IEC 60794-1-401:2021

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-401: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Electrical test methods - Short-circuit test (for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC), Method H1

IEC 60794-1-401:2021 applies to the short-circuit test intended to assess the performance of an optical ground wire (OPGW) or optical phase conductor (OPPC) under typical short-circuit, or the impact on the performance of optical attached cable (OPAC) under short-circuit current on the messenger wire. This first edition cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 60794-1-24 published in 2014. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) OPPC is included;
b) the test methods have been updated.

Câbles à fibres optiques - Procédures fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Partie 401: Méthodes d’essais électriques - Essai de court-circuit (pour les OPGW, les OPPC et les OPAC), Méthode H1

IEC 60794-1-401:2021 s’applique à l'essai de court-circuit destiné à évaluer la performance d'un câble de garde à fibres optiques (OPGW) ou d’un conducteur de phase à fibres optiques (OPPC) en cas de court-circuit typique, ou l'impact sur la performance d'un câble optique attaché (OPAC) en cas de courant de court-circuit sur le fil porteur. Cette première édition annule et remplace la première édition de l'IEC 60794-1-24 publiée en 2014. Cette édition constitue une révision technique.Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
L’OPPC est inclus;
les méthodes d'essais ont été mises à jour.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 26-Jul-2021
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: SC 86A - Fibres and cables
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 27-Jul-2021
• Completion Date: 01-Sep-2021

Relations

• Replaces: IEC 60794-1-24:2014 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-24: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Electrical test methods
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60794-1-401 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-401: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
Electrical test methods – Short-circuit test (for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC),
Method H1
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé [e-mail]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
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(IEV) online.
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further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
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IEC 60794-1-401 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-401: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –

Electrical test methods – Short-circuit test (for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC),

Method H1
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-1008-4

– 2 – IEC 60794-1-401:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 6
3.1 Terms and definitions . 6
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 6
4 Sample . 6
4.1 OPGW and OPPC testing. 6
4.1.1 Two samples test method . 6
4.1.2 One sample test method . 7
4.2 OPAC testing . 7
5 Apparatus . 8
6 Procedure . 10
6.1 OPGW testing . 10
6.2 OPPC testing . 11
6.3 OPAC testing . 11
6.4 Common procedure for all tested cables . 11
7 Requirements . 12
8 Details to be specified . 12
8.1 OPGW and OPPC testing. 12
8.2 OPAC testing . 12
Bibliography . 13

Figure 1 – OPGW/OPPC short-circuit test arrangement . 9
Figure 2 – OPAC short-circuit test arrangement . 10

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-401: Generic specification – Basic optical cable
test procedures – Electrical test methods –
Short-circuit test (for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC), Method H1

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 60794-1-401 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC
technical committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
This first edition cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 60794-1-24 published in 2014.
This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) OPPC is included;
b) the test methods have been updated.

– 4 – IEC 60794-1-401:2021 © IEC 2021
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86A/2044/CDV 86A/2127/RVC
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement,
available at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by
IEC are described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/standardsdev/publications.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 60794 series, published under the general title Optical fibre
cables, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised
...

IEC 60794-1-401 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-401: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
Electrical test methods – Short-circuit test (for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC),
Method H1
Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 1-401: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essais des
câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essais électriques – Essai de court-circuit (pour
les OPGW, les OPPC et les OPAC), Méthode H1

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
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About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

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Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
containing more than 22 300 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and once
and French, with equivalent terms in 19 additional languages.
a month by email.
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(IEV) online.
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IEC 60794-1-401 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-401: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –

Electrical test methods – Short-circuit test (for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC),

Method H1
Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 1-401: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essais des

câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essais électriques – Essai de court-circuit (pour

les OPGW, les OPPC et les OPAC), Méthode H1

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-1071-8

– 2 – IEC 60794-1-401:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 6
3.1 Terms and definitions . 6
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 6
4 Sample . 6
4.1 OPGW and OPPC testing. 6
4.1.1 Two samples test method . 6
4.1.2 One sample test method . 7
4.2 OPAC testing . 7
5 Apparatus . 8
6 Procedure . 10
6.1 OPGW testing . 10
6.2 OPPC testing . 11
6.3 OPAC testing . 11
6.4 Common procedure for all tested cables . 11
7 Requirements . 12
8 Details to be specified . 12
8.1 OPGW and OPPC testing. 12
8.2 OPAC testing . 12
Bibliography . 13

Figure 1 – OPGW/OPPC short-circuit test arrangement . 9
Figure 2 – OPAC short-circuit test arrangement . 10

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-401: Generic specification – Basic optical cable
test procedures – Electrical test methods –
Short-circuit test (for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC), Method H1

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 60794-1-401 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC technical
committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
This first edition cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 60794-1-24 published in 2014.
This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) OPPC is included;
b) the test methods have been updated.

