IEC 60793-1-44:2011

Optical fibres - Part 1-44: Measurement methods and test procedures - Cut-off wavelength

IEC 60793-1-44:2011 establishes uniform requirements for measuring the cut-off wavelength of single-mode optical fibre, thereby assisting in the inspection of fibres and cables for commercial purposes. This standard gives the methods for measuring the cut-off wavelength of fibre and cable. This edition constitutes a technical revision. The main change with respect to the previous edition is the withdrawal of Annex D.
This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 60793-1-1:2008.

Fibres optiques - Partie 1-44: Méthodes de mesure et procédures d'essai - Longueur d'onde de coupure

La CEI 60793-1-44:2011 établit des exigences uniformes pour mesurer la longueur d'onde de coupure des fibres optiques unimodales, contribuant ainsi au contrôle des fibres et câbles dans des relations commerciales. La présente norme donne les méthodes de mesure de la longueur d'onde de coupure de fibre et de câble. Cette deuxième édition annule et remplace la première édition parue en 2001. Elle constitue une révision technique. La principale modification par rapport à l'édition précédente consiste en la suppression de l'Annexe D.
Cette publication doit être lue conjointement avec la CEI 60793-1-1:2008.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 19-Apr-2011
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: SC 86A - Fibres and cables
• Drafting Committee: WG 1 - TC 86/SC 86A/WG 1
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Start Date: 28-May-2021
• Completion Date: 24-Jul-2023

Relations

• Revised: IEC 60793-1-44:2023 - Optical fibres - Part 1-44: Measurement methods and test procedures - Cut-off wavelength
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 60793-1-44:2001 - Optical fibres - Part 1-44: Measurement methods and test procedures - Cut-off wavelength
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60793-1-44 ®
Edition 2.0 2011-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical fibres –
Part 1-44: Measurement methods and test procedures – Cut-off wavelength

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.

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About the IEC
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International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

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IEC 60793-1-44 ®
Edition 2.0 2011-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical fibres –
Part 1-44: Measurement methods and test procedures – Cut-off wavelength

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
PRICE CODE
S
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-88912-451-0
– 2 – 60793-1-44 ã IEC:2011(E)

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4

1 Scope . 6

2 Normative references . 6

3 Background . 6

4 Overview of methods . 7

5 Mapping functions . 7

6 Reference test method . 8

7 Apparatus . 8
7.1 Light source . 8
7.2 Modulation . 8
7.3 Launch optics . 8
7.4 Support and positioning apparatus . 8
7.5 Cladding mode stripper . 8
7.6 Deployment mandrel . 9
7.6.1 General . 9
7.6.2 Cable cut-off wavelength, Method A . 9
7.6.3 Cable cut-off wavelength, Method B . 9
7.6.4 Fibre cut-off wavelength, Method C . 9
7.7 Detection optics . 11
7.8 Detector assembly and signal detection electronics . 11
8 Sampling and specimens . 11
8.1 Specimen length. 11
8.2 Specimen end face . 12
9 Procedure . 12
9.1 Positioning of specimen in apparatus . 12
9.1.1 General requirements for all methods . 12
9.1.2 Deployment requirements for each method . 12
9.2 Measurement of output power . 12
9.2.1 Overview . 12
9.2.2 Bend-reference technique . 13
9.2.3 Multimode-reference technique . 13
10 Calculations . 13

10.1 Bend-reference technique . 13
10.2 Multimode-reference technique . 14
10.3 Curve-fitting technique for improved precision (optional) . 14
10.3.1 General . 14
10.3.2 Step 1, define the upper-wavelength region . 15
10.3.3 Step 2, characterize the attenuation curve . 15
10.3.4 Step 3, determine the upper wavelength of the transition region . 16
10.3.5 Step 4, determine the lower wavelength of the transition region . 16
10.3.6 Step 5, characterize the transition region with the theoretical model . 16
10.3.7 Step 6, compute the cut-off wavelength, l . 17
c
11 Results . 17
11.1 Report the following information with each measurement: . 17
11.2 The following information shall be available upon request: . 17

60793-1-44 ã IEC:2011(E) – 3 –

12 Specification information . 18

Annex A (normative) Requirements specific to method A – Cable cut-off wavelength,

l , using uncabled fibre . 19

cc
Annex B (normative) Requirements specific to method B – Cable cut-off wavelength,

l , using cabled fibre . 20
cc
Annex C (normative) Requirements specific to method C – Fibre cut-off wavelength,

l . 21
c
Bibliography . 22

Figure 1 – Deployment configuration for cable cut-off wavelength, method A . 9
Figure 2 – Deployment configuration for cable cut-off wavelength, method B . 10
Figure 3 – Default configuration to measure l . 10
c
Figure 4 – Deployment configurations for fibre cut-off measurement . 11
Figure 5 – Cut-off wavelength using the bend-reference technique . 12
Figure 6 – Cut-off wavelength using the multimode-reference technique . 13

– 4 – 60793-1-44  IEC:2011(E)

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________
OPTICAL FIBRES –
Part 1-44: Measurement methods and test procedures –

Cut-off wavelength
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.
International Standard IEC 60793-1-44 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and

cables, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2001. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
The main change with respect to the previous edition is the withdrawal of annex D.
Annexes A, B and C form an integral part of this standard.
This standard should be read in conjunction with IEC 60793-1-1.

