IEC 60794-3-10:2015

IEC 60794-3-10 ®
Edition 3.0 2015-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Optical fibre cables –
Part 3-10: Outdoor cables – Family specification for duct, directly buried or
lashed aerial optical telecommunication cables

Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 3-10: Câbles extérieurs – Spécification de famille pour les câbles optiques
de télécommunication destinés à être installés dans des conduites, directement
enterrés ou attachés en aérien

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IEC 60794-3-10 ®
Edition 3.0 2015-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Optical fibre cables –
Part 3-10: Outdoor cables – Family specification for duct, directly buried or

lashed aerial optical telecommunication cables

Câbles à fibres optiques –
Partie 3-10: Câbles extérieurs – Spécification de famille pour les câbles optiques

de télécommunication destinés à être installés dans des conduites, directement

enterrés ou attachés en aérien

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-2188-4

– 2 – IEC 60794-3-10:2015 © IEC 2015
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 5
4 General requirements . 6
4.1 Optical fibres . 6
4.2 Cable element . 6
4.3 Optical fibre cable construction . 6
5 Details of family requirements and test conditions for optical fibre cable tests . 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 Tensile performance . 6
5.2.1 Family requirements . 6
5.2.2 Test conditions . 6
5.3 Crush . 7
5.3.1 Family requirements . 7
5.3.2 Test conditions . 7
5.4 Impact. 7
5.4.1 Family requirements . 7
5.4.2 Test conditions . 7
5.5 Repeated bending . 7
5.5.1 Family requirements . 7
5.5.2 Test conditions . 7
5.6 Torsion . 8
5.6.1 Family requirements . 8
5.6.2 Test conditions . 8
5.7 Bend . 8
5.7.1 Family requirements . 8
5.7.2 Test conditions . 8
5.8 Temperature cycling . 8
5.8.1 Family requirements . 8
5.8.2 Test conditions . 8
5.9 Water penetration . 9
5.9.1 Family requirements . 9
5.9.2 Test conditions . 9
5.10 Ageing . 9
5.10.1 Family requirements . 9
5.10.2 Test conditions . 9
Annex A (normative) Blank detail specification and minimum requirements . 10
A.1 Blank detail specification . 10
A.2 Cable construction . 12
Bibliography . 13

Table A.1 – Cable description . 10
Table A.2 – Cable construction . 12

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 3-10: Outdoor cables – Family specification for duct, directly buried
or lashed aerial optical telecommunication cables

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
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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 60794-3-10 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and
cables, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2009 and constitutes a
technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) the specification has been streamlined by cross-referencing IEC 60794-1-1, the
IEC 60794-3 series and IEC 60794-1-2;
b) reference to the MICE table in the previous Annex A has been deleted;
c) lashed aerial installation techniques as referenced in the previous Annex B has been
removed for inclusion in the next edition of IEC TR 62691.

– 4 – IEC 60794-3-10:2015 © IEC 2015
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
86A/1630/FDIS 86A/1639/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 60794 series, published under the general title Optical fibre
cables, 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 website 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.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication 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.
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
Part 3-10: Outdoor cables – Family specification for duct, directly buried
or lashed aerial optical telecommunication cables

