SC 86A - Fibres and cables

IEC 60793-1-46:2024 establishes uniform requirements for the monitoring of changes in attenuation, thereby assisting in the inspection of fibres and cables for commercial purposes. This document gives two methods for monitoring the changes in attenuation of optical fibres and cables that occur during mechanical or environmental testing, or both. It provides a monitor in the change of attenuation characteristics arising from optical discontinuity, physical defects and modifications of the attenuation slope:
- method A: change in attenuation by transmitted power;
- method B: change in attenuation by backscattering.
Methods A and B apply to the monitoring of all categories of the following fibres:
- class A: multimode fibres;
- class B: single-mode fibres;
- class C: single-mode intraconnection fibres.
Information common to both measurements is contained in Clause 1 to Clause 10, and information pertaining to each individual method appears in Annex A, and Annex B respectively.

IEC 60793-1-22:2024 establishes uniform requirements for measuring the length and elongation of optical fibre (typically within cable). The length of an optical fibre is a fundamental value for the evaluation of transmission characteristics such as losses and bandwidths.

IEC 60794-1-201: 2024 defines test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for the environmental performance of:
- optical fibre cables for use with telecommunication equipment and devices employing similar techniques; and
- cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors.
Throughout this document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc. This document defines a test standard to determine the ability of a cable to withstand the effects of temperature cycling by observing changes in attenuation. See IEC 60794-1-2 for a reference guide to test methods of all types and for general requirements and definitions.
This document partially replaces IEC 60794-1-22:2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60794-1-22:2017:
a) all references to the temperature sensing device have been removed and replaced with a note "for further study";
b) the conditioning procedure has been separated into Procedure 1 and Procedure 2 to avoid confusion;
c) the ambient temperature test condition has been defined as per IEC 60794-1-2;
d) the minimum soak time has been decreased for sample mass >16 kg in Table 1.

IEC 60794-1-209:2024 defines test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for the environmental performance of:
- optical fibre cables for use with telecommunication equipment and devices employing similar techniques; and
- cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors.
Throughout this document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc. This document defines a test standard to determine cable aging performance by high temperature exposure and temperature cycling in order to simulate lifetime behaviour of the attenuation of cables, or physical attributes. See IEC 60794‑1‑2 for a reference guide to test methods of all types and for general requirements and definitions.
This document partially cancels and replaces IEC 60794‑1‑22:2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60794‑1‑22:2017:
a) the ambient temperature test condition has been defined as per IEC 60794‑1‑2;
b) all the maximum allowable attenuation increase values for single-mode and multimode fibres have been deleted, and have been included in the list of details to be specified.

IEC 60794-1-101:2024 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.
This document defines test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for tensile performance.
Throughout this document the wording "optical cable" includes optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc.
See IEC 60794-1-2 for general requirements and definitions and for a complete reference guide to test methods of all types.

IEC 60794-1-213:2024 defines test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for the environmental performance of microduct. The test determines the capability of the microduct to withstand internal pressure without leakage and visible damage. This document applies to microduct used for installation of microduct cable or fibre unit by blowing. Throughout this document, the wording "microduct" can also include protected microduct(s). See IEC 60794-1-2 for a reference guide to test methods of all types and for general requirements and definitions.This document partially cancels and replaces IEC 60794-1-22:2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60794-1-22:2017:
a) pressure gauge used to monitor internal pressure of microduct added as part of the test apparatus;
b) "test temperature" added to the details to be specified;
c) added a new subclause “4.7 Details to be reported”.

IEC 60794-1-104:2024 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. This document defines test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for impact performance. Throughout this document the wording “optical cable” includes optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc. See IEC 60794-1-2 for general requirements and definitions and for a complete reference guide to test methods of all types.
This document partially cancels and replaces IEC 60794-1-21:2015, which will be withdrawn. In the context of the revision of IEC 60794-1-21:2015, its contents were split into separate test methods. It includes an editorial revision, based on the new structure and numbering system for optical fibre cable test methods.

