EN 50174-4:2025
(Main)Information technology - Cabling installation - Part 4: Testing of installed optical fibre cabling
Information technology - Cabling installation - Part 4: Testing of installed optical fibre cabling
This document specifies systems and methods for the inspection and testing of installed optical fibre cabling designed in accordance with premises cabling standards including the EN 50173 series. The test methods refer to existing standards-based procedures where they exist.
Informationstechnik - Installation von Kommunikationsverkabelung - Teil 4: Messung von installierter Lichtwellenleiterverkabelung
Technologies de l’information - Installation de câblage - Partie 4: Essais d’une installation de câblage à fibres optiques
Le présent document spécifie les systèmes et les méthodes d’examen et d’essai d’une installation de câblage à fibres optiques conçue conformément aux normes de câblage des locaux, incluant ceux de la série EN 50173. Les méthodes d’essai font référence aux procédures normalisées existantes, lorsqu’elles existent.
Informacijska tehnologija - Kabelska inštalacija - 4. del: Preskušanje vgrajenih optičnih kablov
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
01-oktober-2024
Informacijska tehnologija - Polaganje kablov - 4. del: Preizkušanje vgrajenih
optičnih kablov
Information technology - Cabling installation - Part 4: Testing of installed optical fibre
cabling
Informationstechnik - Installation von Kommunikationsverkabelung - Teil 4: Messung von
installierter Lichtwellenleiterverkabelung
Technologies de l’information - Installation de câblage - Partie 4: Essais d’une installation
de câblage à fibres optiques
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 50174-4:2024
ICS:
33.040.50 Vodi, zveze in tokokrogi Lines, connections and
circuits
35.110 Omreževanje Networking
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
EUROPEAN STANDARD DRAFT
prEN 50174-4
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2024
ICS 35.110 -
English Version
Information technology - Cabling installation - Part 4: Testing of
installed optical fibre cabling
Technologies de l'information - Installation de câblage - Informationstechnik - Installation von
Partie 4: Essais d'une installation de câblage à fibres Kommunikationsverkabelung - Teil 4: Messung von
optiques installierter Lichtwellenleiterverkabelung
This draft European Standard is submitted to CENELEC members for enquiry.
Deadline for CENELEC: 2024-10-18.
It has been drawn up by CLC/TC 215.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, 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.
This draft European Standard was established by CENELEC 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.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are aware and to
provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
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
© 2024 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Project: 79243 Ref. No. prEN 50174-4:2024 E
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
1 Contents Page
2 European foreword . 7
3 Introduction . 8
4 1 Scope . 10
5 2 Normative references . 10
6 3 Terms, definitions, abbreviated terms and symbols . 11
7 3.1 Terms and definitions . 11
8 3.2 Abbreviated terms . 14
9 3.3 Symbols . 15
10 4 Conformance . 15
11 5 Test equipment . 16
12 5.1 General requirements . 16
13 5.2 Documentation . 16
14 5.3 Apparatus . 16
15 5.4 Light source and power meter . 16
16 5.4.1 Light source . 16
17 5.4.2 Power meter . 18
18 5.5 OTDR . 18
19 5.5.1 General . 18
20 5.5.2 OTDR requirements . 18
21 5.6 Test cord connectors . 19
22 5.6.1 Connecting hardware at test interfaces . 19
23 5.6.2 Connecting hardware attenuation requirements . 20
24 5.6.3 Mechanical requirements for reference connectors . 20
25 5.6.4 Reference adaptors at test interfaces . 22
26 5.7 Test cord characteristics . 22
27 5.7.1 General . 22
28 5.7.2 LSPM launch test cord . 22
29 5.7.3 LSPM tail test cord . 23
30 5.7.4 LSPM substitution test cord . 23
31 5.7.5 OTDR launch test cord . 23
32 5.7.6 OTDR tail test cord . 24
33 5.8 Visual inspection equipment. 24
34 6 Testing . 25
