IEC 60794-1-23:2012

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-23: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Cable element test methods

IEC 60794-23:2012 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 and is to define test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for the geometrical, material, mechanical, environmental properties of optical fibre cable elements. This edition of IEC 60794-1-23 cancels and replaces the cable elements tests methods part of the second edition of IEC 60794-1-2 published in 2003. It constitutes a technical revision. Key words: Optical cable test procedures, optical fibre units

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-23: Spécification générique ‑ Procédures fondamentales d’essai des câbles optiques ‑ Méthodes d’essai des éléments de câble

IEC 60794-1-23: 2012 s’applique aux câbles à fibres optiques destinés à être utilisés avec des équipements de télécommunication et des dispositifs utilisant des techniques analogues, ainsi qu’aux câbles constitués de fibres optiques d’une part et de conducteurs électriques d’autre part.L’objet de la présente partie de l’IEC 60794 est la définition des procédures d’essai à utiliser pour établir des exigences uniformes relatives aux propriétés géométriques, mécaniques, de matériaux et d’environnement des éléments de câbles à fibres optiques. L’expression « câble optique » est utilisée dans tout le document et peut inclure des unités de fibres optiques, des unités de fibres en microconduits, etc. Les exigences générales et les définitions sont données dans l’IEC 60794-1-20 et un guide de référence complet pour tous les types de méthode d’essai est contenu dans l’IEC 60794-1-2.
Mots clés : Procédures d’essai des câbles optiques, unités de fibres optiques

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 23-Aug-2012
• ICS: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables
• Technical Committee: SC 86A - Fibres and cables
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Completion Date: 09-Oct-2019

Relations

• Revised: IEC 60794-1-23:2019 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-23: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Cable element test methods
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60794-1-23


®


Edition 1.0 2012-08



INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




colour
inside


Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-23: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures – Cable
element test methods


IEC 60794-1-23:2012(E)

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
THIS PUBLICATION IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED


Copyright © 2012 IEC, Geneva, Switzerland


All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form

or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester.
If you have any questions about IEC copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication,

please contact the address below or your local IEC member National Committee for further information.



IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
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Switzerland www.iec.ch


About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
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---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
IEC 60794-1-23



®



Edition 1.0 2012-08







INTERNATIONAL





STANDARD











colour

inside










Optical fibre cables –

Part 1-23: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures – Cable

element test methods




























INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION

PRICE CODE
P


ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-83220-319-4



  Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.


® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
– 2 – 60794-1-23 © IEC:2012(E)


CONTENTS


FOREWORD . 4

1 Scope and object . 6


2 Normative references . 6

3 Method G1: Bend test for cable elements . 6

3.1 Object . 6

3.2 Sample . 6

3.3 Apparatus . 6

3.4 Procedure . 7
3.5 Requirements . 7
3.6 Details to be specified . 7
4 Method G2: Ribbon dimensions and geometry – Visual method . 7
4.1 Object . 7
4.2 Sample . 7
4.3 Apparatus . 7
4.4 Procedure . 7
4.4.1 General . 7
4.4.2 Method 1 . 7
4.4.3 Method 2 . 8
4.5 Requirements . 8
4.6 Details to be specified . 8
4.7 Definitions of ribbon dimensions and geometry . 8
4.7.1 General . 8
4.7.2 Width and height . 8
4.7.3 Basis line . 8
4.7.4 Fibre alignment . 8
5 Method G3: Ribbon dimensions – Aperture gauge . 9
5.1 Object . 9
5.2 Sample . 9
5.3 Apparatus . 9
5.4 Procedure . 9
5.5 Requirement . 10
5.6 Details to be specified . 10
6 Method G4: Ribbon dimensions – Dial gauge (Test deleted) . 10

7 Method G5: Ribbon tear (separability) . 10
7.1 Object . 10
7.2 Sample . 10
7.3 Apparatus . 11
7.4 Procedure . 11
7.5 Requirements . 11
7.6 Details to be specified . 11
8 Method G6: Ribbon torsion . 12
8.1 Object . 12
8.2 Sample . 12
8.3 Apparatus . 12
8.4 Procedure . 12
8.5 Requirements . 12

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
60794-1-23 © IEC:2012(E) – 3 –


8.6 Details to be specified . 12

9 Method G7: Tube kinking . 13


9.1 Object . 13

9.2 Sample . 13

9.3 Apparatus . 13

9.4 Procedure . 14

9.5 Requirements . 14

9.6 Details to be specified . 15

10 Method G8: Ribbon residual twist test . 15


10.1 Object . 15
10.2 Sample . 15
10.3 Apparatus . 15
10.4 Procedure . 16
10.5 Requirements . 16
10.6 Details to be specified . 16

