Plastics pipes and fittings - Determination of opacity (ISO 7686:2005)

ISO 7686:2005 specifies a method for the determination of the opacity of plastics pipes and fittings.

Rohre und Formstücke aus Kunststoffen - Bestimmung der Opazität (ISO 7686:2005)

Diese Internationale Norm legt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Opazität von Rohren und Formstücken aus Kunststoffen fest.
ANMERKUNG   Ein Rohr oder ein Formstück, das für die Wasserversorgung verwendet wird und beim Gebrauch dem sichtbaren Licht ausgesetzt wird, muss ausreichend lichtundurchlässig sein, um Algenwachstum zu verhindern.

Tubes et raccords en matières plastiques - Détermination de l'opacité (ISO 7686:2005)

L'ISO 7686:2005 spécifie une méthode pour la détermination de l'opacité des tubes et des raccords en matières plastiques.

Polimerne cevi in fitingi – Ugotavljanje svetlobne prepustnosti (ISO 7686:2005)

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
30-Jun-2005
Withdrawal Date
30-Jan-2006
Current Stage
6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
Start Date
01-Jul-2005
Completion Date
01-Jul-2005

Relations

Effective Date
22-Dec-2008

Overview

EN ISO 7686:2005 is an international standard developed by CEN and ISO that specifies a standardized method for determining the opacity of plastics pipes and fittings. This measurement is crucial in quality control and compliance processes within the plastic piping industry, particularly for products used in fluid transport systems. The standard ensures consistent, reliable determination of how much light passes through a plastic pipe or fitting, expressed as a percentage of incident light energy.

Opacity measurement is important not only for aesthetic reasons but also for functional applications, such as preventing algae growth in water supply pipes exposed to visible light.

Key Topics

  • Scope and Purpose
    The standard applies to the assessment of plastics pipes and fittings, enabling manufacturers and testing laboratories to determine the degree of opacity, which directly influences product performance in service.

  • Definition of Opacity
    Opacity is defined as the proportion of incident light energy that is transmitted through the pipe or fitting wall, expressed as a percentage.

  • Measurement Principle
    The test involves illuminating a sample section of the pipe or fitting with light of wavelength between 540 nm and 560 nm and measuring the transmitted light intensity, including scattered and unscattered light.

  • Test Apparatus
    Key equipment includes:

    • A photoelectric cell capable of linear light intensity response
    • An adjustable-power lamp with a spectral filter to maintain consistent light wavelength
    • Optical lenses and diaphragms to produce a calibrated, parallel incident light beam
    • An integrating sphere for enhanced measurement accuracy (optional)
  • Test Specimen Preparation
    Samples are cut from the pipes or fittings, ideally from the thinnest wall sections, and divided into strips for measurement. Flattening of small diameter samples is allowed if thickness is maintained.

  • Testing Procedure
    The procedure includes instrument calibration checks, alignment of the test setup, multiple measurements on each strip, and calculation of average and maximum transmitted light values.

  • Opacity Calculation and Reporting
    The transmitted light intensity (I) is compared to the maximum light intensity (I_m) to compute transmitted light percentage. Detailed test reports must document product identification, opacity values, test conditions, and any influencing factors.

Applications

  • Water Supply Pipes
    Ensuring pipes are sufficiently opaque to block light prevents algae growth, maintaining water quality and reducing maintenance costs.

  • Quality Control in Manufacturing
    Consistent opacity measurement helps manufacturers maintain product specification compliance, improve batch consistency, and detect defects related to material or production processes.

  • Regulatory Compliance and Standards Verification
    Compliance with EN ISO 7686:2005 supports adherence to broader plastic piping standards and regulatory requirements in various countries.

  • Research and Development
    In product development, opacity testing guides material formulation adjustments to balance transparency and functional requirements.

Related Standards

  • EN 578:1993 – The predecessor standard for light transmission in plastics pipes, superseded by EN ISO 7686:2005.
  • ISO/TC 138 Standards – Other standards under the ISO technical committee focusing on plastic pipes, fittings, valves, and their testing methods.
  • CEN/TC 155 Standards – European standards concerning plastics piping and ducting systems, complementing opacity determination.
  • ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 – Framework guiding the drafting and approval of International Standards such as EN ISO 7686:2005.

Keywords: EN ISO 7686:2005, plastics pipes, plastics fittings, opacity determination, light transmission, plastic pipe testing, algae prevention, integrating sphere, photoelectric measurement, pipe quality control, plastic piping standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

EN ISO 7686:2005 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Plastics pipes and fittings - Determination of opacity (ISO 7686:2005)". This standard covers: ISO 7686:2005 specifies a method for the determination of the opacity of plastics pipes and fittings.

ISO 7686:2005 specifies a method for the determination of the opacity of plastics pipes and fittings.

EN ISO 7686:2005 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 23.040.20 - Plastics pipes; 23.040.45 - Plastics fittings. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

EN ISO 7686:2005 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 578:1993. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

EN ISO 7686:2005 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 93/38/EEC; Standardization Mandates: M/BC/CEN/88/15. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.

EN ISO 7686:2005 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-september-2005
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 578:1997
Polimerne cevi in fitingi – Ugotavljanje svetlobne prepustnosti (ISO 7686:2005)
Plastics pipes and fittings - Determination of opacity (ISO 7686:2005)
Rohre und Formstücke aus Kunststoffen - Bestimmung der Opazität (ISO 7686:2005)
Tubes et raccords en matieres plastiques - Détermination de l'opacité (ISO 7686:2005)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 7686:2005
ICS:
23.040.20 Cevi iz polimernih materialov Plastics pipes
23.040.45 Fitingi iz polimernih Plastics fittings
materialov
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 7686
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2005
ICS 23.040.20; 23.040.45 Supersedes EN 578:1993
English Version
Plastics pipes and fittings - Determination of opacity (ISO
7686:2005)
Tubes et raccords en matières plastiques - Détermination Rohre und Formstücke aus Kunststoffen - Bestimmung der
de l'opacité (ISO 7686:2005) Opazität (ISO 7686:2005)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 20 June 2005.
CEN 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 Central Secretariat or to any CEN 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 CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2005 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 7686:2005: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Foreword
This document (EN ISO 7686:2005) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 138
"Plastics pipes, fittings and valves for the transport of fluids" in collaboration with Technical
Committee CEN/TC 155 "Plastics piping systems and ducting systems", the secretariat of which
is held by NEN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of
an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by January 2006, and conflicting national
standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by January 2006.

This document supersedes EN 578:1993.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of
the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 7686:2005 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 7686:2005 without any
modifications.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 7686
Second edition
2005-07-01
Plastics pipes and fittings —
Determination of opacity
Tubes et raccords en matières plastiques — Détermination de l'opacité

Reference number
ISO 7686:2005(E)
©
ISO 2005
ISO 7686:2005(E)
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ii © ISO 2005 – All rights reserved

ISO 7686:2005(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 7686 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 138, Plastics pipes, fittings and valves for the
transport of fluids, Subcommittee SC 5, General properties of pipes, fittings and valves of plastic materials and
their accessories — Test methods and basic specifications.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 7686:1992), of which it constitutes a technical
revision. It incorporates the following modifications:
 a note giving the principal reason for measurement of opacity of products has been added to the scope;
 the use of an integrati
...

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