EN IEC 60794-6:2020

Optical fibre cables - Part 6: Indoor-outdoor cables - Sectional specification for indoor-outdoor cables

IEC 60794-6:2020 is a sectional specification covering general features of optical fibre cables applicable to outdoor as well as indoor environments, called "indoor-outdoor cables". Indoor-outdoor cables are deployed in outside plant environments as well as in premises thus fulfilling outdoor as well as indoor requirements. Typical application spaces are, for example, extension of a duct cable into a building or using this design for centralized cabling in the central office, the premises or local area network where the same cable is used for the entire length of the cabling link including both the indoor as well as the outdoor portions. Cables which generally possess the characteristics associated with outdoor cable designs having the thermal and mechanical robustness that makes them suitable for use in the outside plant, while simultaneously being relatively flexible, compact and lightweight and exhibiting the fire performance required in indoor premises are specified in IEC 60794-6-10. Flame retardant outdoor cables as specified in IEC 60794-6-20 are used when most of the cable length is deployed as an outdoor cable with a part of its length deployed indoors. The cable design can be derived from a typical outdoor cable design according to the product specifications described in IEC 60794-3. The specific performance related to bend radii according to the installation situation and fire performance according to the regional legislation mainly requires the appropriate selection of the jacket material in combination with other material and/or design considerations. Because of the use in buildings with tighter space restrictions, higher flexibility of the cable is often required for the installation. Often, smaller diameter cables are preferred. Indoor cables which are weatherised as specified in (IEC 60794-6-30) are used when an indoor cable is used outdoors over a short distance (few meters), for example when the network access point (NAP) is very close to the building. The indoor-outdoor fibre optical cable design can be derived from an indoor design (see IEC 60794-2 and IEC TR 62901 for typical applications) with specific outdoor performance features added. Critical parameters are UV stability, and resistance against exposure to humidity.

Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 6: Innen-/Außenkabel - Rahmenspezifikation für Innen-/Außenkabel

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 6: Câbles intérieurs/extérieurs - Spécification intermédiaire pour les câbles intérieurs/extérieurs

IEC 60794-6:2020 est une spécification intermédiaire qui couvre les fonctionnalités générales des câbles à fibres optiques destinés aussi bien aux environnements extérieurs qu'aux environnements intérieurs, ci-après désignés "câbles intérieurs/extérieurs". Les câbles intérieurs/extérieurs sont déployés dans les environnements d'usine extérieurs ainsi que dans les locaux, satisfaisant donc aux exigences d'utilisation en extérieur ainsi qu'aux exigences d'utilisation en intérieur. Les applications types sont par exemple: prolongation dans un bâtiment d'un câble installé dans un conduit, ou utilisation de cette conception pour réaliser un câblage centralisé dans le bureau central, les locaux ou le réseau local exploitant le même câble sur toute la longueur des liaisons de câblage, englobant les portions en intérieur ainsi que les portions en extérieur. Les câbles qui possèdent généralement les caractéristiques associées à des conceptions de câbles extérieurs, présentant la robustesse thermique et mécanique qui les rend appropriés pour une utilisation dans les environnements d'usine extérieurs, tout en restant relativement souples, compacts et légers et en présentant le comportement au feu exigé à l'intérieur des locaux, sont spécifiés dans l'IEC 60794-6-10. Les câbles extérieurs retardateurs de flamme spécifiés dans l'IEC 60794-6-20 sont utilisés lorsque la majeure partie de la longueur de câble est déployée dans un environnement extérieur, et que la portion restante est déployée dans un environnement intérieur. La conception de câble peut être déterminée à partir d'une conception de câble extérieur type, conformément aux spécifications de produit décrites dans l'IEC 60794-3. Les performances spécifiques relatives aux rayons de courbure, conformément à la situation d'installation et au comportement au feu, et conformément à la législation régionale en vigueur, exigent principalement de choisir de manière appropriée le matériau de la gaine, ainsi que son association à d'autres matériaux et/ou à d'autres considérations relatives à la conception. En raison d'une utilisation dans des bâtiments qui présentent des restrictions liées à des espaces plus confinés, une plus grande souplesse du câble est souvent exigée pour l'installation. Souvent, des câbles de diamètre réduit sont privilégiés. Des câbles intérieurs qui sont conçus pour être résistants aux intempéries, spécifiés dans l'IEC 60794-6-30, sont utilisés lorsqu'un câble intérieur est utilisé en extérieur sur une courte distance (quelques mètres), par exemple lorsque le point d'accès au réseau (NAP, network access point) est très proche du bâtiment. La conception de câble à fibres optiques intérieur/extérieur peut être déterminée à partir d'une conception de câble intérieur (voir l'IEC 60794-2 et l'IEC TR 62901 pour des applications types), en y ajoutant des fonctionnalités spécifiques de comportement en extérieur. Les paramètres critiques sont la stabilité au rayonnement ultraviolet (UV) et la résistance à l'exposition à l'humidité.

