IEC 60794-1-301:2023

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-301: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Cable elements test methods - Bend test, method G1

IEC 60794-301:2023 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements of optical fibre cable elements for the mechanical property – bending. This document applies to optical fibre cables for use with telecommunication equipment and devices employing similar techniques, and to cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors. Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc. This document partially cancels and replaces IEC 60794-1-23:2019. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60794-1-23:2019:
a) reference test method IEC 60793-1-40 removed regarding the apparatus;
b) information added regarding the temperature to be specified in the detail specification;
c) new subclause added containing the details to be reported.

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-301: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d’essai des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essai des éléments de câble - Essai de courbure, Méthode G1

IEC 60794-301:2023 décrit les procédures d’essai à utiliser afin d'établir des exigences uniformes applicables aux caractéristiques mécaniques des éléments de câbles à fibres optiques: courbure. Le présent document s’applique aux câbles à fibres optiques destinés à être utilisés dans les équipements de télécommunications et les dispositifs utilisant des techniques analogues, ainsi qu'aux câbles constitués de fibres optiques d'une part et de conducteurs électriques d'autre part. Dans tout le document, l'expression "câble optique" peut également inclure des assemblages de fibres optiques, des assemblages de fibres pour microconduits, etc. Ce document annule et remplace partiellement l’IEC 60794-1-23:2019. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l’IEC 60794‑1‑23:2019:
a) suppression de la méthode d’essai référence IEC 60793-1-40 pour ce qui concerne l’appareillage;
b) ajout d'informations concernant la température à spécifier dans la spécification particulière;
c) ajout d'un nouveau paragraphe contenant les informations détaillées à consigner.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 04-Apr-2023
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: SC 86A - Fibres and cables
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 05-Apr-2023
• Completion Date: 12-May-2023

Relations

• Replaces: IEC 60794-1-23:2019 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-23: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Cable element test methods
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Overview

IEC 60794-1-301:2023 is an international standard by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) focused on test procedures for optical fibre cable elements, specifically addressing the mechanical property of bending. This document establishes uniform requirements and outlines the bend test method, referred to as Method G1, which is crucial for assessing the performance and durability of optical fibre cables under bending stresses. Applicable to optical fibre cables used in telecommunications and devices with optical and electrical conductors, the standard helps ensure reliability in fiber optic infrastructure.

The 2023 edition updates and partially replaces IEC 60794-1-23:2019, with key changes including removal of a previous reference method regarding apparatus, specification clarifications about test temperatures, and added reporting details. IEC 60794-1-301 plays an essential role in maintaining quality and consistency in optical fibre cable manufacturing and testing worldwide.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application
  The standard applies to optical fibre cables, fibre units, and microduct fibre units designed for telecommunications and related applications. It covers cables containing optical fibres alone or in combination with electrical conductors.

• Bend Test Purpose (Method G1)
  The test characterizes cable elements by measuring the attenuation increase due to bending, simulating conditions within splice closures or similar devices to assess cable performance and splicing suitability.

• Test Samples and Apparatus
  Samples must be of sufficient length to conduct testing; the apparatus includes a smooth mandrel with a specified diameter and equipment to measure attenuation changes based on IEC 60793-1-46.

• Procedure
  Samples are preconditioned at test temperature for a minimum of 4 hours, then bent around the mandrel with minimal tension through specified turns and cycles. Attenuation changes are recorded during and after bending.

• Requirements and Specifications
  Acceptable attenuation increases are limited according to the detailed specification. The relevant specification must define parameters such as optical test wavelength, mandrel diameter, number of turns and cycles, test temperature, and the maximum allowable attenuation change.

• Reporting
  Test reports should detail apparatus, measurement techniques, sample descriptions, and attenuation variations observed, ensuring transparent and reproducible test results.

Applications

• Telecommunication Infrastructure
  Ensures optical fibre cables maintain transmission quality and mechanical integrity during installation, handling, and operation where bending is common, such as in splice closures and microducts.