Figure 1 – Cross-sectional drawing illustrating fibre ribbon geometry . 9
Figure 2 – Aperture gauge . 10
Figure 3 – Sample preparation . 11
Figure 4 – Separability procedure . 12
Figure 5 – Torsion test . 13
Figure 6 – Tube kinking test . 15

Table 1 – Examples of test apparatus dimensions: . 14

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
– 4 – 60794-1-23 © IEC:2012(E)


INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________




OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –



Part 1-23: Generic specification –

Basic optical cable test procedures –

Cable element test methods



FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

International Standard IEC 60794-1-23 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and
cables, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
This edition of IEC 60794-1-23 cancels and replaces the cable elements tests methods part of
the second edition of IEC 60794-1-2 published in 2003. It constitutes a technical revision.
The main change with respect to the previous edition is that it has been decided to split the
second edition of IEC 60794-1-2 into six new documents:
– IEC 60794-1-2, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-2: Generic specification – Basic optical cable
test procedures
– IEC 60794-1-20, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-20: Generic specification – Basic optical
cable test procedures – General & Definitions
– IEC 60794-1-21, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-21: Generic specification – Basic optical
cable test procedures – Mechanical tests methods

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
60794-1-23 © IEC:2012(E) – 5 –


– IEC 60794-1-22, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-22: Generic specification – Basic optical

cable test procedures – Environmental tests methods

– IEC 60794-1-23, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-23: Generic specification – Basic optical

cable test procedures – Cable elements tests methods


– IEC 60794-1-24, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-24: Generic specification – Basic optical
cable test procedures – Electrical tests methods


The text of this standard is based on the following documents:


FDIS Report on voting


86A/1451/FDIS 86A/1469/RVD

Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 60794 series, published under the general title Optical fibre
cables, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
A bilingual version of this standard may be issued at a later date.

IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
– 6 – 60794-1-23 © IEC:2012(E)


OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –



Part 1-23: Generic specification –

Basic optical cable test procedures –

Cable element test methods








1 Scope and object

This part of IEC 60794 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.
The object of this part of IEC 60794 is to define test procedures to be used in establishing
uniform requirements for the geometrical, material, mechanical, environmental properties of
optical fibre cable elements.
Throughout the document the wording “optical cable” may also include optical fibre units,
microduct fibre units, etc.
General requirements and definitions are given in IEC 60794-1-20 and a complete reference
guide to test method of all types in the IEC 60794-1-2.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition c
...

IEC 60794-1-23


®


Edition 1.0 2012-08



INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD



NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside


Optical fibre cables –
Part 1-23: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures – Cable
element test methods

Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 1-23: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essai des
câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essai des éléments de câble


IEC 60794-1-23:2012-08(en-fr)

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
THIS PUBLICATION IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED


Copyright © 2012 IEC, Geneva, Switzerland


All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form

or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from

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About the IEC
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International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

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---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
IEC 60794-1-23



®



Edition 1.0 2012-08







INTERNATIONAL





STANDARD







NORME



INTERNATIONALE
colour

inside










Optical fibre cables –

Part 1-23: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures – Cable

element test methods




Câbles à fibres optiques –

Partie 1-23: Spécification générique – Procédures fondamentales d’essai des


câbles optiques – Méthodes d’essai des éléments de câble














INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE


INTERNATIONALE




ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-7193-3




Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
– 2 – IEC 60794-1-23:2012 © IEC 2012


CONTENTS


CONTENTS . 2

FOREWORD . 4


1 Scope and object . 6

2 Normative references . 6

3 Method G1: Bend test for cable elements . 6

3.1 Object . 6

3.2 Sample . 6

3.3 Apparatus . 6
3.4 Procedure . 7
3.5 Requirements . 7
3.6 Details to be specified . 7
4 Method G2: Ribbon dimensions and geometry – Visual method . 7
4.1 Object . 7
4.2 Sample . 7
4.3 Apparatus . 7
4.4 Procedure . 7
4.4.1 General . 7
4.4.2 Method 1 . 7
4.4.3 Method 2 . 8
4.5 Requirements . 8
4.6 Details to be specified . 8
4.7 Definitions of ribbon dimensions and geometry . 8
4.7.1 General . 8
4.7.2 Width and height . 8
4.7.3 Basis line . 8
4.7.4 Fibre alignment . 8
5 Method G3: Ribbon dimensions – Aperture gauge . 9
5.1 Object . 9
5.2 Sample . 9
5.3 Apparatus . 9
5.4 Procedure . 9
5.5 Requirement . 10

