IEC 62496-3-1:2009

Optical circuit boards - Part 3-1: Performance standards - Flexible optical circuit boards using unconnectorized optical glass fibres

IEC 62496-3-1:2009 defines the performance of flexible optical circuit boards (FOCBs) using unconnectorized optical glass fibres for controlled environment. This standard clarifies the requirements for quality classification of the flexible OCBs incorporating optical glass fibres.

Cartes à circuits optiques - Partie 3-1: Norme de performance - Cartes à circuits optiques souples utilisant des fibres optiques en verre, non connectorisées

La CEI 62496-3-1:2009 définit les performances des cartes à circuits optiques souples (FOCB ) utilisant des fibres optiques en verre, non connectorisées, pour environnement contrôlé. La présente norme clarifie les exigences de classification de la qualité des OCB souples intégrant des fibres optiques en verre.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 17-Aug-2009
• ICS: 31.180 - Printed circuits and boards
• ICS: 33.180.01 - Fibre optic systems in general
• Technical Committee: TC 86 - Fibre optics
• Drafting Committee: JWG 9 - TC 86/JWG 9
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 18-Aug-2009
• Completion Date: 15-Nov-2009

Overview - IEC 62496-3-1:2009 (Flexible optical circuit boards)

IEC 62496-3-1:2009 specifies performance standards for flexible optical circuit boards (FOCBs) that use unconnectorized optical glass fibres in controlled environments. The standard defines quality classification, required tests, and acceptance criteria to verify mechanical integrity and optical performance of FFOCB assemblies that route glass optical fibres on a flexible polymer substrate covered by a protection layer.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Performance testing and quality classification of fibre flexible OCBs (FFOCBs) for controlled environments.
• Core tests:
  • Bending endurance - attenuation change must be < 0.3 dB; typical test uses a bending radius of 30 mm, 10 cycles, and inspection for delamination or fibre breakage (see Annex A/B).
  • Static pressure endurance - attenuation change < 0.3 dB, with no delamination or fibre break.
  • Dry heat (high temperature) - per IEC 61300-2-18: +60 °C ±2 °C, measurement at initial and 96 h; attenuation change < 0.3 dB.
  • Damp heat (steady state) - per IEC 61300-2-19: +40 °C ±2 °C, 93% RH, measurement at initial and 96 h; attenuation change < 0.3 dB.
  • Change of temperature - per IEC 61300-2-22: cycles between +60 °C and -10 °C (5 cycles), followed by bending endurance re-test; attenuation change < 0.3 dB.
• Optical verification:
  • Attenuation measured by methods AT1/AT2/AT3 of IEC 61300-3-4.
  • Test wavelengths: 1 550 nm ± 30 nm for single‑mode and 850 nm ± 30 nm for multimode fibres.
• Inspections:
  • Visual inspection for delamination and fibre breaks (IEC 61300-3-1).
  • Connectivity inspection to confirm input/output port mapping and continuity.

Applications and practical value

• Use this standard when developing, qualifying, procuring, or testing FFOCBs for board‑level optical interconnects in controlled environments.
• Practical benefits:
  • Ensures repeatable optical performance (low attenuation shift) after mechanical and environmental stress.
  • Provides test methods and acceptance criteria to support quality control, supplier validation, and R&D evaluations.
• Typical stakeholders: optical circuit board designers, manufacturers, test laboratories, quality engineers, and system integrators working with board‑level optical wiring.

Related standards (key references)

• IEC 61300 series (test & measurement procedures): IEC 61300-2-18, -2-19, -2-22, -3-1, -3-4, -3-6
• IEC 60793-2 (optical fibre specifications) and IEC 60793-2-60 (intraconnection fibre)
• ISO 5999 (related polymeric material specification)

Keywords: IEC 62496-3-1, flexible optical circuit boards, FFOCB, unconnectorized optical glass fibres, performance standards, bending endurance, static pressure endurance, attenuation testing, IEC 61300.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 62496-3-1 ®
Edition 1.0 2009-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical circuit boards –
Part 3-1: Performance standards – Flexible optical circuit boards using
unconnectorized optical glass fibres

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
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CH-1211 Geneva 20
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Email: [e-mail]
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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
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IEC 62496-3-1 ®
Edition 1.0 2009-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical circuit boards –
Part 3-1: Performance standards – Flexible optical circuit boards using
unconnectorized optical glass fibres

