IEC 60794-3-12:2021

Optical fibre cables - Part 3-12: Outdoor cables - Detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling

IEC 60794-3-12:2021 is a detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling to ensure compatibility with ISO/IEC 11801-1. This document's requirements ensure that the ISO/IEC 11801-1 models work for generic cabling and system performances. Values in this document support these models. The requirements of the family specification IEC 60794-3-10 are applicable to cables covered by this document. Particular requirements detailed in Clause 5 either define a specific option relative to the requirements of IEC 60794-3-10 or define additional requirements. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2012. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- addition of references to ISO/IEC 11801-1;
- removal of references to ISO/IEC 24702;
- incorporation of the OM5 cabled fibre performance category;
- incorporation of the OS1a cabled fibre performance category;
- cabled fibre performance categories OM1, OM2 and OS1 are no longer normative, and are retained for information.

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 3-12: Câbles extérieurs - Spécification particulière pour les câbles optiques de télécommunication destinés à être installés dans des conduites ou à être directement enterrés et utilisés dans le câblage de locaux

IEC 60794-3-12:2021 est une spécification particulière de câbles optiques de télécommunication destinés à être installés dans des conduites ou à être directement enterrés et utilisés dans les câblages de locaux. Le but est d’assurer la compatibilité avec l’ISO/IEC 11801‑1. Le présent document contient des exigences destinées à assurer le fonctionnement des modèles selon ISO/IEC 11801-1 concernant le câblage générique et les performances du système. Les valeurs indiquées du présent document sont compatibles avec ces modèles. Les exigences contenues dans la spécification de famille IEC 60794-3-10 sont applicables aux câbles couverts par le présent document. Les exigences particulières figurant à l’Article 5 définissent soit une option spécifique relative aux exigences de l’IEC 60794‑3‑10, soit des exigences supplémentaires. Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition parue en 2012. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
- ajouts de références à l’ISO/IEC 11801-1;
- suppression des références à l’ISO/IEC 24702;
- intégration de la catégorie de performance de fibres câblées OM5;
- intégration de la catégorie de performance de fibres câblées OS1a;
- les catégories de performances des fibres câblées OM1, OM2 et OS1 ne sont plus normatives; elles sont conservées à titre d’information.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 26-Jan-2021
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: SC 86A - Fibres and cables
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 17-Feb-2021
• Completion Date: 27-Jan-2021

Relations

• Revises: IEC 60794-3-12:2012 - Optical fibre cables - Part 3-12: Outdoor cables - Detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60794-3-12 ®
Edition 3.0 2021-01
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Optical fibre cables –
Part 3-12: Outdoor cables – Detailed specification for duct and directly buried
optical telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling
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]
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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
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(IEV) online.
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If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need
further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
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IEC 60794-3-12 ®
Edition 3.0 2021-01
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Optical fibre cables –
Part 3-12: Outdoor cables – Detailed specification for duct and directly buried

optical telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-9351-5

– 2 – IEC 60794-3-12:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 General requirements . 6
5 Particular requirements . 7
5.1 General . 7
5.2 MICE (mechanical, ingress, climatic and chemical and electromagnetic)
characteristics . 7
5.3 Transmission requirements . 7
5.3.1 Attenuation of cabled fibre . 7
5.3.2 Fibre bandwidth requirements . 8
5.3.3 Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) requirements . 9
Bibliography . 10

Table 1 – Multimode cable maximum cable attenuation coefficient (dB/km) . 7
Table 2 – Single-mode cable maximum cable attenuation coefficient (dB/km) . 8
Table 3 – Minimum Multimode fibre minimum (MHz·km). 8

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 3-12: Outdoor cables –
Detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical
telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling

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.

This redline version of the official IEC Standard allows the user to identify the changes
made to the previous edition IEC 60794-3-12:2012. A vertical bar appears in the margin
wherever a change has been made. Additions are in green text, deletions are in
strikethrough red text.
– 4 – IEC 60794-3-12:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
IEC 60794-3-12 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC technical
committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2012. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) addition of references to ISO/IEC 11801-1;
b) removal of references to ISO/IEC 24702;
c) incorporation of the OM5 cabled fibre performance category;
d) incorporation of the OS1a cabled fibre performance category;
e) cabled fibre performance categories OM1, OM2 and OS1 are no longer normative, and are
retained for information.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
86A/2027/CDV 86A/2064/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.
This International Standard is to be used in conjunction with IEC 60794-1-1, IEC 60794-1-2 and
IEC 60794-3-10.
A list of all parts of 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 "http://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.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding
of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.

OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 3-12: Outdoor cables –
Detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical
telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60794 is a detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical
telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling to ensure compatibility with
ISO/IEC 11801-1 and ISO/IEC 24702. Those standards have This document's requirements to
ensure that the ISO/IEC 11801-1 models work for generic cabling and system performances.
Values in this document support these models.
The requirements of the family specification IEC 60794-3-10 are applicable to cables covered
by this document. Particular requirements detailed in Clause 5 either define a specific option
relative to the requirements of IEC 60794-3-10 or define additional requirements.
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.
NOTE These references complete the normative references already listed in the generic specifications IEC 60794-
1-1 and IEC 60794-1-2, in the sectional specification IEC 60794-3 and in the family specification IEC 60794-3-10.
IEC 60793-2-10:20112019, Optical fibres – Part 2-10: Product specifications – Sectional
specification for category A1 multimode fibres
IEC 60793-2-50:20122018, Optical fibres – Part 2-50: Product specifications – Sectional
specification for class B single-mode fibres
IEC 60794-1-1, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-1: Generic specification – Cross reference table
for optical cable test procedures General
IEC 60794-1-2, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-2: Generic specification – Cross reference table
for optical cable test procedures Basic optical cable test procedures – General guidance
IEC 60794-3, Optical fibre cables – Part 3: Outdoor cables – Sectional specification
IEC 60794-3-10, Optical fibre cables – Part 3-10: Outdoor cables – Family specification for duct,
directly buried and lashed aerial optical telecommunication cables
ISO/IEC 11801, Information technology − Generic cabling for customer premises
ISO/IEC 24702, Information technology − Generic cabling – Industrial premises

IEC 60794-1-2:2003, Second edition has been withdrawn. A third edition, with the revised title Optical fibre cables
- Part 1-2: Generic specification - Cross reference table for optical cable test procedures, is currently in
preparation.
– 6 – IEC 60794-3-12:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
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
The cable shall comply with the family sp
...

IEC 60794-3-12 ®
Edition 3.0 2021-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 3-12: Outdoor cables – Detailed specification for duct and directly buried
optical telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling

Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 3-12: Câbles extérieurs – Spécification particulière pour les câbles
optiques de télécommunication destinés à être installés dans des conduites ou
à être directement enterrés et utilisés dans le câblage de locaux

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
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copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
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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.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC online collection - oc.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews. With a subscription you will always have
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced access to up to date content tailored to your needs.
and withdrawn publications.
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IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
containing more than 22 000 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and once
and French, with equivalent terms in 18 additional languages.
a month by email.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
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If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need
further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: [e-mail].
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IEC 60794-3-12 ®
Edition 3.0 2021-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 3-12: Outdoor cables – Detailed specification for duct and directly buried

optical telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling

Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 3-12: Câbles extérieurs – Spécification particulière pour les câbles

optiques de télécommunication destinés à être installés dans des conduites ou

à être directement enterrés et utilisés dans le câblage de locaux

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-9323-2

– 2 – IEC 60794-3-12:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 General requirements . 6
5 Particular requirements . 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 MICE (mechanical, ingress, climatic and chemical and electromagnetic)
characteristics . 6
5.3 Transmission requirements . 6
5.3.1 Attenuation of cabled fibre . 6
5.3.2 Fibre bandwidth requirements . 7
5.3.3 Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) requirements . 7
Bibliography . 8

Table 1 – Multimode cable maximum attenuation coefficient (dB/km) . 7
Table 2 – Single-mode cable maximum attenuation coefficient (dB/km) . 7
Table 3 – Multimode fibre minimum bandwidth (MHz·km) . 7

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 3-12: Outdoor cables –
Detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical
telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling

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 60794-3-12 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC technical
committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2012. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) addition of references to ISO/IEC 11801-1;
b) removal of references to ISO/IEC 24702;
c) incorporation of the OM5 cabled fibre performance category;
d) incorporation of the OS1a cabled fibre performance category;
e) cabled fibre performance categories OM1, OM2 and OS1 are no longer normative, and are
retained for information.
– 4 – IEC 60794-3-12:2021 © IEC 2021
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
86A/2027/CDV 86A/2064/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.
This International Standard is to be used in conjunction with IEC 60794-1-1, IEC 60794-1-2 and
IEC 60794-3-10.
A list of all parts of 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 "http://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.
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 3-12: Outdoor cables –
Detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical
telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60794 is a detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical
telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling to ensure compatibility with
ISO/IEC 11801-1. This document's requirements ensure that the ISO/IEC 11801-1 models work
for generic cabling and system performances. Values in this document support these models.
The requirements of the family specification IEC 60794-3-10 are applicable to cables covered
by this document. Particular requirements detailed in Clause 5 either define a specific
...