60793-1-44 ã IEC:2011(E) – 5 –

The text of this standard is based on the following documents:

FDIS Report on voting
86A/1369/FDIS 86A/1385/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.

This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts of the IEC 60793-1-4x series, published under the general title Optical fibres
– measurement methods and test procedures, can be found on the IEC website
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
•
...

IEC 60793-1-44 ®
Edition 2.0 2011-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibres –
Part 1-44: Measurement methods and test procedures – Cut-off wavelength

Fibres optiques –
Partie 1-44: Méthodes de mesure et procédures d'essai – Longueur d’onde de
coupure
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.

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ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie
et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de la CEI ou du Comité national de la CEI du pays du demandeur.
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publication, utilisez les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de la CEI de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office
3, rue de Varembé
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.iec.ch
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 corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.
 Catalogue of IEC publications: www.iec.ch/searchpub
The IEC on-line Catalogue enables you to search by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical committee,…).
It also gives information on projects, withdrawn and replaced publications.
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on-line and also by email.
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The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and electrical terms containing more than 20 000 terms and definitions
in English and French, with equivalent terms in additional languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
Vocabulary online.
 Customer Service Centre: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv
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IEC 60793-1-44 ®
Edition 2.0 2011-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibres –
Part 1-44: Measurement methods and test procedures – Cut-off wavelength

Fibres optiques –
Partie 1-44: Méthodes de mesure et procédures d'essai – Longueur d’onde de
coupure
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX S
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-88912-747-4

– 2 – 60793-1-44  IEC:2011
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Background . 6
4 Overview of methods . 7
5 Mapping functions . 7
6 Reference test method . 8
7 Apparatus . 8
7.1 Light source . 8
7.2 Modulation . 8
7.3 Launch optics . 8
7.4 Support and positioning apparatus . 8
7.5 Cladding mode stripper . 8
7.6 Deployment mandrel . 9
7.6.1 General . 9
7.6.2 Cable cut-off wavelength, Method A . 9
7.6.3 Cable cut-off wavelength, Method B . 9
7.6.4 Fibre cut-off wavelength, Method C . 9
7.7 Detection optics . 11
7.8 Detector assembly and signal detection electronics . 11
8 Sampling and specimens . 11
8.1 Specimen length. 11
8.2 Specimen end face . 12
9 Procedure . 12
9.1 Positioning of specimen in apparatus . 12
9.1.1 General requirements for all methods . 12
9.1.2 Deployment requirements for each method . 12
9.2 Measurement of output power . 12
9.2.1 Overview . 12
9.2.2 Bend-reference technique . 13
9.2.3 Multimode-reference technique . 13
10 Calculations . 13
10.1 Bend-reference technique . 13
10.2 Multimode-reference technique . 14
10.3 Curve-fitting technique for improved precision (optional) . 14
10.3.1 General . 14
10.3.2 Step 1, define the upper-wavelength region . 15
10.3.3 Step 2, characterize the attenuation curve . 15
10.3.4 Step 3, determine the upper wavelength of the transition region . 16
10.3.5 Step 4, determine the lower wavelength of the transition region . 16
10.3.6 Step 5, characterize the transition region with the theoretical model . 16
10.3.7 Step 6, compute the cut-off wavelength, λ . 17
c
11 Results . 17
11.1 Report the following information with each measurement: . 17
11.2 The following information shall be available upon request: . 17

60793-1-44  IEC:2011 – 3 –
12 Specification information . 18
Annex A (normative) Requirements specific to method A – Cable cut-off wavelength,
λ , using uncabled fibre . 19
cc
Annex B (normative) Requirements specific to method B – Cable cut-off wavelength,
λ , using cabled fibre . 20
cc
Annex C (normative) Requirements specific to method C – Fibre cut-off wavelength,
λ . 21
c
Bibliography . 22

Figure 1 – Deployment configuration for cable cut-off wavelength, method A . 9
Figure 2 – Deployment configuration for cable cut-off wavelength, method B . 10
Figure 3 – Default configuration to measure λ . 10
c
Figure 4 – Deployment configurations for fibre cut-off measurement . 11
Figure 5 – Cut-off wavelength using the bend-reference technique . 12
Figure 6 – Cut-off wavelength using the multimode-reference technique . 13

– 4 – 60793-1-44  IEC:2011
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRES –
Part 1-44: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Cut-off wavelength
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
...