IEC 61300-2-44:2024

Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 2-44: Tests - Flexing of the strain relief of fibre optic devices and components

IEC 61300-2-44:2024 specifies a test to determine the influence of flexing under tensile load of the strain relief of fibre optic interconnecting devices or components. The intention is to simulate the number of flexing cycles which would typically be experienced during service life. This test is applied to both single fibre cable and multiple fibre cable. This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2013. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) replaced active monitoring with transient loss for measurements during test;
b) harmonized recommended severities according to IEC 61753-1.

Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs fibroniques - Procédures fondamentales d'essais et de mesures - Partie 2-44: Essais - Flexion du serre-câble des dispositifs et composants fibroniques

IEC 61300-2-44: 2024 spécifie un essai pour déterminer l’influence de flexions sous une charge de traction du serre-câble des dispositifs d’interconnexion fibroniques ou des composants fibroniques. L’objectif est de simuler le nombre de flexions généralement expérimenté en service. L’essai est appliqué sur des câbles à fibre unique et des câbles à fibres multiples. Cette quatrième édition annule et remplace la troisième édition parue en 2013. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
remplacement du contrôle actif par la perte transitoire concernant les mesurages pendant l’essai;
sévérités recommandées harmonisées conformément à l’IEC 61753-1.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 27-Feb-2024
• ICS: 33.180.20 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices
• Technical Committee: SC 86B - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components
• Drafting Committee: WG 4 - TC 86/SC 86B/WG 4
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 28-Feb-2024
• Completion Date: 22-Mar-2024

Relations

• Revises: IEC 61300-2-44:2013 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 2-44: Tests - Flexing of the strain relief of fibre optic devices
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Overview

IEC 61300-2-44:2024 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) focused on fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components. This fourth edition defines a basic test procedure to evaluate the flexing performance of the strain relief in fibre optic devices and components under tensile load. The test simulates real-world flexing cycles typically experienced during the service life of fibre optic cables, applicable to both single and multiple fibre cables.

The standard is a key part of the IEC 61300 series, which addresses the basic test and measurement procedures for fibre optic interconnects. This edition updates the previous version from 2013 by replacing active monitoring with transient loss measurement and aligning recommended severities with IEC 61753-1 guidelines.

Key Topics

• Scope of testing: Assesses the impact of flexing stress on the strain relief of fibre optic components under tensile load, mimicking typical service conditions.
• Test procedure: Involves rotating the device under test (DUT) ±90° around an axis perpendicular to the cable to flex the strain relief, applying a tensile force without torque.
• Flexing configurations: The test accommodates both circular and non-circular cables (e.g., ribbon, duplex), ensuring accurate simulation of flexing stresses depending on cable geometry.
• Measurement method: Utilizes transient loss measurements as per IEC 61300-3-28 during flexing instead of continuous active monitoring.
• Apparatus setup: Includes an optical source, detector, mounting fixture, and tensile load application mechanism to secure and test the DUT precisely.
• Severity levels: Flexing severities harmonized with IEC 61753-1 to standardize testing thresholds across components and ensure consistent quality benchmarks.

Applications

IEC 61300-2-44:2024 is critical for manufacturers, designers, and quality engineers working within the fibre optics industry who need to:

• Validate the durability and reliability of strain reliefs in fibre optic connectors, adapters, and other passive components.
• Simulate real-life mechanical stress conditions to identify potential failure modes in strain reliefs during product development.
• Ensure compliance with international quality and reliability standards for optoelectronic interconnecting devices.
• Assist in supplier qualification and product certification by confirming component performance under dynamic flexing stress.
• Support maintenance and field testing processes in telecommunications, data centers, and industrial fiber optic installations to guarantee long-term operational integrity.

By applying this standard, organizations can enhance the lifespan and performance of fibre optic assemblies, contributing to reduced maintenance costs and fewer service disruptions.

Related Standards

For comprehensive fibre optic device testing and performance evaluation, IEC 61300-2-44:2024 works alongside the following standards:

• IEC 61300-1: General and guidance for basic test and measurement procedures for fibre optic components.
• IEC 61300-3-1: Visual examination and measurements of fibre optic devices.
• IEC 61300-3-28: Transient loss measurement techniques, used as the basis for monitoring during flexing tests.
• IEC 61753 (all parts): Performance standards for fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components, harmonizing test severities for multiple conditions.
• IEC 62005 (all parts): Reliability standards for fibre optic components to complement durability and stress testing.

Conclusion

IEC 61300-2-44:2024 provides a precise and internationally recognized testing protocol for assessing the mechanical resilience of strain reliefs in fibre optic devices under flexing and tensile load. By following this standard, industry stakeholders can ensure that fibre optic interconnecting components meet stringent reliability and performance requirements suited to their operational environments. Adopting this IEC standard supports robust fibre optic network infrastructure designs, fostering enhanced signal integrity and system longevity.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61300-2-44 ®
Edition 4.0 2024-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures –
Part 2-44: Tests – Flexing of the strain relief of fibre optic devices and
components
Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs fibroniques – Procédures
fondamentales d'essais et de mesures –
Partie 2-44: Essais – Flexion du serre-câble des dispositifs et composants
fibroniques
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IEC 61300-2-44 ®
Edition 4.0 2024-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and

measurement procedures –
Part 2-44: Tests – Flexing of the strain relief of fibre optic devices and

components
Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs fibroniques – Procédures

fondamentales d'essais et de mesures –

Partie 2-44: Essais – Flexion du serre-câble des dispositifs et composants

fibroniques
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.20  ISBN 978-2-8322-8330-1