35 6.1 General . 25
36 6.2 Reference planes . 25
37 6.3 Wavelength of measurement . 28
38 6.4 Direction of measurement . 28
39 6.5 Protection of transmission and terminal equipment . 28
40 6.6 Use of test equipment . 28
41 6.7 Relevance of measurement . 28
42 6.8 Visual inspection for cleanliness and cleaning of cabling interfaces . 28
43 6.9 Testing of installed cabling . 29
44 6.9.1 General . 29
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
45 6.9.2 Attenuation of single fibre connector cabling – LSPM . 29
46 6.9.3 Attenuation of multi-fibre connector cabling – LSPM . 41
47 6.9.4 Attenuation of link and channel by means of OTDR testing . 51
48 6.9.5 Propagation delay . 54
49 6.9.6 Length . 55
50 6.9.7 Optical fibre continuity . 56
51 6.9.8 Cabling polarity . 56
52 6.9.9 Optical fibre core size . 56
53 7 Performance assessment of installed cabling components using OTDR . 56
54 7.1 General . 56
55 7.2 OTDR basis . 57
56 7.3 Fundamental parameters that define the operational capability of an OTDR . 57
57 7.3.1 Dynamic range . 57
58 7.3.2 Dynamic margin . 58
59 7.3.3 Pulse width . 58
60 7.3.4 Averaging time . 58
61 7.3.5 Dead zone . 58
62 7.3.6 Group index . 58
63 7.3.7 Measurement range . 59
64 7.3.8 Distance sampling . 59
65 7.3.9 Event threshold . 59
66 7.4 Bi-directional measurement . 59
67 7.5 Attenuation of optical fibre cable . 59
68 7.5.1 Test method . 59
69 7.5.2 Treatment of results . 60
70 7.6 Attenuation of local and remote test interfaces . 61
71 7.6.1 Test method . 61
72 7.6.2 Test system measurement uncertainties . 62
73 7.6.3 Treatment of results . 62
74 7.7 Attenuation of connecting hardware . 62
75 7.7.1 Test method . 62
76 7.7.2 Test system measurement uncertainties . 63
77 7.7.3 Treatment of results . 63
78 7.8 Return loss of connecting hardware . 64
79 7.8.1 General . 64
80 7.8.2 Test method . 64
81 7.8.3 Test system measurement uncertainties . 65
82 7.8.4 Treatment of results . 65
83 7.9 Optical fibre length . 66
84 7.9.1 Test method . 66
85 7.9.2 Measurement uncertainties . 68
86 7.9.3 Treatment of results . 68
87 8 Test result documentation . 68
88 Annex A (normative) Test cord attenuation verification . 70
89 A.1 General requirements . 70
90 A.2 Attenuation (test and substitution test cord reference connections) . 70
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
91 Annex B (informative) Quality planning . 72
92 B.1 General . 72
93 B.2 Specification of cabling components . 73
94 B.3 Treatment of non-compliant results . 73
95 Annex C (informative) Examples of calculations of channel and permanent link limits . 74
96 C.1 Channel measurement . 74
97 C.2 Permanent link measurement . 74
98 Annex D (informative) Optional inspection of polished end face of test connectors. 76
99 Annex E (normative) Cleaning of connectors. 77
100 E.1 General . 77
101 E.2 Cleaning procedure for LC multimode cabling interface . 77
102 E.3 Cleaning procedure for the LC single-mode cabling interfaces . 79
103 E.4 Cleaning procedure for the LC/APC single-mode cabling interfaces . 79
104 E.5 Cleaning procedure for single-mode (SM) MPO APC cabling interface. 80
105 Annex F (normative) MPO to MPO link or permanent link – enhanced-three-test-cord
106 method LSPM . 82
107 F.1 General . 82
108 F.2 Requirements for the test system . 82
109 F.3 Test method . 82
110 F.4 Measurement uncertainties . 84
111 F.5 Treatment of results . 84
112 Bibliography . 86
114 Table of Figures
115 Figure 1 — Schematic relationship between the EN 50174 series and other relevant
116 standards . 9
117 Figure 2 — OTDR characterization using a launch test cord and a tail test cord . 19
118 Figure 3 — An example of test cord labelling and identification . 22
119 Figure 4 — OTDR launch test cord and tail test cord schematic . 24
120 Figure 5 — Normal illumination (left) and illumination with floodlight (right) . 25
121 Figure 6 — Representative reference planes for channels, links, permanent links, E2E
122 links, MPTL . 26
123 Figure 7 — Test reference planes . 27
124 Figure 8 — Fibre end face cleaning cycle . 29
125 Figure 9 — Connection of LS to LTC to PM for reference setting . 31
