IEC 61753-053-2:2014

IEC 61753-053-2 ®
Edition 1.0 2014-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Performance
standard –
Part 053-2: Non-connectorized, single-mode fibre, electrically controlled,
variable optical attenuator for category C – Controlled environments

Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs à fibres optiques – Norme
de performance –
Partie 053-2: Affaiblisseur optique variable commandé électriquement, à fibres
unimodales, non connectorisé, pour la catégorie C – Environnements contrôlés

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.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie
et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des
questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
3, rue de Varembé Fax: +41 22 919 03 00
CH-1211 Geneva 20 info@iec.ch
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
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

IEC Catalogue - webstore.iec.ch/catalogue Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
The stand-alone application for consulting the entire The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and
bibliographical information on IEC International Standards, electrical terms containing more than 30 000 terms and
Technical Specifications, Technical Reports and other definitions in English and French, with equivalent terms in 15
documents. Available for PC, Mac OS, Android Tablets and additional languages. Also known as the International
iPad. Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) online.

IEC publications search - www.iec.ch/searchpub IEC Glossary - std.iec.ch/glossary
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a More than 60 000 electrotechnical terminology entries in
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical English and French extracted from the Terms and Definitions
committee,…). It also gives information on projects, replaced clause of IEC publications issued since 2002. Some entries
and withdrawn publications. have been collected from earlier publications of IEC TC 37,

77, 86 and CISPR.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
details all new publications released. Available online and If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or
also once a month by email. need further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: csc@iec.ch.
A propos de l'IEC
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications IEC
Le contenu technique des publications IEC est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez l’édition la
plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

Catalogue IEC - webstore.iec.ch/catalogue Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
Application autonome pour consulter tous les renseignements
Le premier dictionnaire en ligne de termes électroniques et
bibliographiques sur les Normes internationales,
électriques. Il contient plus de 30 000 termes et définitions en
Spécifications techniques, Rapports techniques et autres
anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans
documents de l'IEC. Disponible pour PC, Mac OS, tablettes
15 langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire
Android et iPad.
Electrotechnique International (IEV) en ligne.

Recherche de publications IEC - www.iec.ch/searchpub
Glossaire IEC - std.iec.ch/glossary
Plus de 60 000 entrées terminologiques électrotechniques, en
La recherche avancée permet de trouver des publications IEC
en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence, texte, anglais et en français, extraites des articles Termes et
comité d’études,…). Elle donne aussi des informations sur les Définitions des publications IEC parues depuis 2002. Plus
projets et les publications remplacées ou retirées. certaines entrées antérieures extraites des publications des

CE 37, 77, 86 et CISPR de l'IEC.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished

Service Clients - webstore.iec.ch/csc
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications IEC. Just
Published détaille les nouvelles publications parues. Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette
Disponible en ligne et aussi une fois par mois par email. publication ou si vous avez des questions contactez-nous:
csc@iec.ch.
IEC 61753-053-2 ®
Edition 1.0 2014-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Performance

standard –
Part 053-2: Non-connectorized, single-mode fibre, electrically controlled,

variable optical attenuator for category C – Controlled environments

Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs à fibres optiques – Norme

de performance –
Partie 053-2: Affaiblisseur optique variable commandé électriquement, à fibres

unimodales, non connectorisé, pour la catégorie C – Environnements contrôlés

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-2191-4

– 2 – IEC 61753-053-2:2014 © IEC 2014
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Test conditions . 6
5 Test report . 7
6 Reference components . 7
7 Performance requirements . 7
7.1 Dimensions . 7
7.2 Test details and requirements . 7
Annex A (normative) Sample size . 11
Bibliography . 12

Table 1 – Single-mode spectral bands . 7
Table 2 – Test details and requirements . 8
Table A.1 – Number of samples for each test . 11

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND
PASSIVE COMPONENTS – PERFORMANCE STANDARD –

Part 053-2: Non-connectorized, single-mode fibre, electrically controlled,
variable optical attenuator for category C – Controlled environments

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 61753-053-2 has been prepared by subcommittee 86B: Fibre optic
interconnecting devices and passive components, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
This bilingual version (2015-01) corresponds to the English version, published in 2014-03.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
86B/3645/CDV 86B/3719/RVC
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.