IEC 60793-1-45:2024 is available as IEC 60793-1-45:2024 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.IEC 60793-1-45:2024 establishes uniform requirements for measuring the mode field diameter (MFD) of single-mode optical fibre, thereby assisting in the inspection of fibres and cables for commercial purposes. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) modification of the minimum distance between the fibre end and the detector for the direct far field scan (Annex A).
b) generalization of the requirement for the minimum dynamic range for all fibre types (Annex A).

IEC 60793-1-41:2024 is available as IEC 60793-1-41:2024 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.IEC 60793-1-41:2024 describes three methods for determining and measuring the modal bandwidth of multimode optical fibres (see IEC 60793-2-10, IEC 60793-2-30, and the IEC 60793‑2‑40 series). The baseband frequency response is directly measured in the frequency domain by determining the fibre response to a sinusoidaly modulated light source. The baseband response can also be measured by observing the broadening of a narrow pulse of light. The calculated response is determined using differential mode delay (DMD) data. The three methods are:
Method A – Time domain (pulse distortion) measurement
Method B – Frequency-domain measurement
Method C – Overfilled launch modal bandwidth calculated from differential mode delay (OMBc)
Method A and method B can be performed using one of two launches: an overfilled launch (OFL) condition or a restricted mode launch (RML) condition. Method C is only defined for A1-OM3 to A1-OM5 multimode fibres and uses a weighted summation of DMD launch responses with the weights corresponding to an overfilled launch condition. The relevant test method and launch condition is chosen according to the type of fibre.
NOTE 1 These test methods are commonly used in production and research facilities and are not easily accomplished in the field.
NOTE 2 OFL has been used for the modal bandwidth value for LED-based applications for many years. However, no single launch condition is representative of the laser (e.g. VCSEL) sources that are used for gigabit and higher rate transmission. This fact drove the development of IEC 60793-1-49 for determining the effective modal bandwidth of laser optimized 50 µm fibres. See IEC 60793-2-10 and IEC 61280-4-1 for more information.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2010. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) the addition of a direct reference for method A and method B.

IEC 60794-1-212:2024 defines the test procedure to examine the attenuation behaviour (change in attenuation) when an optical fibre cable with cable elements fixed at both ends is subjected to temperature cycling. This test assesses the attenuation behaviour of a cable under a no-end movement condition intended for termination with, for example, interconnecting devices or passive components. This document partially cancels and replaces IEC 60794-1-22:2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60794-1-22:2017:
a) the description of the test method has been changed to “with cable elements fixed at both ends”;
b) subclauses have been added to the procedure clause;
c) the preparation of cable sample and test set-up has been arranged in a logical way;
d) Figure 1 has been added for illustration of the preparation of cable sample, DUT and test set-up;
e) the temperature chamber temperature tolerance has been changed to ± 3 °C as done in IEC 60794‑1‑22, method F1;
f) all required steps have been added to the subclause for temperature cycling as well as the table for the minimum soak time and the figure for the cycle procedure, and removed the reference to IEC 60794-1-22, method F1;
g) the maximum change in attenuation has been added to the details to be specified;
h) a new subclause 4.5 has been added for details to be reported.

IEC 60794-1-217:2024 series defines the test procedure to measure the permanent fibre protrusion compared to the cable elements and cable sheath due to thermal exposure of a cable. This document partially replaces IEC 60794‑1‑22:2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60794‑1‑22:2017:
a) added clarification in the objective that the purpose of this test procedure is to measure the permanent fibre protrusion of cables without rigid strength members;
b) replaced the reference to method F1 for the apparatus with a detailed description for the temperature chamber and temperature sensing device as done in IEC 60794-1-211;
c) added a measuring device in the subclause for apparatus;
d) added conditioning before cutting the cable sample as done in IEC 60794-1-211
e) added all required steps in the subclause for temperature cycling as well as the table for the minimum soak time and the figure for the cycle procedure, and removed the reference to IEC 60794-1-22, method F1;
f) improved the figures and added a figure for preparation of the cable sample;
g) added the informative Annex A for the test procedure recommended for cables with rigid strength members.