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
PRICE CODE
N
ICS 31.180; 33.180.01 ISBN 978-2-88910-740-7
– 2 – 62496-3-1 © IEC:2009(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.3
1 Scope.5
2 Normative references .5
3 Terms and definitions .5
4 Tests .7
5 Test report.7
6 Reference components.7
7 Visual inspection .7
8 Connectivity inspection.7
9 Performance requirements .8
9.1 Sample size, test sequencing and grouping.8
9.2 Performance details .8
Annex A (normative) Test method of bending endurance of fibre flexible OCB .10
Annex B (normative) Optical fibre routing pattern and dimension of test specimen.11
Annex C (normative) Test sample size, test sequencing and grouping requirements.12
Annex D (normative) Test method of static pressure endurance of OCB body .13
Bibliography.14

Figure 1 – Example of fibre flexible OCB .6
Figure A.1 – Configuration of the bending endurance test.10
Figure B.1 – Optical fibre routing pattern and the dimensional outline drawing of
OCB body for the test specimen .11
Figure D.1 – Configuration of static pressure endurance test .13

Table 1 – Optical fibres for FFOCB -1 .6
Table 2 – Optical fibres for FFOCB -2 .7
Table 3 – Performance details .8
Table C.1 – Sample size and sequencing for the performance standard.12

62496-3-1 © IEC:2009(E) – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL CIRCUIT BOARDS –
Part 3-1: Performance standards –
Flexible optical circuit boards using
unconnectorized optical glass fibres

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 provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.
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 62496-3-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 86:
Fibre optics.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
86/319/CDV 86/342/RVC
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 IEC 62496 series, published under the general title Optical circuit
boards, can be found on the IEC website.

– 4 – 62496-3-1 © IEC:2009(E)
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the maintenance result 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
• amended.
A bilingual version of this publication may be issued at a later date.

62496-3-1 © IEC:2009(E) – 5 –
OPTICAL CIRCUIT BOARDS –
Part 3-1: Performance standards –
Flexible optical circuit boards using
unconnectorized optical glass fibres

1 Scope
This part of IEC 62496 defines the performance of flexible optical circuit boards (FOCBs)
using unconnectorized optical glass fibres for controlled environment. This standard
clarifies the requirements for quality classification of the flexible OCBs incorporating optical
glass fibres.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application 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 61300-2-18, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 2-18: Tests – Dry heat – High temperature endurance
IEC61300-2-19, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 2-19: Tests – Damp heat (steady state)
IEC61300-2-22, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 2-22: Tests – Change of temperature
IEC 61300-3-1, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 3-1: Examinations and measurements – Visual
examination
IEC 61300-3-4, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 3-4: Examinations and measurements – Attenuation
IEC 61300-3-6, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 3-6: Examinations and measurements – Return loss
ISO 5999, Flexible cellular polymeric materials – Polyurethane foam for load-bearing
applications excluding carpet underlay – Specification
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
FFOCB (fibre flexible OCB)
an OCB on which arbitrary routing patterns are made by fixing optical fibres and covered by
a protection layer as illustrated in Figure 1. The fibre flexible OCB consists of a portion
where the optical fibre is adhered to the flexible substrate as a routing pattern (OCB body)
and “OCB tails” where the optical fibre
...

IEC 62496-3-1 ®
Edition 1.0 2009-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical circuit boards –
Part 3-1: Performance standards – Flexible optical circuit boards using
unconnectorized optical glass fibres

Cartes à circuits optiques –
Partie 3-1: Norme de performance – Cartes à circuits optiques souples utilisant
des fibres optiques en verre, non connectorisées

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
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.
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Vocabulary online.
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IEC 62496-3-1 ®
Edition 1.0 2009-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical circuit boards –
Part 3-1: Performance standards – Flexible optical circuit boards using
unconnectorized optical glass fibres

Cartes à circuits optiques –
Partie 3-1: Norme de performance – Cartes à circuits optiques souples utilisant
des fibres optiques en verre, non connectorisées

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX N
ICS 31.180; 33.180.01 ISBN 978-2-88912-766-5

– 2 – 62496-3-1  IEC:2009
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Tests . 7
5 Test report. 7
6 Reference components . 7
7 Visual inspection . 7
8 Connectivity inspection . 7
9 Performance requirements . 8
9.1 Sample size, test sequencing and grouping . 8
9.2 Performance details . 8
Annex A (normative) Test method of bending endurance of fibre flexible OCB . 10
Annex B (normative) Optical fibre routing pattern and dimension of test specimen . 11
Annex C (normative) Test sample size, test sequencing and grouping requirements . 12
Annex D (normative) Test method of static pressure endurance of OCB body . 13
Bibliography . 14

