EN IEC 60869-1:2018

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
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Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Fibre optic passive power
control devices - Part 1: Generic specification (IEC 60869-1:2018)
Lichtwellenleiter - Verbindungselemente und passive Bauteile - Passive Bauteile zur
Leistungsbegrenzung - Teil 1: Fachgrundspezifikation (IEC 60869-1:2018)
Dispositifs d’interconnexion et composants passifs à fibres optiques - Dispositifs à fibres
optiques passifs de contrôle de la puissance - Partie 1: Spécification générique (IEC
60869-1:2018)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60869-1:2018
ICS:
33.180.20 3RYH]RYDOQHQDSUDYH]D Fibre optic interconnecting
RSWLþQDYODNQD devices
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 60869-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
December 2018
ICS 33.180.20 Supersedes EN 60869-1:2013
English Version
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components -
Fibre optic passive power control devices - Part 1: Generic
specification
(IEC 60869-1:2018)
Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs Lichtwellenleiter - Verbindungselemente und passive
fibroniques - Dispositifs fibroniques passifs de contrôle de la Bauteile - Passive Bauteile zur Leistungsbegrenzung - Teil
puissance - Partie 1: Spécification générique 1: Fachgrundspezifikation
(IEC 60869-1:2018) (IEC 60869-1:2018)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2018-12-20. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2018 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 60869-1:2018 E

European foreword
The text of document 86B/4139/FDIS, future edition 5 of IEC 60869-1, prepared by SC 86B "Fibre
optic interconnecting devices and passive components" of IEC/TC 86 "Fibre optics" was submitted to
the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as EN IEC 60869-1:2018.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2019-09-21
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2019-12-21
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 60869-1:2013.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60869-1:2018 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.

In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards
indicated:
IEC 60874 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN 60874 (series)
IEC 61073-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61073-1
IEC 61300-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61300-1
IEC 61300-2 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN 61300-2 (series)
IEC 61300-3 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN 61300-3 (series)
IEC 61753 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN 61753 (series)
IEC 61753-051-3 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61753-051-3
IEC 61753-052-3 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61753-052-3
IEC 61753-052-6 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61753-052-6
IEC 61753-053-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61753-053-2
IEC 61753-056-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61753-056-2
IEC 61753-057-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61753-057-2
IEC 61753-058-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61753-058-2
IEC 61753-059-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61753-059-2
IEC 61754 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN 61754 (series)
IEC 61754-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61754-2
IEC 61754-4 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61754-4
IEC 61754-13 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61754-13
IEC 61754-20 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61754-20
IEC 61755 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN 61755 (series)
IEC 62005 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 62005 (series)

Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant
EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available here:
www.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60027 series Letter symbols to be used in electrical EN 60027 series
technology
IEC 60050-731 -  International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - - -
Chapter 731: Optical fibre communication
IEC 60617 -  Graphical symbols for diagrams - -
IEC 60695-11-5 -  Fire hazard testing - Part 11-5: Test flames - EN 60695-11-5 -
Needle-flame test method - Apparatus,
confirmatory test arrangement and guidance
IEC 60825 series Radiation safety of laser products, equipment - -
classification, requirements and user's guide
IEC 61300 series Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive EN 61300 series
components - Basic test and measurement
procedures
IEC/TS 62627-09 -  Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive - -
components - Vocabulary for passive optical
devices
ISO 129-1 -  Technical drawings - Indication of dimensions - -
and tolerances - Part 1: General principles
ISO 286-1 -  Geometrical product specifications (GPS) - ISO EN ISO 286-1 -
code system for tolerances on linear sizes -
Part 1: Basis of tolerances, deviations and fits
ISO 1101 -  Geometrical product specifications (GPS) - EN ISO 1101 -
Geometrical tolerancing - Tolerances of form,
orientation, location and run-out
ISO 8601 -  Data elements and interchange formats - - -
Information interchange - Representation of
dates and times
IEC 60869-1 ®
Edition 5.0 2018-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Fibre optic

