IEC 60794-1-402:2021

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-402: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Electrical test methods - Lightning test (for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC), Method H2

IEC 60794-1-402:2021 applies to the test intended to evaluate the impact of a lightning strike on an optical ground wire (OPGW), optical phase conductor (OPPC) or optical attached cable (OPAC). 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 cables are included.

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-402: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais électriques - Essai de foudre (pour les OPGW, les OPPC et les OPAC), Méthode H2

IEC 60794-1-402:2021 s’applique à l’essai destiné à évaluer l’impact d’un coup de foudre sur un câble de garde à fibres optiques (OPGW), un conducteur de phase à fibres optiques (OPPC) ou un câble optique attaché (OPAC). 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:
a) les câbles OPPC sont inclus.

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

Overview

IEC 60794-1-402:2021 - Method H2 is the IEC lightning test procedure for optical fibre cables installed on overhead power lines: optical ground wire (OPGW), optical phase conductor (OPPC) and optical attached cable (OPAC). This first edition (2021) replaces IEC 60794-1-24:2014 and extends the scope to include OPPC. The standard defines a simulated lightning-strike test arrangement, electrical parameters, sample preparation and pass/fail criteria to evaluate melting effects, optical attenuation change and residual mechanical strength.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope: Lightning strike impact evaluation for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC using Method H2.
• Sample preparation:
  • Minimum sample span: ≥ 10 m between anchoring clamps.
  • Optical test loop: fibre test length > 100 m; preferably at least 24 fibres via concatenation or all fibres if fewer.
  • For OPAC, test the cable mounted on its messenger to simulate real installation.
• Test arrangement:
  • Electrode (copper/iron rod, plane surface preferably wolfram-copper) positioned above the metallic cable; connected to cable by a metal fuse to create the discharge.
  • Typical gap: ≈ 6 cm between electrode and cable surface (see Figure 1 in standard).
  • Applied tensile load: Everyday stress (EDS) = 15 % ± 5 % of RTS (Rated Tensile Strength) unless otherwise agreed.
• Electrical parameters (Table 1):
  • Four classes (0–3) selectable by agreement:
    • Class 0: 100 A, 0.5 s, 50 C
    • Class 1: 200 A, 0.5 s, 100 C
    • Class 2: 300 A, 0.5 s, 150 C
    • Class 3: 400 A, 0.5 s, 200 C
  • Tolerance on charge transfer ±10 %; average of five strikes shall exceed 95 % of the target. Tests repeated five times on different samples or sections.
• Measurement and acceptance:
  • Optical attenuation monitored per IEC 60793-1-46. Any permanent or temporary increase beyond the specified limit = failure.
  • For OPGW/OPPC, calculate residual strength from remaining wire tensile capacity; < 75 % of original RTS = failure.
• Environmental and reporting details: initial cable temp ~ +23 °C ± 5 °C unless agreed; Table 2 lists all required test-report items (current, charge, polarity, gap, broken wires, estimated residual strength, etc.).

Applications and users

• Intended for: manufacturers, test laboratories, utilities, transmission-line engineers, specification writers and procurement teams who need to verify lightning robustness of overhead optical cables (OPGW, OPPC, OPAC).
• Practical uses: comparative qualification of cable designs, validation of sheath integrity for OPAC, contractual acceptance testing and R&D evaluation of lightning resistance.

Related standards

• IEC 60794-1-1 (generic optical fibre cables - general)
• IEC 60793-1-46 (optical attenuation measurement methods)
• IEC 60794-1-2 (test procedures - general guidance)
• Replaced: IEC 60794-1-24:2014 (earlier electrical test compendium)

Keywords: IEC 60794-1-402:2021, Method H2, lightning test, OPGW, OPPC, OPAC, optical fibre cables, electrical test methods, optical attenuation, residual tensile strength.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60794-1-402 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-402: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
Electrical test methods – Lightning test (for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC),
Method H2
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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International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

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IEC 60794-1-402 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-402: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –

Electrical test methods – Lightning test (for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC),

Method H2
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-1008-5

– 2 – IEC 60794-1-402:2021 © 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 General . 6
5 Sample . 7
6 Apparatus . 7
7 Procedure . 8
8 Requirements . 8
9 Details to be specified . 8
Bibliography . 10

Figure 1 – Lightning test arrangement . 7

Table 1 – Test parameters . 8
Table 2 – Details to be specified for each lightning strike . 9

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-402: Generic specification – Basic optical cable
test procedures – Electrical test methods – Lightning test
(for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC), Method H2

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 60794-1-402 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC technical
committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an
...