Figure 1 – Example of fibre flexible OCB . 6
Figure A.1 – Configuration of the bending endurance test . 10
Figure B.1 – Optical fibre routing pattern and the dimensional outline drawing of
OCB body for the test specimen . 11
Figure D.1 – Configuration of static pressure endurance test . 13

Table 1 – Optical fibres for FFOCB -1 . 6
Table 2 – Optical fibres for FFOCB -2 . 7
Table 3 – Performance details . 8
Table C.1 – Sample size and sequencing for the performance standard . 12

62496-3-1  IEC:2009 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL CIRCUIT BOARDS –
Part 3-1: Performance standards –
Flexible optical circuit boards using
unconnectorized optical glass fibres

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 provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.
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 62496-3-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 86:
Fibre optics.
This bilingual version (2011-11) corresponds to the monolingual English version, published
in 2009-08.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
86/319/CDV 86/342/RVC
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
The French version of this standard has not been voted upon.

– 4 – 62496-3-1  IEC:2009
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts of IEC 62496 series, published under the general title Optical circuit
boards, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the maintenance result 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
• amended.
62496-3-1  IEC:2009 – 5 –
OPTICAL CIRCUIT BOARDS –
Part 3-1: Performance standards –
Flexible optical circuit boards using
unconnectorized optical glass fibres

1 Scope
This part of IEC 62496 defines the performance of flexible optical circuit boards (FOCBs)
using unconnectorized optical glass fibres for controlled environment. This standard
clarifies the requirements for quality classification of the flexible OCBs incorporating optical
glass fibres.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application 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 61300-2-18, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 2-18: Tests – Dry heat – High temperature endurance
IEC 61300-2-19, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 2-19: Tests – Damp heat (steady state)
IEC 61300-2-22, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 2-22: Tests – Change of temperature
IEC 61300-3-1, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 3-1: Examinations and measurements – Visual
examination
IEC 61300-3-4, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 3-4: Examinations and measurements – Attenuation
IEC 61300-3-6, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 3-6: Examinations and measurements – Return loss
ISO 5999, Flexible cellular polymeric materials – Polyurethane foam for load-bearing
applications excluding carpet underlay – Specification
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
FFOCB (fibre flexible OCB)
an OCB on which arbitrary routing patterns are made by fixing optical fibres and covered by
a protection layer as illustrated in Figure 1. The fibre flexible OCB consists of a portion
where the optical fibre is adhered to the flexible substrate as a routing pattern (OCB body)
and “OCB tails” where the optical fibre is stacked out from the OCB body. The substrate for

– 6 – 62496-3-1  IEC:2009
FFOCB is a mechanically flexible polymer sheet on which optical fibres are adhered using
adhesive or attached to the polymer sheet
OCB body
Section
AA
A - A ’ OCB tail
Crossing point
Optical fibre
B B ’
OCB port
I/O port
A ’ Alignment mark
Protection layer
Thickness of fibre flexible OCB
Optical fibre
Substrate
OCB body
Section B-B’
IEC  1650/09
Figure 1 – Example of fibre flexible OCB
3.2
optical fibres for FFOCB
categories of optical fibres to be used for fibre flexible OCB are multimode fibres and
single-mode fibres with glass core/glass cladding (see Tables 1 and 2)
NOTE 1 IEC 60793-2 provides the specifications for the fibres.
Table 1 – Optical fibres for FFOCB-1
Class Category Type Reference
A1 Graded index fibre IEC 60793-2-10
A – Multimode fibres
A2 Quasi step index fibre IEC 60793-2-20
B1.1 Dispersion unshifted
B1.2 Cut-off shifted
B1.3 Extended band
B – Single-mode fibres B2 Dispersion shifted IEC 60793-2-50
B4 Non-zero dispersion shifted
B5 Wideband non-zero dispersion-shifted
B6 Bending loss insensitive
62496-3-1  IEC:2009 – 7 –
NOTE 2 IEC 60793-2-60 also specifies the specification of single-mode intraconnection optical fibres for wiring
in OCB.
Table 2 – Optical fibres for FFOCB-2
Nominal MFD
Family Transmission window Reference
(mode field diameter)
C1 1 300 nm to 1 625 nm
8,6 µm -9,5 µm at 1 310
nm
C2 1 310 nm 5,0 µm -7,0 µm at 1 310
nm
IEC 60793-2-60
C3 1 550 nm
5,5 µm -7,5 µm at 1 550
nm
C4 980 nm 4,0 µm -7,0 µm at 980
nm
3.3
crossing point of optical fibres
position where optical fibres cross each other in the OCB body. The optical fibre overrides
another optical fibre at the crossing point (see Figure 1). Bending endurance and static
pressure endurance tests are carried out for checking mechanical strength of this point
4 Tests
All test methods shall be in accordance with IEC 61300-2-18, IEC 61300-2-19,
IEC 61300-2-22, IEC 61300-3-1, IEC 61300-3-6, and Annexes A through D of this standard.
The test method to be used is defined for each test in 9.2, Table 3.
5 Test report
Fully documented test reports and supporting evidence shall be prepared and available for
inspection as evidence that the tests have been carried out and the results are satisfactory.
6 Reference components
No reference components are required to perform the tests described in this standard.
7 Visual inspection
The OCB body and OCB tails of a product or a test specimen described in Annex B shall be
inspected for confirmation of damage that degrades performance, such as delamination of
substrate and protection layer and breaking points of the optical fibres as defined in
IEC 61300-3-1. The routing pattern of the test specimen is also checked, comparing it with
the design described in Figure B.1. Visual inspection shall be undertaken using an optical
magnifier and/or eye observation.
8 Connectivity inspection
The correspondence between the input and output ports of a product shall be confirmed, that
is, a from/to port table should be obtained. This is because the input and output ports are
not regularly placed in a 2D-plane although the positions are defined against the original
coordinate. It is recommended that light is transmitted through each optical path, and output
light from each output port is observed with a CCD camera or by visual inspection.