5.6 Details to be specified . 10
6 Method G4: Ribbon dimensions – Dial gauge (Test deleted) . 10
7 Method G5: Ribbon tear (separability) . 10
7.1 Object . 10
7.2 Sample . 10
7.3 Apparatus . 10
7.4 Procedure . 11
7.5 Requirements . 11
7.6 Details to be specified . 11
8 Method G6: Ribbon torsion . 12
8.1 Object . 12
8.2 Sample . 12
8.3 Apparatus . 12
8.4 Procedure . 12

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
IEC 60794-1-23:2012 © IEC 2012 – 3 –


8.5 Requirements . 12

8.6 Details to be specified . 12

9 Method G7: Tube kinking . 13


9.1 Object . 13

9.2 Sample . 13

9.3 Apparatus . 13

9.4 Procedure . 14

9.5 Requirements . 14

9.6 Details to be specified . 15


10 Method G8: Ribbon residual twist test . 15
10.1 Object . 15
10.2 Sample . 15
10.3 Apparatus . 15
10.4 Procedure . 16
10.5 Requirements . 16
10.6 Details to be specified . 16


Figure 1 – Cross-sectional drawing illustrating fibre ribbon geometry . 9
Figure 2 – Aperture gauge . 10
Figure 3 – Sample preparation . 11
Figure 4 – Separability procedure . 12
Figure 5 – Torsion test . 13
Figure 6 – Tube kinking test . 15

Table 1 – Examples of test apparatus dimensions: . 14

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
– 4 – IEC 60794-1-23:2012 © IEC 2012


INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________


OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –



Part 1-23: Generic specification –

Basic optical cable test procedures –

Cable element test methods



FOREWORD

1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

International Standard IEC 60794-1-23 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and
cables, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
This bilingual version (2019-07) corresponds to the monolingual English version, published in
2012-08.
This edition of IEC 60794-1-23 cancels and replaces the cable elements tests methods part of
the second edition of IEC 60794-1-2 published in 2003. It constitutes a technical revision.
The main change with respect to the previous edition is that it has been decided to split the
second edition of IEC 60794-1-2 into six new documents:
– IEC 60794-1-2, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-2: Generic specification – Basic optical cable
test procedures
– IEC 60794-1-20, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-20: Generic specification – Basic optical
cable test procedures – General & Definitions

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
IEC 60794-1-23:2012 © IEC 2012 – 5 –


– IEC 60794-1-21, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-21: Generic specification – Basic optical

cable test procedures – Mechanical tests methods

– IEC 60794-1-22, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-22: Generic specification – Basic optical

cable test procedures – Environmental tests methods


– IEC 60794-1-23, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-23: Generic specification – Basic optical
cable test procedures – Cable elements tests methods


– IEC 60794-1-24, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-24: Generic specification – Basic optical

cable test procedures – Electrical tests methods

The text of this standard is based on the following documents:


FDIS Report on voting
86A/1451/FDIS 86A/1469/RVD

Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
The French version of this standard has not been voted upon.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 60794 series, published under the general title Optical fibre
cables, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
– 6 – IEC 60794-1-23:2012 © IEC 2012


OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –



Part 1-23: Generic specification –
Basic optical cable test procedures –

Cable element test methods








1 Scope and object

This part of IEC 60794 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.
The object of this part of IEC 60794 is to define test procedures to be used in establishing
uniform requirements for the geometrical, material, mechanical, environmental properties of
optical fibre cable elements.
Throughout the document the wording “optical cable” may also include optical fibre units,
microduct fibre units, etc.
General requirements and definitions are given in IEC 60794-1-20 and a complete reference
guide to test method of all types in the IEC 60794-1-2.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60793-1-40, Optical fibres – Part 1-40: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Attenuation
IEC 60794-3:2001, Optical fibre cables – Part 3: Sectional specification – Outdoor cables
3 Method G1: Bend test for cable elements

3.1 Object
The purpose of this test is to characterize cable elements for splicing purposes by
determining the attenuation increase of an optical (fibre, ribbon, core tube, breakout unit, etc.)
element when bent within a splice closure or similar device.
3.2 Sample
The length of the sample of optical element shall be sufficient to carry out the testing
specified.
3.3 Apparatus
The apparatus consists of:
a) a mandrel having a smooth surface with diameter as stated in the detail specification;

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b) an attenuation measuring apparatus (see IEC 60793-1-40).


3.4 Procedure

The element to be tested shall be loosely wound on the mandrel; the number of turns shall be
stated in the detail specification.

In order to measure the attenuation increase caused by bending, allowance should be made
for the intrinsic attenuation of the fibre.

