SIST EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026

• Abstract:

  This part of IEC 60794-1 describes test procedures used to establish uniform requirements for optical fibre cables for the environmental property - underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic pressure.; This document 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.; See IEC 60794-1-2 for a reference guide to test methods of all types and for general requirements.

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 30-Jun-2025
• Publication Date: 07-Sep-2026
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: MOC - Mobile Communications
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-Sep-2026
• Due Date: 06-Nov-2026
• Completion Date: 08-Sep-2026
• Ref Project: EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-210: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Environmental test methods - Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic pressure, Method F10

• Replaces: SIST EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-22: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Environmental test methods (IEC 60794-1-22:2017)
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2026
• Refers: SIST EN IEC 60793-1-46:2024 - Optical fibres - Part 1-46: Measurement methods and test procedures - Monitoring of changes in attenuation (IEC 60793-1-46:2024)
• Effective Date: 07-Jul-2026
• Refers: SIST EN IEC 60794-1-1:2023 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-1: Generic specification - General (IEC 60794-1-1:2023)
• Effective Date: 07-Jul-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 3745-505:2018 - Aerospace series - Fibres and cables, optical, aircraft use - Test methods - Part 505: Cable tensile strength
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN IEC 62148-1:2018 - Fibre optic active components and devices - Package and interface standards - Part 1: General and guidance (IEC 62148-1:2017)
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2026
• Referred By: SIST-TS CLC/TS 50621:2016 - Guideline for the repair of damaged installed optical fibre cables and microducts
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2026

Overview

SIST EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 specifies generic test procedures for evaluating the environmental performance of optical fibre cables under hydrostatic pressure, focusing on underwater cable resistance. This standard, developed by SIST and based on international IEC guidelines, defines Method F10 to test the ability of optical fibre cables to withstand hydrostatic pressure both radially and longitudinally when used in submerged environments. The document provides uniform testing requirements for telecommunications and hybrid cables incorporating optical fibres and electrical conductors, helping ensure their reliability and durability in underwater applications.

Key Topics

• Hydrostatic Pressure Resistance:

  • Evaluates cables' ability to resist water pressure radially (F10A) and longitudinally (F10B, F10C).
  • Simulates real-world underwater conditions, including cable breaks.

• Test Method Variants:

  • F10A: Tests radial hydrostatic pressure, focusing on structural integrity and attenuation stability.
  • F10B: Assesses resistance to longitudinal water ingress, including scenarios with local cable damage.
    • F10B.1: One end open, one sealed, entire cable submerged.
    • F10B.2: Part of the cable submerged, part exposed, both ends open to test water migration.
  • F10C: Measures water leakage when cable passes through water-tight compartments, simulating marine environments.

• Sampling and Equipment:

  • Specifies requirements for sample length, pressurization vessels, measuring devices (for attenuation and water presence), and water composition.
  • Recommends use of fluorescent dye for water detection and attention to compatibility with cable materials.

• Procedural Guidelines:

  • Defines test durations (e.g., 24 hours or 14 days depending on method).
  • Sets criteria for evaluating results: no unacceptable attenuation changes, structural deformations, or excessive water ingress.
  • Outlines specific details to report, such as cable type, test conditions, results, and any deviations.

Applications

• Telecommunications Submarine Cables: Ensures that optical fibre cables maintain integrity and transmission quality when deployed underwater for long-haul and local communication links.
• Data Transmission for Offshore Installations: Verifies performance for cables used on ships, oil rigs, or crossing water bodies.
• Hybrid Cables: Applicable to cables combining optical fibres with electrical conductors, expanding the range of utility for underwater power and signal delivery.
• Product Development and Quality Assurance: Adopted by manufacturers and testing bodies to verify cable compliance before installation in critical marine or freshwater environments.

By adhering to the rigorous test methods defined in SIST EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026, stakeholders ensure that submerged optical fibre cables demonstrate reliable resistance to water ingress and deformation under environmental pressure, minimizing the risk of failures or service disruptions.

Related Standards

• IEC 60794-1-1: General requirements and definitions for optical fibre cables.
• IEC 60794-1-2: General guidance on basic optical cable test methods.
• IEC 60793-1-46: Procedures for monitoring changes in optical attenuation.
• ITU-T G.976: Test methods applicable to optical fibre submarine cable systems.
• IEC 60794-1-22: Previous compendium covering environmental test methods, now superseded in part by Method F10 as a stand-alone standard.