– 4 – IEC 61753-053-2:2014 © IEC 2014
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 parts in the IEC 61753 series, published under the general title Fibre optic
interconnecting devices and passive components – performance standard, 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.
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND
PASSIVE COMPONENTS – PERFORMANCE STANDARD –

Part 053-2: Non-connectorized, single-mode fibre, electrically controlled,
variable optical attenuator for category C – Controlled environments

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61753 contains the minimum initial test and measurement requirements and
severities which non-connectorized single-mode fibre electrically controlled variable optical
attenuator needs to satisfy in order to be categorised as meeting the requirements of category
C-Controlled environments, as defined in Annex A of IEC 61753-1:2007.
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 60793-2-50, Optical fibres – Part 2-50: Product specifications – Sectional specification
for class B single-mode fibres
IEC 60794-2-50, Optical fibre cables – Part 2-50: Indoor cables – Family specification for
simplex and duplex cables for use in terminated cable assemblies
IEC 60869-1, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Fibre optic
passive power control devices – Part 1: Generic specification
IEC 61300 (all parts), Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic
test and measurement procedures
IEC 61300-2-1, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 2-1: Tests – Vibration (sinusoidal)
IEC 61300-2-4, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 2-4: Tests – Fibre/cable retention
IEC 61300-2-9, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 2-9: Tests – Shock
IEC 61300-2-14, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 2-14: Tests –High optical power
IEC 61300-2-17, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 2-17: Tests – Cold
IEC 61300-2-18, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 2-18: Tests – Dry heat – High temperature endurance
IEC 61300-2-19, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 2-19: Tests – Damp heat (steady state)

– 6 – IEC 61753-053-2:2014 © IEC 2014
IEC 61300-2-22, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 2-22: Tests – Change of temperature
IEC 61300-2-42, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 2-42: Tests – Static side load for connectors
IEC 61300-3-2, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-2: Examination and measurements – Polarization
dependent loss in a single-mode fibre optic device
IEC 61300-3-3, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-3: Examinations and measurements – Active monitoring of
changes in attenuation and return loss
IEC 61300-3-7, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-7: Examinations and measurements – Wavelength
dependence of attenuation and return loss of single mode components
IEC 61300-3-14, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 3-14: Examinations and measurements – Accuracy and
repeatability of the attenuation settings of a variable attenuator
IEC 61300-3-21, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures – Part 3-21: Examinations and measurements – Switching time
and bounce time
IEC 61753-1:2007, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components performance
standard – Part 1: General and guidance for performance standard
IEC TR 62343-6-5, Dynamic modules – Part 6-5: Investigation of operating mechanical shock
and vibration tests for dynamic modules
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60869-1, as well as
the following, apply.
3.1
operational vibration
vibration test in which relevant parameters should be monitored during the test
3.2
operational shock
shock test in which relevant parameters should be monitored during the test
3.3
response time
elapsed time from the time the control energy (voltage or current) is applied (changed) to the
time attenuation reaches between 90 % and 110 % dB of steady-state value
4 Test conditions
Unless otherwise specified, all test methods are in accordance with the IEC 61300 series. The
samples shall be terminated onto single-mode fibres as per IEC 60793-2-50, category B1.1,
B1.3 or B6 in either coated fibres (primary and secondary) or reinforced cable format as per
IEC 60794-2-50. Non-connectorized single-mode fibre electrically controlled variable optical

attenuator used for each test are intended to be previously unstressed new samples but may
also be selected from previously used samples if desired. All measurements shall be carried
out under standard atmospheric conditions, unless otherwise stated. If the device is provided
with an active temperature control, this shall be set at the set-point specified by the
manufacturer.
The requirements apply to every combination of input and output port.
Table 1 is intended to provide guidance on the wavelength ranges of the various spectral
bands. It is not intended for specification. Values of operating wavelength used in
performance verification shall be specified between the customer and supplier, or shall be as
defined in the manufacturer’s specification.
Table 1 – Single-mode spectral bands
Range
Band Descriptor
nm
O-band Original 1 260 to 1 360
E-band Extended 1 360 to 1 460
S-band Short wavelength 1 460 to 1 530
C-band Conventional 1 530 to 1 565
L-band Long wavelength 1 565 to 1 625
U-band Ultra long wavelength 1 625 to 1 675
NOTE Source: ITU-T G. Supplement 39.