passive power control devices –

Part 1: Generic specification
Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs fibroniques – Dispositifs

fibroniques passifs de contrôle de la puissance –

Partie 1: Spécification générique

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-6177-4

– 2 – IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
3.1 Component terms. 7
3.2 Performance terms . 8
4 Description of devices . 9
4.1 Optical attenuator . 9
4.2 Optical fuse . 10
4.3 Optical power limiter . 11
5 Requirements . 12
5.1 Classification . 12
5.1.1 General . 12
5.1.2 Type . 13
5.1.3 Wavelength band . 13
5.1.4 Style . 13
5.1.5 Variant . 14
5.1.6 Assessment level . 14
5.1.7 Normative reference extensions. 15
5.2 Documentation . 15
5.2.1 Symbols . 15
5.2.2 Specification system . 16
5.2.3 Drawings . 17
5.2.4 Tests and measurements . 17
5.2.5 Test data sheets . 17
5.2.6 Instructions for use . 18
5.3 Standardization system . 18
5.3.1 Interface standards . 18
5.3.2 Performance standards . 18
5.3.3 Reliability standards . 19
5.3.4 Interlinking . 19
5.4 Design and construction . 21
5.4.1 Materials . 21
5.4.2 Workmanship . 21
5.5 Quality . 21
5.6 Performance . 21
5.7 Identification and marking . 21
5.7.1 General . 21
5.7.2 Variant identification number . 21
5.7.3 Component marking . 21
5.7.4 Package marking . 22
5.8 Packaging . 22
5.9 Storage conditions . 22
5.10 Safety . 22
Annex A (informative) Optical fuse configuration and performance examples . 23
Annex B (informative) Optical fuse application notes . 25

IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018 – 3 –
Annex C (informative) Optical power limiter configuration and performance examples . 26
Annex D (informative) Optical power limiter application notes . 29
Annex E (informative) Fixed optical attenuator application note . 30
Annex F (informative) Variable, manual or electrical, optical attenuator application
note . 31
Annex G (informative) Example of technology of variable optical attenuators . 33
G.1 Example technology of micro electromechanical system (MEMS) based VOA . 33
G.2 Example technology of planar lightwave circuit (PLC) based and
thermo-optic (TO) based VOA . 33
G.3 Example technology of magnet-optic (MO) based VOA . 34
Bibliography . 36

Figure 1 – Fixed optical attenuator operation curve . 10
Figure 2 – VOA operation curve . 10
Figure 3 – Optical fuse operation curve . 11
Figure 4 – Optical power limiter operation curve . 12
Figure 5 – Configuration A . 13
Figure 6 – Configuration B . 13
Figure 7 – Configuration C . 14
Figure 8 – Standardization structure . 20
Figure A.1 – Optical fuse, non-connectorised style) . 23
Figure A.2 – Optical fuse, plug-receptacle style (LC) . 23
Figure A.3 – Response time curve of an optical fuse . 24
Figure A.4 – Optical fuse, power threshold approx. 30 dBm (1 W), output power drop at
threshold approx. 25 dB . 24
Figure B.1 – Placement of an optical fuse . 25
Figure C.1 – Optical power limiter, non-connectorised style . 26
Figure C.2 – Optical power limiter, plug-receptacle style (LC) . 26
Figure C.3 – Optical power limiter – Experimental . 26
Figure C.4 – Schematic optical power limiter response time. Input pulse is 1 ms long . 27
Figure C.5 – Schematic power definitions . 28
Figure C.6 – Optical power limiter, input power definitions . 28
Figure D.1 – Optical power limiter and optical fuse, combined, operation curve . 29
Figure E.1 – Placement of a fixed optical attenuator . 30
Figure F.1 – Placement of a variable, manual or electrical, optical attenuator . 32
Figure G.1 – Example technology of MEMS based VOA . 33
Figure G.2 – Example technology of PLC-TO based VOA . 34
Figure G.3 – The relation of phase changes and attenuation . 34
Figure G.4 – Example technology of MO based VOA . 35

