IEC 61300-2-38:2023

IEC 61300-2-38 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-07
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures –
Part 2-38: Tests – Sealing for pressurized fibre optic sealed closures and
hardened connectors using air pressure
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IEC 61300-2-38 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-07
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures –
Part 2-38: Tests – Sealing for pressurized fibre optic sealed closures and
hardened connectors using air pressure
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.180.20  ISBN 978-2-8322-7343-2
– 2 – IEC 61300-2-38:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Test methods . 5
5 Apparatus . 6
5.1 Elements of apparatus . 6
5.2 Pressurizer . 6
5.3 Capillary gas connection . 6
5.4 Pressure gauge . 7
5.5 Water bath . 7
6 Procedure . 6
6.1 Method A . 7
6.2 Method B . 7
7 Severity . 8
8 Details to be specified and reported. 9
Annex A (normative)  Test configuration for sealing test of sealed hardened
connectors and adaptors . 11
A.1 General description for sealing test . 11
A.2 Example of a test configuration for method A . 11
A.3 Example of a test configuration for method B . 13
Bibliography . 14

Figure 1 – Configuration for method A . 7
Figure 2 – Configuration for method B . 8
Figure A.1 – Example of a test configuration for method A . 12
Figure A.2 – Example of a test configuration for method B . 13

Table 1 – Recommended severities . 9

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND PASSIVE
COMPONENTS – BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –

Part 2-38: Tests – Sealing for pressurized fibre optic sealed closures
and hardened connectors using air pressure

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) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had not received notice of (a) patent(s), which
may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent
the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This redline version of the official IEC Standard allows the user to identify the changes
made to the previous edition IEC 61300-2-38:2006. A vertical bar appears in the margin
wherever a change has been made. Additions are in green text, deletions are in
strikethrough red text.
– 4 – IEC 61300-2-38:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
IEC 61300-2-38 has been prepared by subcommittee 86B: Fibre optic interconnecting devices
and passive components, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2006. It constitutes a
technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) addition of sealed hardened connectors;
b) recommended test severities from IEC 61753-1;
c) test configurations for hardened connectors and adaptors.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86B/4768/FDIS 86B/4783/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts of IEC 61300 series, under the general title Fibre optic interconnecting devices
and passive components − Basic test and measurement procedures, can be found on the IEC
website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under 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 document 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.

FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND PASSIVE
COMPONENTS – BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –

Part 2-38: Tests – Sealing for pressurized fibre optic sealed closures
and hardened connectors using air pressure

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61300 presents a two methods for testing the sealing performance of a fibre
optic sealed closure and sealing system of the closures, when required by the relevant
specification hardened connector using air pressure.
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 61300-1, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 1: General and guidance
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61300-1 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
hardened fibre optic connector
water and dust tight connector
Note 1 to entry: A hardened fibre optic connector is typically used for a connection in outside plant.
[SOURCE: IEC 61753-1:2018, 3.8]
3.2
sealed closure
watertight and dust-tight housing that can hold a varying overpressure or underpressure caused
by temperature changes or atmospheric pressure changes
Note 1 to entry: There is no exchange of air with the outside environment when exposed to temperatures over the
specified operating temperature range.
Note 2 to entry: Although often referred to as hermetic sealed closures, humidity can enter the inner closure by
diffusion.
Note 3 to entry: Sealed boxes or sealed wall outlets shall be treated as sealed closures.