126 Figure 10 — Connection of LTC to TTC to verify attenuation of reference connectors . 31
127 Figure 11 — Connections to link or permanent link for attenuation measurement . 32
128 Figure 12 — Connection of LS to LTC to PM for reference setting . 34
129 Figure 13 — Connection of LTC to TTC to verify attenuation of reference connectors . 34
130 Figure 14 — Connections to E2E link for attenuation measurement . 35
131 Figure 15 — Connection of LS to LTC to near end EQP cord to PM for reference setting
132 . 37
133 Figure 16 — Connections to channel test for attenuation measurement . 37
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
134 Figure 17 — Connection of LS – LTC – PM for reference setting. 39
135 Figure 18 — Connection of LTC to TTC to verify attenuation of reference connectors . 39
136 Figure 19 — Connections to MPTL for attenuation measurement . 40
137 Figure 20 — Connection of LS to LTC to PM for reference setting . 42
138 Figure 21 — Connection of LTC to TTC for test‐cord verification . 42
139 Figure 22 — Connections to link or permanent link attenuation . 43
140 Figure 23 — Connection of LS to LTC to PM for reference setting . 45
141 Figure 24 — Connection of LTC-PCTC-TTC to verify the attenuation of reference
142 connectors . 45
143 Figure 25 — Connections to E2E link for attenuation measurement . 46
144 Figure 26 — Connection of LS to LTC to PM for reference setting . 48
145 Figure 27 — Connection of LTC to TTC for test‐cord verification . 48
146 Figure 28 — Connection of LTC to PCTC to TTC for enhanced-three‐test‐cord
147 verification . 48
148 Figure 29 — MPO to single fibre link attenuation testing where no pin conversion is
149 required on launch test cord . 49
150 Figure 30 — MPO to single fibre link attenuation testing where pin conversion is required
151 on LTC . 49
152 Figure 31 — OTDR measurement of installed cabling (permanent link) – linear
153 regression measurement method . 52
154 Figure 32 — OTDR measurement of installed cabling (channel): two-point attenuation
155 measurement method . 54
156 Figure 33 — OTDR measurement of optical fibre attenuation . 61
157 Figure 34 — OTDR measurement of connection attenuation . 62
158 Figure 35 — OTDR measurement of joint attenuation . 64
159 Figure 36 — OTDR measurement of return loss . 65
160 Figure 37 — Determination of length using an OTDR . 67
161 Figure 38 — OTDR characterization of a SMF permanent link containing a break . 67
162 Figure 39 — OTDR characterization of a permanent link containing a macrobend . 68
163 Figure A.1 — Measurement of launch test cord, tail test cord and substitution test cord
164 interface attenuation . 70
165 Figure E.1 — Example of multimode LC channel interface . 77
166 Figure E.2 — Example of multimode LC link interface . 77
167 Figure E.3 — Example of MPO channel interface . 78
168 Figure E.4 — Example of MPO link interface . 78
169 Figure E.5 — Example of MPO ferrule with normal illumination (left) and side illumination
170 (right) . 79
171 Figure E.6 — Example of single-mode LC channel interface . 79
172 Figure E.7 — Example of single-mode LC link interface . 79
173 Figure E.8 — Example of single-mode LC/APC channel interface . 80
174 Figure E.9 — Example of single-mode LC/APC link interface . 80
175 Figure E.10 — Example of SM MPO APC channel interface . 81
176 Figure E.11 — Example of SM MPO/APC link interface . 81
177 Figure F.1 — Connection of LS to LTC to PM for reference setting . 83
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
178 Figure F.2 — Connection of LTC to STC to TTC for enhanced-three‐test‐cord verification
179 . 83
180 Figure F.3 — Connections to link or permanent link for attenuation measurement where
181 no pin conversion is required on test cords . 83
184 Table of Tables
185 Table 1 — Contextual relationship between EN 50174 series and other standards
186 relevant for information technology cabling systems . 9
187 Table 2 — MMF spectral requirements . 17
188 Table 3 — SMF spectral requirements . 18
189 Table 4 — Connector identification and attenuation test limits . 20
190 Table 5 — Single fibre MM reference connector requirements . 20
191 Table 6 — Single fibre single-mode reference connector requirements . 21