IEC 60794-1-402 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-402: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
Electrical test methods – Lightning test (for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC),
Method H2
Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 1-402: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essais des
câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essais électriques – Essai de foudre (pour les
OPGW, les OPPC et les OPAC), Méthode H2

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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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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IEC 60794-1-402 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-402: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –

Electrical test methods – Lightning test (for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC),

Method H2
Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 1-402: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essais des

câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essais électriques – Essai de foudre (pour les

OPGW, les OPPC et les OPAC), Méthode H2

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-1080-2

– 2 – IEC 60794-1-402:2021 © 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 General . 6
5 Sample . 7
6 Apparatus . 7
7 Procedure . 8
8 Requirements . 8
9 Details to be specified . 8
Bibliography . 10

Figure 1 – Lightning test arrangement . 7

Table 1 – Test parameters . 8
Table 2 – Details to be specified for each lightning strike . 9

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-402: Generic specification – Basic optical cable
test procedures – Electrical test methods – Lightning test
(for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC), Method H2

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 60794-1-402 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 cables are included.
– 4 – IEC 60794-1-402:2021 © IEC 2021
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86A/2045/CDV 86A/2128/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 60794-1-402:2021 © IEC 2021
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-402: Generic specification – Basic optical cable
test procedures – Electrical test methods – Lightning test
(for OPGW, OPPC and OPAC), Method H2

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60794 applies to the test intended to evaluate the impact of a lightning strike
on an optical ground wire (OPGW), optical phase conductor (OPPC) or optical attached cable
(OPAC).
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
EDS everyday stress
OPAC optical attached cable
OPGW optical ground wire
OPPC optical phase conductor
RTS rated tensile strength
4 General
The lightning test should be carried out only for comparison between different cable designs.
In the case of an OPAC, the cable shall be installed on the messenger in order to simulate as
closely as possible a real installation, and the lightning test should be carried out to determine
that the sheath is not severely damaged.

5 Sample
The test shall be performed on the mid-point of an OPGW sample, an OPPC sample or an
OPAC sample attached to the agreed messenger.
The sample shall be at least 10 m long between the anchoring clamps.
Optical attenuation of monitored fibres shall be measured according IEC 60793-1-46. The test
length of the optical fibre shall be longer than 100 m. In order to detect damage to any of fibre
units (tubes) in the cable due to simulated lightning strike, the test loop shall preferably include
at least 24 fibres (fibre concatenation shall be used), or all the fibres in the cable when their
count is lower. If the OPGW/OPPC/OPAC under test comprises multiple units (tubes) with
optical fibres, the measured fibres shall be taken from all units in equal numbers.
6 Apparatus
A typical test arrangement which can be used for the lightning test is shown in Figure 1.

Key
1 thermocouple
2 insulator
3 anchoring clamps
4 symmetric earthing connectors
5 electrode with plane surface preferably in Wolfram-Copper
6 metal fuse for ignition
7 tension meter
8 gap between electrode and cable surface = 6 cm
A test sample (including OPAC messenger wire, if applicable)
Figure 1 – Lightning test arrangement
The electrode, consisting of a copper or iron rod, shall be positioned above the metallic cable.
The electrode and metallic cable shall be connected between themselves by metal fuse. The
applied tensile load on the metallic cable sample shall be everyday stress (EDS), 15 % ± 5 %
of the rated tensile stress (RTS). If mutually agreed between the customer and supplier, other
tension loads may be applied.
– 8 – IEC 60794-1-402:2021 © IEC 2021
When testing an OPAC, a metal fuse shall be connected as closely as possible to a point where
the OPAC and, where applicable, the lashing binder is in contact with the messenger.
7 Procedure
The sample shall be subjected to a simulated lightning strike, which causes melting effects.
Table 1 – Test parameters
Class 0 Class 1  Class 2  Class 3
Current (A) 100 200 300 400
Duration (s) 0,5 0,5 0,5 0,5
Charge transfer (C) 50 100 150 200

The test parameters are chosen between class 0 and class 3 according to Table 1 or can be
agreed between the customer and the supplier, depending on the construction characteristics.
The initial temperature of the cable should be about +23 °C ± 5 °C but other values may be
used if mutually agreed between customer and supplier. The test shall be repeated 5 times
under the same conditions on different samples or different sections of the same sample if wires
are undamaged. The tolerance on the charge transference is ±10 %. A charge exceeding 110 %
of the target value may also be acceptable. The average of the five (5) charge transfers shall
exceed 95 % of the target.
8 Requirements
On completion of the test, the following criteria shall be considered:
a) Any permanent or temporary increase in optical
...