EN IEC 60794-1-136:2026

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-136: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Determination of the maximum applicable push force during cable installation by blowing

IEC 60794-1-136:2026 specifies procedures to determine the maximum allowable push force applied on cables during the installation by blowing. Currently this parameter is determined by a separate test on the cable before installation. The methods specified in this document apply primarily to low-diameter cables (microduct cables according to IEC 60794-5) without rigid strength elements (e.g. GRP rods).

Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 1-136: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Bestimmung der maximal anwendbaren Einschubkraft beim Einblasen von Kabeln

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-136: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Détermination de la force de poussée maximale applicable lors de l'installation du câble par soufflage

L'IEC 60794-1-136:2026 spécifie des procédures pour déterminer la force de poussée maximale admissible appliquée sur les câbles lors de l'installation par soufflage. Actuellement, ce paramètre est déterminé par un essai séparé sur le câble avant l'installation. Les méthodes spécifiées dans le présent document s'appliquent principalement aux câbles de faible diamètre (câbles en microconduits conformément à l'IEC 60794-5) dépourvus d'éléments de résistance rigides (p. ex. tiges en PRV).

Optični kabli - 1-136. del: Splošne specifikacije - Osnovni preskusni postopki za optične kable - Določitev največje uporabne potisne sile pri vgradnji kabla z vpihovanjem

General Information

• Status: 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: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 03-Jul-2026
• Due Date: 19-Dec-2025
• Completion Date: 03-Jul-2026
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-136:2026 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-136: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Determination of the maximum applicable push force during cable installation by blowing

Relations

• Refers: EN 60794-1-21:2015 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-21: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods
• Effective Date: 19-May-2026
• Referred By: EN IEC 62148-1:2018 - Fibre optic active components and devices - Package and interface standards - Part 1: General and guidance
• Effective Date: 07-Jul-2026
• Referred By: EN 3745-505:2018 - Aerospace series - Fibres and cables, optical, aircraft use - Test methods - Part 505: Cable tensile strength
• Effective Date: 07-Jul-2026
• Referred By: CLC/TS 50621:2016 - Guideline for the repair of damaged installed optical fibre cables and microducts
• Effective Date: 07-Jul-2026

Overview

EN IEC 60794-1-136:2026 is a key international standard developed by CLC and IEC for the optical fibre cable industry. Titled “Optical fibre cables - Part 1-136: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Determination of the maximum applicable push force during cable installation by blowing,” this standard specifies procedures to determine the maximum allowable push force applied to optical fibre cables, particularly during installation by blowing into microducts. It focuses on low-diameter microduct cables without rigid strength elements, in line with IEC 60794-5 specifications.

Determining the push force is critical for successful and damage-free installation of optical fibre cables, ensuring both performance and durability in high-speed communications infrastructure.

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Key Topics

• Test Methodologies: EN IEC 60794-1-136:2026 details both theoretical (Method E36A) and experimental (Method E36B) procedures for evaluating maximum push force.
  • E36A calculates the permissible push force using cable bend stiffness and minimum allowable bend radius.
  • E36B uses a physical test setup where a cable is pushed into a microduct until buckling, measuring force responses.
• Applicability: Primarily targets microduct cables without rigid elements, as commonly used in modern fibre-optic networks.
• Sample and Apparatus: Defines the requirements for sample preparation and necessary testing equipment, aligning with existing standards such as IEC 60794-1-21 for mechanical test methods.
• Test Conditions: Describes environmental controls including temperature, humidity, and pressure to ensure reliable and reproducible results.
• Documentation: Specifies the information to report, such as test graphs and calculated maximum push force, for quality management and compliance tracking.
• Impact Factors: Notes that duct and cable lubrication, material types, and environmental conditions can affect test results.

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Applications

• Fibre Network Deployment: Used by manufacturers and installers to verify that optical cables can withstand required mechanical forces during blowing installation, minimizing risk of cable buckling and subsequent signal loss or fiber breakage.
• Quality Assurance: Essential for quality control in the production of microduct cables, ensuring compliance with international standards and reliable performance in the field.
• System Design: Supports engineering decisions regarding duct and cable selection for telecommunications infrastructure, promoting longer cable life and optimal deployment efficiency.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assists organizations in meeting requirements for certification, tenders, and network implementation projects, underlining adherence to recognized testing protocols.

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Related Standards

• IEC 60794-1-21: Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods, a companion standard referenced for sample preparation and stiffness measurement methodology.
• IEC 60794-5: Sectional specification for microduct cabling intended for installation by blowing, defining relevant cable types and installation techniques.
• Additional References: The standard also references broader terminology databases (IEC Electropedia, ISO OBP) and other foundational documents for optical fibres and cables.

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By standardizing the methods to determine the maximum applicable push force during cable installation, EN IEC 60794-1-136:2026 enhances the reliability and safety of fibre-optic deployments, supporting the expansion of high-capacity communication networks worldwide. This standard is essential for manufacturers, network designers, and installation contractors focused on microduct technologies and fibre-optic infrastructure.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-136:2025
01-maj-2025
Optični kabli - 1-136. del: Splošne specifikacije - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Določitev največje uporabne potisne sile pri vgradnji kabla s
pihanjem
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-136: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Determination of the maximum applicable push force during cable
installation by blowing
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-136: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Détermination de la force de poussée
maximale applicable lors de l'installation du câble par soufflage
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-136:2025
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-136:2025 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-136:2025

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-136:2025
86A/2522/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-136 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-01-24 2025-04-18
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2469/CD, 86A/2519/CC
IEC SC 86A : FIBRES AND CABLES
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
France Mr Laurent Gasca
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: HORIZONTAL FUNCTION(S):

ASPECTS CONCERNED:
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TITLE:
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-136: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
Determination of the maximum applicable push force during cable installation by blowing

PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2028
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
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
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oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-136:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-136 ED1 © IEC 2025 2 86A/2522/CDV

1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD . 3
4 INTRODUCTION . 5
5 1 Scope . 6
6 2 Normative references . 6
7 3 Terms and definitions . 6
8 4 General . 6
9 5 Sample . 7
10 6 Apparatus . 7
11 6.1 Apparatus for method E36A . 7
12 6.2 Apparatus for method E36B . 7
13 7 Test conditions . 7
14 8 Procedure . 8
15 9 Details to be specified . 9
16 10 Details to be recorded . 9
17 Annex A (informative) Test set-up . 11
18 A.1 Test set-up for the push force test . 11
19 Bibliography . 12
21 Figure 1: Schematic test set-up a) Cable is inserted b) The piston is pushed into the
22 duct 7
23 Figure 2: Example of a graph which shows the forces F (applied to push the piston
push
24 into the duct) and Freaction (reactive force at the top cable end). The green “box”
25 indicates the window which is moved along the F -curve. . 9
reaction
26 Figure A.1 – Practical implementation of the test set-up shown in Fig. 1 . 11
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30 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
31 ____________
33 OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES
35 Part 1-136: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
36 Determination of the maximum applicable push force during cable
37 installation by blowing
40 FOREWORD
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73 IEC 60794-1-136 has been prepared by subcommittee IEC SC86A WG3: Optical Cables, of IEC
74 technical committee TC86: Fibre Optics. It is […an International Standard, a Technical
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93 INTRODUCTION
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