192 Table 7 — Multi-fibre MM reference connector requirements . 21
193 Table 8 — Multi-fibre single-mode reference connector requirements . 21
194 Table 9 — Default group index values . 58
195 Table 10 — Default backscattering coefficient values. 66
196 Table D.1 — Cladding zone requirements of reference connectors . 76
197 Table D.2 — Core zone requirements of reference connectors . 76
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
199 European foreword
200 This document (prEN 50174-4:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CLC/TC 215,
201 “Electrotechnical aspects of telecommunication equipment”. It is based on ISO/IEC 14763-3:2024.
202 This document is currently submitted to the Enquiry.
203 The following dates are proposed:
• latest date by which the existence of this (doa) dor + 6 months
document has to be announced at national
level
• latest date by which this document has to be (dop) dor + 12 months
implemented at national level by publication of
an identical national standard or by
endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards (dow) dor + 36 months
conflicting with this document have to be (to be confirmed or
withdrawn modified when voting)
204 EN 50174 comprises four parts. All for parts support the specification, implementation, operation and
205 qualification of information technology cabling. There are specific requirements for cabling systems that
206 are in accordance with the design requirements of the EN 50173 series. However, the three parts also
207 apply to cabling systems of any design including those in accordance with standards such as EN 50700.
208 This part, prEN 50174-4, is concerned with the measurement and visual inspection of installed optical
209 fibre cabling.
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
210 Introduction
211 The importance of services delivered by information technology cabling infrastructure is similar to that
212 of utilities such as heating, lighting and electricity supplies. As with those utilities, interruptions to service
213 can have a serious impact. Poor quality of service due to lack of planning, use of inappropriate
214 components, incorrect installation, poor administration or inadequate support can threaten an
215 organization’s effectiveness.
216 There are four phases in the successful implementation of information technology cabling. These are:
217 a) design;
218 b) specification – the detailed requirement for the cabling, including the planning of its accommodation
219 and associated building services addressing specific environments (e.g. electromagnetic) together
220 with the quality assurance requirements to be applied;
221 c) installation – in accordance with the requirements of the specification;
222 d) operation – the management of connectivity and the maintenance of transmission performance
223 during the life of the cabling.
224 This European Standard is in four parts and addresses the specification, installation, operational aspects
225 and measurement of installed cabling. The EN 50173 series and other application standards cover
226 design issues.
227 This document details the inspection and test procedures for optical fibre cabling designed in
228 accordance with premises cabling standards including the EN 50173 series and installed in accordance
229 with the requirements and recommendations of EN 50174-2 and EN 50174-3. This document has been
230 prepared in support of EN 50173 series.
231 Users of this document should be familiar with relevant premises cabling standards and the other
232 documents of the EN 50174 series.
233 EN 50174-1 is used during the specification phase. EN 50174-2 and EN 50174-3 are intended to be
234 used by the personnel directly involved in the planning aspects (of the specification phase) and
235 installation phase. EN 50174-2 is applicable inside buildings and EN 50174-3 is applicable outside
236 buildings.
237 This European Standard is also relevant to:
238 • main contractors;
239 • designers, suppliers, installers, inspectors (auditors), maintainers and owners of information
240 technology cabling;
241 • end users.