Optični kabli - 6. del: Notranji ali zunanji kabli - Oddelčna specifikacija za kable za notranjo ali zunanjo uporabo (IEC 60794-6:2020)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 12-Nov-2020
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 86A - Optical fibres and optical fibre cables
• Drafting Committee: IEC/SC 86A - IEC_SC_86A
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 13-Nov-2020
• Completion Date: 13-Nov-2020
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 60794-6:2021 - Optical fibre cables - Part 6: Indoor-outdoor cables - Sectional specification for indoor-outdoor cables (IEC 60794-6:2020)

Overview

EN IEC 60794-6:2020 (IEC 60794-6:2020) is the CLC/CENELEC sectional specification for optical fibre indoor‑outdoor cables. It defines general features and performance expectations for cables that are installed partly outdoors (outside plant) and partly indoors (premises). The standard covers the design intent, environmental and fire‑performance considerations, and references test and product specifications needed to ensure a single cable design can meet both outdoor robustness and indoor safety and space requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and definition: Clear definition of what constitutes an indoor‑outdoor cable-cables intended for continuous use across outside‑plant and building environments.
• Performance trade‑offs: Guidance on achieving both outdoor mechanical/thermal robustness and indoor attributes such as flexibility, compactness and required fire performance.
• Material and design considerations:
  • Jacket material selection to meet regional fire regulations and environmental exposure (UV, humidity).
  • Compatibility of cable elements and components for combined indoor/outdoor use.
• Mechanical and installation parameters:
  • Emphasis on flexibility, compact/low‑diameter designs for tight building spaces.
  • Specific attention to bend radius requirements based on installation situation.
• Environmental resistance:
  • UV stability and moisture/humidity resistance for outdoor exposure.
  • Weatherised indoor options for short outdoor runs (few meters) near building access points.
• Referenced test procedures: Links to IEC test norms for fibres, indoor and outdoor cable specifications, and family specifications for indoor‑outdoor variants (see Related Standards).
• Quality, packaging and documentation: Requirements for consistent production, labelling and packaging for mixed‑environment deployment.

Applications and who uses it

EN IEC 60794-6:2020 is practical for:

• Cable manufacturers designing universal indoor‑outdoor or flame‑retardant variants.
• System integrators and network designers specifying continuous links between outside plant and building premises (e.g., duct entry to LAN).
• Telecom operators and data centre planners choosing a single cable for central office, local area networks and external runs.
• Installers and contractors needing guidance on installation constraints (flexibility, bend radii) and fire safety compliance.
• Procurement and compliance teams ensuring products meet both outdoor durability and indoor fire codes.

Related standards

• IEC 60794-6-10 - family spec for universal indoor‑outdoor cables
• IEC 60794-6-20 - flame retardant outdoor cables with indoor sections
• IEC 60794-6-30 - weatherised indoor cables for short outdoor exposure
• IEC 60794-3 - outdoor cable product specifications
• IEC 60794-2 - indoor cable sectional specification
• IEC 60793 series - optical fibre product and test methods