Table 1 – Three-level IEC specification structure . 16
Table 2 – Standards interlink matrix . 20

– 4 – IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND PASSIVE
COMPONENTS – FIBRE OPTIC PASSIVE POWER CONTROL DEVICES –

Part 1: Generic specification
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 60869-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 86B: Fibre optic
interconnecting devices and passive components, of IEC TC 86: Fibre optics.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2012 and constitutes a
technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) the terms and definitions have been reviewed;
b) the requirement concerning the IEC Quality Assessment System has been reviewed;
c) the clause concerning quality assessment procedures has been deleted;
d) Annex G, relating to technical information on variable optical attenuators, has been added.

IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018 – 5 –
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
86B/4139/FDIS 86B/4144/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document 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.
– 6 – IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND PASSIVE
COMPONENTS – FIBRE OPTIC PASSIVE POWER CONTROL DEVICES –

Part 1: Generic specification
1 Scope
This part of IEC 60869 applies to fibre optic passive power control devices. These have all of
the following general features:
– they are passive in that they contain no optoelectronic or other transducing elements;
– they have two ports for the transmission of optical power and control of the transmitted
power in a fixed or variable fashion;
– the ports are non-connectorized optical fibre pigtails, connectorized optical fibres or
receptacles.
This document establishes generic requirements for the following passive optical devices:
– optical attenuator;
– optical fuse;
– optical power limiter.
This document also provides generic information including terminology for the IEC 61753-05x
series. Published IEC 61753-05x series documents are listed in Bibliography.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition
cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
IEC 60027 (all parts), Letter symbols to be used in electrical technology
IEC 60050-731, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Chapter 731: Optical fibre
communication (available at www.electropedia.org)
IEC 60617, Graphical symbols for diagrams (available at http://std.iec.ch/iec60617)
IEC 60695-11-5, Fire hazard testing – Part 11-5: Test flames – Needle-flame test method –
Apparatus, confirmatory test arrangement and guidance
IEC 60825 (all parts), Safety of laser products
IEC 61300 (all parts), Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic
test and measurement procedures
IEC TS 62627-09, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Vocabulary
for passive optical devices
ISO 129-1, Technical product documentation (TPD) – Presentation of dimensions and
tolerances
IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018 – 7 –
ISO 286-1, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) – ISO code system for tolerances on
linear sizes – Part 1: Basis of tolerances, deviations and fits
ISO 1101, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) – Geometrical tolerancing – Tolerances
of form, orientation, location and run-out
ISO 8601, Data elements and interchange formats – Information interchange –
Representation of dates and times
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60050-731,
IEC TS 62627-09 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1 Component terms
3.1.1
fibre optic passive power control device
passive optical device (component) which controls a transmittance with a designed
wavelength-independent transfer coefficient
Note 1 to entry: The transfer coefficient may be controlled for all intensity of input power or for input power over a
threshold power.
3.1.2
optical attenuator
passive optical device (component), which produces a wavelength-independent controlled
signal attenuation in an optical fibre transmission line
Note 1 to entry: An attenuator is intended to be wavelength independent.
3.1.3
fixed optical attenuator
optical attenuator in which attenuation is constant
3.1.4
variable optical attenuator
VOA
optical attenuator in which attenuation is controllable
Note 1 to entry: Attenuation values of variable optical attenuators are generally controlled by manual or electric
means.
Note 2 to entry: This note applies to the French language only.
3.1.5
optical fuse
fibre optic passive power control device, which produces controlled, permanent, signal
blocking for higher optical power than a predetermined power threshold in an optical fibre
