oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-125:2025

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, method e25

Lichtwellenleiterkabel – Teil 1-125: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Mechanische Prüfverfahren - Funktionsprüfung der Reißleine, Verfahren E25

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-125: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais mécaniques - Essai de fonctionnement du fil de déchirement, méthode e25

Optični kabli - 1-125. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Funkcionalni preskus Ripcord, metoda e25

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 30-Apr-2025
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: MOC - Mobile Communications
• Current Stage: 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 11-Feb-2025
• Due Date: 01-Jul-2025
• Completion Date: 22-Apr-2025
• Ref Project: prEN IEC 60794-1-125:2025 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, method e25

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

prEN IEC 60794-1-125:2025 - Method E25 (Ripcord functional test) defines a standardized mechanical test procedure to evaluate the functionality of ripcords in optical fibre cables. Published as part of the IEC 60794 series, this document specifies how to verify that a ripcord can open a cable sheath reliably (without breaking) under defined temperature conditions. The method replaces the previous E25 in IEC 60794-1-21:2017 and is presented as a standalone test procedure for optical fibre cable manufacturers, testers and compliance engineers.

Key topics and requirements

• Test objective: Confirm a ripcord rips through the cable sheath (jacket and armour, if present) without breaking during a 1 m pull.
• Sample preparation:
  • Minimum sample length: 1.5 m (longer if required to avoid ripcord pull-out).
  • Prepare one end by removing sheath for 100 mm to expose ripcord(s).
  • Mark the sheath 1 m from the start of the prepared end.
• Environmental conditioning:
  • Use a climatic chamber controllable within ±3 °C of the test temperature.
  • Recommended cold test temperatures per IEC TR 62691 (e.g., 0 °C for PVC, −15 °C for polyethylene, −20 °C for LSZH). Optional high-temperature test (e.g., +50 °C) may be used if requested.
  • Condition sample for at least 4 hours before testing.
• Procedure:
  • Immediately after conditioning, pull the ripcord until 1 m of the sheath is opened and the core is revealed.
• Acceptance criteria:
  • Ripcord must slit the sheath to the 1 m mark and must not break or pull out prior to completing the rip.
  • If a failure occurs, test two additional specimens from the same cable length; the cable passes if neither follow-up specimen fails.
• Apparatus: climatic chamber, cable preparation tools, and clamping or manual holding method are acceptable.
• Reporting requirements: include test temperature(s), required opening length, cable construction, sheath and ripcord materials, number of ripcords, number of samples, and test results.

Applications and users

This ripcord functional test is relevant for:

• Optical fibre cable manufacturers validating sheath accessability and serviceability.
• Quality assurance and R&D teams designing cable jackets, armouring and ripcord systems.
• Test laboratories performing compliance testing to IEC 60794 series.
• Procurement and installation engineers specifying cable maintainability for field splicing and repairs.

Keywords: ripcord functional test, optical fibre cables, IEC 60794-1-125, rip cord test, cable sheath testing, mechanical test method.

Related standards

• IEC 60794-1-1 (generic specification - general)
• IEC 60794-1-2 (guidance for basic optical cable test procedures)
• IEC TR 62691 (guidelines to installation and recommended temperatures)
• IEC TR 61931 (fibre optic terminology)

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-2025
Optični kabli - 1-125. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Funkcionalni preskus Ripcord,
metoda e25
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, method e25
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-125: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais mécaniques - Essai de
fonctionnement du fil de déchirement, méthode e25
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-125:2025
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.

86A/2534/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-125 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-02-07 2025-05-02
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2448/CD, 86A/2530/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
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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
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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 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, Method E25

PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2028
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
electronic file, to make a copy and to print out the content for the sole purpose of preparing National Committee positions.
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IEC CDV 60794-1-125/Ed1 © IEC 2025 – 2 – 86A/2534/CDV
1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD . 3
4 1 Scope . 5
5 2 Normative references . 5
6 3 Terms and definitions . 5
7 4 Graphical symbols and abbreviated terms . 5
8 5 Method 25 – Rip cord functional test . 6
9 5.1 Object . 6
10 5.2 Sample . 6
11 5.3 Apparatus . 6
12 5.4 Procedure . 6
13 5.5 Requirements . 6
14 5.6 Details to be specified . 7
15 5.7 Details to be reported . 7
16 Bibliography . 8

IEC CDV 60794-1-125/Ed1 © IEC 2025 – 3 – 86A/2534/CDV
17 FOREWORD
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