IEC 60794-1-311:2024 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements of optical fibre cable elements for the mechanical property – tensile strength and elongation at break. 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. Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc.
This document partially cancels and replaces IEC 60794-1-23:2019. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60794‑1‑23:2019:
a) The information about dumb-bells is removed because this is not used for testing cable elements;
b) the parameters strain at yield and E modulus are added in 5.7.

IEC 60794-2-23: 2024 is a detail specification and specifies indoor multi-fibre cables for use in MPO (multi-fibre push on) connector terminated cable assemblies.

IEC 60794-1-312: 2024 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements of optical fibre cable elements for the mechanical property – tensile strength and elongation at low temperature. 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. Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc.
This document partially cancels and replaces method G11B of IEC 60794-1-23:2019. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60794‑1‑23:2019:
a) alignment of the title with the content of the method.

IEC 60794-2-24:2024 is a detail specification and specifies indoor multiple multi-fibre unit cables for use in MPO (multi-fibre push on) connector terminated breakout cable assemblies.

IEC TR 62285:2023 is available as IEC TR 62285:2023 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.IEC TR 62285:2023 which is a Technical Report, provides guidelines for uniform measurements of the nonlinear coefficient of class B single-mode fibres (see IEC 60793-2-50) in the 1 550 nm region. Measurements of the nonlinear coefficient are used to characterise specific single-mode fibre designs for the purpose of system design relative to power levels and distortion or noise effects derived from the nonlinear optical behaviour. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2005. It constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following signification technical changes with respect to the previous revision:
a) change fibre type of pigtail to B-652.D fibre or fibre of same type with the fibre under test;
b) modifications on Figure A.1 and Formulas (A.3), (A.4);
c) add example values and recommended method A test conditions for B-G.654.E fibre, update Table C.1.

IEC 60794-1-111: 2023 defines the test procedure to determine the ability of an optical fibre cable to withstand bending around a test mandrel. The primary purpose of this procedure is to measure the change in attenuation when the cable is bent around a test mandrel. A secondary purpose is to assess whether the cable has been physically damaged by bending. NOTE 1 This test can be utilized at any specified temperature, including the low or high temperature limits for the cable. NOTE 2 The bend test procedure for cable elements is specified in IEC 60794-1-301, method G1. This document partially cancels and replaces IEC 60794-1-21:2015. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60794‑1‑21:2015:
a) the nominal sample length was newly specified as 10 m between the cable element fixing points at both ends, unless otherwise specified;
b) the number of turns on the mandrel in Figure 1 for the single-helix configuration were corrected to match the number of turns shown in the figure for the two-helix configuration;
c) requirements on the turnaround loop were added for method E11A, two-helix configuration;
d) the turnaround loop with the same diameter as the mandrel was taken into account for calculation of the number of turns of each helix for method E11A, two-helix configuration;
e) added a formula for calculation of the number of revolutions in each helix for method E11A, two-helix configuration;
f) added a description for the procedure when the turnaround loop diameter is larger than the mandrel diameter for method E11A, two-helix configuration;
g) all the figures were updated and the different components labelled;
h) added the attenuation monitoring equipment in 4.2 for the apparatus and the description to measure the change in attenuation in the test methods E11A and E11B;
i) added Clause 9 for details to be reported;
j) added Annex A showing an example of a special mandrel to perform the bend test according to method E11A, two-helix configuration;
k) added Annex B providing the rationale for the options of method E11A, two-helix configuration.

IEC 60794-1-306: 2023 describes test procedures to verify the mechanical and functional integrity of the fibre ribbon structure. The test determines the capability of the ribbon to withstand torsion without delamination between optical fibre and ribbon bonding agent. This document applies to optical fibre ribbons in optical cables for use with telecommunication equipment and devices employing similar techniques, and to optical fibre ribbons in cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors. This document is not applicable to partially-bonded ribbons. The method for partially-bonded ribbons is under consideration. Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc. NOTE The environmental testing of optical fibre ribbon would be valuable for some applications. Useful information about suitable test methods can be found in the optical fibre standards IEC 60793-1-50, IEC 60793-1-51, IEC 60793‑1‑52, and IEC 60793-1-53. This document partially cancels and replaces IEC 60794‑1‑23:2019. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60794‑1‑23:2019:
a) change the scope, not include partially-bonded ribbon;
b) add some details to the procedure.