– 6 – IEC 61300-2-38:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
[SOURCE: IEC 61753-1:2018, 3.17, modified – Note 4 to entry has been deleted.]
4 Test methods
A number of closures are assembled following the manufacturer’s instructions. The specimens
are then sealed, pressurized and tested for leaks by using the pressure gauge (see 3.2.4) and
measuring the time to failure.
Assemble the protective housings or hardened connectors following the manufacturer’s
instructions.
The tests shall be carried out according to the at standard test atmospheric conditions as
defined in IEC 61300-1, unless otherwise specified in the relevant specification performance
specification. The test samples are then sealed, pressurized and tested for leaks by using
method A or method B.
Method A is a performance criterion test for leaks when the specimen test sample is pressurized
with air, submerged in a water bath, and monitored for any escape of air bubbles. This test
method is generally used to check the sealing of the closure or hardened connector after
installation of the test sample or after a performance test. In the field, the test is usually done
with soap water to check for leaks.
Method B is a performance criterion test for leaks when the specimen test sample is pressurized
with air and the pressure loss is monitored by using a gauge. This test method is generally used
to check the sealing of the closure sealed protective housing or sealed hardened connector
during mechanical tests at a specified test temperature, by measuring the pressure before and
after the test. Since atmospheric pressure can change over time, this test should not exceed
the duration of 2 h between the first and the last measurement of the overpressure inside the
closure, unless the change in overpressure is compensated by the change in atmospheric
pressure during the measurement period.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Elements of apparatus
The apparatus consists of the following elements:
• pressurizer;
• capillary gas connection;
• pressure gauge;
• water bath.
3.2.1 Cable
Suitable cable to assemble the specimen shall be used.
5.2 Pressurizer
The test samples shall be pressurized with a pressurizer. A pressurizer provides means of
pressurizing the closures test samples.
5.3 Capillary gas connection
A suitable capillary gas connection are needed for fitting shall fit into the specimen test sample
or cable to allow the specimen test sample to be pressurized.

5.4 Pressure gauge
A pressure gauge is a gauge to measure the pressure inside the closures test sample. Gauges
with a suitable range of at least 40 kPa and a resolution of 0,5 kPa at least 0,1 kPa to determine
a 5 % 2 kPa drop in pressure shall be used.
5.5 Water bath
A water bath is needed filled with fresh water is used for method A. The water bath shall be
deep enough to fully immerse the test samples.
6 Procedure
6.1 Method A
Assemble the specimen using the smallest and the largest cable diameter for which the
specimen is designed.
Install the pressure gauge into the specimen or cable.
Seal the cable ends at their extremities.
Pressurize the closure.
Submerge the specimen and cable in a water bath just below the water surface at the required
temperature. No escape of air bubbles, indicating a leakage, shall be observed during the test.
A test configuration for method A is shown in Figure 1.

Key
1 regulated pressurizer
2 pressure gauge, utilized for monitoring the overpressure
3 capillary gas connection, utilized for transferring pressurized air to the sealed protective housing
4 sealed protective housing
5 water bath, utilized for immersing the test sample
6 water surface
Figure 1 – Configuration for method A

– 8 – IEC 61300-2-38:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
a) Prepare the test samples using the smallest and the largest cable diameter for which the
test samples are designed.
b) Install the pressure gauge into the test sample or cable. Make sure that the cable can
transfer the overpressure into the test sample.
c) Seal the open cable ends at their extremities with a cap.
d) Hardened connectors shall be installed on a sealed closure or pressure vessel and equipped
with one or more adaptors or sockets for making a connection with the hardened connector.
See Annex A for the test configuration for hardened connectors.
e) Submerge the test sample and cables in a water bath. Remove the trapped air on the outside
of the test sample. Place test sample and cable just below the water surface.
NOTE Immersion of the test sample deep under the water surface could create a higher compression force
onto the sealing material and mask potential leak paths.
f) Pressurize the test sample with the pressurizer. The pressurizer shall remain switched on
during the test to provide a constant overpressure in the test sample.
g) No escape of air bubbles, indicating a leakage, shall be observed for at least 15 min.
6.2 Method B
Assemble the specimen using the smallest and the largest cable diameter for which the
specimen is designed.
Install the pressure gauge into the specimen or cable.
Seal the cable ends at their extremities.
Pressurize the closure at specified temperature.
With the specimen at the test temperature, the air pressure shall be monitored using the
installed gauge. A record of air pressure versus time shall be kept and plotted. The pressure in
the specimen shall not decay more than the specified amount.
A test configuration for method B is shown in Figure 2.

