kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 30-Sep-2025
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: MOC - Mobile Communications
• Current Stage: 5020 - Formal vote (FV) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 15-Oct-2026
• Due Date: 03-Dec-2026
• Completion Date: 16-Oct-2026
• Ref Project: FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-120: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable storage performance before installation, Method E20

• 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
• 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

kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 is a SIST standard based on the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) document for optical fibre cables. It specifies Method E20 for checking cable storage performance before installation, with two mechanical test methods for armoured optical fibre cables used with telecommunication equipment and similar devices. It is written for manufacturers, users and test laboratories that need a common way to specify, perform and report this test.

What does kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 specify?

kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 specifies test procedures for cable storage performance before installation. The document is aimed at armoured optical fibre cables, including cables used in underwater or other special protection applications, and cables that combine optical fibres and electrical conductors.

The document is organized around a short technical structure:

• Clause 1 gives the scope.
• Clause 2 lists the normative references.
• Clause 3 points to the applicable terms and definitions.
• Clause 4 gives Method E20 and splits it into Method E20A and Method E20B.
• Two figures show the test set-ups for the circular coiling and “figure-8” piling methods.

Part of the document	What it covers
4.1-4.2	Purpose of the test and the two test options
4.3	Method E20A, circular coiling
4.4	Method E20B, “figure-8” piling

What are the key requirements of kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026?

kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 defines how to prepare the sample, run the test, and judge the result. The practical goal is to show whether an armoured cable can be stored and laid out before installation without losing acceptable performance.

Method E20A - circular coiling

Method E20A is for underwater cables stored on ships. The sample must be long enough to make the agreed number of coils, taken from the production inner end, and coiled flat on a suitable surface at a temperature close to ambient ship-loading and laying conditions.

The cable is started at the manufacturer-specified diameter and direction, kept in place for more than 5 minutes, and should form a smooth circle that stays flat on the surface. In practice, this means the user and manufacturer must agree the coiling diameter, number of coils and temperature before testing.

Method E20B - “figure-8” piling

Method E20B is for armoured optical cables delivered on drums, where the “figure-8” shape helps avoid torsional stress during installation. The sample is unwound from the drum without cutting, laid on a flat surface, and kept in the pile for more than 5 minutes.

The minor dimension of the pile must be at least 1.5 m and at least the minimum cable bending diameter during installation, while the major dimension must be at least twice the minor dimension. The pile should remain flat and smooth, and the test uses attenuation measurements before and after the test according to IEC 60793-1-46.

Performance and reporting

For E20B, the document requires no change in attenuation for single-mode fibres at 1 550 nm after the test, unless otherwise agreed. Both methods also require the relevant specification to state the key test settings, and the report to record the agreed settings, the visual condition of the cable and any deviations.

What terms does kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 define?

The document uses terms from IEC 60794-1-1, and a few terms are central to reading it correctly.

• Armoured optical fibre cable - the cable type being tested, typically used where extra protection is needed.
• Method E20 - the overall test for cable storage performance before installation.
• Method E20A - the circular coiling version of the test.
• Method E20B - the “figure-8” piling version of the test.
• Attenuation - the optical loss measured before and after the test.
• Single-mode fibres - the fibres for which the document sets a no-change criterion at 1 550 nm in Method E20B.

Who uses kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026?

kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 is used by cable manufacturers, purchasers, test laboratories and technical teams that specify or verify installation readiness. It is especially relevant for underwater cable systems, ship loading and laying operations, and armoured cable delivery on drums.

In practice, these users rely on the document to agree test conditions, run the storage test consistently, compare results and document acceptance. It is also useful where a cable needs to be checked before installation in telecommunication and similar applications.

What changed in kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 from the previous edition?

This document partially replaces IEC 60794-1-21:2015+AMD1:2020 CSV. The stated technical changes are:

• Method E20 from IEC 60794-1-21 is cancelled and replaced here.
• The object now includes typical cable structures that were added and updated.
• A figure was added for Method E20A.
• Reporting details were added for Method E20A.
• Method E20B, the “figure-8” piling test, was added.

Which standards are used with kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026?

kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 relies on two named IEC documents:

• IEC 60793-1-46 - used for measuring changes in attenuation before and after Method E20B.
• IEC 60794-1-1 - provides the general specification terms and definitions used in this document.

IEC 60794-1-2 is also cited as a reference guide for test methods, general requirements and definitions.

What does the kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 document contain?

kSIST FprEN IEC 60794-1-120:2026 contains the method descriptions, test set-ups and reporting points for cable storage testing before installation. It includes the object of each method, sample preparation, apparatus needs, procedures, requirements, and the details that must be specified or reported.

The document also includes two figures: one for the circular coiling set-up and one for the “figure-8” piling set-up. These parts are meant for practical testing, specification writing and comparison of results between cable makers and users.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025
01-september-2025
Optični kabli - 1-120. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Zmogljivost shranjevanja kablov
pred namestitvijo, metoda E20
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-120: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable storage performance before installation,
method E20
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-120: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d'essai mécaniques -
Performance de stockage du câble avant installation, méthode e20
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025

oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025
86A/2595/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-120 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-08-01 2025-10-24
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2500/CD, 86A/2593/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 1-120: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods - Cable storage performance before installation, Method E20

PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2029
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
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oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-120 © IEC 2025
1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD . 2
4 1 Scope . 4
5 2 Normative references . 4
6 3 Terms and definitions . 4
7 4 Method E20 – Cable storage performance before installation . 4
8 4.1 Object . 4
9 4.2 General . 4
10 4.3 Method E20A: Circular coiling method . 5
11 4.3.1 Sample . 5
12 4.3.2 Apparatus . 5
13 4.3.3 Procedure . 5
14 4.3.4 Requirements . 5
15 4.3.5 Details to be specified . 5
16 4.3.6 Details to be reported . 6
17 4.4 Method E20B: “figure-8” piling method . 6
18 4.4.1 Sample . 6
19 4.4.2 Apparatus . 6
20 4.4.3 Procedure . 6
21 4.4.4 Requirements . 7
22 4.4.5 Details to be specified . 7
23 4.4.6 Details to be reported . 7
24 Bibliography . 8
26 Figure 1 – Test set-up of the circular coiling method . 6
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025
IEC CDV 60794-1-120 © IEC 2025
29 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
30 ____________
32 OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
34 Part 1-120: Generic specification –
35 Basic optical cable test procedures –
36 Mechanical test methods – Cable storage performance before installation,
37 Method E20
39 FOREWORD
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