IEC 60793-1-44:2023 establishes uniform requirements for measuring the cut-off wavelength of single-mode optical fibre, thereby assisting in the inspection of fibres and cables for commercial purposes. This document gives methods for measuring the cut-off wavelength for uncabled or cabled single mode telecom fibre. These procedures apply to all category B and C fibre types. There are three methods of deployment for measuring the cut-off wavelength:
- method A: cable cut-off using uncabled fibre 22 m long sample, lcc;
- method B: cable cut-off using cabled fibre 22 m long sample, lcc;
- method C: fibre cut-off using uncabled fibre 2 m long sample, lc.
All methods require a reference measurement. There are two reference-scan techniques, either or both of which can be used with all methods:
- bend-reference technique;
- multimode-reference technique using category A1(OM1-OM5) multimode fibre.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2011. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) used the diameter of the fibre loops to describe deployment;
b) added Annex D related to cut-off curve artifacts;
c) reorganized information and added more figures to clarify concepts.

IEC 60794-1-1:2023 applies to optical fibre cables for use with communication equipment and devices employing similar techniques. Electrical properties are specified for optical ground wire (OPGW) and optical phase conductor (OPPC) cables. Hybrid communication cables are specified in the IEC 62807 series. The object of this document is to establish uniform generic requirements for the geometrical, transmission, material, mechanical, ageing (environmental exposure), climatic and electrical properties of optical fibre cables and cable elements, where appropriate. This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2015. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) reorganization of the document to a more logical flow making it easier for the reader:
b) expansion of the tables to include names and definitions of all documents in the IEC 60794‑x series;
c) expansion of the definitions, graphical symbols, terminology and abbreviations content, with the aim of making this document the default and reference for all others in the IEC 60794‑x series;
d) inclusion of updated, reorganized and expanded optical fibre, attenuation and bandwidth subclauses, with the aim of making this document the default and reference for all others in the IEC 60794-x series.

IEC 60794-1-309:2023 describes the test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for optical fibre cable elements, filling compounds or flooding compounds, for the environmental property-bleeding and evaporation. 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.
NOTE Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc. This first edition of IEC 60794-1-309 cancels and replaces method G9 of the second edition of IEC 60794-1-23 published in 2019. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) the optical cable element test methods contained in IEC 60794-1-23:2019 will now be individually numbered in the IEC 60794-1-3xx series. Each test method is now considered to be an individual document rather than part of a multi-test method compendium. Full cross-reference details are given in IEC 60794-1-2;
b) the scope is broadened so that the test method is also applicable for flooding compounds;
c) the cover of the test set-up is cancelled.

IEC 60794-301:2023 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements of optical fibre cable elements for the mechanical property – bending. 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. Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc. This document partially cancels and replaces IEC 60794-1-23:2019. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 60794-1-23:2019:
a) reference test method IEC 60793-1-40 removed regarding the apparatus;
b) information added regarding the temperature to be specified in the detail specification;
c) new subclause added containing the details to be reported.

IEC 60794-1-303: 2023 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for the geometrical properties of optical fibre ribbons. This document applies to optical fibre ribbons for use with telecommunication equipment and devices employing similar techniques, and to optical fibre ribbons for cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors. This document partially cancels and replaces IEC 60794-1-23:2019. In the context of the revision of IEC 60794-1-23:2019, its contents were split into separate test methods.

IEC 60794-2-50:2023 is available as IEC 60794-2-50:2023 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 60794-2-50:2023 specifies requirements for simplex and duplex optical fibre cables for use in terminated cable assemblies or as used for termination of passive components. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2020. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) added IEC 60793-1-46 and IEC 60794-1-211 to the normative references;
b) changed the load duration for the tensile test from 5 min to 10 min;
c) clarified the distance between the clamps for torsion test to 125 times cable diameter, but not less than 0,3 m;
d) recommended the temperatures –10 °C and +60 °C for indoor simplex and duplex cables and included the low and high temperatures for category C, CHD, OP and OPHD according to the operating service environments in IEC 61753-1 for temperature cycling and shrinkage testing;
e) updated the shrinkage test standard to IEC 60794-1-211, F11A, and changed the requirement to maximum 20 mm;
f) replaced the text for the fire performance with an improved description.

