EN IEC 61300-3-7:2021/prA1:2024

Overview

EN IEC 61300-3-7:2021/prA1:2024 is Amendment 1 to Part 3-7 of the IEC 61300 series covering the wavelength dependence of attenuation and return loss of single‑mode fibre optic components. Published as a Committee Draft for Vote (CDV) and submitted for IEC–CENELEC parallel voting, this amendment refines test and measurement procedures used by manufacturers, test laboratories and standards committees. The CDV notes the document is under study and subject to change; recipients are invited to comment and to notify any relevant patent rights.

Key Topics

• Scope: Focuses on examinations and measurements related to how attenuation and return loss vary with wavelength for single‑mode interconnecting devices and passive components.
• Method C (multiple fixed narrowband light sources - NLS): The amendment clarifies that the set of NLS shall cover the specified wavelength range. When a N×1 fibre optic branching device or fibre optic switch is used, N shall be equal to or more than the number of wavelengths to be measured and the set of NLS used. Other ports to be measured shall be terminated.
• Document status and administration:
  • Issued as IEC 61300-3-7 Amendment 1 (project IEC 61300-3-7/AMD1 ED3).
  • CDV circulation dated 2024-08-23 with voting close 2024-11-15.
  • Proposed stability date: 2031.
  • Secretariat: IEC SC 86B (Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components); secretary listed as Mr Shigeru Tomita.
• Languages and national adoption: The amendment is adopted in parallel by national bodies (example shown: Slovenian SIST adoption of EN IEC text).

Applications

This amendment and the associated test procedures are directly applicable to:

• Manufacturers of single‑mode fibre optic connectors, adapters and passive components who need consistent, repeatable measurement methods for attenuation and return loss versus wavelength.
• Test laboratories performing component characterization, acceptance testing and conformance verification to industry standards.
• System designers and integrators requiring validated component performance data across specified wavelength ranges for link budgeting and optical system design.

Practical benefits include clearer requirements when using multiple narrowband sources and guidance to ensure ports not under test are properly terminated to avoid measurement artefacts.

Related Standards

• IEC 61300 series (Basic test and measurement procedures for fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components).
• National adoptions and EN versions (e.g., SIST EN IEC 61300-3-7:2021/oprA1:2024).

For implementers and stakeholders, review the CDV text and submit comments during the parallel voting window. The amendment refines test practice and helps harmonize measurement procedures for wavelength‑dependent performance of single‑mode fibre components.