IEC 60794-1-404:2022

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-404: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Electrical test methods - Current-temperature test, method H4

IEC 60794-1-404:2022 defines a test standard to determine the optical performance and temperature characteristics of a hybrid cable under the maximum current. This document applies to optical phase conductor (OPPC). An optical phase conductor is made of multiple metallic wires that are exposed to the environment without any insulating or protective sheath and contain optical fibres.

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-404: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais électriques - Essai de courant-température, méthode H4

IEC 60794-1-404:2022 définit une norme d’essai visant à déterminer les performances optiques et les caractéristiques thermiques d’un câble hybride sous courant maximal. Le présent document s’applique aux conducteurs de phase à fibres optiques (OPPC). Un conducteur de phase optique est composé de plusieurs brins métalliques exposés à l’environnement sans gaine isolante ou de protection, et contient des fibres optiques.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 09-Feb-2022
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: SC 86A - Fibres and cables
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 10-Feb-2022
• Completion Date: 18-Mar-2022

Overview

IEC 60794-1-404:2022 is an internationally recognized standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Titled "Optical fibre cables - Part 1-404: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Electrical test methods - Current-temperature test, method H4," this standard provides a defined method for evaluating the optical performance and temperature characteristics of hybrid cables, specifically optical phase conductors (OPPC). OPPCs are constructed using multiple metallic wires exposed to the environment and contain integrated optical fibres without any insulating or protective sheath.

This standard is critical for manufacturers, testing laboratories, and utilities that need to confirm the reliability and durability of OPPCs under high-current, high-temperature operating conditions.

Key Topics

• Scope and Purpose: IEC 60794-1-404 details a test procedure to verify that optical phase conductors maintain performance when subjected to their maximum rated electrical current and associated temperature rise.
• Applicability: Focuses on OPPC, where metallic conductors are exposed, and optical fibres are embedded directly in the cable structure.
• Test Setup: Outlines the use of at least two thermocouples, appropriate cable samples, and test apparatus capable of delivering and maintaining specified electrical current with high stability.
• Lab Conditions: Tests are performed under controlled ambient temperature (23°C ± 5°C), with no wind or solar radiation, promoting repeatability and accuracy.
• Performance Criteria:
  • Continuous monitoring of optical attenuation (typically at 1550 nm, aligned with IEC 60793-1-46).
  • The integrity of the cable is judged by ensuring attenuation does not increase by more than 0.15 dB/km (at the specified wavelength and agreement) over the test period.
  • The conductor temperature must not exceed 85°C or another mutually agreed value.

Applications

IEC 60794-1-404:2022 is pivotal for the following use cases:

• OPPC Manufacturing and Product Validation: Ensures that newly designed or manufactured optical phase conductors meet robust electrical and thermal performance specifications before deployment.
• Utility and Energy Sector Testing: Used by power utilities and grid operators to validate the suitability of OPPC infrastructure for high-voltage, overhead transmission applications where both electrical transmission and optical communications are required in a single cable.
• Quality Assurance and Compliance: Supports quality control in manufacturing and provides necessary compliance for procurement and bidding processes in power and communication infrastructure projects.
• Test Laboratories: Provides a standardized and repeatable method for accredited laboratories to conduct type tests on OPPCs and related hybrid cables.

Related Standards

To ensure comprehensive assessment and compatibility, consider the following related standards referenced within IEC 60794-1-404:2022:

• IEC 60793-1-46: Describes methods for monitoring changes in optical transmittance of fibres during mechanical and environmental testing.
• IEC TR 61597: Outlines calculation methods for stranded bare overhead conductors, relevant for determining operational current loads in OPPCs.
• IEC 60794 Series: Covers a wide array of optical fibre cable test procedures, specifications, and related performance standards for both single-mode and multi-mode fibre optic cables.

Incorporating IEC 60794-1-404:2022 into your testing and certification processes strengthens the reliability and market acceptance of optical phase conductors, supporting safe and robust integration into modern energy and communication networks.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60794-1-404 ®
Edition 1.0 2022-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-404: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
Electrical test methods – Current-temperature test, method H4

Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 1-404: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essais des
câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essais électriques – Essai de
courant-température, méthode H4

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IEC 60794-1-404 ®
Edition 1.0 2022-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-404: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –

Electrical test methods – Current-temperature test, method H4

Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 1-404: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essais des

câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essais électriques – Essai de

courant-température, méthode H4

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-1078-7

– 2 – IEC 60794-1-404:2022 © IEC 2022
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Method H4 – Current-temperature test . 5
4.1 Object . 5
4.2 Lab conditions . 5
4.3 Sample . 6
4.4 Apparatus . 6
4.5 Procedure . 6
4.6 Requirements . 7
4.7 Details to be specified . 7

Figure 1 – Current-temperature test set-up . 6

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-404: Generic specification –
Basic optical cable test procedures – Electrical test methods –
Current-temperature test, method H4

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
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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 60794-1-404 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC technical
committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86A/2170/FDIS 86A/2185/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.

– 4 – IEC 60794-1-404:2022 © IEC 2022
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 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.
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 1-404: Generic specification –
Basic optical cable test procedures – Electrical test methods –
Current-temperature test, method H4

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60794 defines a test standard to determine the optical performance and
temperature characteristics of a hybrid cable under the maximum current.
This document applies to optical phase conductor (OPPC). An optical phase conductor is made
of multiple metallic wires that are exposed to the environment without any insulating or
protective sheath and contain optical fibres.
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 TR 61597, Overhead electrical conductors – Calculation methods for stranded bare
conductors
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 Method H4 – Current-temperature test
4.1 Object
The object of this test is to verify that the temperature of the sample and the attenuation of
monitored optical fibres comply with the general optical requirements during the maximum
current test.
4.2 Lab conditions
Tests shall be carried out in a natural convection lab, and the temperature shall be 23 °C ± 5 °C
without wind or solar radiation.

– 6 – IEC 60794-1-404:2022 © IEC 2022
4.3 Sample
Preparation of the sample length and ends should ensure that flashover along its surface or
breakdown does not occur during the test.
The test length of the sample shall be no less than 6 m.
The test length of the optical fibre shall be no less than 100 m, and several fibres can be spliced
together if necessary. At least one fibre shall be tested from each buffer tube, fibre bundle or
cable element.
4.4 Apparatus
Test apparatus shall provide the frequency of AC voltage, voltage stability, and keep the current
value within the specified value ±3 % during the test. A typical test set-up is shown in Figure 1.

Key
1 electrical isolator
2 loop-spliced fibre
3 holder
4 thermocouple
...