Keywords: EN IEC 60794-6:2020, indoor‑outdoor cables, optical fibre cables, fire performance, UV stability, humidity resistance, bend radius, cable jacket material.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2021
Optični kabli - 6. del: Notranji ali zunanji kabli - Oddelčna specifikacija za kable za
notranjo ali zunanjo uporabo (IEC 60794-6:2020)
Optical fibre cables - Part 6: Indoor-outdoor cables - Sectional specification for indoor-
outdoor cables (IEC 60794-6:2020)
Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 6: Innen-/Außenkabel - Rahmenspezifikation für
Innen-/Außenkabel (IEC 60794-6:2020)
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 6: Câbles intérieurs/extérieurs - Spécification
intermédiaire pour les câbles intérieurs/extérieurs (IEC 60794-6:2020)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60794-6:2020
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 60794-6

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
November 2020
ICS 33.180.10
English Version
Optical fibre cables - Part 6: Indoor-outdoor cables - Sectional
specification for indoor-outdoor cables
(IEC 60794-6:2020)
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 6: Câbles Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 6: Innen-/Außenkabel -
intérieurs/extérieurs - Spécification intermédiaire pour les Rahmenspezifikation für Innen-/Außenkabel
câbles intérieurs/extérieurs (IEC 60794-6:2020)
(IEC 60794-6:2020)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2020-10-30. 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,
Turkey 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
© 2020 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 60794-6:2020 E

European foreword
The text of document 86A/2042/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 60794-6, 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 60794-6:2020.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2021-07-30
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2023-10-30
document have to be withdrawn
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.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60794-6:2020 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 standards
indicated:
IEC 60794 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN 60794 (series)
IEC 60794-1-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60794-1-2
IEC 60794-1-3 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60794-1-3
IEC 60794-1-22 NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 60794-1-22
IEC 60794-1-23 NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 60794-1-23
IEC 60794-1-24 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60794-1-24
IEC 60794-1-219 NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 60794-1-219
IEC 60794-3-10 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60794-3-10
IEC 60811-203 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60811-203

To be published. Stage at the time of publication: prEN IEC 60794-1-219:2020.
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.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60793-1-40 - Optical fibres - Part 1-40: Attenuation EN IEC 60793-1-40 -
measurement methods
IEC 60793-2 - Optical fibres - Part 2: Product - -
specifications
IEC 60794-1-1 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-1: Generic EN 60794-1-1 -
specification - General
IEC 60794-1-21 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-21: Generic EN 60794-1-21 -
specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods
IEC 60794-2 2017 Optical fibre cables - Part 2: Indoor EN 60794-2 2017
cables - Sectional specification
IEC 60794-3 2014 Optical fibre cables - Part 3: Outdoor EN 60794-3 2015
cables - Sectional specification
IEC 60794-6-10 - Optical fibre cables - Part 6-10: Indoor- - -
outdoor cables - Family specification for
universal indoor-outdoor cables
IEC 60794-6-20 - Optical fibre cables - Part 6-20: Indoor- - -
outdoor cables - Family specification for
flame retardant outdoor cables
IEC 60794-6-30 - Optical fibre cables - Part 6-30: Indoor- - -
outdoor cables - Family specification for
weatherised indoor cables
IEC 60794-6 ®
Edition 1.0 2020-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 6: Indoor-outdoor cables – Sectional specification for indoor-outdoor

cables
Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 6: Câbles intérieurs/extérieurs – Spécification intermédiaire pour

les câbles intérieurs/extérieurs

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-8902-0

– 2 – IEC 60794-6:2020 © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 6
3.1 Terms and definitions . 6
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 6
4 Optical fibres . 6
5 Cable elements . 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 Materials compatibility . 7
5.3 Optical elements . 7
5.4 Testing of cable elements . 7
5.5 Cable elements to be used for indoor-outdoor cable . 7
6 Common specifications for indoor-outdoor cables . 7
7 Installation and operating conditions . 8
8 Characterization of cable elements . 8
9 Test conditions for indoor-outdoor cables . 8
9.1 Test methods applicable for indoor-outdoor cables . 8
9.2 Fire performance . 9
10 Quality assurance . 9
11 Packaging . 9
Bibliography . 10

Table 1 – Key cable performance parameters for indoor-outdoor cables compared to
indoor and outdoor cables . 8

IEC 60794-6:2020 © IEC 2020 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 6: Indoor-outdoor cables –
Sectional specification for indoor-outdoor cables

FOREWORD
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International Standard IEC 60794-6 has been prepared by subcommittee SC 86A: Fibres and
cables, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
The text of this International Standard is based
...