242 Figure 1 and Table 1 show the schematic and contextual relationships between the standards produced
243 by CLC/TC 215 for information technology cabling, namely:
244 1) this and other parts of the EN 50174 series;
245 2) generic cabling design (EN 50173 series);
246 3) application dependent cabling design (e.g. EN 50700);
247 4) bonding requirements (EN 50310).
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
249 Figure 1 — Schematic relationship between the EN 50174 series and other relevant standards
250 Table 1 — Contextual relationship between EN 50174 series and other standards relevant for
251 information technology cabling systems
Building design Generic cabling Specification Installation Operation phase
phase design phase phase phase
EN 50173-2 EN 50174-1
EN 50173-3
EN 50174-2
EN 50173-4
EN 50173-5 EN 50174-3
EN 50310 EN 50174-4 EN 50174-1
EN 50173-6
EN 50173-20 EN 50310
(these ENs EN 50697
reference general
requirements of
EN 50173-1)
252 The quality plan for each installation will define the acceptance tests and sampling levels selected for
253 that installation. Requirements and recommendations for the development of a quality plan are given in
254 EN 50174-1.
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
255 1 Scope
256 This document specifies systems and methods for the inspection and testing of installed optical fibre
257 cabling designed in accordance with premises cabling standards including the EN 50173 series. The
258 test methods refer to existing standards-based procedures where they exist.
259 2 Normative references
260 The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
261 constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
262 undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
263 EN 50173-1, Information technology - Generic cabling systems - Part 1: General requirements
264 EN 50174-1, Information technology - Cabling installation - Part 1: Installation specification and quality
265 assurance
266 EN 60825-2, Safety of laser products - Part 2: Safety of optical fibre communication systems (OFCS)
267 (IEC 60825-2)
268 EN IEC 61280-1-3, Fibre optic communication subsystem test procedures - Part 1-3: General
269 communication subsystems - Measurement of central wavelength, spectral width and additional spectral
270 characteristics (IEC 61280-1-3)
271 EN IEC 61280-1-4, Fibre optic communication subsystem test procedures - Part 1-4: General
272 communication subsystems - Light source encircled flux measurement method (IEC 61280-1-4)
273 EN IEC 61280-4-1, Fibre-optic communication subsystem test procedures - Part 4-1: Installed cabling
274 plant - Multimode attenuation measurement (IEC 61280-4-1)
275 EN IEC 61280-4-5, Fibre-optic communication subsystem test procedures - Part 4-5: Installed cabling
276 plant - Attenuation measurement of MPO terminated fibre optic cabling plant using test equipment with
277 MPO interfaces (IEC 61280-4-5)
278 EN IEC 61300-3-35, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and
279 measurement procedures - Part 3-35: Examinations and measurements - Visual inspection of fibre optic
280 connectors and fibre-stub transceivers (IEC 61300-3-35)
281 EN 61300-3-42, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and
282 measurement procedures - Part 3-42: Examinations and measurements - Attenuation of single mode
283 alignment sleeves and or adaptors with resilient alignment sleeves (IEC 61300-3-42)
284 EN 61755-2-4, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Connector optical
285 interfaces - Part 2-4: Connection parameters of non-dispersion shifted single-mode physically contacting
286 fibres - Non-angled for reference connection applications (IEC 61755-2-4)
287 EN 61755-2-5, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Connector optical
288 interfaces - Part 2-5: Connection parameters of non-dispersion shifted single-mode physically contacting
289 fibres - Angled for reference connection applications (IEC 61755-2-5)
290 EN 61755-3-1, Fibre optic connector optical interfaces - Part 3-1: Optical interface, 2,5 mm and 1,25
291 mm diameter cylindrical full zirconia PC ferrule, single mode fibre (IEC 61755-3-1)
292 EN 61755-3-2, Fibre optic connector optical interfaces - Part 3-2: Optical interface, 2,5 mm and 1,25
293 mm diameter cylindrical full zirconia ferrules for 8 degrees angled-PC single mode fibres (IEC 61755-3-
294 2)
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
295 EN 61755-3-31, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Connector optical
296 interfaces - Part 3-31: Connector parameters of non-dispersion shifted single mode physically contacting
297 fibres - Angled polyphenylene sulphide rectangular ferrules (IEC 61755-3-31)
298 EN IEC 62614-1, Fibre optics - Multimode launch conditions - Part 1: Launch condition requirements for
299 measuring multimode attenuation (IEC 62614-1)
300 IEC 60050-731, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) - Part 731: Optical fibre communication)
301 IEC TR 61282-14, Fibre optic communication system design guidelines - Part 14: Determination of the
302 uncertainties of attenuation measurements in fibre plants
303 IEC PAS 63267-3-31, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Fibre optic
304 connector optical interfaces – Part 3-31: End face geometry – Flat PC PPS rectangular ferrule multimode
305 fibres
306 3 Terms, definitions, abbreviated terms and symbols
307 3.1 Terms and definitions
308 For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 50173-1, IEC 60050-731 and
309 the following apply.