Key
1 regulated pressurizer
2 pressure gauge, utilized for monitoring the overpressure
3 valve to shut off pressurizer once test pressure is stable
4 capillary gas connection, utilized for transferring pressurized air to the sealed protective housing
5 sealed protective housing
Figure 2 – Configuration for method B
a) Prepare the test samples using the smallest and the largest cable diameter for which the
test samples are designed.
b) Install the pressure gauge into the test sample or cable. Verify that the air pressure applied
to the cable is transferred as overpressure into the test sample.

c) Seal the open cable ends at their extremities with a cap.
d) Connect the test sample with the capillary gas connection to the pressurizer. Pressurize the
test sample at specified temperature.
e) Hardened connectors shall be installed on a sealed closure or pressure vessel with an inner
3 3
volume between 1 dm and 5 dm and equipped with one or more adaptors or sockets for
making a connection with the hardened connector. See Annex A for the test configuration
for sealed hardened connectors.
NOTE The additional pressure vessel is not required for method A as pressure remains regulated during the
test (no valve to shut off pressurizer).
f) After the test sample is conditioned at the test pressure and test temperature, the
pressurizer shall be isolated from the test sample circuit by closing the valve of the
pressurizer output. The air pressure inside the test sample shall be monitored using the
installed gauge. Measure and record the pressure before and after the mechanical test at
the same test temperature. The pressure in the test sample shall not decay more than the
specified amount.
7 Severity
The severity is determined by the initial overpressure, the time duration for the test and the
allowable leakage or pressure decay loss during the test.
The following preferred severities may be specified for the sealing procedure.
– The test overpressure for specimens for unpressurized systems is 40 kPa.
– The test overpressure for specimens for pressurized systems is 98 kPa.
Table 1 shows the specified test severities in relation to the performance categories. It is
recommended to verify the test severities with the relevant IEC 61753 performance standards
and IEC 62005 reliability documents for the normative values.
Table 1 – Recommended severities
IEC 61753-1 Category Test overpressure Duration for Maximum allowed
category description method A pressure loss for

method B
kPa min kPa
C Indoor 20 ± 2 At least 15 2
environments
A Outdoor aerial 20 ± 2 At least 15 2
environment
G Outdoor ground 20 ± 2 At least 15 2
level environment
S Outdoor 40 ± 2 At least 15 2
subterranean
or subsurface
environment
8 Details to be specified and reported
The following details, as applicable, shall be specified in the relevant specification and shall be
reported in the test report:
• number and type of test samples;
• type and diameter of the cable to be used in the test;

– 10 – IEC 61300-2-38:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
• the procedure for mounting the specimen test samples;
− duration of test;
• test temperature;
• pre-conditioning of test samples, if any;
• method of leak detection (method A or method B);
• overpressure level;
• duration for method A;
− allowable leakage for Method A;
− allowable pressure decay for Method B;
• maximum allowable pressure loss for method B;
– water head (Method A);
• deviations from test procedure;
• additional pass/fail criteria.

Annex A
(normative)
Test configuration for sealing test
of sealed hardened connectors and adaptors

A.1 General description for sealing test
For the sealing test of hardened connectors and adaptors, two test methods are available in
this document: method A and method B.
Method A is conducted by pressurizing the test sample with air, submerging in a water bath,
and monitoring for any escape of air bubbles which indicates a leakage. This method is
generally used to check the sealing performance of the hardened fibre optic connector after
installation of the test sample and after a performance test. In the field, the test is usually done
with soap water to check for leaks.
Method B is conducted by pressurizing the test sample with air and using a pressure gauge to
monitor whether there is any pressure loss which indicates a leakage. This test method is
generally used to check the sealing performance of the hardened fibre optic connector during
mechanical performance tests at a specified test temperature, by measuring the pressure
before and after the test.
A.2 Example of a test configuration for method A
An example of a test configuration for method A is shown in Figure A.1.

