prEN IEC 60794-1-103:2025
(Main)Optical fibre cables - Part 1-103: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Crush, Method E3
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-103: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Crush, Method E3
Lichtwellenleiterkabel – Teil 1-103: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Mechanische Prüfverfahren - Quetschung, Verfahren E3
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-103: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d'essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d'essais mécaniques - écrasement, méthode E3
Optični kabli - 1-103.del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Stiskanje, metoda E3
General Information
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 10-Mar-2027
- Technical Committee
- CLC/TC 86A - Optical fibres and optical fibre cables
- Current Stage
- 4060 - Enquiry results established and sent to TC, SR, BTTF - Enquiry
- Start Date
- 14-Nov-2025
- Completion Date
- 14-Nov-2025
Relations
- Effective Date
- 09-Sep-2025
- Effective Date
- 09-Sep-2025
Overview
prEN IEC 60794-1-103:2025 sets forth standardized mechanical test methods for determining the crush resistance of optical fibre cables using Method E3. Developed by CLC and IEC Subcommittee 86A (Fibres and Cables), this international standard specifies procedures and apparatus for evaluating how optical fibre cables respond under crush loads-crucial for assessing durability and reliable performance in telecom and related applications. The standard applies to all types of optical fibre cables, including those integrated with electrical conductors or designed as fibre units and microduct fibre units.
Crush resistance testing ensures that optical fibre cables can maintain optical continuity and integrity during installation and operation, even when subjected to compressive forces. Standardized testing provides clarity and consistency in cable quality assessment across manufacturers and industries.
Key Topics
Crush Test Methods:
The standard focuses on two main approaches under Method E3 to evaluate cable performance under mechanical stress:- Plate/Plate (E3A): Cable is compressed between two flat steel plates, testing resistance over a set length of the cable.
- Mandrel/Plate (E3B): A cylindrical mandrel and a plate are used to grip and compress the cable, simulating additional real-world force concentrations.
Test Conditions and Procedures:
- Uniform force application across sample length.
- Specified durations for short-term (commonly 1 min) and long-term (typically 10 min) loading.
- Attenuation measurements are performed before, during, and after force application.
- Multiple test points on each cable sample, spaced appropriately to avoid core lay effects.
Acceptance Criteria:
- Maximum allowable change in optical attenuation.
- Maintenance of optical continuity.
- No physical damage to the cable beyond surface imprints or scratches.
Reporting Requirements:
- Method details, forces applied, duration, number of locations, and any deviations from procedure must be included in test reports.
Applications
Optical fibre cable crush test methods as defined in prEN IEC 60794-1-103:2025 are vital for:
- Telecommunications Infrastructure: Ensuring cable durability and service continuity in data centers, outside plant, and in-building cabling exposed to installation and operational loads.
- Cable Manufacturing: Providing guidelines for product development, quality control, and type approval for new cable designs.
- Quality Assurance and Procurement: Allowing end users and purchasing organizations to compare products using standardized metrics for crush resistance and performance reliability.
- Regulatory Compliance: Supporting adherence to international best practices for optical fibre cable products in regulated, safety-critical, or high-availability environments.
Cable manufacturers, test laboratories, network designers, and specifiers benefit from commonly accepted procedures, contributing to globally consistent cable performance and reducing risk in critical optical fibre deployments.
Related Standards
When implementing prEN IEC 60794-1-103:2025 or designing test suites for optical fibre cables, consider these closely related standards and references:
- IEC 60794-1-2: General guidance for optical fibre cable test procedures-essential reference for terminology, general requirements, and environmental testing.
- IEC 60794-1-21: Previous compendium of mechanical test methods (now split into dedicated parts for clarity and usability).
- General Optical Fibre and Cable Standards: Including other parts of the IEC 60794 series, which cover additional mechanical and environmental test methods and performance specifications.
Adopting these international standards helps ensure the mechanical reliability, operational stability, and longevity of optical fibre cables in a broad range of demanding applications.
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Intertek testing, inspection, and certification services in Slovenia.
LNE (Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d'Essais)
French national laboratory for metrology and testing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
prEN IEC 60794-1-103:2025 is a draft published by CLC. Its full title is "Optical fibre cables - Part 1-103: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Crush, Method E3". This standard covers: Optical fibre cables - Part 1-103: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Crush, Method E3
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-103: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Crush, Method E3
prEN IEC 60794-1-103:2025 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
prEN IEC 60794-1-103:2025 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 60794-1-21:2015, EN 60794-1-21:2015/A1:2020. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
prEN IEC 60794-1-103:2025 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2025
Optični kabli - 1-103.del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Stiskanje, metoda E3
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-103: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Crush, Method E3
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-103: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d'essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d'essais mécaniques -
écrasement, méthode E3
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-103:2025
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
86A/2607/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-103 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-08-22 2025-11-14
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2496/CD, 86A/2603/CC
IEC SC 86A : FIBRES AND CABLES
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
France Mr Laurent Gasca
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: HORIZONTAL FUNCTION(S):
ASPECTS CONCERNED:
SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING
Attention IEC-CENELEC parallel voting
The attention of IEC National Committees, members of
CENELEC, is drawn to the fact that this Committee Draft
for Vote (CDV) is submitted for parallel voting.
The CENELEC members are invited to vote through the
CENELEC online voting system.
This document is still under study and subject to change. It should not be used for reference purposes.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of
which they are aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant “In Some
Countries” clauses to be included should this proposal proceed. Recipients are reminded that the CDV stage is
the final stage for submitting ISC clauses. (SEE AC/22/2007 OR NEW GUIDANCE DOC).
TITLE:
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-103: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods – Crush, Method E3
PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2029
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
electronic file, to make a copy and to print out the content for the sole purpose of preparing National Committee positions.
You may not copy or "mirror" the file or printed version of the document, or any part of it, for any other purpose without
permission in writing from IEC.
IEC CDV 60794-1-103 © IEC 2025
1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD . 2
4 1 Scope . 4
5 2 Normative references . 4
6 3 Terms and definitions . 4
7 4 General requirements . 4
8 5 Method E3: Crush . 4
9 5.1 Object . 4
10 5.2 Sample . 4
11 5.3 Standard atmospheric conditions . 4
12 5.4 Method E3A: Plate/plate . 5
13 5.4.1 Apparatus . 5
14 5.4.2 Procedure . 5
15 5.5 Method E3B: Mandrel/plate . 5
16 5.5.1 Apparatus . 5
17 5.5.2 Procedure . 6
18 5.6 Requirements . 6
19 5.7 Details to be specified . 6
20 5.8 Details to be reported . 6
IEC CDV 60794-1-103 © IEC 2025
22 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
23 ____________
25 OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
27 Part 1-103: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures –
28 Mechanical test methods – Crush, Method E3
30 FOREWORD
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63 IEC 60794-1-103 has been prepared by subc
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