transmission line
– 8 – IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018
3.1.6
optical power limiter
fibre optic passive power control device that regulates the optical power in fibres, producing a
controlled, constant optical output power of optical limit power, as a result of varying optical
input power higher than the input optical limit power
3.1.7
plug-receptacle style device
fibre optic device having a combination of two interfacing features, a plug at one end and a
receptacle at the other
3.2 Performance terms
3.2.1
optical fuse power threshold
P
th
optical input power, into an optical fuse, in which the optical output power is blocked
Note 1 to entry: The optical fuse power threshold P is expressed in watt or dBm.
th
3.2.2
optical fuse response time
time between the start of the input power and the end time when the output optical power has
decreased to be less than the predetermined optical power
Note 1 to entry: The predetermined power shall be either of the power threshold, P minus insertion loss, IL,
th
(P − IL) in dB, or the input power, P minus the required blocking attenuation at threshold, A .
th in block
Note 2 to entry: The optical fuse response time depends on the optical input power level and the input pulse time.
Note 3 to entry: An example of the input power, P , is recommended to be 3 dB over of the power threshold, P ,
in th
and the rectangle shape pulse of 1 ms (P = P + 3 dB). An example of the required blocking attenuation at
in th
threshold, A of 30 dB is recommended.
block
3.2.3
optical fuse blocking attenuation at threshold
A
block
drop in optical power through the optical fuse when exposed to more than the optical fuse
power threshold P , with response by blocking the power, expressed in dB
th
3.2.4
optical power limiter response time
length of time between the start of the input power and the end time in decreasing the output
power to be less than or equal to the predetermined power
Note 1 to entry: The optical power limiter response time depends on the optical input power level and the input
pulse time.
Note 2 to entry: An example of the input power, P is recommended to be 3 dB over of the optical limit power and
in
the rectangular pulse of 1 ms (P = P + 3 dB). An example of the pre-determined optical power of P + 1 dB is
in limit limit
recommended.
3.2.5
input optical limit power
P
in-limit
optical input power, into an optical power limiter, at which the optical output power is latched
and cannot exceed that value, P , which is expressed in watt or dBm
in-limit
3.2.6
output optical limit power
P
out-limit
optical output power from an optical power limiter, at which the optical output power is latched
and cannot exceed that value, P , which is expressed in watt or dBm
out-limit
IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018 – 9 –
3.2.7
minimum insertion loss
lowest insertion loss to which a VOA is adjusted
3.2.8
variable attenuation range
range of attenuation to which the device may be adjusted
Note 1 to entry: This term is applicable only to VOAs.
3.2.9
nominal attenuation
supplier specified attenuation value for fixed attenuators and user-set attenuation value for
variable attenuators
3.2.10
maximum attenuation
attenuation of the maximum value which is set
3.2.11
minimum attenuation
attenuation of the minimum value which is set
3.2.12
attenuation setting resolution
minimal adjustable step size or difference of the attenuation of a VOA
Note 1 to entry: This term is applicable only to VOAs.
3.2.13
error of setting value of attenuation
difference between the insertion loss of the device at a given setting and nominal attenuation
Note 1 to entry: This term is applicable only to VOAs.
3.2.14
repeatability of setting attenuation value
maximum deviation of the insertion loss of the device at a given setting in multiple times of
repeated settings
Note 1 to entry: This term is applicable only to VOAs.
3.2.15
maximum allowed power input
maximum input power that the device can handle without causing malfunction or permanent
damage, expressed in watt or dBm
Note 1 to entry: This term is applicable to all fibre optic passive power control devices.
Note 2 to entry: This term is equal to optical fuse power threshold to optical fuse.
Note 3 to entry: The maximum input power defined in IEC TS 62627-09 has a different meaning of the maximum
input optical power for which a passive optical device keeps the required optical performances.
4 Description of devices
4.1 Optical attenuator
The optical attenuator is a passive optical device used for optical power reduction into or out
of an optical device. The optical attenuator is normally used for a broad range of wavelengths,
attenuating the power by a predetermined attenuation rate.

