SIST EN IEC 60794-1-129:2026

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-129: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Straight midspan access to optical elements, method e29

IEC 60794-1-129:2025 applies to optical fibre cables for use with telecommunication equipment and devices employing similar techniques, and to cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors. The document defines test procedures used in establishing uniform requirements for mechanical performance-straight midspan access to optical elements. Throughout this document, the wording "optical cable" also includes optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc.
NOTE See IEC 60794‑1‑2 for a reference guide to test methods of all types and for general requirements and definitions.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60794‑1‑21:2015 and IEC 60794-1-21:2015/AMD 1:2020:
a) this document cancels and replaces method E29 of IEC 60794-1-21:2015 and IEC 60794‑1‑21:2015/AMD 1:2020;
b) addition of the description for applicable cable types;
c) update of Figure 2a), Figure 2b) and Figure 3;
d) addition of the displacement measure description;
e) addition of the details to be reported.

Lichtwellenleiterkabel – Teil 1-129: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Mechanische Prüfverfahren - Gerader Zugang zu optischen Elementen in der Mitte des Kabelstrangs, Verfahren E29

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-129: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais mécaniques - Accès à mi-portée rectiligne vers les éléments optiques, méthode e29

IEC 60794-1-129:2025 s’applique aux câbles à fibres optiques destinés à être utilisés dans les équipements de télécommunications et les dispositifs utilisant des techniques analogues, ainsi qu'aux câbles constitués de fibres optiques d'une part et de conducteurs électriques d'autre part. Le présent document définit les procédures d’essai utilisées en vue d’établir des exigences uniformes pour les performances mécaniques-accès à mi-portée rectiligne vers les éléments optiques. Dans le présent document, l'expression "câble optique" englobe également des assemblages de fibres optiques, des assemblages de fibres en microconduits, etc.
NOTE Voir l'IEC 60794‑1‑2 à titre de guide de référence pour tous les types de méthodes d'essai et concernant les exigences générales et les définitions.
Cette première édition annule et remplace partiellement la première édition de l'IEC 60794‑1‑21 publiée en 2015 et l'Amendement 1:2020 et elle constitue une révision technique.
Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'IEC 60794‑1‑21:2015 et l'IEC 60794-1-21:2015/AMD 1:2020:
a) le présent document annule et remplace la méthode E29 de l'IEC 60794-1-21:2015 et l'IEC 60794‑1‑21:2015/AMD 1:2020;
b) ajout de la description des types de câbles applicables;
c) mise à jour des Figure 2a), Figure 2b) et Figure 3;
d) ajout de la description du mesurage du déplacement;
e) ajout des informations détaillées à consigner.

Optični kabli - 1-129. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Neposreden dostop do optičnih elementov na sredini razpona, metoda e29

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 13-Mar-2025
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: MOC - Mobile Communications
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 24-Dec-2025
• Due Date: 28-Feb-2026
• Ref Project: EN IEC 60794-1-129:2025 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-129: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Straight midspan access to optical elements, Method E29

Relations

• Splited From: SIST EN 60794-1-21:2015 - Optical fibre cables -- Part 1-21: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods (IEC 60794-1-21:2015)
• Effective Date: 09-Sep-2025
• Splited From: SIST EN 60794-1-21:2015/A1:2020 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-21: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods (IEC 60794-1-21:2015/A1:2020)
• Effective Date: 09-Sep-2025

Overview

The SIST EN IEC 60794-1-129:2026 standard specifies basic test procedures for mechanical performance of optical fibre cables, with a focus on the straight midspan access to optical elements, known as Method E29. This European and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard addresses optical fibre cables used in telecommunications and other related technologies, including cables that combine optical fibres and electrical conductors. It establishes uniform requirements and test procedures to evaluate how effectively an optical element can be accessed and removed midspan without damaging the cable or optical fibres.

This 2025 edition replaces the previous method E29 from IEC 60794-1-21:2015 and its amendments, adding updated descriptions of cable types, improved test figures, displacement measurement descriptions, and detailed reporting requirements.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application:
  Applies to all optical fibre cables and associated units (e.g., microduct fibre units) used in telecom equipment and similar devices. It covers test procedures for mechanical performance in accessing optical elements along a straight midspan section of cable.

• Test Objective:
  To determine if core optical elements (fibres, cords, ribbons, micro-modules) can be effectively accessed and removed midspan, without damage, using two controlled bending procedures.

• Test Setup:

  • Cable samples are prepared with two "windows" opened in the sheath approximately 6 m apart.
  • Elements are cut at one window and removed at the other.
  • The cable is subjected to either two minor controlled bends (Procedure 1) or two right-angle bends immediately adjacent (Procedure 2).
  • Samples are monitored for fibre attenuation during the test to ensure performance integrity.

• Test Procedures:

  1. Procedure 1: Involves laying the cable with two controlled bends spaced apart, cutting and removing adjacent elements between windows, and measuring tensile forces and displacement.
  2. Procedure 2: Involves two immediate right-angle bends at specified minimum bend radius, cutting and removing elements, with the same measurements as Procedure 1.

• Measurement and Evaluation:

  • Tensile force measurements using a dynamometer.
  • Displacement of non-removed elements indicated by color-marked lines.
  • Visual inspection for fibre abrasion, perforation, and breakage in both removed and intact elements.
  • Attenuation monitoring in accordance with IEC 60793-1-46 to ensure cable performance is maintained.

