IEC 60794-1-305:2023

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-305: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Cable element test methods - Ribbon tear (separability), Method G5

IEC 60794-1-305:2023 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for optical fibre ribbons as optical fibre cable elements for the mechanical property-tear (separability). 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. NOTE Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc.
This test is applicable for edge-bonded ribbons and encapsulated ribbons specified in IEC 60794-1-31, and not intended to be used for partially-bonded ribbons.

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-305: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d’essai des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essai des éléments de câble - Déchirure du ruban (séparabilité), Méthode G5

IEC 60794-1-305:2023 décrit les procédures d’essai à utiliser pour établir des exigences uniformes pour les rubans de fibres optiques en tant qu’éléments de câbles à fibres optiques pour la propriété mécanique de déchirement (séparabilité). Le présent document s’applique aux câbles à fibres optiques destinés à être utilisés avec des équipements de communication et des dispositifs utilisant des techniques analogues, ainsi qu’aux câbles constitués à la fois de fibres optiques et de conducteurs électriques. NOTE Tout au long du présent document, l’expression "câble optique" peut également inclure des unités de fibres optiques, des unités de fibres pour microconduits, etc.
Cet essai s’applique aux rubans liés par les bords et aux rubans encapsulés spécifiés dans l’IEC 60794-1-31, et n’est pas destiné à être utilisé pour les rubans partiellement collés.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 03-Jan-2023
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: SC 86A - Fibres and cables
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 04-Jan-2023
• Completion Date: 20-Jan-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 60794-1-305:2023 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that defines the generic specification for basic optical cable test procedures, specifically focusing on cable element test methods for ribbon tear (separability) using Method G5. This standard is designed to establish uniform requirements for the mechanical property of optical fibre ribbons-the ability of ribbons to be torn or separated accurately without damaging the fibre coatings. It applies to optical fibre cables used in telecommunication equipment and devices, including cables combining optical fibres with electrical conductors.

The test method detailed in IEC 60794-1-305:2023 targets edge-bonded and encapsulated optical fibre ribbons as defined in IEC 60794-1-31. It is not intended for partially-bonded ribbons. The document aims to assure both sufficient tear resistance when fibres are not meant to separate and appropriate separability when fibres require manual separation by hand.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability
  Covers testing optical fibre ribbons for separability or tear resistance to guarantee the mechanical integrity and performance of optical cables in telecommunication systems.

• Sample Preparation
  Test samples consist of multiple fibre ribbons, with specimens prepared by separating increasing numbers of fibres (from single fibres up to half the ribbon’s fibres) to be used in tear tests.

• Test Procedure (Method G5)
  Utilizes tensile strength measuring apparatus and a microscope (minimum 100× magnification) to measure tearing force and inspect fibres visually.

  • The fibres are torn at a controlled speed (100–500 mm/min).
  • The force applied over a minimum 50 mm length is recorded continuously.
  • Visual inspection ensures no damage occurs to fibre coatings during separability testing.

• Equipment Requirements
  Precise tensile strength testers with proper clamping and recording capability, as well as microscopes for surface inspection, are essential.

• Reporting and Specification
  The standard outlines details to be specified and reported for consistent documentation of test outcomes and compliance criteria.

Applications

IEC 60794-1-305:2023 is essential for manufacturers, testers, and quality assurance teams involved in:

• Optical Fibre Cable Manufacturing
  To verify ribbon tear performance during design verification and production quality control.

• Telecommunications Industry
  Ensures ribbon cables used in networks function correctly, allowing easy fibre separation without damage during installation and maintenance.

• Optical Network Equipment Providers
  Validates the mechanical compatibility and durability of cable elements integrated within composite optical-electrical cables.

• Research and Development
  Facilitates the development of new ribbon cable designs with improved separability and mechanical robustness by providing a standardized test framework.

Related Standards

• IEC 60794-1-2: Generic specification for basic optical cable test procedures – General guidance applicable across all test methods.
• IEC 60794-1-31: Defines specifications for optical fibre ribbons used as cable elements, providing context for ribbon types tested according to IEC 60794-1-305.
• Previous IEC 60794-1-23: Former multi-test method standard including test Method G5, now superseded to individual documents like IEC 60794-1-305 for clarity and modular use.