IEC 60794-2-22:2023 is available as IEC 60794-2-22:2023 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 60794-2-22: 2023 specifies breakout optical cables with multiple simplex optical fibre cables for use in terminated breakout cable assemblies. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2016. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) changed partly the wording in the title and the scope to align with IEC 60794-2-50, IEC 60794-2-23 and IEC 60794-2-24;
b) added IEC 60793-1-40, IEC 60793-1-46 and IEC 60794-1-2 to the normative references;
c) deleted reference to IEC 60794-2-51;
d) added the definition of terminated breakout cable assembly;
e) changed the number of bend cycles from 10 to 3 to harmonise with IEC 60794-2-50;
f) changed test parameters for temperature cycling to harmonise with IEC 60794-2-50;
g) added maximum attenuation requirements after temperature cycling;
h) replaced the text for the fire performance with an improved description.

IEC 60794-2-10:2023 is available as IEC 60794-2-10:2023 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 60794-2-10:2023 covers simplex and duplex optical fibre cables for indoor use. The requirements of IEC 60794-2 are applicable to cables covered by this document. For cables intended for installation in industrial applications specified in ISO/IEC 11801-1, MICE specifications can be additionally required (see Clause B.2). This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2011. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- updating of normative references;
- updating of all relevant A1 and B1 fibre category and sub-category designations.

IEC 60794-1-308: 2023 describes test procedures to evaluates the degree of permanent twist in an uncabled ribbon or in a cabled optical fibre ribbon. This document applies to optical fibre ribbons in optical cables for use with telecommunication equipment and devices employing similar techniques, and to optical fibre ribbons in cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors. This document is not applicable to partially-bonded ribbons. The method for partially-bonded ribbons is under consideration. Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc. NOTE The environmental testing of optical fibre ribbon would be valuable for some applications. Useful information about suitable test methods can be found in the optical fibre standards IEC 60793-1-50, IEC 60793‑1‑51, IEC 60793‑1‑52, and IEC 60793-1-53.

IEC 60794-1-305:2023 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for optical fibre ribbons as optical fibre cable elements for the mechanical property-tear (separability). 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. NOTE Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc.
This test is applicable for edge-bonded ribbons and encapsulated ribbons specified in IEC 60794-1-31, and not intended to be used for partially-bonded ribbons.

IEC 60793-1-1:2022 is available as IEC 60793-1-1:2022 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 60793-1-1:2022 lists and gives guidance on the use of documents giving uniform requirements for measuring and testing optical fibres, thereby assisting in the inspection of fibres and cables for commercial (mostly telecommunications) purposes. The individual measurement and test methods are contained in the different parts of the IEC 60793 series. They are identified as IEC 60793-1-X, where "X" is an assigned sub-part number, indicating its affiliation to the IEC 60793-1 series. In general, measurements and tests methods apply to all class A multimode fibres and class B and class C single-mode optical fibres covered by the IEC 60793-2 series relating to product specifications, although there can be exceptions. Clause 1 of each part of the IEC 60793 series contains the scope for each particular attribute. This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- changes in normative references;
- renamed Clause 10 and added documentation-related requirements in a new subclause 10.2.

