SIST EN IEC 60794-1-207:2026

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-207: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Environmental test methods - Nuclear radiation, Method F7 (IEC 60794-1-207:2025)

IEC 60794-1-207:2025 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for optical fibre cables for the environmental property: performance degradation when exposed to nuclear radiation. 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. Method F7A evaluates performance degradation of optical fibre cable in environmental background radiation; Method F7B evaluates performance degradation of optical fibre cable in adverse nuclear environments.
NOTE Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc.
This first edition cancels and replaces the method F7 of the second edition of IEC 60794-1-22 published in 2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) detailed content of sample, apparatus, procedure, requirements and details of the method to be specified and reported are added.

Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 1-207: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Umweltprüfverfahren - Kernstrahlung, Verfahren F7 (IEC 60794-1-207:2025)

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-207: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais d’environnement - Rayonnement nucléaire, méthode F7 (IEC 60794-1-207:2025)

IEC 60794-1-207: 2025 décrit les procédures d'essais à utiliser afin d'établir des exigences uniformes relatives aux câbles à fibres optiques pour la propriété environnementale: dégradation des performances lors de l'exposition au rayonnement nucléaire. Le présent document s'applique aux câbles à fibres optiques destinés à être utilisés dans les équipements de télécommunications et les dispositifs qui utilisent des techniques analogues, ainsi qu'aux câbles constitués de fibres optiques d'une part et de conducteurs électriques d'autre part. La méthode F7A évalue la dégradation des performances d'un câble à fibres optiques dans des conditions de rayonnement de l'environnement général; la méthode F7B évalue la dégradation des performances d'un câble à fibres optiques dans des environnements nucléaires hostiles.
NOTE Dans tout le document, l'expression "câble optique" peut également inclure des assemblages de fibres optiques, des assemblages de fibres pour microconduits, etc.
Cette première édition annule et remplace la méthode F7 de la deuxième édition de l'IEC 60794-1-22 parue en 2017. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) ajout d'un contenu détaillé de l'échantillon, de l'appareillage, du mode opératoire, des exigences et des détails de la méthode à spécifier et à consigner.

Optični kabli - 1-207. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za optične kable - Okoljske preskusne metode - Jedrsko sevanje, metoda F7 (IEC 60794-1-207:2025)

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 25-Jan-2024
• 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 60794-1-207:2025 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-207: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Environmental test methods - Nuclear radiation, Method F7

Relations

• 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-Feb-2026

Overview

EN IEC 60794-1-207:2025 defines Method F7 - the nuclear radiation environmental test method - for optical fibre cables. The document establishes uniform test procedures to evaluate radiation-induced attenuation and material degradation in optical fibre cables used with telecommunication equipment and related devices. This first edition replaces method F7 of IEC 60794-1-22 (2017) and adds detailed requirements for sample selection, apparatus, procedure, requirements and reporting.

Key Topics

• Test scope: Applies to optical fibre cables and assemblies (including optical fibre units and microduct units), and to cables combining optical fibres with electrical conductors.
• Method variants:
  • F7A - evaluates performance in environmental background radiation (relatively low total dose and dose rate).
  • F7B - evaluates performance in adverse nuclear environments (higher total dose and dose rate).
• Sample selection: Test sample length shall be chosen so the induced attenuation at the end of irradiation lies between 3 dB and 10 dB. The irradiated length and spool arrangement must be reported.
• Apparatus and controls:
  • Radiation source: Cobalt (Co) or equivalent ionizing sources are used unless otherwise specified. The time to turn the source on/off shall be < 10% of total exposure time.
  • Radiation dosimeter: Thermoluminescent detectors (LiF or CaF TLDs) or ion chamber detectors are used to measure the total dose received by the specimen fibre.
  • Temperature control: Containers must maintain specified temperatures to within ± 2 °C.
  • Optical attenuation measurement: Measurement equipment and launch conditions follow IEC 60793-1-54 (and related measurement methods).
• Mechanical handling: Test samples shall be spooled on reels with drum radius no less than the larger of 10 cm or the cable minimum bending radius, and reels should not act as radiation shields. Non-conducting reel materials are recommended and any dose build-up due to reel materials must be accounted for.
• Safety and competence: Tests require strict radiation safety measures and trained personnel; laboratories must apply relevant protective regulations.

Applications

• Qualification and acceptance testing for optical fibre cables intended for use in environments where nuclear radiation exposure is possible - examples include:
  • Military installations and systems
  • Certain zones within nuclear power stations and research laboratories
  • Critical infrastructure where resilience to radiological events is specified

Benefits of applying EN IEC 60794-1-207:2025 include consistent, repeatable evaluation of radiation-induced attenuation, objective material performance data under radiation exposure, and better-informed selection of fibres, polymers and cable constructions (including metallic sheaths or screens) for radiation-prone environments.