– 4 – IEC 60794-1-401:2021 © IEC 2021
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86A/2044/CDV 86A/2127/RVC
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/standardsdev/publications.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 60794 series, published under the general title Optical fibre
cables, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
INTRODUCTION
The electrical tests contained in IEC 60794-1-24:2014 will now be individually numbered in the
IEC 60794-1-4xx series. Each test method is now considered to be an individual document
rather than part of a multi-test method compendium. Full cross-reference details are given in
IEC 60794-1-2.
– 6 – IEC 60794-1-401:2021 © IEC 2021
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-401: Generic specification – Basic optical cable
test procedures – Electrical test methods –
Short-circuit test (for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC), Method H1

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60794 applies to the short-circuit test intended to assess the performance of
an optical ground wire (OPGW) or optical phase conductor (OPPC) under typical short-circuit,
or the impact on the performance of optical attached cable (OPAC) under short-circuit current
on the messenger wire.
2 Normative references
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.
IEC 60793-1-46, Optical fibres – Part 1-46: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Monitoring of changes in optical transmittance
IEC 60794-1-1, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-1: Generic specification – General
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the definitions given in IEC 60794-1-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.2 Abbreviated terms
OPAC optical attached cable
OPGW optical ground wire
OPPC optical phase conductor
RTS rated tensile strength
4 Sample
4.1 OPGW and OPPC testing
4.1.1 Two samples test method
A typical arrangement using two test samples is shown in Figure 1a).

Two samples, each being at least 10 m long, shall be terminated at each end with suitable
fittings. In sample A, one or more thermocouples shall be inserted into holes drilled into the
optical unit to monitor the optical unit temperature. In sample B, one or more thermocouples
shall be attached to the OPGW/OPPC to monitor the locations where OPGW/OPPC maximum
temperature is expected (i.e. between ACS wires, or between ACS and aluminium alloy wires).
The optical attenuation of the monitored fibres shall be measured according to IEC 60793-1-
46. The test length of the optical fibre shall be longer than 100 m. The test loop shall preferably
include at least 24 fibres (fibre concatenation shall be used), or all the fibres in the cable when
the fibre count is lower. If the OPGW/OPPC under test comprises multiple units (tubes) with
optical fibres, the measured fibres shall be taken from all units in equal numbers.
4.1.2 One sample test method
A typical arrangement using one test sample is shown in Figure 1b).
The sample, at least 10 m long, shall be terminated at each end with suitable fittings. One or
more thermocouples shall be inserted through the strands of the OPGW/OPPC onto the surface
of the optical unit to monitor the optical unit temperature. One or more thermocouples shall be
attached to the wires of the OPGW/OPPC to monitor the OPGW/OPPC temperature. The optical
attenuation of the monitored fibres shall be measured according to IEC 60793-1-46. The test
length of the optical fibre shall be longer than 100 m. The test loop shall preferably include at
least 24 fibres (fibre concatenation shall be used), or all fibres in the cable when the fibre count
is lower. If the OPGW/OPPC under test comprises multiple units (tubes) with optical fibres, the
measured fibres shall be taken from all units in equal numbers.
4.2 OPAC testing
A typical arrangement for testing OPAC is shown in Figure 2.
The OPAC test sample, at least 10 m long, is attached to the messenger wire with suitable
fittings according to the arrangement used in service (the messenger wire used and the type of
attachment, such as tight side by side or twine with a certain pitch, shall be specified in the
particular conditions). One or more thermocouples shall be attached to the messenger wire to
record the temperature achieved during the test. The optical attenuation of the monitored fibres
shall be measured according to IEC 60793-1-46. The test length of optical fibre shall be longer
than 100 m. The test loop shall preferably include at least 24 fibres (fibre concatenation shall
be used), or all fibres in the cable when the fibre count is lower. If the OPAC under test
comprises multiple units (tubes) with optical fibres, the measured fibres shall be taken from all
units in equal numbers.
– 8 – IEC 60794-1-401:2021 © IEC 2021
5 Apparatus
Key
1 thermocouples
– armour temperature is measured (b)
– optical core surface temperature is measured (a)
2 thermocouple recorder
3 light source
4 power meter
5 recorder
6 fibre looped
7 mechanical load system
8 AC current source
A, B test samples
a) two samples test arrangement

