61300-3-14:2025 provides a method to measure the error and repeatability of the attenuation value settings of a variable optical attenuator (VOA). There are two control technologies for VOAs: manually controlled and electrically controlled. This document covers both VOA control technologies and also both single-mode fibres and multimode fibres VOAs. For electrically controlled VOAs, the hysteresis characteristics of attenuation are sometimes important. The hysteresis characteristics can be measured as stated in Annex B. This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2014. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) addition of IEC 61315, Calibration of fibre-optic power meters as normative reference; b) addition of Clause 3 containing terms, definitions and abbreviated terms; c) addition of notes for permission of repeatability definition with 2σ; d) correction of error in Figure 1 a) and Figure 1 b); e) addition of a clear statement on EF launch condition requirement for MM source; f) change of “Detector” to “Power meter”; g) combination of Clause 7 and Clause 8 into a new Clause 8 titled “Details to be specified and reported”; h) addition of uncertainty considerations in Clause 7; i) correction of error in Formula (B.3).

Lichtwellenleiter - Verbindungselemente und passive Bauteile - Grundlegende Prüf- und Messverfahren - Teil 3-14: Untersuchungen und Messungen - Abweichung und Reproduzierbarkeit der Einstellung eines einstellbaren optischen Dämpfungsgliedes

Dispositifs d’interconnexion et composants passifs fibroniques - Procédures fondamentales d’essais et de mesures - Partie 3-14: Examens et mesures - Erreur et répétabilité des positions d’affaiblissement d’un affaiblisseur optique variable

L'IEC 61300-3-14:2025 fournit une méthode pour mesurer l’erreur et la répétabilité des réglages des valeurs d’affaiblissement d’un affaiblisseur optique variable (VOA). Il existe deux technologies de commande pour les VOA, la commande manuelle et la commande électrique. Le présent document couvre les deux technologies de commande VOA et les VOA des fibres unimodales et multimodales. Pour les VOA à commande électrique, les caractéristiques d’hystérésis de l’affaiblissement sont parfois importantes. Les caractéristiques d’hystérésis peuvent être mesurées comme indiqué à l’Annexe B. Cette quatrième édition annule et remplace la troisième édition parue en 2014. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l’édition précédente: a) ajout de l’IEC 61315, Étalonnage de wattmètres pour dispositifs à fibres optiques, comme référence normative; b) ajout de l’Article 3 contenant des termes, des définitions et des abréviations; c) ajout de notes relatives à la définition de l’autorisation de répétabilité avec 2σ; d) correction d’une erreur à la Figure 1 a) et à la Figure 1 b); e) ajout d'une déclaration claire relative aux exigences des conditions d’injection de flux inscrit pour la source MM; f) remplacement de "Détecteur" par "Appareil de mesure de la puissance"; g) regroupement des Articles 7 et 8 dans le nouvel Article 8 intitulé "Détails à spécifier et à consigner dans le rapport d’essai"; h) ajout de considérations d’incertitude à l’Article 7; i) correction d’une erreur dans une formule (B.3).

Optični spojni elementi in pasivne komponente - Osnovni preskusni in merilni postopki - 3-14. del: Preiskave in meritve - Pogrešek in ponovljivost nastavitev slabljenja spremenljivega slabilnika (IEC 61300-3-14:2025)

IEC 61300-3-14:2025 določa metodo za merjenje napake in ponovljivosti nastavitev vrednosti dušenja spremenljivega optičnega dušilnika (VOA). Obstajata dve tehnologiji nadzora za VOA: ročno nadzorovani in električno nadzorovani. Ta dokument zajema obe tehnologiji nadzora VOA ter VOA za enorodne (single-mode) in mnogorodne (multimode) optične vlakne. Pri električno nadzorovanih VOA so včasih pomembne histerezne značilnosti dušenja. Histerezne značilnosti je mogoče izmeriti, kot je navedeno v Prilogi B. Ta četrta izdaja preklicuje in nadomešča tretjo izdajo, objavljeno leta 2014.
Ta izdaja predstavlja tehnično revizijo. Ta izdaja vključuje naslednje pomembne tehnične spremembe v primerjavi s prejšnjo izdajo:
a) dodatek IEC 61315, Kalibracija merilnikov moči optičnih vlaken kot normativna referenca;
b) dodatek 3. člena, ki vsebuje izraze, definicije in okrajšave;
c) dodatek opomb za dovoljenje definicije ponovljivosti z 2σ;
d) popravek napake na Sliki 1 a) in Sliki 1 b);
e) dodatek jasne izjave o zahtevi za pogoj lansiranja EF za MM vir;
f) sprememba "Detektor" v "Merilnik moči";
g) združitev 7. in 8. člena v nov 8. člen z naslovom "Podrobnosti, ki jih je treba določiti in poročati";
h) dodatek razmislekov o negotovosti v 7. členu;
i) popravek napake v Formuli (B.3).

