FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-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: 18-Sep-2026
• Due Date: 17-Jan-2025
• Completion Date: 18-Sep-2026
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-302: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Cable element test methods - Ribbon dimensions and geometry - Visual method, Method G2

• Splited From: EN IEC 60794-1-23:2019 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-23: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Cable element test methods
• Effective Date: 09-Jun-2026

FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026 is a CLC draft standard for optical fibre cables. It specifies the visual Method G2 for checking ribbon dimensions and geometry - width, height, and fibre alignment - on optical fibre ribbons used in telecommunications equipment, similar devices, and cables that combine optical fibres with electrical conductors.

It is intended for type testing and for supporting manufacturing process control. In practice, it tells manufacturers and test labs how to prepare samples, what to measure, and what the detail specification must state.

What does FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026 specify?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026 describes test procedures for the geometrical properties of optical fibre ribbons. It applies to edge-bonded, encapsulated, and partially-bonded ribbon structures, and it is built around a visual method for measuring ribbon geometry.

The document is organized into a foreword, Clauses 1 to 5, and a bibliography. Clause 1 states the scope, Clause 2 lists the normative references, Clause 3 covers terms and definitions, Clause 4 gives general requirements, and Clause 5 sets out Method G2.

What are the key requirements of FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026 uses Method G2 to determine ribbon geometry from three practical characteristics: width, height, and fibre alignment. That matters because the method is aimed at checking whether ribbon manufacture stays within the intended geometry for process control and type testing.

Scope and intended use

Clause 1 limits the method to optical fibre ribbons for telecommunications equipment and devices using similar techniques, plus cables that combine optical fibres and electrical conductors. The method is for ribbon structures that are edge-bonded, encapsulated, or partially-bonded. In practice, that tells a buyer or test lab whether the method fits the ribbon construction being specified.

General requirements and references

Clause 4 says IEC 60794-1-2 is the reference guide for the test method and must be considered for general requirements and definitions. Clause 5 also relies on IEC 60794-1-31 for the acceptance requirement unless the detail specification says otherwise. In practice, users need to check both documents together when setting up or interpreting the test.

Sampling and apparatus

Clause 5.2 leaves the number of test samples to the detail specification, and the samples must be statistically independent and representative of the ribbon population. Clause 5.3 requires a microscope or profile projector with suitable magnification. This means the standard leaves the sampling plan to the product specification, but the test equipment choice is still controlled.

What is measured

Clause 5.4 defines width and height as the minimum rectangular area enclosing the ribbon cross-section. It also defines the basis line through the first and last fibre centres, and fibre alignment by horizontal separation and planarity. In practice, these definitions tell the tester exactly which geometry features to record and how to compare them across samples.

Test procedure

Clause 5.5 allows either of two procedures. One uses a cut, mounted, ground, and polished cross-section; the other uses a holder, stripping, cleaving, polishing, and illumination before microscopy. The sample preparation must not disturb the ribbon structure, and flexible partially-bonded ribbons should be measured in an unexpanded state with fibres aligned in approximately the same plane.

Reporting and specification content

Clause 5.5 requires average, maximum, and minimum values to be measured for the specified samples. Clause 5.7 says the detail specification shall state the permissible maximum and minimum values, the limits for average values, and the number of samples tested. That gives product specifications a clear place to define acceptance criteria.

What terms does FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026 define?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026 defines the key geometry terms used in Method G2 through Clause 5.4.

• Width - the size of the minimum rectangle that encloses the ribbon cross-section in the width direction.
• Height - the size of the minimum rectangle that encloses the ribbon cross-section in the height direction.
• Basis line - the line through the centres of the first and last fibres, used as the reference for alignment measurements.
• Horizontal separation - the projected distance between fibre centres on the basis line.
• Planarity - the combined positive and negative vertical separation of the fibres from the basis line.
• Fibre alignment - the geometric arrangement of fibres relative to the basis line, assessed through separation and planarity.
• Method G2 - the visual method defined in Clause 5 for measuring ribbon dimensions and geometry.

Who uses FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026 is used by optical fibre cable manufacturers, test laboratories, and specification writers. It is also relevant to quality assurance teams and buyers who need a test method for ribbon geometry in product acceptance, type testing, or process control.

What changed in FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026 from the previous edition?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026 is the first edition and is extracted from IEC 60794-1-23 edition 2.0 published in 2019. The document states that it does not constitute a technical revision.

Which standards are used with FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026 cites two normative references.

• IEC 60794-1-2 - the general guidance document for basic optical cable test procedures and general requirements.
• IEC 60794-1-31 - the companion document for optical fibre ribbon cable elements, used here for the acceptance requirement unless the detail specification states otherwise.

What does the FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026 document contain?

FprEN IEC 60794-1-302:2026 contains a figure showing ribbon cross-section geometry and a structured test method for visual measurement. It includes the object of the test, sample preparation options, apparatus, geometry definitions, procedure steps, requirements, and the items that the detail specification must state.

The practical focus is on controlled measurement rather than final inspection. The document is therefore most useful when a product specification needs a repeatable way to check ribbon geometry during development, qualification, or production control.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-302:2024
01-julij-2024
Optični kabli - 1-302. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Preskusne metode za kabelske elemente - Mere in geometrija traku
- Vizualna metoda, metoda G2
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-302: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Cable element test methods - Ribbon dimensions and geometry - Visual
method, Method G2
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-302: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d'essai des éléments de câbles
- Dimensions et géométrie du ruban - Méthode visuelle, méthode g2
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-302:2024
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-302:2024 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-302:2024

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-302:2024

86A/2447/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-302 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2024-05-10 2024-08-02
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2343/CD, 86A/2444/CC
IEC SC 86A : FIBRES AND CABLES
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
France Mr Laurent Gasca
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: PROPOSED HORIZONTAL STANDARD:

Other TC/SCs are requested to indicate their interest, if any, in
this CDV to the secretary.
FUNCTIONS CONCERNED:
EMC ENVIRONMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SAFETY
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” clau ses to be
included should this proposal proceed. Recipients are reminded that the CDV stage is the final stage for submitting ISC c lauses.
(SEE AC/22/2007 OR NEW GUIDANCE DOC).

TITLE:
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-302: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Cable element
test methods - Ribbon dimensions and geometry – Visual method, Method G2

PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2028
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
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 writi ng from IEC.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-302:2024
86A/2447/CDV – 2 – IEC CDV 60794-1-302 © IEC 2024

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 General requirements . 6
5 Method G2: Ribbon dimensions and geometry – Visual method . 6
5.1 Object . 6
5.2 Sample . 6
5.3 Apparatus . 6
5.4 Definitions of ribbon dimensions and geometry . 6
5.4.1 General . 6
5.4.2 Width and height. 7
5.4.3 Basis line . 7
5.4.4 Fibre alignment . 7
5.5 Procedure . 7
5.5.1 General . 7
5.5.2 Method 1 . 7
5.5.3 Method 2 . 8
5.6 Requirements . 8
5.7 Details to be specified . 8
Bibliography . 9

Figure 1 – Cross-sectional drawing illustrating fibre ribbon geometry . 6

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-302:2024
IEC CDV 60794-1-302 © IEC 2024 – 3 – 86A/2447/CDV
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES
Part 1-302: Generic specification
– Basic optical cable test procedures Cable element test
methods -
– Ribbon dimensions and geometry – Visual method, Method G2

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