Why This Standard Matters

Adhering to IEC 60794-1-305:2023 ensures consistent, reliable testing of optical fibre ribbon separability that:

• Prevents damage to fibre coatings during fibre separation, maintaining optical performance.
• Guarantees uniform product quality across manufacturers worldwide.
• Supports advancements in fibre optic cable technologies with reproducible test results.
• Contributes to the longevity and serviceability of fibre optic networks critical for today's high-speed telecommunications infrastructure.

By implementing the test methods described in this standard, stakeholders can confidently design, manufacture, and deploy optical fibre cables meeting international performance and safety criteria.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60794-1-305 ®
Edition 1.0 2023-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-305: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures – Cable
element test methods – Ribbon tear (separability), Method G5

Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 1-305: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essai des
câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essai des éléments de câble – Déchirure du ruban
(séparabilité), Méthode G5
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IEC 60794-1-305 ®
Edition 1.0 2023-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-305: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures – Cable

element test methods – Ribbon tear (separability), Method G5

Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 1-305: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essai des

câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essai des éléments de câble – Déchirure du ruban

(séparabilité), Méthode G5
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-6304-4

– 2 – IEC 60794-1-305:2023 © 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 G5: Ribbon tear (separability) . 7
5.1 Object . 7
5.2 Sample . 7
5.3 Apparatus . 8
5.4 Procedure . 8
5.5 Requirements . 9
5.6 Details to be specified . 9
5.7 Details to be reported . 9

Figure 1 – Sample preparation for ribbon separability test. 8
Figure 2 – Separability procedure . 9

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-305: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
Cable element test methods – Ribbon tear (separability), Method G5

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
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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 60794-1-305 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC technical
committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
This first edition of IEC 60794-1-305 cancels and replaces method G5 of the second edition of
IEC 60794-1-23 published in 2019. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the second
edition of IEC 60794-1-23:2019:
a) 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.

– 4 – IEC 60794-1-305:2023 © IEC 2023
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86A/2249/FDIS 86A/2271/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
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) draws attention to the fact that it is claimed
that compliance with this document may involve the use of a patent. IEC takes no position
concerning the evidence, validity, and scope of this patent right.
The holder of this patent right has assured IEC that s/he is willing to negotiate licences under
reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions with applicants throughout the world.
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Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the
subject of patent rights other than those in the patent database. IEC shall not be held
responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

– 6 – IEC 60794-1-305:2023 © IEC 2023
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-305: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
Cable element test methods – Ribbon tear (separability), Method G5

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60794 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform
requirements for optical fibre ribbons as optical fibre cable elements for the mechanical
property-tear (separability).
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.
NOTE Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre
units, etc.
This test is applicable for edge-bonded ribbons and encapsulated ribbons specified in
IEC 60794-1-31, and not intended to be used for partially-bonded ribbons.
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 60794-1-31, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-31: Generic specification – Optical cable elements
– Optical fibre ribbon
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 G5: Ribbon tear (separability)
5.1 Object
The purpose of this test is to ensure sufficient tear resistance for ribbons where the fibres are
not required to be separable, or to ensure sufficient separability of the fibres for ribbons where
the fibres are required to be separated. The intention of this test is to be able to tear the ribbon
by hand without damage to the fibre coatings.
5.2 Sample
A number of samples of fibre ribbon, as specified in the detail specification, typically 3 to 5,
shall be selected from the ribbon or ribbons to be tested. The length of each sample shall be
sufficient to provide the number of test specimens as detailed below.
For an n fibre ribbon, n/2 specimens are taken from each of the samples above. Each specimen
shall be 100 mm minimum in length, consistent with Figure 1.
Prepare the n/2 specimens involving increasing numbers of fibres to be separated as a ribbon
unit: that is, a specimen for fibre 1; a specimen for fibres 1 to 2; a specimen for fibres 1 to 3;
etc.
The fibres to be tested are separated with a knife or other suitable method on a suitable length
of no less than 30 mm for clamping, as shown in Figure 1.
For the first sample, the preparation of the test sequence shall consist in separating one fibre
from the other fibres in the ribbon in the first specimen. Then separate a unit of two fibres from
the next specimen. After that, units of three, four, and so on, fibres are separated in the other
specimens, up to a unit of n/2 fibres in the last specimen.
Do the same preparation for all the other samples.
NOTE If n is an odd number, n/2 in the above description is replaced with (n-1)/2.

– 8 – IEC 60794-1-305:2023 © IEC 2023
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 1 – Sample preparation for ribbon separability test
5.3 Apparatus
The
...