3.5 Requirements

Any increase in attenuation shall comply with the limits shown in the detail specification.
3.6 Details to be specified
The detail specification shall include the following:
a) optical test wavelength;
b) diameter of the mandrel;
c) number of turns;
d) apparatus and attenuation measuring technique;
e) temperature.
4 Method G2: Ribbon dimensions and geometry – Visual method
4.1 Object
The purpose of this test is to determine the geometry of an optical fibre ribbon as defined by
the parameters of width, height and fibre alignment, for the purpose of type testing to assume
proper manufacturing process control. This test is not necessarily suitable for final product
inspection and, unless otherwise specified, shall not be used for that purpose.
4.2 Sample
The number of samples to be tested shall be specified in the detail specification. The selected
samples shall be statistically independent and representative of the ribbon population tested.
4.3 Apparatus
The apparatus consists of a microscope or profile projector with appropriate magnification.

4.4 Procedure
4.4.1 General
Either of the two following procedures may be used.
For the specified number of samples, all dimensions shall be measured as average as well as
maximum and minimum values.
4.4.2 Method 1
The sample is prepared by cutting it perpendicular to the axis of the ribbon and placing it in a
curable resin or in a tool which holds the ribbon. If necessary, the sample shall be ground and
polished to prepare a smooth perpendicular end face. The prepared sample is secured with its
end face perpendicular to the optical path and measured by means of a microscope or profile
projector.

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NOTE Care should be taken that the preparation of the sample does not change the structure of the fibre ribbon

and represents an undisturbed image of the fibre cladding and ribbon cross-section.

4.4.3 Method 2


Place the ribbon in a ribbon fibre holder and remove 20 mm to 25 mm of the fibre coating and

matrix material with the ribbon hot sheath stripping tool and wipe the stripped portion of the

fibres clean with an alcohol-moistened pad. Adjust the position of the ribbon in the ribbon fibre

holder and cleave the fibres at a distance of 250 µm to 500 µm from the stripped edge of the

ribbon. Cut and polish the other end of the ribbon, and illuminate it with a collimated light

source. Align and measure the cleaved end of the ribbon under microscope.


NOTE Care should be taken that the preparation of the sample does not change the structure of the fibre ribbon
and represents an undisturbed image of the fibre cladding and ribbon cross-section.
4.5 Requirements
Unless otherwise specified in the detail specification, the width, height and fibre alignment
shall be in accordance with IEC 60794-3:2001, Table 1.
4.6 Details to be specified
The detail specification shall include the following:
a) permissible maximum and minimum values;
b) average values;
c) number of samples tested.
4.7 Definitions of ribbon dimensions and geometry
4.7.1 General
The following definitions apply to a fibre ribbon cross-section as shown in Figure 1. The figure
illustrates an example for a 4-fibre ribbon, where a is the diameter of a coloured fibre.
NOTE In consideration of the precision of fiber geometric attributes and the relatively larger precision of ribbon
geometry requirements, it is acceptable for glass core/glass cladding fibres to use the edge of the cladding for the
measurements of 4.7.3 and 4.7.4 in lieu of the fibre centres. In this case, the measurements shall be made on the
same side of all fibres (e.g. top or bottom, left or right side).
4.7.2 Width and height
The width w and height h of the ribbon are the dimensions of the minimum rectangular area
enclosing the ribbon cross-section.

4.7.3 Basis line
The basis line is given in the cross-section of an optical fibre ribbon as the straight line
crossing the fibre centres of the first fibre (fibre 1) and the last fibre (fibre n) of the fibre
ribbon.
4.7.4 Fibre alignment
4.7.4.1 Horizontal fibre separation
The horizontal separation of fibres is the distance of the orthogonal projection of two fibre
centres on the basis line in the fibre ribbon cross-section.
Two horizontal separation parameters can be distinguished:
a) centre-centre distance d between adjacent fibres;
b) centre-centre distance b between the extreme fibres;

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4.7.4.2 Planarity


The planarity p of the fibre ribbon structure is the sum of the maximum positive and absolute

values of the maximum negative vertical separation of the fibres.


The vertical separation of the fibres is the orthogonal distance from the fibre centre to the

basis line. The vertical separation is positive for fibres “above” the basis line and negative for

fibres “below” the basis line.





Figure 1 – Cross-sectional drawing illustrating fibre ribbon geometry
5 Method G3: Ribbon dimensions – Aperture gauge
5.1 Object
The purpose of this test is to verify the functional performance of a ribbon. In order to ensure
functional performance, the dimensions of edge bonded ribbons may be controlled and
verified for final inspection purposes with an aperture gauge. The intent is to verify that the
end portion of a ribbon can be inserted into and would be reasonably aligned to the guide
slots of commercial stripping tools. This method is under consideration for encapsulated
ribbons.
5.2 Sample

Unless otherwise specified in the detail specification, five representative ribbon samples,
each with a minimum length of 50 mm, shall be taken
...