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 05-Feb-2026
• ICS: 33.180.20 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 86BXA - Fibre optic interconnect, passive and connectorised components
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 06-Feb-2026
• Due Date: 30-Jun-2026
• Completion Date: 06-Feb-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 61300-3-14:2026 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 3-14: Examinations and measurements - Error and repeatability of the attenuation settings of a variable optical attenuator (IEC 61300-3-14:2025)

Relations

• Replaces: EN 61300-3-14:2014 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 3-14: Examinations and measurements - Error and repeatability of the attenuation settings of a variable optical attenuator
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2023
• Refers: EN IEC 61300-1:2022 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 1: General and guidance
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Refers: EN IEC 61315:2019 - Calibration of fibre-optic power meters
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Refers: EN IEC 61300-3-4:2023 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 3-4: Examinations and measurements - Attenuation
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 61753-053-2:2014 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Performance standard - Part 053-2: Non-connectorized single-mode fibre, electrically controlled, variable optical attenuator for category C - Controlled environments
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN IEC 62343-3-3:2020 - Dynamic modules - Part 3-3: Performance specification templates - Wavelength selective switches
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN IEC 61753-053-02:2022 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Performance standard - Part 053-02: Non-connectorized, single-mode fibre, electrically controlled, variable optical attenuator for category C - Controlled environments
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 61300-1:2016 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 1: General and guidance
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 62343-3-3:2014 - Dynamic modules - Part 3-3: Performance specification templates - Wavelength selective switches
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2026

Overview

EN IEC 61300-3-14:2026 specifies standardized methods for measuring the error and repeatability of attenuation value settings in variable optical attenuators (VOAs) used in fibre optic interconnects and passive components. It supports both manually controlled and electrically controlled VOAs across single-mode and multimode fibre applications. The standard ensures accurate, repeatable VOA performance assessment-critical for telecom, data center, and optical network environments where precise signal control is needed.

This fourth edition reflects significant technical revisions compared to the previous version, aligning with the latest fibre optic measurement practices. Key updates include reference to the calibration standard IEC 61315, clarification of terms and definitions, enhancements in measurement uncertainty reporting, and clearer requirements focused on measurement repeatability and multimode source launch conditions.

Key Topics

• Measurement of Attenuation Error and Repeatability: The standard provides detailed methodologies to quantify the deviation (error) and repeatability of VOA attenuation settings. This is vital for performance validation in sensitive fibre optic systems.
• Support for Different VOA Technologies: Both manually and electrically controlled VOAs are covered, with further provisions for measuring hysteresis characteristics in electrically controlled models.
• Application to Single-mode and Multimode Fibres: Test procedures address the distinctive requirements for both fibre types, covering important factors such as mode launch conditions and cladding mode control.
• Inclusion of Measurement Uncertainty: The standard addresses uncertainty considerations when evaluating measurement results, ensuring reliability across diverse test setups.
• Reporting and Documentation: Users are guided on documenting test setups, measurement results, equipment specifications, and deviations, supporting comprehensive quality assurance.

Applications

EN IEC 61300-3-14:2026 is applied by manufacturers, testing laboratories, and quality assurance teams involved in:

• Fibre Optic Component Qualification: Ensuring VOAs meet specification for error and repeatability before deployment in optical communication systems.
• Network Equipment Manufacturing: Maintaining consistency and traceability in production tests for attenuators used in optical switches, amplifiers, and multiplexers.
• Research and Development: Supporting the design and validation of new VOA technologies for both single-mode and multimode applications.
• Compliance Testing: Fulfilling procurement requirements and customer specifications for fibre optic device performance.

Practically, the standard helps maximize reliability and intercompatibility in:

• Telecommunications networks
• Data center interconnects
• Laboratory and field testing of optical systems
• Service provider infrastructure upgrades

Related Standards

• IEC 61300-1: Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - General and guidance
• IEC 61300-3-4: Examinations and measurements - Attenuation
• IEC 61315: Calibration of fibre-optic power meters
• IEC 60869-1: Fibre optic passive power control devices - Generic specification

These documents offer foundational procedures and references for measurements, calibration, and general requirements relevant to the application of EN IEC 61300-3-14:2026.

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By following EN IEC 61300-3-14:2026, organizations ensure standardized, accurate, and repeatable measurements of VOA attenuation settings, fostering quality, interoperability, and reliable performance in fibre optic networks worldwide.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 61300-3-14:2015
Optični spojni elementi in pasivne komponente - Osnovni preskusni in merilni
postopki - 3-14. del: Preiskave in meritve - Pogrešek in ponovljivost nastavitev
slabljenja spremenljivega slabilnika (IEC 61300-3-14:2025)
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and
measurement procedures - Part 3-14: Examinations and measurements - Error and
repeatability of the attenuation settings of a variable optical attenuator (IEC 61300-3-
14:2025)
Lichtwellenleiter - Verbindungselemente und passive Bauteile - Grundlegende Prüf- und
Messverfahren - Teil 3-14: Untersuchungen und Messungen - Abweichung und
Reproduzierbarkeit der Einstellung eines einstellbaren optischen Dämpfungsgliedes (IEC
61300-3-14:2025)
Dispositifs d’interconnexion et composants fibroniques - Procédures fondamentales
d’essais et de mesures - Partie 3-14: Examens et mesures - Erreur et répétabilité des
positions d’affaiblissement d’un affaiblisseur optique variable (IEC 61300-3-14:2025)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 61300-3-14:2026
ICS:
33.180.20 Povezovalne naprave za Fibre optic interconnecting
optična vlakna devices
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 61300-3-14