– 8 – 62496-3-1  IEC:2009
NOTE The preferred light source is a laser diode, LED, or lamp source (halogen or xenon). The wavelength is
arbitrary.
9 Performance requirements
9.1 Sample size, test sequencing and grouping
The test sample to be used for the tests shall be as defined in Annex C.
9.2 Performance details
Attenuation of fibre flexible optical circuit board shall be measured by using method AT1,
method AT2 or method AT3 of IEC 61300-3-4.
Table 3 – Performance details
No. Test Requirements Details
1 Bending endurance Change in attenuation: maximum See Annex A
of OCB body
variation of <0,3 dB
Use test specimen described in Annex B
There is no delamination of substrate
Bending radius of OCB body: 30 mm
and protection layer and breaking
point of fibre for measurement
Number of cycles: 10
Measurement of attenuation shall be made
before and after test
Test wavelength to be measured at the
following wavelengths:
1 550 nm ± 30 nm (for single-mode)
850 nm ± 30 nm (for multimode)
2 Static pressure Change in attenuation: maximum See Annex D
endurance of OCB
variation of <0,3 dB
Use test specimen described in Annex B
body
There is no delamination of substrate
Measurement of attenuation shall be made
and protection layer and breaking
before and after test
point of fibre for measurement
Test wavelength to be measured at the

following wavelengths:
1 550 nm ± 30 nm (for single-mode)
850 nm ± 30 nm (for multimode)
3 Dry heat / high Change in attenuation: maximum IEC 61300-2-18
temperature
variation of <0,3 dB
Use test specimen described in Annex B
There is no delamination of substrate
Temperature: +60 ºC ± 2 ºC
and protection layer
Measurement of attenuation shall be made
at initial and 96 h
Test wavelength to be measured at the
following wavelengths:
1 550 nm ± 30 nm (for single-mode)
850 nm ± 30 nm (for multimode)
4 Damp heat Change in attenuation: maximum IEC 61300-2-19
(Steady state)
change of attenuation <0,3 dB
Use test specimen described in Annex B
There is no delamination of substrate
Temperature: +40 ºC± 2 ºC
and protection layer
Relative humidity: 93 % +2 %, -3 % RH
Measurement of attenuation shall be made
at initial and 96 h
Test wavelength to be measured at the
following wavelengths:
1 550 nm ± 30 nm (for single-mode)
850 nm ± 30 nm (for multimode)

62496-3-1  IEC:2009 – 9 –
No. Test Requirements Details
5 Change of Change in attenuation: maximum IEC 61300-2-22, Test Nb
temperature
change of attenuation <0,3 dB
Use test specimen described in Annex B.
After the test, bending endurance of
High temperature dwell: +60 ºC± 2 ºC
OCB body test (No.1) using the same
test specimen shall be passed
Low temperature dwell: -10 ºC± 2 ºC
There is no delamination of substrate
Duration at each dwell temperature: 1 h
and protection layer
Ramp time = 1 ºC/min
Number of cycles: 5
Measurement of attenuation shall be made
before and after test
Test wavelength to be measured at the
following wavelengths:
1 550 nm ± 30 nm (for single-mode)
850 nm ± 30 nm (for multimode)