– 10 – IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018
There are two types of optical attenuator: a fixed optical attenuator and a variable optical
attenuator.
The power reduction rate of a fixed optical attenuator is constant. The performance curve of a
fixed optical attenuator is shown in Figure 1, where the attenuated power is always lower than
the non-attenuated power and proportional to it.
Annex E describes the fixed optical attenuator application note as a users' guide.

Figure 1 – Fixed optical attenuator operation curve
The performance curve of a variable optical attenuator (VOA) is shown in Figure 2. In a
manner similar to that of the fixed optical attenuator, the attenuated power is always lower
than the non-attenuated power and proportional to it. The VOA produces a controlled, optical
output power, as a result of manual or electrical control input.
Annex F describes the variable optical attenuator application note as a users' guide.

Figure 2 – VOA operation curve
4.2 Optical fuse
The optical fuse (see Figure 3) is a passive device, designed to protect equipment and fibre
cables from damage due to optical overpower, spikes and surges. When the input power is

IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018 – 11 –
lower than a predetermined threshold power, the optical fuse remains transparent, ideally.
However, the optical fuse becomes permanently opaque when the optical power exceeds the
specified predetermined threshold level. The optical fuse is wavelength independent in the
region of its transparency. The optical fuse is bidirectional.

NOTE Figure 3 schematically explains how the optical fuse operates, with the representation of the ideal optical
fuse, which has no insertion loss (IL).
Figure 3 – Optical fuse operation curve
The optical fuse protects against power spikes and surges. The optical fuse is placed either at
the input port of an optical device, such as in the case of a detector, or at the output port of a
high power device, such as in the case of a laser or optical amplifier. An activated (burnt) fuse
permanently blocks the forward optical power without increasing the reflected power, thus
preventing damage. The optical fuse can be used as an eye safety device.
Annexes A and B describe optical fuse configuration and performance examples, and optical
fuse application notes.
4.3 Optical power limiter
The optical power limiter (see Figure 4) is a passive device that regulates the optical power in
fibres, producing a controlled, constant output power P , as a result of varying input
out-limit
power higher than P , and has no influence at powers below P . Under normal
in-limit in-limit
operation, when the input power is low, the optical power limiter has no effect on the system.
However, when the input power is high, the optical output power is limited to a predetermined
level (P ). The optical power limiter can typically operate under continuous wave (CW)
out-limit
input up to 5 dB above P , and can sustain short duration pulses and spikes (1 s/min) up
in-limit
to 8 dB above P .
in-limit
– 12 – IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018

NOTE Figure 4 schematically explains how the optical power limiter operates, with the representation of the ideal
optical power limiter, which has no insertion loss (IL).
Figure 4 – Optical power limiter operation curve
The optical power limiter is used at the input of power-sensitive equipment and at the output
of high power devices, such as amplifiers, or wherever power regulation is required. The
optical power limiter can serve as an eye safety device. The optical power limiter is
wavelength independent in the region of its transparency. The optical power limiter is
bidirectional. The optical power limiter is, in some cases, combined in line with an optical
fuse, ensuring that at high powers, when the optical power limiter fails, the following device is
not exposed to damaging power.
Annexes C and D describe optical power limiter configuration and performance examples, and
optical power limiter application notes.
5 Requirements
5.1 Classification
5.1.1 General
Power control devices are classified by the following categories:
– type;
– wavelength band;
– style;
– variant;
– environmental category;
– assessment level;
– normative reference extensions.
An example of a typical power control device classification is as follows:
Type: – continuously variable
Wavelength band: – L band
Style: – configuration C
– LC-LC connectors
Variant: – means of mounting
Assessment level: – A
IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018 – 13 –