• Reporting Requirements:
  The standard requires comprehensive reporting of measurement details, results of visual examinations, and any deviations from acceptance criteria to support quality assessment.

Applications

• Telecommunications Industry:
  Enables manufacturers and service providers to validate the mechanical reliability of optical fibre cables during installation, repair, and midspan element access, ensuring minimal disruption and damage.

• Cable Manufacturing:
  Assists designers and engineers in assessing cable construction and access methods to optimize cable design for easier maintenance and element extraction while maintaining performance integrity.

• Network Maintenance and Repair:
  Clarifies test methodologies for technicians performing midspan access operations, reducing risks of fibre damage during component replacement or cable reconfiguration.

• Quality Assurance and Compliance:
  Provides a standardized evaluation to comply with international quality standards, enabling consistent product assessments and facilitating global market acceptance.

Related Standards

• IEC 60794-1-1: Generic specifications and general terms and definitions for optical fibre cables, providing foundational definitions supporting this test method.

• IEC 60793-1-46: Test methods for monitoring changes in attenuation of optical fibres, referenced for measuring and monitoring fibre performance during mechanical testing.

• IEC 60794-1-2: Reference guide for various test methods applicable to optical fibre cables, offering a broader context for selection and application of testing procedures including mechanical tests.

Summary

SIST EN IEC 60794-1-129:2026 sets an internationally harmonized framework for testing the mechanical feasibility of midspan access in optical fibre cables, focusing on straight access to optical elements. By prescribing precise procedures for controlled bending and fibre element removal, it helps ensure cable durability and performance reliability. This standard is essential for manufacturers, network operators, and technicians to maintain high-quality optical network infrastructure, simplify midspan repairs, and reduce outages due to fibre damage during cable handling and maintenance.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-129:2025
01-marec-2025
Optični kabli - 1-129. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Neposreden dostop do optičnih
elementov na sredini razpona, metoda e29
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-129: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Straight midspan access to optical elements,
method e29
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-129: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais mécaniques - Accès à
mi-portée rectiligne vers les éléments optiques, méthode e29
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-129:2024
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-129:2025 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-129:2025

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-129:2025
86A/2509/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-129 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2024-12-20 2025-03-14
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2422/CD, 86A/2505/CC
IEC SC 86A : FIBRES AND CABLES
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
France Mr Laurent Gasca
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: HORIZONTAL FUNCTION(S):

ASPECTS CONCERNED:
SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING
Attention IEC-CENELEC parallel voting
The attention of IEC National Committees, members of
CENELEC, is drawn to the fact that this Committee Draft
for Vote (CDV) is submitted for parallel voting.
The CENELEC members are invited to vote through the
CENELEC online voting system.
This document is still under study and subject to change. It should not be used for reference purposes.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of
which they are aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant “In Some
Countries” clauses to be included should this proposal proceed. Recipients are reminded that the CDV stage is
the final stage for submitting ISC clauses. (SEE AC/22/2007 OR NEW GUIDANCE DOC).

TITLE:
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-129: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods - Straight midspan access to optical elements, Method E29

PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2028
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
this electronic file, to make a copy and to print out the content for the sole purpose of preparing National Committee
positions. You may not copy or "mirror" the file or printed version of the document, or any part of it, for any other
purpose without permission in writing from IEC.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-129:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-129 ED1 © IEC 2024 2 86A/2509/CDV

1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD . 3
4 1 Scope . 5
5 2 Normative references . 5
6 3 Terms and definitions . 5
7 4 Method E29 – Straight midspan access to optical elements . 5
8 4.1 Object . 5
9 4.2 Sample . 5
10 4.3 Apparatus . 6
11 4.4 Procedure . 6
12 4.4.1 General . 6
13 4.4.2 Procedure 1 . 7
14 4.4.3 Procedure 2 . 7
15 4.4.4 Overview . 8
16 4.5 Requirements . 8
17 4.6 Details to be specified . 9
18 4.7 Details to be reported . 9
19 Bibliography . 10
21 Figure 1 – Concept of straight midspan access . 6
22 Figure 2 – Straight midspan access – Procedure 1 . 7
23 Figure 3 – Straight midspan access – Procedure 2 . 8
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-129:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-129 ED1 © IEC 2024 3 86A/2509/CDV

25 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
26 ____________
28 OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
30 Part 1-129: Generic specification –
31 Basic optical cable test procedures –
32 Mechanical test methods – Straight midspan access to optical elements,
33 Method E29
35 FOREWORD
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64 8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
65 indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
66 9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
67 rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
68 IEC 60794-1-129 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC technical
69 committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
70 This document partially replaces IEC 60794-1-21:2015+AMD1:2020 CSV.
71 This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60794-1-
72 21:2015+AMD1:2020 CSV:
73 a) this document cancels and replaces method E29 of IEC 60794-1-21:2015+AMD1:2020
74 CSV;
75 b) add the description for applicable cable types;
76 c) update Figure 2a), Figure 2b) and Figure 3;
77 d) add the displacement measure description;
78 e) add the details to be report.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-129:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-129 ED1 © IEC 2024 4 86A/2509/CDV

79 The text of this an International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
XX/XX/FDIS XX/XX/RVD
81 Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
82 the above table.
83 The language used for the development of this an International Standard is English.
84 This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
85 accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Pa
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