Implementing SIST EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 helps organizations meet high standards for underwater cable performance, supporting safe, resilient infrastructure for global communications.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018
Optični kabli - 1-210. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Okoljske preskusne metode - Odpornost podvodnega kabla proti
hidrostatičnemu tlaku, metoda F10 (IEC 60794-1-210:2026)
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-210: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Environmental test methods - Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic
pressure, Method F10 (IEC 60794-1-210:2026)
Lichtwellenleiter - Teil 1-210: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für
Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Umweltprüfverfahren - Widerstandsfähigkeit von
Unterwasserkabeln gegen hydrostatischen Druck, Verfahren F10 (IEC 60794-1-
210:2026)
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-210: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais d’environnement -
Résistance des câbles immergés à la pression hydrostatique, Méthode F10 (IEC 60794-
1-210:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 60794-1-210

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM August 2026
ICS 33.180.10 Supersedes EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018 (partially)
English Version
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-210: Generic specification - Basic
optical cable test procedures - Environmental test methods -
Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic pressure, Method
F10
(IEC 60794-1-210:2026)
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-210: Spécification Lichtwellenleiter - Teil 1-210: Fachgrundspezifikation -
générique - Procédures fondamentales d'essais des câbles Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel -
optiques - Méthodes d'essais d'environnement - Résistance Umweltprüfverfahren - Widerstandsfähigkeit von
des câbles immergés à la pression hydrostatique, Méthode Unterwasserkabeln gegen hydrostatischen Druck,
F10 Verfahren F10
(IEC 60794-1-210:2026) (IEC 60794-1-210:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2026-07-16. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 E

European foreword
The text of document 86A/2688/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 60794-1-210, prepared by SC 86A
"Fibres and cables" of IEC/TC 86 "Fibre optics" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and
approved by CENELEC as EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2027-08-31
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2029-08-31
document have to be withdrawn
This document partially supersedes EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018 and all of its amendments and
corrigenda (if any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60794-1-210:2026 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standard indicated:
IEC 60794-1-2 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60794-1-2
IEC 60794-1-22:2017 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018 (not modified)
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
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.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod),
the relevant EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available
here: www.cencenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60793-1-46 - Optical fibres - Part 1-46: Measurement EN IEC 60793-1-46 -
methods and test procedures - Monitoring
of changes in attenuation
IEC 60794-1-1 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-1: Generic EN IEC 60794-1-1 -
specification - General
IEC 60794-1-210 ®
Edition 1.0 2026-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical fibre cables -
Part 1-210: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Environmental test methods - Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic
pressure, Method F10
ICS 33.180.10  ISBN 978-2-8327-1289-4

IEC 60794-1-210:2026-06(en)
IEC 60794-1-210:2026 © IEC 2026
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 2
INTRODUCTION . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Object . 5
4.1 General . 5
4.2 F10A: radial hydrostatic pressure . 5
4.3 F10B: longitudinal hydrostatic pressure . 5
4.3.1 General. 5
4.3.2 F10B.1 . 6
4.3.3 F10B.2 . 6
4.4 F10C: longitudinal hydrostatic pressure for cables through vessel . 6
5 Sample . 6
6 Apparatus . 6
6.1 General . 6
6.2 Pressure vessel . 6
6.3 Water . 6
6.4 Optical attenuation measuring apparatus . 7
6.5 Detecting devices . 7
7 Procedure . 7
7.1 General . 7
7.2 Procedure for F10A. 7
7.3 Procedure for F10B. 8
7.3.1 Procedure for F10B.1 . 8
7.3.2 Procedure for F10B.2 . 9
7.4 Procedure for F10C . 10
8 Requirements . 11
9 Details to be specified . 11
10 Details to be reported . 12
Bibliography . 13

Figure 1 – Test set-up of F10A. 8
Figure 2 – Test set-up of F10B.1 . 9
Figure 3 – Test set-up of F10B.2 . 10
Figure 4 – Test set-up of F10C . 11

IEC 60794-1-210:2026 © IEC 2026
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Optical fibre cables -
Part 1-210: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Environmental test methods - Underwater cable resistance
to hydrostatic pressure, Method F10

FOREWORD
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the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 60794-1-210 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC technical
committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
This first edition cancels and replaces Method F10 of the second edition of IEC 60794-1-22
published in 2017. This edition constitutes
...