310 ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
311 • IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
312 • ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
313 3.1.1
314 adaptor
315 device that enables interconnection between terminated optical fibre cables
316 3.1.2
317 attenuation
318 A
319 reduction in optical power induced by transmission through a medium such as optical fibre, given as A
320 = −10 log (P /P ), where P and P are the power, typically measured in mW, into and out of the
out in in out
321 cabling
322 Note 1 to entry: The values of A are in decibel (dB).
323 3.1.3
324 attenuation dead zone
325 region on an OTDR after the event where the displaced trace
326 deviates from the undisturbed backscatter trace by more than a given vertical distance ΔF
327 Note 1 to entry: ΔF is commonly accepted to be a value of 0,5 dB
328 [SOURCE: EN 61746-1:2011, and EN 61746-2:2011, 3.3, modified – The note has been changed and
329 Figure 1 has not been included.]
330 3.1.4
331 bi-directional measurement
332 technique consisting of two measurements of the same optical fibre, made by launching light into
333 opposite ends of that fibre
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
334 3.1.5
335 cable sheath
336 covering over the optical fibre or conductor assembly that can include one or more metallic members,
337 strength members or jackets
338 Note 1 to entry: Sometimes simply referred to as “sheath”.
339 3.1.6
340 connection
341 mated device including terminations connecting two cables or cable elements
342 3.1.7
343 encircled flux
344 fraction of cumulative near-field power to the total output power as a function of radial distance from the
345 optical centre of the core
346 3.1.8
347 fail result
348 measured value which fails to meet the specified requirement and where the absolute value of the
349 difference between the measured value and the specified requirement is greater than the stated
350 measurement uncertainty
351 3.1.9
352 launch test cord
353 cable assembly used to connect from a light source to the cabling under test or as part of a test reference
354 measurement
355 3.1.10
356 light source and power meter
357 test system consisting of a light source (LS), power meter (PM) and associated test cords used to
358 measure the attenuation of installed cable plant
359 3.1.11
360 marginal result
361 measured value which differs from the specified requirement by an amount not exceeding the stated
362 measurement uncertainty
363 3.1.12
364 multimode fibre
365 optical fibre along whose core the radiation of two or more bound modes can propagate at the
366 wavelength of interest
367 Note 1 to entry: A typical multimode fibre propagates 100 modes or more.
368 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-731:1991, 731-02-03, modified – The definition has been slightly changed and