IEC 60794-3-40: 2022 is a family specification that covers sewer cables and conduits for installation by blowing and/or pulling in man accessible and non-man accessible storm and sanitary sewers. Systems built with components covered by this document are subject to the requirements of sectional specification IEC 60794-3. Sewer cable and conduit constructions need to meet the different requirements of the sewer operating companies and/or associations regarding chemical, environmental, operational, cleaning and in general maintenance conditions. Preferential applications, describing sewer cable characteristics versus methods of installation is reported in Annex A and Annex B for non-man accessible sewers. Clause 5 describes characteristics of sewer cables and conduits for installation by blowing, pulling or other means in storm and sanitary sewers. Detail specifications can be prepared on the basis of this family specification. It is important that acceptance criteria are interpreted with respect to this consideration. The number of fibres tested is representative of the sewer cable and is agreed between the customer and the supplier. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2008. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:  
this document follows the new structure for family specifications: symbols and abbreviations were included in Clause 3, and Clause 4 became the General requirements with 4.1 Optical fibres, 4.2 Cable element and 4.3 Optical fibre cable construction;
Annex D has been removed as it is part of IEC TR 62691;
this document has been streamlined by cross-referencing IEC 60794-1-1, IEC 60793-2, IEC 60794-3 and the IEC 60794-1-2x series;
the fibre strain allowance for tensile tests was updated;
characteristics Table 5, Table 6, Table 7 were moved to the Annex A (informative).

IEC 60794-1-310:2022 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements of optical fibre cable elements for the mechanical property – strippability. 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. Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc. This document partially cancels and replaces IEC 60794-1-23:2019. This edition includes the following significant technical change with respect to IEC 60794-1-23:2019: inclusion of semi-tight buffer fibres in method G10C.

IEC 60794-1-220:2022 defines a test standard to determine the ability of an optical fibre cable to withstand the effects of a controlled salt atmosphere. This document applies to optical ground wire (OPGW) and optical phase conductor (OPPC). An optical ground wire and optical phase conductor are made of multiple metallic wires that are exposed to the environment without any insulating or protective sheath and contain optical fibres.

IEC 60794-3:2022 is available as IEC 60794-3:2022 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 60794-3: 2022 specifies the requirements for optical fibre cables and cable elements which are intended to be used externally in communications networks. Other types of applications requiring similar types of cables can be considered. Requirements for cables to be used in ducts, for directly buried applications, aerial cables and cables for lake and river crossings are included in this document. Also included are cables for specialized use in sewers and in water and gas pipes. For aerial application, this document does not cover all functional aspects of cables installed in the vicinity of overhead power lines. For such applications, additional requirements and test methods can be necessary. Moreover, this document excludes optical ground wires and cables attached to the phase or earth conductors of overhead power lines. For cables for lake and river crossings, this document does not cover methods of cable repair, nor repair capability, nor does it cover cables for use with underwater line amplifiers. This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2014. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical change with respect to the previous edition: the ribbon specification has been removed, because it is covered in IEC 60794-1-31.

IEC 60794-1-404:2022 defines a test standard to determine the optical performance and temperature characteristics of a hybrid cable under the maximum current. This document applies to optical phase conductor (OPPC). An optical phase conductor is made of multiple metallic wires that are exposed to the environment without any insulating or protective sheath and contain optical fibres.

IEC 60794-1-219:2021 applies to optical fibre cables for use with telecommunication equipment and devices employing similar techniques, as well as hybrid telecommunication cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors. The object of this document is to define test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for the material compatibility performance of cables, cable components, and cable subassemblies. Compatibility of materials within a cable has the potential to involve a range of material pairs. However, experience has shown that the most pertinent evaluations are of the cable filling and flooding materials' interactions with other materials in the cable. NOTE Throughout the document the wording “optical cable” can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc. See IEC 60794-1-2 for general requirements and definitions, as well as for a reference guide to test methods of all types.

IEC TR 62000:2021 is available as IEC TR 62000:2021 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC TR 62000:2021 provides guidelines concerning single-mode fibre inter-compatibility. A given category of single-mode fibre, for example B-655, can have different implementations by suitably optimising several of the following parameters: mode field diameter (hence effective area), chromatic dispersion coefficient, slope of the chromatic dispersion curve, cable cut-off wavelength. These guidelines indicate the items that are taken into account when planning to connect
- different implementations of single-mode fibres of the same category, for example different implementations of Class B single-mode fibres, and
- single-mode fibres of different sub-categories, for example B-652.B with B-655.C.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2010. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- global uniformity of terminology concerning fibre classes, categories and sub-categories throughout the document;
- updating and aligning to the new naming convention of IEC 60793-2-50 for class B fibre categories and sub-categories;
- updating and aligning with IEC 60793-2-50 as per supported fibre sub-categories;
- additional guidelines concerning combination of fibre parameters: chromatic dispersion and slope, polarization mode dispersion;
- additional guidelines concerning non-linear affects;
- updating of bibliographical references.