5.1.2 Type
Power control device types are defined by their intended function.
There are three types of optical attenuators:
– fixed;
– continuously variable;
– discrete step variable.
There is one type of optical fuse having discrete predetermined threshold power.
There is one type of optical power limiter having discrete predetermined limit power.
There are various combinations of the above-mentioned devices, for example a fixed optical
attenuator and an optical power limiter in one device, or an optical power limiter and an
optical fuse in one device.
There are several technology types for VOAs, such as manual, micro-electromechanical
system (MEMS), magnet optics effect, planar lightwave circuit and thermal optic effect,
LiNbO crystal based electro-optic effect. Annex G shows the example of technical
information on variable optical attenuators.
5.1.3 Wavelength band
Power control device types are defined by their wavelength band, O, C or L, and sometimes
by a combination of these bands (such as C and L).
5.1.4 Style
Power control devices may be classified into styles based upon fibre type, connector type,
cable type, housing shape and dimensions and configuration.
The configuration of the power control device ports is classified as follows.
– Configuration A – A device as shown in Figure 5 containing integral optical pigtails without
connectors.
Power control device
Figure 5 – Configuration A
– Configuration B – A device as shown in Figure 6 containing integral optical pigtails, with a
connector on each pigtail.
Power control device
Figure 6 – Configuration B
– 14 – IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018
– Configuration C – A device as shown in Figure 7 containing fibre optic connectors as an
integral part of the device housing.
Power control device
Figure 7 – Configuration C
– Configuration D – A device containing some combination of the interfacing features of the
preceding configurations.
5.1.5 Variant
The power control device variant identifies those features which encompass structurally
similar components.
Examples of features which define a variant include, but are not limited to, the following:
– orientation of ports on housing;
– means for mounting.
5.1.6 Assessment level
The detail specification shall include all required tests for quality assessment.
Each test shall be assigned to one of four groups labelled A, B, C and D.
The detail specification shall specify one or more assessment levels, each of which shall be
designated by a capital letter. The assessment level defines the relationship between the
inspection levels/acceptable quality levels (AQLs) of groups A and B and the inspection
periods of groups C and D.
The following are preferred levels:
– Assessment level A
• group A inspection: inspection level II, AQL = 4 %
• group B inspection: inspection level II, AQL = 4 %
• group C inspection: 24-month periods
• group D inspection: 48-month periods
– Assessment level B
• group A inspection: inspection level II, AQL = 1 %
• group B inspection: inspection level II, AQL = 1 %
• group C inspection: 18-month periods
• group D inspection: 36-month periods
– Assessment level C
• group A inspection: inspection level II, AQL = 0,4 %
• group B inspection: inspection level II, AQL = 0,4 %
• group C inspection: 12-month periods
• group D inspection: 24-month periods

IEC 60869-1:2018 © IEC 2018 – 15 –
Groups A and B are subject to lot-by-lot inspection and groups C and D are subject to periodic
inspection. One additional assessment level (other than those specified above) may be added
in the detail specification. In this case, it shall be designated by the capital letter X.
5.1.7 Normative reference extensions
Normative reference extensions are used to introduce integrated independent standard
specifications or other reference documents into blank detail specifications.
Additional requirements imposed by normative reference extensions are mandatory, unless
otherwise specified. Usage is primarily intended to merge associated components to form
hybrid devices, or integrated functional application requirements that are dependent on
technical expertise other than fibre optics.
Published reference documents produced by ITU, consistent with the scope statements of the
relevant IEC specification series, may be used as extensions. Published documents produced
by regional standardization bodies, such as TIA, CENELEC, JIS, may be referenced in an
informative annex attached to the generic specification.
Some optical fibre splice configurations require special qualification provisions which shall not
be imposed universally. These cases encompass individual component design configurations,
specialised field tooling, or specific application processes. In these cases, requirements are
necessary to ensure repeatable performance or adequate safety, and provide additional
guidance for complete product specification. These extensions are mandatory whenever used
to prepare, assemble or install an optical fibre splice either for field application usage or
preparation of qualification test specimens. The relevant specification shall clarify all
stipulations. However, design- and style-dependent extensions shall not be imposed
universally.
In the event of conflicting requirements, precedence, in descending order, shall be for
"generic" to prevail over "mandatory extension", which latter prevails over "blank detail",
which latter prevails over "detail", which latter prevails over "appli
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