oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-128: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable and fibre mechanical reliability test, Method E28

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-128: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais mécaniques - Essai de fiabilité mécanique des câbles et des fibres, Méthode E28

Optični kabli - 1-128. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Preizkus mehanske zanesljivosti kablov in vlaken, metoda E28

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 31-Jul-2025
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: MOC - Mobile Communications
• Current Stage: 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 18-Jun-2025
• Due Date: 05-Nov-2025
• Completion Date: 18-Jul-2025
• Ref Project: prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-128: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable and fibre mechanical reliability test, Method E28

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

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025 Overview

The oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025 standard, published by the CLC under the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), specifies basic mechanical test procedures for optical fibre cables, focusing on mechanical reliability testing of cables and fibres using Method E28. This document defines the generic specification and outlines procedures to simulate mechanical stresses that optical fibre cables experience in real-world applications, ensuring their durability and performance integrity.

The standard applies to optical fibre cables used in telecommunication equipment and devices, including those that combine optical fibres with electrical conductors. It principally targets small fibre-count cables, such as simplex and duplex types, but also accommodates cables with up to 4 or 6 fibres.

Key Topics

• Mechanical Reliability Test (Method E28):
  The heart of this standard is a mechanical reliability test designed to evaluate the impact of simultaneous tension and bending on optical fibre cables. This accelerated test stresses cables by wrapping them around a 3.0 mm diameter pin at a 90-degree bend while applying a load 1.5 times greater than the cable's long-term rated load for a duration of 30 days.

• Test Apparatus and Setup:

  • Cables are anchored horizontally without sheath bunching.
  • A figure-8 mandrel or similar retaining device couples fibres tightly to cable elements.
  • Vertical tension is applied via a weight to simulate operational stress, with careful load application to avoid sheath damage.

• Failure Criteria:
  The test considers a failure if the optical fibre breaks or if visible cracks appear on the cable’s outer sheath surface, ensuring strict assessment of mechanical durability.

• Detailed Test Specifications:
  Users must specify cable type, long-term rated load, test load (if different), and test duration (if differing from 30 days). Reporting protocols include temperature, sample length, attachment methods, and any procedural deviations.

• Reference Document:
  This standard builds upon IEC 60794-1-2, which provides general guidance for optical cable test procedures.

Applications

This standard is essential for manufacturers, testers, and quality assurance teams involved in the production and validation of optical fibre cables for telecommunications and related industries. Key practical applications include:

• Cable Qualification:
  Ensuring new optical fibre cable designs meet mechanical reliability requirements before market release.

• Quality Control:
  Routine testing during manufacturing to verify the mechanical robustness of fibre optic cables against bending and tension stresses typical in installation and operational environments.

• Research and Development:
  Supporting product development by providing standardized test methods to evaluate the mechanical behavior of cable prototypes under simulated service conditions.

• Compliance and Industry Standards Alignment:
  Facilitating alignment with international quality benchmarks for optical fibre cables, enhancing interoperability and customer confidence worldwide.

Related Standards

• IEC 60794-1-2: Generic specification and general guidance for basic optical cable test procedures. Serves as the foundational reference for understanding test conditions and definitions relevant to optical cable testing.

• IEC 60794-1-21:2015: Previous edition addressing mechanical test methods and early versions of Method E28, which oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025 partially replaces and updates.

• ISO/IEC Directives: Standards development frameworks ensuring rigorous preparation and publication of international standards.

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By adhering to oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025, stakeholders in the optical fibre industry benefit from clear test methods to verify mechanical reliability, promoting fiber optic cable products that deliver consistent performance and long-term durability in demanding telecommunication infrastructure.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2025
Optični kabli - 1-128. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Preizkus mehanske zanesljivosti
kablov in vlaken, metoda E28
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-128: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable and fibre mechanical reliability test,
Method E28
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-128: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais mécaniques - Essai de
fiabilité mécanique des câbles et des fibres, Méthode E28
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-128:2025
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/2575/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-128 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-06-13 2025-09-05
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2529/CD, 86A/2571/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 1-128: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods – Cable and fibre mechanical reliability test, Method E28
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 any other purpose without permission in writing from IEC.

2 IEC CDV 60794-1-128 ED1 © IEC 2025
1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD . 3
4 1 Scope . 5
5 2 Normative references . 5
6 3 Terms and definitions . 5
7 4 General requirements . 5
8 5 Method E28: Cable and fibre mechanical reliability 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 Requirement . 7
14 5.6 Details to be specified . 7
15 5.7 Details to be reported . 7
16 Bibliography . 8
18 Figure 1 – Mechanical reliability test apparatus . 6
IEC CDV 60794-1-128 ED1 © IEC 2025 3
21 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
22 ____________
24 OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
26 Part 1-128: Generic specification –
27 Basic optical cable test procedures –
28 Mechanical test methods – Cable and fibre mechanical reliability test,
29 Method E28
31 FOREWORD
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58 e
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