IEC 60794-1-403:2021

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-403: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Electrical test methods - Electrical continuity test of cable metallic elements, method H3

IEC 60794-1-403:2021 specifies a method of verifying that cable metallic elements are electrically continuous throughout the cable. Electrical continuity is important for bonding and grounding, toning for location, and other related system issues, and may represent a "goodness of manufacture" criterion. Typically, the test is one of continuity and carries no resistance or conductivity requirement. The metallic elements can be tested individually or can be tested as a total group. Since this latter criterion is frequently the case, all elements are measured as a group unless specified otherwise.
NOTE It is possible detail specifications allow such elements as strength members to be non-continuous throughout the cable. This is a special case, and attention is directed to the detail specification.

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-403: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais électriques - Essai de continuité électrique des éléments métalliques des câbles, méthode H3

IEC 60794-1-403: 2021 spécifie une méthode permettant de vérifier que les éléments métalliques des câbles assurent la continuité électrique tout au long du câble. La continuité électrique est importante pour les liaisons équipotentielles et les mises à la terre, ainsi que pour la fonction de génération de tonalité permettant de localiser des câbles, et les autres problématiques associées au réseau, et elle peut représenter un critère de "bonne qualité de fabrication". Généralement, l'essai a trait à la continuité et ne comporte aucune exigence de résistance ou de conductivité. Les éléments métalliques peuvent être soumis à essai séparément, ou ils peuvent être tous regroupés pour être soumis à l'essai. Etant donné que cette dernière configuration est fréquente, tous les éléments sont mesurés en groupe, sauf spécification contraire.
NOTE Il est possible que les spécifications particulières permettent à des éléments tels que les éléments de renfort d'être non continus tout au long du câble. Il s'agit d'un cas particulier, et l'attention est attirée sur la spécification particulière en question.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 25-Apr-2021
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: SC 86A - Fibres and cables
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 26-Apr-2021
• Completion Date: 20-May-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 60794-1-403:2021 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that defines the electrical continuity test method (H3) for metallic elements within optical fibre cables. This standard forms part of the IEC 60794 series, which addresses generic specifications and basic test procedures for optical fibre cables.

The primary purpose of this standard is to verify that the metallic members embedded in optical fibre cables are electrically continuous throughout the cable length. Electrical continuity is essential for various practical and safety reasons, including bonding, grounding, cable locating via toning, and overall system reliability. The test ensures manufacturing quality by confirming the integrity of cable metallic elements, such as metallic strength members and shielding.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application: IEC 60794-1-403 applies to testing the electrical continuity of metallic elements either individually or as a bundled group. In most cases, all metallic elements are tested collectively unless otherwise specified.

• Test Apparatus: Typical instruments used include ohm meters or low-voltage circuit test lights, devices capable of detecting electrical continuity without necessarily measuring resistance values unless specified.

• Test Procedure:

  • Strip the cable sheath at both ends to access the metallic components.
  • Connect the metallic elements to form a complete electrical loop for testing.
  • Use the test apparatus to check for electrical continuity, either as a qualitative presence/absence or quantitatively by measuring the resistance, when required.

• Performance Requirements: The standard mandates that metallic elements must maintain electrical continuity. If resistance measurement is specified, the resistance value must be below the maximum threshold at the indicated temperature.

• Special Cases and Exceptions: Some detail specifications may allow non-continuous metallic elements, such as individual strength members that are designed to be discontinuous. These are exceptions and should follow the more specific requirements outlined in those specifications.

• Standard Structure and Normative References: This document aligns with and references other parts of the IEC 60794 series, such as IEC 60794-1-1 (generic terms and definitions) and IEC 60794-1-2 (basic test procedures guidance).

Applications

• Manufacturing Quality Control: Ensuring cable manufacturers produce optical fibre cables with continuous metallic elements contributes to product reliability and performance guarantees.

• Safety Compliance: Verifying the electrical path continuity of metallic elements supports effective grounding and bonding, which are critical for preventing electrical hazards during cable operation and installation.

• Cable Installation & Maintenance: Continuity testing aids field engineers in locating cables through toning methods, enhancing fault detection, and maintenance efficiency.

• System Integrity Checking: Continuous metallic elements ensure proper shielding and reduce susceptibility to electromagnetic interference (EMI), improving overall system performance.

Related Standards

• IEC 60794-1-1: Optical fibre cables – Part 1-1: Generic specification – General terminology and definitions relevant to optical fibre cables.

• IEC 60794-1-2: Optical fibre cables – Part 1-2: Generic specification – Provides general guidance for basic optical cable test procedures.

• IEC 60794-1-24:2014: The predecessor standard which included method H3 alongside other electrical test methods; partially replaced by IEC 60794-1-403:2021 for clearer method-specific documentation.

Summary

IEC 60794-1-403:2021 is an essential standard that defines the methodology to assess the electrical continuity of metallic elements within optical fibre cables. This verification is crucial for ensuring reliable cable function in grounding, bonding, and fault location. The standard is widely applicable in cable manufacturing testing, field installation and maintenance, and overall system safety compliance. Adherence to this standard helps manufacturers and users maintain high-quality optical fibre cable infrastructure, supporting the integrity and longevity of communication networks worldwide.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60794-1-403 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-403: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
Electrical test methods – Electrical continuity test of cable metallic elements,
method H3
Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 1-403: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essais
des câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essais électriques – Essai de continuité
électrique des éléments métalliques des câbles, méthode H3

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IEC 60794-1-403 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-403: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –

Electrical test methods – Electrical continuity test of cable metallic elements,

method H3
Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 1-403: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essais

des câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essais électriques – Essai de continuité

électrique des éléments métalliques des câbles, méthode H3

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-9700-1

– 2 – IEC 60794-1-403:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Sample . 6
5 Apparatus . 6
6 Procedure . 7
7 Requirements . 7
8 Details to be specified . 7
Bibliography . 8

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-403: Generic specification – Basic optical cable
test procedures – Electrical test methods – Electrical continuity
test of cable metallic elements, method H3

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
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
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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 60794-1-403 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 60794-1-24:2014.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
86A/2035/CDV 86A/2076/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.

– 4 – IEC 60794-1-403:2021 © IEC 2021
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
This document contains method H3 of IEC 60794-1-24:2014, which will be withdrawn. The
system for optical fibre test methods have been restructured and renumbered. 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 of the methods are given in
IEC 60794-1-2.
– 6 – IEC 60794-1-403:2021 © IEC 2021

OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-403: Generic specification – Basic optical cable
test procedures – Electrical test methods – Electrical continuity
test of cable metallic elements, method H3

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60794 specifies a method of verifying that cable metallic elements are
electrically continuous throughout the cable. Electrical continuity is important for bonding and
grounding, toning for location, and other related system issues, and may represent a "goodness
of manufacture" criterion. Typically, the test is one of continuity and carries no resistance or
conductivity requirement. The metallic elements can be tested individually or can be tested as
a total group. Since this latter criterion is frequently the case, all elements are measured as a
group unless specified otherwise.
NOTE It is possible detail specifications allow such elements as strength members to be non-continuous throughout
the cable. This is a special case, and attention is directed to the detail specification.
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 60794-1-1, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-1: Generic specification – General
3 Terms and definitions
For the purpose
...