– 10 – 62496-3-1  IEC:2009
Annex A
(normative)
Test method of bending endurance of fibre flexible OCB

A.1 Preparation
The instrument of the bending endurance test consists of a flat base plate and a mandrel to
specify the bending radius (30 mm) of a specimen as shown in Figure A.1. Optical
attenuation shall be able to be confirmed before and after the test. The test specimen shall
be prepared with reference to Annex B.
A.2 Test
The purpose of the bending test is to check the degradation of fibres and delamination of
the substrate and protection layer due to repeatedly bending. Bending test shall be made
with a plate-gap of 60 mm unless otherwise specified by detailed specification of the OCB.
The test specimen shall be placed on two base plates and fixed with plates for fixing as
shown in Figure A.1. One base plate plate turns over and is setup above and parallel to
another base plate, as shown in Figure A.1. After keeping in this position for 1 min, the top
base plate is back to the first position. The number of this cycle is 10. The optical
attenuation is measured before and after the test. The construction (optical fibre, substrate,
protection layer) of the OCB body of test specimen used shall be reported in the test report.
The outer surface at the bending of the test specimen shall be clearly specified if the
surfaces at the bend are different due to the structure of the test specimen. The
appearance shall be checked, includes break of the optical fibre and apparent deformation
of the test specimen.
Bending position
Test specimen
Plate-gap
= 60mm
First position
Plates for fixing
Base plate
IEC  1651/09
Figure A.1 – Configuration of the bending endurance test

62496-3-1  IEC:2009 – 11 –
Annex B
(normative)
Optical fibre routing pattern and dimension of test specimen

The optical fibre routing pattern and the dimensional outline drawing of OCB body for the
test specimen are given in Figure B.1. The crossing point of optical fibres shall be sited at
the centre of OCB body and the optical fibre for measurement of attenuation shall be placed
over the crossing.
The construction (optical fibre, substrate, protection layer) of the OCB body test specimen
shall be reported in the test report.

A
Dummy optical fibres
E
C
F
B
F
D
Optical fibre for measurement
E
Dummy optical fibre
OCB body
IEC  1652/09
A 240 mm
B 40 mm
C 20 mm
D 10 mm
E 10 mm
F 5 mm
Bending radius 30 mm
Crossing angle
5 °
Figure B.1 – Optical fibre routing pattern and the dimensional outline drawing
of OCB body for the test specimen

– 12 – 62496-3-1  IEC:2009
Annex C
(normative)
Test sample size, test sequencing and grouping requirements

Table C.1 – Sample size and sequencing for the performance standard
Number of
No Test Test object Source
samples
Test specimen
1 Bending endurance of OCB body 5 New
(Annex B)
Test specimen
2 Static pressure endurance of OCB body 5 New
(Annex B)
Test specimen
3 Dry heat / high temperature 5 New
(Annex B)
Test specimen
4 Damp heat 5 New
(Annex B)
Test specimen
5 Change of temperature 5 New
(Annex B)
62496-3-1  IEC:2009 – 13 –
Annex D
(normative)
Test method of static pressure endurance of OCB body

D.1 Purpose
The purpose of this test is to check for breakage of the fibre at the crossing point due to
stress during shipping.
D.2 Instrument
The instrument for the static pressure test consists of a flat base plate to hold an OCB body
and a weight (plate) which is placed to press the specimen and an OCB body, as shown in
Figure D.1. The size of the base plate shall be larger than the OCB body. The size of the
weight is 230 mm ± 5 mm × 30 mm ± 5 mm, slightly smaller than that of the OCB body. The
outline of the weight, which is put on the OCB body, is inside of that of the OCB body. The
test specimen shall be prepared with reference to Annex B. Insertion of sheets between a
test piece and a weight, and also between a test piece and a base plate as in Figure D.1, is
recommended for preventing concentration of pressure on the crossing point. The sheet
specified in ISO 5999 shall be used.
D.3 Test
The static pressure endurance test shall be made at a pressure of 0,98 kPa. The pressure
shall be applied for 1 min. Then the pressure is released.
The attenuation of the optical fibre for measurement is checked before and after the test.
The degradation of appearance, such as break of the optical fibres and its separation from
the adhesion layer, and apparent deformation of the OCB body, is checked.
Weight
Base plate
Test specimen
IEC  1653/09
Figure D.1 – Configuration of static pressure endurance test
...