FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 21-Feb-2027
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 86A - Optical fibres and optical fibre cables
• Current Stage: 5020 - Vote circulated - Formal Approval
• Start Date: 09-Oct-2026
• Due Date: 03-Jul-2026
• Completion Date: 09-Oct-2026
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-128: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable and fibre mechanical reliability test, Method E28

• 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

FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026 is a CLC draft European standard for optical fibre cables, aligned with IEC 60794-1-128. It specifies Method E28, a mechanical reliability test for optical cables and fibres, for telecommunication equipment and similar devices, including cables that combine optical fibres and electrical conductors.

What does FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026 specify?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026 specifies a mechanical reliability test for optical cables and fibres. In practice, it tells you how to set up, run, and report a long-duration tension-and-bending test for small fibre-count cables.

The document is organized into Scope, Normative references, Terms and definitions, General requirements, and Clause 5 for Method E28, followed by a bibliography. Clause 5 is split into object, sample, apparatus, procedure, requirement, details to be specified, and details to be reported.

What are the key requirements of FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026 uses a single method, Method E28, to simulate the combined stress of tension and bending on an optical cable. The test is intended mainly for small fibre-count cables, especially simplex and duplex cables, but the document also allows other small fibre counts such as 4 or 6 fibres.

How the test is set up

Clause 5.2 requires the sample to be long enough for the apparatus, the test length, the attachment method, and any optical test method used. That matters because the sample must fit the whole setup without introducing extra stress from short handling lengths.

Clause 5.3 describes an apparatus where the cable hangs over a corner in a 90-degree bend and is loaded by a mass on the vertical tail. The corner uses a controlled 3.0 mm pin or equivalent, and the cable must be coupled well to the fibres so the sheath does not stretch or bunch.

How the procedure works

Clause 5.4 requires the horizontal section to be anchored so the sheath does not bunch and the fibres remain coupled to the rest of the cable. The procedure then applies a weight equal to 1.5 times the long term rated load, and the load should be applied gradually to avoid tearing the sheath.

Clause 5.4 also sets the test duration at 30 days. For users, this means the method is designed as a long-term reliability screen rather than a short mechanical check.

What counts as failure

Clause 5.5 states that fibre breakage or visible cracks on the outer surface of the sheath are failures. That gives laboratories and buyers a clear pass-fail rule for judging whether the cable survived the combined stress.

What must be specified and reported

Clause 5.6 requires the detail specification to state the cable type, the long term rated load, and any different test load or test time. Clause 5.7 extends the test report with the same information and, where relevant, temperature, sample length, the attachment method at both ends, and any deviations from the procedure.

General guidance

Clause 4 points users to IEC 60794-1-2 for general requirements and definitions. In practice, that means Method E28 should be applied together with the common guidance for test methods in the IEC 60794 series.

Who uses FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026 is used by optical fibre cable manufacturers, test laboratories, and organizations that specify or qualify cable performance. It is also relevant to quality managers and buyers who need a defined mechanical reliability test for small fibre-count cables.

The document is especially useful where a product specification has to declare the long term rated load, test load, or test time. That makes it a practical reference for product development, incoming qualification, and test reporting.

What changed in FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026 from the previous edition?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026 partially cancels and replaces IEC 60794-1-21:2020.

Which standards are used with FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026?

IEC 60794-1-2 is the normative reference for general guidance and definitions for this test part. The bibliography also points to IEC 60794-1-21:2015 as earlier background in the mechanical test methods area.

What does the FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026 document contain?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-128:2026 contains one mechanical test method, Method E28, plus the information needed to apply it consistently. Clause 5 includes the object of the test, sample requirements, apparatus description, procedure, pass-fail requirement, and the items to specify and report.

Figure 1 shows the mechanical reliability test apparatus. For users, the value of the document is in translating the method into a repeatable setup, a defined loading condition, and a report format that records the test conditions and any deviations.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025
01-julij-2025
Optični kabli - 1-128. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Preizkus mehanske zanesljivosti
kablov in vlaken, metoda E28
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-128: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable and fibre mechanical reliability test,
Method E28
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-128: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais mécaniques - Essai de
fiabilité mécanique des câbles et des fibres, Méthode E28
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025
86A/2575/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-128 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-06-13 2025-09-05
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2529/CD, 86A/2571/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 1-128: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods – Cable and fibre mechanical reliability test, Method E28
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
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oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025
2 IEC CDV 60794-1-128 ED1 © IEC 2025
1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD . 3
4 1 Scope . 5
5 2 Normative references . 5
6 3 Terms and definitions . 5
7 4 General requirements . 5
8 5 Method E28: Cable and fibre mechanical reliability test . 6
9 5.1 Object . 6
10 5.2 Sample . 6
11 5.3 Apparatus . 6
12 5.4 Procedure . 6
13 5.5 Requirement . 7
14 5.6 Details to be specified . 7
15 5.7 Details to be reported . 7
16 Bibliography . 8
18 Figure 1 – Mechanical reliability test apparatus . 6
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-128 ED1 © IEC 2025 3
21 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
22 ____________
24 OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
26 Part 1-128: Generic specification –
27 Basic optical cable test procedures –
28 Mechanical test methods – Cable and fibre mechanical reliability test,
29 Method E28
31 FOREWORD
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