369 Note 1 to entry added.]
370 3.1.13
371 optical fibre
372 waveguide shaped as a filament, made of dielectric materials for guiding optical waves
373 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-151:2001/AMD3:2019, 151-12-35]
374 3.1.14
375 optical time domain reflectometer
376 OTDR
377 test system consisting of an optical time-domain reflectometer and associated test cords used to
378 characterize and measure the attenuation of installed cable plant and specific elements within that cable
379 plan
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
380 3.1.15
381 pass result
382 measured value which meets the specified requirements and where the absolute value of the difference
383 between the measured value and the specified requirement is greater than the stated measurement
384 uncertainty, provided any apparent gain does not exceed the measurement uncertainty
385 3.1.16
386 pin conversion test cord
387 PCTC
388 cord used to change the mated connector from pinned to unpinned, and vice versa when there is a
389 pinning incompatibility between the launch test cord and link under test
390 3.1.17
391 reference adaptor
392 adaptor with tighter tolerances (single-mode adapters), to ensure reference connections can be attained
393 3.1.18
394 reference connector
395 connector with tightened tolerances terminated onto an optical fibre that can require tightened tolerances
396 such that the expected attenuation formed by mating two such assemblies is less than or equal to a
397 specified value that is lower than the normal expected attenuation
398 3.1.19
399 reference measurement
400 measurement of the output power of the light source that is used to determine the input power level to
401 the cabling under test
402 3.1.20
403 reference plane
404 theoretical plane without thickness or tolerances
405 Note 1 to entry: The reference plane is used to define spaces in mechanical structures.
406 [SOURCE: IEC 60050-581:2008, 581-25-30]
407 3.1.21
408 single-mode fibre
409 optical fibre which supports only one mode of light transmission
410 3.1.22
411 substitution test cord
412 test cord used within a reference measurement which is replaced during the measurement of the
413 attenuation of the cabling under test
414 3.1.23
415 tail test cord
416 cable assembly used to connect from a power meter to the cabling under test or as part of a test
417 reference measurement
418 3.1.24
419 test cord
420 cable assembly used either to connect test equipment to the cabling under test or as part of a test
421 reference measurement
422 3.1.25
423 test operator
424 skilled person who tests in accordance with instructions provided by the test system designer
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
425 3.1.26
426 test system
427 test equipment, test cords and adaptors necessary to undertake a given test in accordance with the
428 requirements of this document
429 3.1.27
430 defect
431 surface feature such as pits, scratch, chips and loose debris
432 3.1.28
433 loose debris
434 particles and debris on the surface that can be removed by cleaning
435 3.1.29
436 pit
437 permanent non-linear surface damage
438 3.1.30
439 scratch
440 permanent linear surface damage
441 3.2 Abbreviated terms
442 For the purposes of this document, the abbreviated terms of EN 50173-1 and the following apply.
APC angled physical contact
BIMMF bend insensitive multimode fibre referred to as enhanced macrobend loss fibre
CP consolidation point
DUT device under test
EQP equipment
E2E end-to-end
EC equipment cord
ffs for further study
IOR index of refraction
LC LC connector
LTC launch test cord
LS light source
MF multi fibre
MM multimode
MMF multimode fibre
MPO multi-fibre push on (based on rectangular ferrule)
MPTL modular plug terminated link
N/A not applicable
OTDR optical time domain reflectometer
PC physical contact
PCTC pin conversion test cord
PM power meter
RL return loss
oSIST prEN 50174-4:2024
prEN 50174-4:2024 (E)
RMS root mean square
SC subscriber connector
SF single fibre
SFC single fibre connector
SM single-mode
SMF single-mode fibre
STC substitution test cord
TTC tail test cord
443 3.3 Symbols
444 For the purposes of this document the following symbols apply.
Optical fibre connector (general)
Optical fibre connector on installed cabling
Optical fibre connector with reference termination
Optical fibre adaptor (general)
Optical fibre adaptor embedded in cabling
Optical fibre reference adaptor
Splice
445 4 Conformance
446 To test installed cabling in accordance with this document:
447 a) the reference connectors shall conform to the requirements of 5.6;
448 b) the requirements of Clause 6 shall be met;
449 c) the test equipment and test cords shall conform to the requirements of Clause 5;
450 d) the test method, as appropriate, and treatment of results shall conform to Clauses 6 and 7;
451 e) information about the test equipment shall be documented in accordance with 5.2;
452 f) the test results shall be documented in accordance with Clause 6 and Clause 8.
453 To inspect installed cabling in accordance with this document:
454 1)
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.