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60794, which is a family specification, covers optical telecommunication
cables to be used in ducts or direct buried applications. The cable may also be used for
lashed aerial applications. Requirements of the sectional specification IEC 60794-3 for duct,
buried and aerial cables are applicable to cables covered by this standard.
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, Optical fibres – Part 2: Product specifications – General
IEC 60794-1-1, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-1: Generic specification – General
IEC 60794-1-2, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-2: Generic specification – Cross reference table
for optical cable test procedures
IEC 60794-1-21, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-21: Generic specification – Basic optical cable
test procedures – Mechanical test methods
IEC 60794-1-22:2012, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-22: Generic specification – Basic optical
cable test procedures – Environmental test methods
IEC 60794-3:2001, Optical fibre cables – Part 3: Sectional specification – Outdoor cables
IEC 60811-202, Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials –
Part 202: General tests – Measurement of thickness of non-metallic sheath
IEC 60811-203, Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials –
Part 203: General tests – Measurement of overall dimensions
IEC 60811-604, Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials –
Part 604: Physical tests – Measurement of absence of corrosive components in filling
compounds
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations given in
IEC 60794-1-1 apply.
___________
To be published.
– 6 – IEC 60794-3-10:2015 © IEC 2015
4 General requirements
4.1 Optical fibres
The optical fibre shall conform to the requirements of IEC 60793-2. The fibre type shall be
agreed between the customer and supplier. The cabled fibre shall conform to IEC 60794-3.
4.2 Cable element
The cable elements shall conform to IEC 60794-3.
4.3 Optical fibre cable construction
The cable construction shall conform to IEC 60794-3.
5 Details of family requirements and test conditions for optical fibre cable
tests
5.1 General
Tests on single-mode fibre cables are typically carried out at 1 550 nm. Multimode fibre
cables are typically tested at 1 300 nm. Measurement at other wavelengths or range of
wavelengths may be agreed upon between the customer and supplier.
5.2 Tensile performance
5.2.1 Family requirements
For 1 % proof-tested fibres, the fibre strain under long-term tensile load (T ) shall not exceed
L
20 % of this fibre proof strain (equal to absolute 0,2 % strain) and there shall be no change in
attenuation during the test. Under short-term tensile load (T ) the fibre strain shall not exceed
M
60 % of the fibre proof strain and the attenuation change during test shall be measured and
recorded. Other criteria may be agreed between the customer and the supplier. For fibres
proof tested at higher levels the safe long-term load will not scale linearly with proof strain, so
a lower percentage of the proof strain is applicable. For greater than 1 % up to 2 % proof-
tested fibres, T shall be limited to 17 % of the proof-test strain (equal to absolute 0,34 %
L
strain for 2 % proof tested fibres).Under visual examination without magnification, there shall
be no damage to the sheath or to the cable elements.
5.2.2 Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E1
Fibre length: Finished cable length
Tensile load on cable: Long-term tensile load (T ) and short-term tensile load (T ),
L M
where:
– T ≥1 × W (direct burial or blowing in duct);
M
– T ≥1,5 × W (pulling in duct);
M
Other loads may be applied in accordance with particular user
conditions, e.g. 2 700 N
– T = 0,3 × T
L M
For aerial cables, the long-term tensile load may be greater than

or equal to the short-term tensile load.
Diameter of test pulleys: Typically 1 m but not less than the minimum loaded bending
diameter specified for the cable.