IEC 60794-1-401:2021 applies to the short-circuit test intended to assess the performance of an optical ground wire (OPGW) or optical phase conductor (OPPC) under typical short-circuit, or the impact on the performance of optical attached cable (OPAC) under short-circuit current on the messenger wire. This first edition cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 60794-1-24 published in 2014. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) OPPC is included;
b) the test methods have been updated.

IEC 60794-1-402:2021 applies to the test intended to evaluate the impact of a lightning strike on an optical ground wire (OPGW), optical phase conductor (OPPC) or optical attached cable (OPAC). This first edition cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 60794-1-24 published in 2014. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) OPPC cables are included.

IEC 60794-1-31:2021 is available as IEC 60794-1-31:2021 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.IEC 60794-1-31:2021 which is a generic specification, covers optical fibre ribbons. Requirements which are described in this part apply to optical fibre ribbon cables for use with telecommunication equipment and devices employing similar techniques, in particular optical fibre cables in IEC 60794-2 for indoor use, in IEC 60794-3 for outdoor use, in IEC 60794-4 for self-supporting overhead use, in IEC 60794-5 for air blown use and in IEC 60794-6 for indoor/outdoor use. The detailed specification can be verified in specifications for each application such as IEC 60794-2 and IEC 60794-3. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2018. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- The geometrical requirements for optical fibre ribbon with typically 250 µm coating diameter have been modified and those for the optical fibre ribbon with typically 200 µm coating diameter have been added.
- "Identification by positional identification" and "Identification by ribbon coding and fibre colouring" are moved to a new informative Annex A.

IEC 60794-1-403:2021 specifies a method of verifying that cable metallic elements are electrically continuous throughout the cable. Electrical continuity is important for bonding and grounding, toning for location, and other related system issues, and may represent a "goodness of manufacture" criterion. Typically, the test is one of continuity and carries no resistance or conductivity requirement. The metallic elements can be tested individually or can be tested as a total group. Since this latter criterion is frequently the case, all elements are measured as a group unless specified otherwise.
NOTE It is possible detail specifications allow such elements as strength members to be non-continuous throughout the cable. This is a special case, and attention is directed to the detail specification.

IEC 60794-4-30:2021 specifies the optical fibre, cable elements, cable construction requirements, main requirements for installation and operating conditions, cable design characteristics and test for OPPC (optical phase conductor), used for carrying current as well as communication and data transmission. The corresponding environmental declaration can be built according to IEC TR 62839-1. The OPPC is a substitute for a conventional phase bare conductor containing optical fibres. Usually, the fibres are embedded loosely in protective buffer tubes. To fulfil mechanical and electrical requirements, an armouring of one or more layers with aluminium, aluminium alloy, and aluminium clad steel, galvanized steel or a mixture of them is helically stranded.

IEC 60794-3-70:2021 is available as IEC 60794-3-70:2021 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 60794-3-70:2021 covers outdoor optical fibre cables intended for rugged terrestrial rapid/multiple deployment. These cables, with enhanced mechanical, environmental and ingress performance can be used wherever a rapid or multiple deployment is relevant (e.g. mobile broadcast units, emergency rescue services, tactical ground-forces, outdoor motion-robotics, mining machinery, temporary repair cables for damaged links, etc.). This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2016. It constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- incorporation of the new classification system for optical fibre categories, sub-categories in IEC 60793-2-10;
- incorporation of the new classification system for optical fibre categories, sub-categories and models in IEC 60793-2-50;
- updating of cabled fibre performance categories in alignment with ISO/IEC 11801-1;
- updating of bibliographical references.

