EN IEC 60794-1-117:2026

Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 1-117: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Mechanische Prüfverfahren - Biegesteifigkeit, Verfahren E17

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-117: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d'essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d'essais mécaniques - Raideur, méthode E17

Optični kabli - 1-117. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Upogibna togost, metoda E17

General Information

• Status: Not 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: 5060 - Voting results sent to TC, SR - Formal Approval
• Start Date: 01-May-2026
• Completion Date: 01-May-2026
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-117:2026 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-117: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Bending stiffness, Method E17

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: 16-Jun-2026

Overview

EN IEC 60794-1-117:2026 is an international standard developed by CLC and IEC, specifying basic mechanical test methods for optical fibre cables, with a focus on determining cable bending stiffness (Method E17). As a part of the EN IEC 60794 series, this document is essential for manufacturers, testing laboratories, and network operators who require reliable and consistent cable performance data. The standard provides three principal test methods-three-point bend, cantilever bend, and buckling bend-to assess the flexibility and ruggedness of optical fibre cables used in telecommunications and related fields.

By following these standardized mechanical test procedures, stakeholders can ensure optical fibre cables meet stringent quality, durability, and performance expectations critical for modern optical networks.

Key Topics

• Bending Stiffness Measurement: The core topic of EN IEC 60794-1-117:2026 is the objective measurement of optical fibre cable bending stiffness using three alternative test methods, each suitable for different cable types and installation scenarios.
• Testing Methods Overview:
  • Method E17A: Three-Point Bend - Designed primarily for large cables, this method measures how a cable resists bending between two support points.
  • Method E17B: Cantilever Bend - Applicable to both large and small cables, including lightly armoured and indoor cables, this method assesses stiffness by applying a force at the end of a clamped cable.
  • Method E17C: Buckling Bend - Targeted at small, reinforced single-fibre cables, this method evaluates stiffness during tight U-bend scenarios.
• Reproducibility and Limitations: The standard notes that due to apparatus design and cable complexity, there can be significant variation in results. As such, these tests are primarily investigative rather than for strict performance conformance.
• Reporting and Specification: Each method outlines necessary test parameters (sample length, forces, distances, number of tests) and reporting requirements to ensure consistency and traceability.

Applications

EN IEC 60794-1-117:2026 finds practical use in the following areas:

• Product Development and Quality Assurance: Cable manufacturers use these procedures to verify that new or existing optical fibre cables possess appropriate mechanical properties for intended deployment scenarios.
• Network Design and Installation: Telecom network planners depend on bending stiffness values to ensure cables can withstand installation processes such as pulling, blowing, or routing without excessive risk of damage.
• Compliance Testing: Independent testing laboratories employ these standardized methods for third-party verifications, tender qualifications, and technical documentation.
• Cable Selection for Specific Environments: Decision-makers choose suitable cable types for environments with demanding mechanical stresses, such as underground ducting, indoor wiring, or aerial installations.
• Failure Analysis and Troubleshooting: Understanding stiffness characteristics helps in diagnosing mechanical failures or cable performance issues in deployed networks.

Related Standards

The following international standards are referenced for use in conjunction or as a basis for EN IEC 60794-1-117:2026:

• IEC 60794-1-1:Optical fibre cables - Part 1-1: Generic specification - General
  Provides terminology, general requirements, and fundamental guidance for optical fibre cable standards.

• IEC 60794-1-2:Optical fibre cables - Part 1-2: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures – General guidance
  Serves as a comprehensive reference for a wide range of cable testing methods beyond mechanical tests.

• IEC 60794-1-21: Includes earlier test methods, with certain procedures now replaced by EN IEC 60794-1-117.

These standards work collectively to offer a robust framework for the design, testing, and deployment of optical fibre cables in global telecommunication networks, supporting enhanced cable quality, reliability, and performance.

Keywords: optical fibre cables, bending stiffness, mechanical test methods, EN IEC 60794-1-117, cable testing, telecommunications standards, Method E17, fibre optics, cable performance, CLC standard

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-117:2025
01-maj-2025
Optični kabli - 1-117. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Upogibna togost, metoda E17
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-117: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Bending stiffness, Method E17
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-117: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais mécaniques - Raideur,
méthode E17
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-117:2025
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-117:2025 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-117:2025

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-117:2025
86A/2540/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-117 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-03-07 2025-05-30
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2437/CD, 86A/2498/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
which they are aware and to provide supporting documentation.
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 1-117: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods - Bending stiffness, Method E17

PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2028
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
download this 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 permission in writing from IEC.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-117:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-117/Ed1 © IEC 2025      – 2 –                         86A/2540/CDV

CONTENTS
CONTENTS . 2
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Method E17: Bending stiffness . 5
4.1 Object . 5
4.2 General . 6
4.3 Method E17A: Three-point bend . 6
4.3.1 Sample . 6
4.3.2 Apparatus . 6
4.3.3 Procedure . 6
4.3.4 Requirements . 7
4.3.5 Details to be specified . 7
4.3.6 Details to be reported . 7
4.4 Method E17B: cantilever bend . 7
4.4.1 Sample . 7
4.4.2 Apparatus . 7
4.4.3 Procedure . 8
4.4.4 Requirements . 8
4.4.5 Details to be specified . 8
4.4.6 Details to be reported . 8
4.5 Method E17C: Buckling bend . 8
4.5.1 Sample . 8
4.5.2 Apparatus . 8
4.5.3 Procedure . 8
4.5.4 Requirements . 9
4.5.5 Details to be specified . 9
4.5.6 Details to be reported . 9

Figure 1 – Method E17A – Test set-up . 9
Figure 2 – Example of results of applied force and displacement . 10
Figure 3 – Method E17B – Test set-up . 10
Figure 4 – Method E17C – Test set-up . 10

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-117:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-117/Ed1 © IEC 2025      – 3 –                         86A/2540/CDV

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-117: Generic specification –
Basic optical cable test procedures –
Mechanical test methods – Bending stiffness, method E17

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 Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 60794-1-21 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC
technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
IEC 60794-1-110 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC
technical committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.

This first edition cancels and replaces Method E17 of the first edition of IEC 60794-1-21:2015,
which will be withdrawn. It constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) added a new clause “4.3.6 Details to be reported”;
b) added a new clause “4.4.6 Details to be reported”;
c) added a new clause “4.5.6 Details to be reported”.
The text of this is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-117:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-117/Ed1 © IEC 2025      – 4 –                         86A/2540/
...