Key
1 thermocouples
– armour temperature is measured (b)
– optical core surface temperature is measured (a)
2 thermocouple recorder
3 light source
4 power meter
5 recorder
6 fibre looped
7 mechanical load system
8 AC current source
A test sample
b) one sample test arrangement
Figure 1 – OPGW/OPPC short-circuit test arrangement

– 10 – IEC 60794-1-401:2021 © IEC 2021

Key
1 thermocouple
– messenger temperature is measured
2 thermocouple recorder
3 light source
4 power meter
5 recorder
6 fibre looped
7 mechanical load system
8 AC current source
A OPAC cable under test (solid line)
B messenger (dotted line)
Figure 2 – OPAC short-circuit test arrangement
6 Procedure
6.1 OPGW testing
The general test conditions are as follows:
– tensile load: 15 % to 20 % of rated tensile strength (RTS)
– sample length: ≥ 10 m
– fibre test length: > 100 m
– fault current intensity: as agreed between customer and supplier
– fault current duration: as agreed between customer and supplier
– number of pulses: 3 minimum
rd
– waveform:
to be symmetrical after the 3 cycle

The initial sample temperature shall be 40 °C ± 5 °C, if not otherwise agreed between customer
and manufacturer.
6.2 OPPC testing
The general test conditions are as follows:
– tensile load: 15 % to 20 % of RTS (rated tensile strength)
– sample length: ≥ 10 m
– fibre test length: > 100 m
– fault current intensity: as agreed between customer and supplier
– fault current duration: as agreed between customer and supplier
– number of pulses: 3 minimum
rd
– waveform:
to be symmetrical after the 3 cycle
The initial sample temperature shall be the one in a steady state at which the cable is
transporting its nominal current rating (tolerance ± 5 °C). In case the OPPC may operate in
emergency conditions during its lifetime, the emergency condition temperature (worst case)
shall be considered as the initial sample temperature for the short-circuit. Other initial sample
temperature values may be agreed between customer and manufacturer.
6.3 OPAC testing
The general test conditions are as follows:
– tensile load applied on messenger: as agreed between customer and supplier
– sample length: ≥ 10 m
– fibre test length: > 100 m
– messenger maximum temperature: refer to the detail specification
– fault current duration: refer to customer specification
– number of pulses: 3 minimum
rd
– waveform:
to be symmetrical after the 3 cycle
The initial messenger wire temperature shall be mutually agreed between the customer and the
supplier and be consistent with the in-service conditions.
6.4 Common procedure for all tested cables
For each pulse, the fault current (I) and duration (t) can vary slightly from the target values. The
² 2
objective is to achieve the short-circuit rating (I t in kA s) for each pulse. To recognize the
practical issues of performing this test, the following allowances are made. The average of the
²
specified number of pulses shall exceed the minimum I t level specified by the supplier.
²
However, no single pulse shall be less than 95 % of the minimum I t level.
The current pulses shall be applied with the cable being allowed to cool down to within 5 °C of
the initial temperature between each pulse.
The optical attenuation of the test fibres shall be monitored continuously at 1 550 nm from at
least 2 min before, until at least 5 min after each current pulse. Different monitoring wavelengths
can be used if agreed between customer and supplier.
The temperature of the messenger wire shall also be monitored.
The tested cable shall be dismantled after the short-circuit current test. Each component of the
cable shall be separated and inspected for excessive wear, discoloration, deformation or signs
of breakdown. The sections of the cable nearest to the terminating hardware and at mid-point
of the span should be checked.

– 12 – IEC 60794-1-401:2021 © IEC 2021
7 Requ
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