– 12 – IEC 61300-2-38:2023 RLV © IEC 2023

Key
1 regulated pressurizer
2 pressure gauge, utilized for monitoring the overpressure
3 capillary gas connection, utilized for transferring pressurized air to the sealed hardened connector
4 air pressure test access valve, utilized for connecting part 3 and part 5
5 pressure vessel or sealed closure, utilized for fixing the test samples, filled with pressurized air and maintaining
the air pressure inside without any leakage
6 hardened adaptor or socket, fixed on the panel of part 5
7 hardened connector plug, mated with the hardened adaptor or socket
8 water bath, utilized for immersing the test sample
9 optical cable on which the hardened connector plug is assembled
10 sealing cap, utilized for sealing the open extremity of the optical cable or hardened connector plug with a sealed
protective cap
11 water surface
More than 1 adaptor or socket per pressure vessel is allowed.
Figure A.1 – Example of a test configuration for method A

A.3 Example of a test configuration for method B
An example of a test configuration for method B is given in Figure A.2.

Key
1 regulated pressurizer
2 pressure gauge, utilized for monitoring the overpressure
3 valve to shut-off pressurizer once test pressure is stable
4 capillary gas connection, utilized for transferring pressurized air to the sealed hardened connector
5 air pressure test access valve, utilized for connecting part 4 and part 6
3 3
6 pressure vessel or sealed closure with an inner volume between 1 dm and 5 dm , utilized for fixing the test
samples, filled with pressurized air and maintaining the air pressure inside without any leakage
7 hardened adaptor or socket, fixed on the panel of part 6
8 hardened connector plug, mated with the hardened adaptor or socket
9 optical cable on which the hardened connector plug is assembled
10 sealing cap, utilized for sealing the open extremity of the optical cable or hardened connector plug with a sealed
protective cap
NOTE There is no requirement on the volume of the pressure vessel for method A as pressure remains regulated
during the test (no valve to shut off pressurizer).
Figure A.2 – Example of a test configuration for method B

– 14 – IEC 61300-2-38:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
Bibliography
IEC 61753 (all parts), Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components -
Performance standard
IEC 61753-1:2018, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Performance
standard – Part 1: General and guidance
IEC 61753-1:2018/AMD1:2020
IEC 62005 (all parts), Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Reliability

____________
IEC 61300-2-38 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures –
Part 2-38: Tests – Sealing for fibre optic sealed closures and hardened
connectors using air pressure
Dispositifs d’interconnexion et composants passifs fibroniques – Procédures
fondamentales d’essais et de mesures –
Partie 2-38: Essais – Étanchéité des boîtiers scellés fibroniques et des
connecteurs durcis fibroniques au moyen d’air comprimé
– 2 – IEC 61300-2-38:2023 © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Test methods . 6
5 Apparatus . 6
5.1 Elements of apparatus . 6
5.2 Pressurizer . 6
5.3 Capillary gas connection . 6
5.4 Pressure gauge . 6
5.5 Water bath . 6
6 Procedure . 7
6.1 Method A . 7
6.2 Method B . 7
7 Severity . 8
8 Details to be specified and reported. 9
Annex A (normative)  Test configuration for sealing test of sealed hardened
connectors and adaptors . 10
A.1 General description for sealing test . 10
A.2 Example of a test configuration for method A . 10
A.3 Example of a test configuration for method B . 11
Bibliography . 13

Figure 1 – Configuration for method A . 7
Figure 2 – Configuration for method B . 8
Figure A.1 – Example of a test configuration for method A . 11
Figure A.2 – Example of a test configuration for method B . 12

Table 1 – Recommended severities . 9

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND PASSIVE
COMPONENTS – BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –

Part 2-38: Tests – Sealing for fibre optic sealed closures
and hardened connectors using air pressure

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) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had not received notice of (a) patent(s), which
may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent
the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 61300-2-38 has been prepared by subcommittee 86B: Fibre optic interconnecting devices
and passive components, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2006. It constitutes a
technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) addition of sealed hardened connectors;
b) recommended test severities from IEC 61753-1;
c) test configurations for hardened connectors and adaptors.