Related Standards

• IEC 60793-1-54 - Optical fibres: measurement methods and test procedures for gamma irradiation and attenuation monitoring.
• IEC 60794-1-2 - Generic guidance for basic optical cable test procedures.
• IEC 60794-1-201 / F1 - Temperature cycling test guidance.
• IEC 60794-1-209 / F9 - Ageing test guidance.

Note: When specifying or reporting Method F7 tests, include details of sample preparation, apparatus, calibration, irradiation protocol, measurement methods and all required results as defined in the standard.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-207:2024
01-januar-2024
Optični kabli - 1-207. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Okoljske preskusne metode - Jedrsko sevanje, metoda f7
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-207: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Environmental test methods - Nuclear radiation, method f7
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-207: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais d’environnement -
Rayonnement nucléaire, méthode f7
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-207:2023
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-207:2024 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-207:2024

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-207:2024
86A/2384/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)

PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-207 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2023-11-03 2024-01-26
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2287/CD, 86A/2374/CC
IEC SC 86A : FIBRES AND CABLES
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
France Mr Laurent Gasca
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: PROPOSED HORIZONTAL STANDARD:

Other TC/SCs are requested to indicate their interest, if
any, in this CDV to the secretary.
FUNCTIONS CONCERNED:
EMC ENVIRONMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SAFETY
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 1-207: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Environmental test methods - Nuclear radiation, Method F7

PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2028
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
download 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
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oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-207:2024
IEC CDV 60794-1-207/Ed1 © IEC 2023 – 2 – 86A/2384/CDV

1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD . 3
4 1 Scope . 5
5 2 Normative references . 5
6 3 Terms and definitions . 5
7 4 General requirements . 6
8 5 Method F7: Nuclear radiation . 6
9 5.1 Object . 6
10 5.2 Sample . 6
11 5.3 Apparatus . 6
12 5.3.1 General . 6
13 5.3.2 Radiation source . 7
14 5.3.3 Radiation dosimeter . 7
15 5.3.4 Temperature-controlled container . 7
16 5.3.5 Attenuation measurement apparatus . 7
17 5.4 Procedure . 7
18 5.4.1 General . 7
19 5.4.2 Calibration of radiation source . 7
20 5.4.3 Preparation and pre-conditioning . 7
21 5.4.4 Attenuation measurement prior to irradiation . 8
22 5.4.5 Radiation exposure . 8
23 5.5 Requirements . 8
24 5.6 Details to be specified . 9
25 5.7 Details to be reported . 9
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-207:2024
IEC CDV 60794-1-207/Ed1 © IEC 2023 – 3 – 86A/2384/CDV

27 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
28 ____________
30 OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
32 Part 1-207: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
33 Environmental test methods – Nuclear radiation, Method F7
35 FOREWORD
36 1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
37 all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
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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 60794-1-207 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC technical
69 committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
70 This first edition of IEC 60794-1-207 cancels and replaces method F7 of the second edition of
71 IEC 60794-1-22 published in 2017.
72 This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
73 edition:
74 a) the environmental test contained in IEC 60794-1-22: 2017 will now be individually numbered
75 in the IEC 60794-1-2xx series. Each test method is now considered to be an individual
76 document rather than part of a multi-test method compendium. Full cross-reference details
77 are given in IEC 60794-1-2;
78 b) detailed content of sample, apparatus, procedure, requirements and details to be specified
79 of the methods is added.
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-207:2024
IEC CDV 60794-1-207/Ed1 © IEC 2023 – 4 – 86A/2384/CDV

80 The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86A/XX/FDIS 86A/XX/RVD
82 Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
83 the above table.
84 The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
85 This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
86 accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
87 at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
88 described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
89 A list of all parts in the IEC 60794 series, published under the general title Optical fibre cables,
90 can be found on the IEC website.
91 The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
92 stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
93 specific document. At this date, the document will be
94 • reconfirmed,
95 • withdrawn,
96 • replaced by a revised edition, or
97 • amended.
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-207:2024
IEC CDV 60794-1-207/Ed1 © IEC 2023 – 5 – 86A/2384/CDV

99 OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
101 Part 1-207: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
102 Environmental test methods – Nuclear radiation, Method F7
106 1 Scope
107 This part of IEC 60794 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform
108 requirements for optical fibre cables for the environmental property- nuclear radiation.
109 This document applies to optical fibre cables for use with telecommunication equipment and
110 devices employing similar techniques, and to cables having a combination of both optical fibres
111 and electrical conductors.
112 Method F7A evaluates performance degradation of optical fibre cable in environmental
113 background radiation; Method F7B evaluates performance degradation of optical fibre cable in
114 adverse nuclear environments.
115 NOTE Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units,
116 etc.
117 2 Normative references
118 The following documents are referred
...