5 Test report
Fully documented test reports and supporting evidence shall be prepared and be available for
inspection as evidence that the tests have been carried out and complied with.
6 Reference components
The test for these components does not require the use of reference components.
7 Performance requirements
7.1 Dimensions
Dimensions shall comply with those given in appropriate manufacturers’ drawings.
7.2 Test details and requirements
The test details and requirements are shown in Table 2. The word "Att." means attenuation
value of the device under test. The requirements are given only for a pigtailed electrically
controlled variable optical attenuator. A minimum length of fibre or cable of 2,0 m per port
shall be included in all climatic and environmental test chambers.

– 8 – IEC 61753-053-2:2014 © IEC 2014
Table 2 – Test details and requirements
No Tests Requirements Details
1 Attenuation ≤1,5 dB Launch fibre length: ≥ 2,0 m
(insertion loss)
Source: Unpolarized
IEC 61300-3-7
Measurement ± 0,1 dB
uncertainty:
Note: Attenuation (insertion loss) with
Att. = 0 dB
2 Variable Launch fibre length:
≥20 dB ≥ 2,0 m
attenuation
Source: Unpolarized
range
Measurement
± 0,5 dB
IEC 61300-3-7
uncertainty:
3 Wavelength Launch fibre length:
≤ 0,7 dB (Att. ≤ 10 dB) ≥ 2,0 m
dependent loss
≤ 1,0 dB (Att. > 10 dB) Source: Unpolarized
IEC 61300-3-7
Measurement
±0,05 dB
uncertainty:
4 Polarization Launch fibre length:
≤ 0,3 dB (Att. ≤ 10 dB) ≥ 2,0 m
dependent loss
≤ 0,5 dB (Att. > 10 dB) Measurement ± 0,05 dB
(PDL)
uncertainty:
IEC 61300-3-2
5 Return loss ≥ 40 dB Launch fibre length: ≥2,0 m
IEC 61300-3-7
Source: Unpolarized
Measurement
±1 dB
uncertainty:
6 Response time Launch fibre length:
≤ 20 ms ≥ 2,0 m
IEC 61300-3-21
Measurement ± 1 ms
uncertainty:
7 Accuracy of the ±15 % of set value (in dB) Launch fibre length: ≥ 2,0 m
setting
Source: Unpolarized
attenuation
value
Measurement ± 0,1 dB
uncertainty:
(if applicable)
IEC 61300-3-14
8 Repeatability of Launch fibre length:
± 5 % of set value (in dB) ≥ 2,0 m
the setting
Source: Unpolarized
attenuation
value
Measurement
± 0,1 dB
uncertainty:
(if applicable)
IEC 61300-3-14
9 High optical Before and after the test, Optical power: 300 mW
power the limits of insertion loss
Wavelength: 1 550 nm
and return loss of test no.
IEC 61300-2-14
1 and 5 shall be met.
Duration of the 30 min
optical power
During the test, the
exposure:
insertion loss change is
monitored. During and
Temperature:
60 °C ± 2 °C
after the test, the
insertion loss change
Relative humidity:
+
shall be within ±0,3 dB of
93 % RH
−
the initial value.
During the test, the return
loss change is monitored.
The sum of the initial
value and the change of
the return loss shall be
within the value defined
at test no. 5
Table 2 (continued)
No Tests Requirements Details
10 Cold Before and after the test, Temperature:
–10 °C ± 2 °C
the limits of insertion loss
IEC 61300-2-17
Duration of exposure: 96 h
and return loss of test no.
1 and 5 shall be met.
The insertion loss change
after the test shall be
within ± 0,3 dB of the
initial value
11 High temperature Before and after the test, Temperature:
+ 60 °C ± 2 °C
endurance the limits of insertion loss
Duration of exposure: 96 h
and return loss of test no.
IEC 61300-2-18
1 and 5 shall be met.
The insertion loss change
after the test shall be
within ± 0,3 dB of the
initial value
12 Damp heat Before and after the test, Temperature:
+ 40 °C ± 2 °C
(steady state) the limits of insertion loss
Relative humidity:
and return loss of test no. +
IEC 61300-2-19
93 % RH
1 and 5 shall be met.
−
During the test, the
Duration of exposure: 96 h
insertion loss change is
monitored.
During and after the test,
the insertion loss change
shall be within ± 0,3 dB of
the initial value
13 Change of Before and after the test, High temperature: + 60 °C ± 2 °C.
temperature the limits of insertion loss
Low temperature:
–10 °C ± 2 °C.
and return loss of test no.
IEC 61300-2-22
1 and 5 shall be met.
Number of cycles: 5 cycles
During the test, the
Duration at extreme 60 min
insertion loss change is
temperature:
monitored.
Rate of change: 1 °C/min
During and after the test,
the insertion loss change
shall be within ± 0,5 dB of
the initial value
14 Vibration Before and after the test, Frequency range: 5 Hz – 55 Hz
the limits of insertion loss
IEC 61300-2-1 Number of axes: 3 orthogonal axes.
and return loss of test no.
1 and 5 shall be met.
Number of sweeps: 15 /axis
The insertion loss change
Sweep rate: 1 octave./min
after the test shall be
within ± 0,3 dB of the
Amplitude: 0,75 mm
initial value
15 Optical fibre Before and after the test, Tensile force: 2 N for reinforced cable
cable flexing the limits of insertion loss
Number of cycles:
30 cycles, ±90°
and return loss of test no.
IEC 61300-2-44
1 and 5 shall be met.
The insertion loss change
after the test shall be
within ± 0,3 dB of the
initial value
– 10 – IEC 61753-053-2:2014 © IEC 2014
Table 2 (continued)
No Tests Requirements Details
16 Fibre/cable Before and after the test, Magnitude and rate
(10 ± 1) N at 5 N/s for reinforced
retention the limits of insertion loss of application:
cables.
and return loss of test no.
IEC 61300-2-4
(5,0 ± 0,5) N at 0,5 N/s for
1 and 5 shall be met.
secondary coated fibres.
The insertion loss change
after the test shall be (2,0 ± 0,2) N at 0,5 N/s for primary
coated fibres.
within ± 0,3 dB of the
initial value
Duration of the test: 120 s duration at 10 N
60 s duration at 2 N or 5 N
Point of application 0,3 m from the exit point of the fibre
of tensile load: / cable from the specimen.
Method of mounting: The sample shall be rigidly
mounted such that the load is only
applied to the fibre/cable retention
mechanism
17 Static side load Before and after the test, Magnitude and 1 N for 1 h for reinforced cable
the limits of insertion loss duration of the
IEC 61300-2-42 0,2 N for 5 min for secondary
and return loss of test no. tensile load:
coated fibres
1 and 5 shall be met.
Direction of Two mutually perpendicular
The insertion loss change
application: directions
after the test shall be
within ±0,3 dB of the initial
value
18 Shock Before and after the test, Acceleration: Components: 5 000 m/s
the limits of insertion loss
IEC 61300-2-9 Modules:
and return loss of tests 1
and 5 shall be met.
0,125 kg < module mass ≤0,225 kg:
2 000 m/s
The insertion loss change
after the test shall be
0,225 kg < module mass ≤1 kg:
within ± 0,3 dB of the 2
500 m/s
initial value
Duration: 1 ms, half sine pulse
Number of axis: 3 axes in 2 directions
Number of shocks: 2 shocks per axis, 12 shock in total
19 Operational During the test the Frequency range: 50 – 500 Hz
vibration insertion loss shall be
Condition: 2 G for three orthogonal axes
within ± 0,3 dB of initial
IEC 61300-2-1
value under ambient
Duration: 2
...