– 4 – IEC 61300-2-38:2023 © IEC 2023
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86B/4768/FDIS 86B/4783/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts of IEC 61300 series, under the general title Fibre optic interconnecting devices
and passive components − Basic test and measurement procedures, can be found on the IEC
website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under 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 document 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.

FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND PASSIVE
COMPONENTS – BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –

Part 2-38: Tests – Sealing for fibre optic sealed closures
and hardened connectors using air pressure

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61300 presents two methods for testing the sealing performance of a fibre optic
sealed closure and hardened connector using air pressure.
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 61300-1, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 1: General and guidance
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61300-1 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
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3.1
hardened fibre optic connector
water and dust tight connector
Note 1 to entry: A hardened fibre optic connector is typically used for a connection in outside plant.
[SOURCE: IEC 61753-1:2018, 3.8]
3.2
sealed closure
watertight and dust-tight housing that can hold a varying overpressure or underpressure caused
by temperature changes or atmospheric pressure changes
Note 1 to entry: There is no exchange of air with the outside environment when exposed to temperatures over the
specified operating temperature range.
Note 2 to entry: Although often referred to as hermetic sealed closures, humidity can enter the inner closure by
diffusion.
Note 3 to entry: Sealed boxes or sealed wall outlets shall be treated as sealed closures.
[SOURCE: IEC 61753-1:2018, 3.17, modified – Note 4 to entry has been deleted.]

– 6 – IEC 61300-2-38:2023 © IEC 2023
4 Test methods
Assemble the protective housings or hardened connectors following the manufacturer’s
instructions.
The tests shall be carried out at standard atmospheric conditions as defined in IEC 61300-1,
unless otherwise specified in the relevant performance specification. The test samples are then
sealed, pressurized and tested for leaks by using method A or method B.
Method A is a performance criterion test for leaks when the test sample is pressurized with air,
submerged in a water bath, and monitored for any escape of air bubbles. This test method is
generally used to check the sealing of the closure or hardened connector after installation of
the test sample or after a performance test. In the field, the test is usually done with soap water
to check for leaks.
Method B is a performance criterion test for leaks when the test sample is pressurized with air
and the pressure loss is monitored by using a gauge. This test method is generally used to
check the sealing of the sealed protective housing or sealed hardened connector during
mechanical tests at a specified test temperature, by measuring the pressure before and after
the test. Since atmospheric pressure can change over time, this test should not exceed the
duration of 2 h between the first and the last measurement of the overpressure inside the
closure, unless the change in overpressure is compensated by the change in atmospheric
pressure during the measurement period.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Elements of apparatus
The apparatus consists of the following elements:
• pressurizer;
• capillary gas connection;
• pressure gauge;
• water bath.
5.2 Pressurizer
The test samples shall be pressurized with a pressurizer. A pressurizer provides means of
pressurizing the test samples.
5.3 Capillary gas connection
A suitable capillary gas connection shall fit into the test sample or cable to allow the test sample
to be pressurized.
5.4 Pressure gauge
A pressure gauge is a gauge to measure the pressure inside the test sample. Gauges with a
suitable range of at least 40 kPa and a resolution of at least 0,1 kPa to determine a 2 kPa drop
in pressure shall be used.
5.5 Water bath
A water bath filled with fresh water is used for method A. The water bath shall be deep enough
to fully immerse the test samples.

6 Procedure
6.1 Method A
A test configuration for method A is shown in Figure 1.

Key
1 regulated pressurizer
2 pressure gauge, utilized for monitoring the overpressure
3 capillary gas connection, utilized for transferring pressurized air to the sealed protective housing
4 sealed protective housing
5 water bath, utilized for immersing the test sample
6 water surface
Figure 1 – Configuration for method A
a) Prepare the test samples using the smallest and the largest cable diameter for which the
test samples are designed.
b) Install the pressure gauge into the test sample or cable. Make sure that the cable can
transfer the overpressure into the test sample.
c) Seal the open cable ends at their extremities with a cap.
d) Hardened connectors shall be installed on a sealed closure or pressure vessel and equipped
with one or more adaptors or sockets for making a connection with the hardened connector.
See Annex A for the test
...