– 2 – IEC 61300-2-44:2024 © IEC 2024
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions, and abbreviated terms . 5
3.1 Terms and definitions . 5
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 5
4 General description . 6
5 Apparatus . 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 Optical source . 7
5.3 Detector . 7
5.4 Mounting fixture . 8
5.5 Tensile load . 8
6 Procedure . 8
6.1 Preparation of DUT . 8
6.2 Preconditioning . 8
6.3 Mounting the DUT . 8
6.4 Measuring of initial optical properties . 8
6.5 Conditioning . 8
6.6 Recovery . 9
6.7 Final measurements . 9
7 Severity . 9
8 Details to be specified and reported. 9

Figure 1 – Application of the load in the case of non-circular cable, example of duplex
cordage . 6
Figure 2 – Apparatus for testing . 7

Table 1 – Test severities . 9

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND
PASSIVE COMPONENTS – BASIC TEST AND
MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –
Part 2-44: Tests – Flexing of the strain relief
of fibre optic devices and components

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
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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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shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 61300-2-44 has been prepared by subcommittee SC86B: Fibre optic interconnecting
devices and passive components, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an
International Standard.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2013. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.

– 4 – IEC 61300-2-44:2024 © IEC 2024
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) replaced active monitoring with transient loss for measurements during test;
b) harmonized recommended severities according to IEC 61753-1.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86B/4847/FDIS 86B/4870/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/standardsdev/publications.
A list of all parts of IEC 61300 series, published under the general title Fibre optic
interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and measurement procedures,
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, or
• revised.
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND
PASSIVE COMPONENTS – BASIC TEST AND
MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –
Part 2-44: Tests – Flexing of the strain relief
of fibre optic devices and components

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61300 specifies a test to determine the influence of flexing under tensile load
of the strain relief of fibre optic interconnecting devices or components. The intention is to
simulate the number of flexing cycles which would typically be experienced during service life.
This test is applied to both single fibre cable and multiple fibre cable.
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 61300-1, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 1: General and guidance
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 61300-3-28, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-28: Examinations and measurements – Transient loss
IEC 61753 (all parts), Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components –
Performance standard
IEC 62005 (all parts), Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Reliability
3 Terms, definitions, and abbreviated terms
3.1 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
3.2 Abbreviated terms
DUT device under test
– 6 – IEC 61300-2-44:2024 © IEC 2024
4 General description
During the test, the DUT is rotated ±90° in the plane of the cable about an axis perpendicular
to the axis of the attached cable. In the case of non-circular cable (ribbon, duplex, etc.), the
loads shall not be doubled and the rotation is parallel to the width of the minor axis of the cable
as shown in Figure 1. This causes flexing of the strain relief and cable close to the DUT. During
the flexing, a tensile force, but no torque, is applied.

Key
1 tensile load
2 duplex cordage
3 rotation axis of the mounting fixture in the apparatus
Figure 1 – Application of the load in the case of non-circular cable,
example of duplex cordage
5 Apparatus
5.1 General
The apparatus for testing and the flexing patterns involved are presented in Figure 2.

Key
1 DUT
2 mounting fixture
3 optical source
4 detector
5 tensile load
L length from the point of flexing to the point of application of the tensile load
NOTE 1 Optical source and detector can be exchanged.
NOTE 2 The rotational orientation of the connector is shown with its key (black rectangle) toward the viewer and
perpendicular to the direction of the load.
Figure 2 – Apparatus for testing
5.2 Optical source
The source shall be in accordance with IEC 61300-3-28.
5.3 Detector
The detector shall be in accordance with IEC 61300-3-28.

– 8 – IEC 61300-2-44:2024 © IEC 2024
5.4 Mounting fixture
The mounting fixture rigidly holds the DUT in correct alignment during the test. If the device is
a fibre optic connector, an adaptor or a receptacle may be used as a mounting fixture. The
fixture shall not distort the DUT. The fixture shall allow the DUT to be connected to monitoring
equipment. The fixture shall be capable of rotating the DUT ±90° either manually or by using a
machine.
5.5 Tensile load
Tensile load to be applied on the DUT is specified in the relevant IEC 61753 series performance
standard or IEC 62005 series reliability document. Required tensile load may be created by
weights or another suitable mechanism. Values of recommended loads are given in Table 1.
6 Procedure
6.1 Preparation of DUT
Prepare and clean the DUT in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Visually check that the attachment of the cable to the fibre optic device is not damaged in
accordance with IEC 61300-3-1.
6.2 Preconditioning
Pre-condition the DUT and all equipment for at least 2 h at the standard atmospheric conditions
as defined in IEC 61300-1.
6.3 Mounting the DUT
Mount the DUT on the apparatus. If the DUT is a fibre optic connector, the rotational orientation
of the connector around the longitudinal axis (position of the key) in the fixture shall be reported.
In the case of non-symmetrical connectors with circular cables, the DUT shall be tested in both
rotational orientations.
6.4 Measuring of initial optical properties
The flexing arm shall be put in a vertical position.
Measure the optical properties specified in the relevant IEC 61753 series performance standard
or IEC 62005 series reliability document.
The initial loss shall be recorded and used as a reference for the evaluation of transient loss
during and after test.
6.5 Conditioning
Apply the specified tensile load and apply the specified number of flexing cycles (see Clause 7).
The cable length from the point of flexing to the point of application of the weight shall be
25 cm ± 5 cm (see “L” in Figure 2).
...