5.3 Crush
5.3.1 Family requirements
Under long-term load there shall be no change in attenuation at 1 550 nm during the test and
under short-term load there shall be no change in attenuation at 1 550 nm after the test. The
installation load shall not be less than the long-term load.
Under visual examination there shall be no damage to the sheath or to the cable elements.
The imprint of the plate or mandrel on the sheath is not considered mechanical damage.
5.3.2 Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E3A
The default method is the plate/plate test, Method E3A. Optionally, the mandrel/plate test,
Method E3B, may be conducted if requested by the detail specification. Short- and long-term
tests may be conducted separately.
Load (short term): 1,5 kN (un-armoured); 2,2 kN (armoured)
Load (long term): 0,75 kN (un-armoured); 1,1 kN (armoured)
5.4 Impact
5.4.1 Family requirements
Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage to the sheath or to
the cable elements. The imprint of the striking surface on the sheath is not considered
mechanical damage.
There shall be no permanent change in attenuation after the test.
5.4.2 Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E4
Number of impacts: One in 3 different places spaced not less than 500 mm apart
Impact energy: Un-armoured cable: 10 J
Armoured cable: 20 J to 30 J, depending on particular user
conditions
Striking surface curvature radius: 300 mm
5.5 Repeated bending
5.5.1 Family requirements
Under visual examination without magnification there shall be no damage to the sheath and to
the cable elements.
5.5.2 Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E6
Number of cycles: 25 or different number of cycles may be applied in accordance with
the particular user conditions
Load: Adequate to assure uniform contact with the mandrel
Bending radius: 20 d
– 8 – IEC 60794-3-10:2015 © IEC 2015
5.6 Torsion
5.6.1 Family requirements
Under visual examination without magnification, there shall be no damage to the sheath or to
the cable elements.
5.6.2 Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E7
5.7 Bend
5.7.1 Family requirements
There shall be no permanent change in attenuation after the test.
5.7.2 Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-21, Method E11
The default method is Method E11A.
For large and/or stiff cables (e.g. where the mandrel diameter required is >20 d,
IEC 60794-1-21, Method E11B may be used.
Diameter of mandrel: 20 d
For cable incorporating a non-metallic rod and/or metallic armouring, bending shall be limited
to a value from 20 d to 80 d.
Number of cycles: 3
Number of turns/helix: 4
Test temperature: Ambient (unless specifically requested otherwise)
5.8 Temperature cycling
5.8.1 Family requirements
Attenuation measurements shall be taken during the last cycle.
For T to T there shall be no change in attenuation as defined in IEC 60794-1-1.
A1 B1
For T to T and T to T , the change in attenuation coefficient shall be
A1 A2 B1 B2
– ≤0,15 dB/km for single-mode fibre and shall be reversible to measurement uncertainty
when measured in the 1 550 nm region,
– ≤0,3 dB/km for multimode fibre and shall be reversible to measurement uncertainty when
measured in the 1 300 nm region.
On completion of the test there shall be no change in attenuation.
5.8.2 Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-22, Method F1
Sample length: finished cable length of at least 1 000 m
High temperature, T : +60 °C to +70 °C, depending on customer requirements
B2
: +30 °C to +60 °C, depending on customer requirements
High temperature, T
B1
Low temperature, T : −10 °C to −20 °C, depending on customer requirements
A1
: T to –40 °C or −45°C, depending on customer requirements
Low temperature, T
A2 A1
Alternative high and low temperatures may be agreed between the customer and the supplier
for warmer or colder climates.
Rate of heating and cooling: sufficiently slow that the effect of changing the temperature does
not cause temperature shock.
Number of cycles: 2, but additional cycles may be required in accordance with particular
customer requirements.
5.9 Water penetration
5.9.1 Family requirements
The cable shall not propagate water longitudinally according to the requirements of Method
F5B of IEC 60794-1- 2. Method F5C may be used if agreed between customer and supplier.
5.9.2 Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-22, Method F5B or F5C, as applicable.
5.10 Ageing
5.10.1 Family requirements
As per 11.5 of IEC 60794-1-22:2012, Method F9.
5.10.2 Test conditions
Method: IEC 60794-1-22, Method F9.

– 10 – IEC 60794-3-10:2015 © IEC 2015
Annex A
(normative)
Blank detail specification and minimum requirements
A.1 Blank detail specification
See Table A.1 for the cable description.
Table A.1 – Cable description
(1) Prepared by (2) Document No.:
Issue :
Date :
(3) Available from (4) Generic specifications: IEC 60794-1 series
Sectional specification: IEC 60794-3
(5) Additional references:
(6) Cable description:
(7) Cable construction:
Optical fibres
Range of fibre count
Modularity
Construction Additional remarks
- Single coloured fibre
- Tube, waterblocked
- Tube, non-waterblocked
- Micromodules, waterblocked
- Micromodules, non-waterblocked
- Slotted core, waterblocked
- Slotted core, non-waterblocked
- Tight secondary coating
- Ribbon in slotted core
- Ribbon in tube
- Tube in tube
- Central member, metallic
- Central member, non-metallic
- Core filling, jelly
- Core filling, water swellable materials
Lay-up
- Stranding (helical or SZ)
- Single unit
- Hybrid configuration
Insulated copper conductors
Inner sheath
Peripheral strength member
- Metallic
- Non-metallic
Moisture barrier
- Single coated aluminium tape
- Double coated aluminium tape
- Double coated steel tape
- Hermetic barrier (metal tube)
Outer sheath
Additional armouring
- Non-metallic armouring
- Metallic armouring
Additional outer sheath
(8) Application information:
Application (duct or direct buried)
Maximum outer diameter (d) mm
Long term operational load (T ) N
L
Installation loa
...