• Cable Manufacturing Quality Control
  Manufacturers utilize the bend test to certify cable designs meet mechanical bending requirements, minimizing failures and attenuation losses in deployed networks.

• Network Design and Maintenance
  Network engineers reference this standard to specify cable elements that tolerate bending without performance degradation, aiding in reliable fiber optic network deployment and long-term maintenance.

• Cable Testing Laboratories
  Provides standardized procedures for independent and in-house testing laboratories to evaluate and verify the bending performance of cable elements objectively.

Related Standards

• IEC 60794-1-2: Generic specification offering basic guidance on optical cable test procedures, serving as a reference for general requirements and definitions applicable to IEC 60794-1-301 tests.

• IEC 60793-1-46: Specifies measurement methods for monitoring changes in optical transmittance, fundamental for attenuation measurement during the bend test.

• IEC 60794-1-21:2015: Covers mechanical test methods for optical fibre cables, complementing the bend test with additional physical testing standards.

• IEC 60794-1-23:2019: The earlier edition partially replaced by IEC 60794-1-301:2023, containing previously combined cable element test methods.

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Keywords: IEC 60794-1-301, optical fibre cable, bend test, Method G1, optical cable test procedures, mechanical properties, attenuation increase, splice closure, telecommunication cables, cable elements, optical fibre testing, IEC standards, fiber optic cable bending.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60794-1-301 ®
Edition 1.0 2023-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-301: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures – Cable
elements test methods – Bend test, method G1

Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 1-301: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essai des
câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essai des éléments de câbles – Essai de
courbure, méthode G1
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IEC 60794-1-301 ®
Edition 1.0 2023-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-301: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures – Cable

elements test methods – Bend test, method G1

Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 1-301: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essai des

câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essai des éléments de câbles – Essai de

courbure, méthode G1
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.10  ISBN 978-2-8322-6750-9

– 2 – IEC 60794-1-301:2023 © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 General requirements . 6
5 Method G1: Bend test for optical cable elements . 7
5.1 Object . 7
5.2 Sample . 7
5.3 Apparatus . 7
5.4 Procedure . 7
5.5 Requirements . 7
5.6 Details to be specified . 7
5.7 Details to be reported . 7
Bibliography . 8

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-301: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
Cable elements test methods – Bend test, method G1

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
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rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 60794-1-301 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC technical
committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
This document partially cancels and replaces IEC 60794-1-23:2019.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to
IEC 60794-1-23:2019:
a) reference test method IEC 60793-1-40 removed regarding the apparatus;
b) information added regarding the temperature to be specified in the detail specification;
c) new subclause added containing the details to be reported.

– 4 – IEC 60794-1-301:2023 © IEC 2023
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86A/2298/FDIS 86A/2318/RVD
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/publications.
A list of all 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
This document contains method G1 of IEC 60794-1-23:2019, which will be withdrawn. The
optical cable element test methods contained in IEC 60794-1-23:2019 will now be individually
numbered in the IEC 60794-1-3xx 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 60794-1-301:2023 © IEC 2023
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-301: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
Cable elements test methods – Bend test, method G1

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60794 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform
requirements of optical fibre cable elements for the mechanical property – bending.
This document applies to optical fibre cables for use with telecommunication equipment and
devices employing similar techniques, and to cables having a combination of both optical fibres
and electrical conductors.
Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units,
microduct fibre units, etc.
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 60794-1-2, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-2: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test
procedures – General guidance
IEC 60793-1-46, Optical fibres – Part 1-46: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Monitoring of changes in optical transmittance
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
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
4 General requirements
IEC 60794-1-2 is the reference guide to test methods of all types. It shall be considered for
general requirements and definitions.

5 Method G1: Bend test for optical cable elements
5.1 Object
The purpose of this test is to characterize cable elements for splicing purposes by determining
the attenuation increase of an optical cable element (fibre, ribbon, core tube, breakout unit,
etc.) when bent within a splice closure or similar device.
5.2 Sample
The length of the sam
...