oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-103:2025

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-103: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Crush, Method E3

Lichtwellenleiterkabel – Teil 1-103: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Mechanische Prüfverfahren - Quetschung, Verfahren E3

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-103: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d'essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d'essais mécaniques - écrasement, méthode E3

Optični kabli - 1-103.del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Stiskanje, metoda E3

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 31-Oct-2025
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: MOC - Mobile Communications
• Current Stage: 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 26-Aug-2025
• Due Date: 13-Jan-2026
• Completion Date: 28-Oct-2025
• Ref Project: prEN IEC 60794-1-103:2025 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-103: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Crush, Method E3

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 60794-1-103:2025 specifies a uniform crush test (Method E3) for optical fibre cables. Part of the IEC 60794 series, this document defines apparatus, procedures and reporting requirements to assess the ability of optical fibre cables (including hybrid cable constructions) to withstand short‑term and long‑term crushing loads. It replaces the Method E3 content previously in IEC 60794-1-21 and references general test guidance in IEC 60794-1-2. Note: the CDV stage indicates the text may be subject to change.

Key topics and requirements

• Purpose: Determine cable resistance to crushing loads and effects on optical performance (attenuation, continuity).
• Test variants:
  • Method E3A - plate/plate: cable crushed between a fixed steel base plate and a movable steel plate that applies force uniformly over a 100 mm flat length (total plate ≈110 mm; edge radius ≈5 mm).
  • Method E3B - mandrel/plate: same arrangement but with a steel mandrel (default diameter 25 mm) inserted perpendicular to the cable or replacing the movable plate.
• Apparatus details: flat plate dimensions, rounded edges (5 mm radius), and 25 mm mandrel diameter are specified as default values unless the relevant specification states otherwise.
• Procedure highlights:
  • Mount cable to prevent lateral movement; measure initial attenuation before loading.
  • Apply force gradually (if incremental, step ratio ≤ 1.5:1).
  • Maintain specified force for the test duration - typically 1 minute (short‑term) or 10 minutes (long‑term) unless otherwise specified.
  • Perform attenuation measurement before release.
  • Default test repetition: three crushes at different locations, ≥500 mm apart and not equal to the cable core lay length or its integer multiples.
• Acceptance criteria: Defined in the relevant product specification. Typical criteria include maximum allowable change in attenuation (during and after test), optical continuity, and absence of physical damage (superficial imprints/scratches are not considered damage).

Applications and users

• Who uses it: cable manufacturers, independent test laboratories, telecom operators, procurement teams, R&D and qualification engineers, and standards bodies.
• Practical uses:
  • Design validation and mechanical qualification of optical fibre cables.
  • Production quality control and supplier acceptance testing.
  • Comparative evaluation of cable constructions for deployment environments where crushing risk exists (ducts, handling, storage).
  • Contractual test requirements and compliance evidence for telecommunication installations.

Related standards

• IEC 60794-1-2 - Generic guidance for basic optical cable test procedures.
• Other parts of the IEC 60794 series covering environmental and mechanical tests.

Keywords: prEN IEC 60794-1-103, IEC 60794, crush test, Method E3, optical fibre cables, mechanical test methods, attenuation, cable testing, plate/plate, mandrel/plate.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2025
Optični kabli - 1-103.del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Stiskanje, metoda E3
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-103: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Crush, Method E3
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-103: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d'essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d'essais mécaniques -
écrasement, méthode E3
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-103:2025
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/2607/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-103 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-08-22 2025-11-14
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2496/CD, 86A/2603/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 1-103: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods – Crush, Method E3

PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2029
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 60794-1-103 © IEC 2025
1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD . 2
4 1 Scope . 4
5 2 Normative references . 4
6 3 Terms and definitions . 4
7 4 General requirements . 4
8 5 Method E3: Crush . 4
9 5.1 Object . 4
10 5.2 Sample . 4
11 5.3 Standard atmospheric conditions . 4
12 5.4 Method E3A: Plate/plate . 5
13 5.4.1 Apparatus . 5
14 5.4.2 Procedure . 5
15 5.5 Method E3B: Mandrel/plate . 5
16 5.5.1 Apparatus . 5
17 5.5.2 Procedure . 6
18 5.6 Requirements . 6
19 5.7 Details to be specified . 6
20 5.8 Details to be reported . 6
IEC CDV 60794-1-103 © IEC 2025
22 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
23 ____________
25 OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
27 Part 1-103: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
28 Mechanical test methods – Crush, Method E3
30 FOREWORD
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