IEC 60793-2-40:2021 is available as IEC 60793-2-40:2021 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.IEC 60793-2-40:2021 is applicable to category A4 optical multimode fibres and the related subcategories A4a, A4b, A4c, A4d, A4e, A4g, A4h and A4i. These fibres have a plastic core and plastic cladding and may have step-index, multi-step index or graded-index profiles. The fibres are used in information transmission equipment and other applications employing similar light transmitting techniques, and in fibre optic cables. Table 1 summarizes some of the salient characteristics and applications of these fibres. This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2015. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- revision of NA range of A4a.2;
- addition of a new subcategory A4i;
- deletion of the subcategory A4f and of Annex F.

IEC 60794-1-211:2021 defines test procedures to measure the shrinkage of the sheath due to thermal exposure of cables. A first test method, F11A, is included for cables where the fibre or buffered fibre and the sheath of the cable are intended to be fully terminated into a connector at one or both cable ends. A second test method, F11B, is included in this document for sheath shrinkage testing for general purpose. See IEC 60794-1-2 for a reference guide to test methods of all types and for general requirements.

IEC TR 62959:2021 which is a Technical Report, provides information on cable shrinkage characterisation of optical fibre cables that consist of standard glass optical fibres for telecommunication application. The characterisation is directed to the effects of cable shrinkage or cable element shrinkage on the termination of cables. Shrinkage can or cannot be a concern depending on the method of termination. Examples of different cable termination cases are included and described. Tests for the evaluation of cable shrinkage are recommended that can be used as indicators, and shrinkage classification by several grades are given.

IEC 60793-1-34:2021 is available as IEC 60793-1-34:2021 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.IEC 60793-1-34:2021 establishes uniform requirements for the mechanical characteristic: fibre curl or latent curvature in uncoated optical fibres, i.e. a specified length of the fibre has been stripped from coating. Fibre curl has been identified as an important parameter for minimizing the splice loss of optical fibres when using passive alignment fusion splicers or active alignment mass fusion splicers.Two methods are recognized for the measurement of fibre curl, in uncoated optical fibres:
- method A: side view microscopy;
- method B: laser beam scattering.
Both methods measure the radius of curvature of an uncoated fibre by determining the amount of deflection that occurs as an unsupported fibre end is rotated about the fibre's axis. Method A uses visual or digital video methods to determine the deflection of the fibre while method B uses a line sensor to measure the maximum deflection of one laser beam relative to a reference laser beam. By measuring the deflection behaviour of the fibre as it is rotated about its axis and understanding the geometry of the measuring device, the fibre's radius of curvature can be calculated from simple circular models, the derivation of which are given in Annex C. Both methods are applicable to type B optical fibres as described in IEC 60793 (all parts). Method A is the reference test method, used to resolve disputes. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2006. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- modification of several derivation equations for laser scattering;
- change of angular increment from 10° to 30° to 10° to 45°;
- change of Annex B from informative to normative.

IEC 60794-3-12:2021 is available as IEC 60794-3-12:2021 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 60794-3-12:2021 is a detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling to ensure compatibility with ISO/IEC 11801-1. This document's requirements ensure that the ISO/IEC 11801-1 models work for generic cabling and system performances. Values in this document support these models. The requirements of the family specification IEC 60794-3-10 are applicable to cables covered by this document. Particular requirements detailed in Clause 5 either define a specific option relative to the requirements of IEC 60794-3-10 or define additional requirements. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2012. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- addition of references to ISO/IEC 11801-1;
- removal of references to ISO/IEC 24702;
- incorporation of the OM5 cabled fibre performance category;
- incorporation of the OS1a cabled fibre performance category;
- cabled fibre performance categories OM1, OM2 and OS1 are no longer normative, and are retained for information.

IEC 60794-1-2:2021 is available as IEC 60794-1-2:2021 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 60794-1-2:2021 applies to optical fibre cables for use with telecommunications equipment and devices employing similar techniques, and to cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors. An objective of this document is to define general requirements and methodology guidance applicable to all of the cable test methods of IEC 60794-1 (all parts). A second objective of this document is to provide the end user with an overview of the different test methods contained in the different parts of the IEC 60794-1 series. This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical change with respect to the previous edition:
- addition of cross-reference tables listing the new test method numbers and the previous test method numbers.