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM February 2026
ICS 33.180.20 Supersedes EN 61300-3-14:2014
English Version
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components -
Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 3-14:
Examinations and measurements - Error and repeatability of the
attenuation settings of a variable optical attenuator
(IEC 61300-3-14:2025)
Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs Lichtwellenleiter - Verbindungselemente und passive
fibroniques - Procédures fondamentales d'essais et de Bauteile - Grundlegende Prüf- und Messverfahren - Teil 3-
mesures - Partie 3-14: Examens et mesures - Erreur et 14: Untersuchungen und Messungen - Abweichung und
répétabilité des positions d'affaiblissement d'un affaiblisseur Reproduzierbarkeit der Einstellung eines einstellbaren
optique variable optischen Dämpfungsgliedes
(IEC 61300-3-14:2025) (IEC 61300-3-14:2025)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2026-01-12. 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 61300-3-14:2026 E

European foreword
The text of document 86B/5123/FDIS, future edition 4 of IEC 61300-3-14, prepared by SC 86B "Fibre
optic interconnecting devices and passive components" of IEC/TC 86 "Fibre optics" was submitted to
the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as EN IEC 61300-3-14:2026.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2027-02-28
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2027-02-28
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 61300-3-14:2014 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 61300-3-14:2025 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following note has to be added for the standard indicated:
IEC 60869-1:2018 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60869-1:2018 (not modified)
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 61300-1 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and EN IEC 61300-1 -
passive components - Basic test and
measurement procedures - Part 1: General
and guidance
IEC 61300-3-4 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and EN IEC 61300-3-4 -
passive components - Basic test and
measurement procedures - Part 3-4:
Examinations and measurements -
Attenuation
IEC 61315 - Calibration of fibre-optic power meters EN IEC 61315 -

IEC 61300-3-14 ®
Edition 4.0 2025-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and
measurement procedures -
Part 3-14: Examinations and measurements - Error and repeatability of the
attenuation settings of a variable optical attenuator
ICS 33.180.20  ISBN 978-2-8327-0898-9

IEC 61300-3-14:2025-12(en)
IEC 61300-3-14:2025 © IEC 2025
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 2
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 4
3.1 Terms and definitions. 4
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 4
4 General description . 5
5 Apparatus . 7
5.1 Light source (LS) and launch conditions . 7
5.2 Power meter (PM) . 7
5.3 Reference fibre (RF) . 7
5.4 Temporary joint (TJ) . 7
6 Measurement procedure . 8
6.1 Measurement set-up . 8
6.2 Measurement procedure . 8
7 Calculation . 8
7.1 Attenuation error for VOAs with absolute calibration . 8
7.2 Attenuation error for VOAs with relative calibration . 9
7.3 Maximum attenuation error from setting for all attenuation settings . 9
7.4 Repeatability of attenuation . 9
7.5 Measurement uncertainty considerations . 9
8 Details to be specified and reported . 10
Annex A (informative) Example of a sample measurement report . 11
Annex B (informative) Measurement method of hysteresis characteristics . 12
B.1 Measurement procedure . 12
B.2 Calculation . 12
Bibliography . 13

Figure 1 – Absolute versus relative calibrated attenuation settings . 6
Figure 2 – Measurement set-up . 8

Table 1 – Contributors to measurement uncertainty on attenuation error . 10
Table A.1 – Device performance specifications versus actual performance . 11

IEC 61300-3-14:2025 © IEC 2025
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components -
Basic test and measurement procedures -
Part 3-14: Examinations and measurements - Error and repeatability
of the attenuation settings of a variable optical attenuator

FOREWORD
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shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 61300-3-14 has been prepared by subcommittee 86B: Fibre optic interconnecting devices
and passive components, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International
Standard.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2014. This edition
constitutes a technical revision
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) addition of IEC 61315, Calibration of fibre-optic power meters as normative reference;
b) addition of Clause 3 containing terms, definitions and abbreviated terms;
c) addition of notes for permission of repeatability definition with 2σ;
IEC 61300-3-14:2025 © IEC 2025
d) correction of error in Figure 1 a) and Figure 1 b);
e) addition of a clear statement on EF launch condition requirement for MM source;
f) change of “Detector” to “Power meter”;
g) combination of Clause 7 and Clause 8 into a new Clause 8 titled “Details to be specified and
reported”;
h) addition of uncertainty considerations in Clause 7;
i) correction of error in Formula (B.3).
The text of this Internationa
...