IEC 60793-2:2007

IEC 60793-2
Edition 6.0 2007-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibres –
Part 2: Product specifications – General

Fibres optiques –
Partie 2: Spécifications de produits – Généralités

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 la CEI ou du Comité national de la CEI du pays du demandeur.
Si vous avez des questions sur le copyright de la CEI ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette
publication, utilisez les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de la CEI de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office
3, rue de Varembé
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Email: inmail@iec.ch
Web: 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.
ƒ Catalogue of IEC publications: www.iec.ch/searchpub
The IEC on-line Catalogue enables you to search by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical committee,…).
It also gives information on projects, withdrawn and replaced publications.
ƒ IEC Just Published: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published details twice a month all new publications released. Available
on-line and also by email.
ƒ Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and electrical terms containing more than 20 000 terms and definitions
in English and French, with equivalent terms in additional languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
Vocabulary online.
ƒ Customer Service Centre: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need further assistance, please visit the Customer Service
Centre FAQ or contact us:
Email: csc@iec.ch
Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
Fax: +41 22 919 03 00
A propos de la CEI
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (CEI) 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 CEI
Le contenu technique des publications de la CEI est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez
l’édition la plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.
ƒ Catalogue des publications de la CEI: www.iec.ch/searchpub/cur_fut-f.htm
Le Catalogue en-ligne de la CEI vous permet d’effectuer des recherches en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence,
texte, comité d’études,…). Il donne aussi des informations sur les projets et les publications retirées ou remplacées.
ƒ Just Published CEI: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications de la CEI. Just Published détaille deux fois par mois les nouvelles
publications parues. Disponible en-ligne et aussi par email.
ƒ Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
Le premier dictionnaire en ligne au monde de termes électroniques et électriques. Il contient plus de 20 000 termes et
définitions en anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans les langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé
Vocabulaire Electrotechnique International en ligne.
ƒ Service Clients: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv/custserv_entry-f.htm
Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette publication ou si vous avez des questions, visitez le FAQ du
Service clients ou contactez-nous:
Email: csc@iec.ch
Tél.: +41 22 919 02 11
Fax: +41 22 919 03 00
IEC 60793-2
Edition 6.0 2007-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical fibres –
Part 2: Product specifications – General

Fibres optiques –
Partie 2: Spécifications de produits – Généralités

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
J
CODE PRIX
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 2-8318-9366-6

– 2 – 60793-2 © IEC:2007
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.3

1 Scope.5
2 Normative references .5
3 Terms and definitions .6
4 Quality assurance.7
5 Construction of optical fibres .7
5.1 Category A – Multimode fibres.7
5.2 Category B – Single-mode fibres .7
5.3 Category C – Single-mode fibres for intraconnection .8
6 General requirements .9
6.1 Coating .9
6.2 Buffer .9
6.3 Colours of the coating and/or buffer .9

Table 1 − Sectional specifications.5
Table 2 – Categories of multimode fibres .7
Table 3 – Categories of glass core/glass clad single-mode fibres.8
Table 4 – Categories of glasscor/glass clad single mode fibres for intraconnection.8

60793-2 © IEC:2007 – 3–
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
___________
OPTICAL FIBRES –
Part 2: Product specifications –
General
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 provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.
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 60793-2 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and
cables, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
This sixth edition cancels and replaces the fifth edition published in 2003. This modification
has been necessary because of the addition of new fibre categories to IEC 60793-2-40, IEC
60793-2-50 and IEC 60793-2-60.
Document ID Fibre category
60793-2-10 A1
60793-2-20 A2
60793-2-30 A3
60793-2-40 A4
60793-2-50 B (all)
60793-2-60 C
– 4 – 60793-2 © IEC:2007
This standard is to be read in conjunction with IEC 60793-1 series.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
86A/1168/FDIS 86A/1192/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 of the IEC 60793 series, published under the general title Optical fibres, can
be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the maintenance result 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.
60793-2 © IEC:2007 – 5–
OPTICAL FIBRES –
Part 2: Product specifications –
General
1 Scope
This part of IEC 60793 contains the general specifications for both multimode and single-
mode optical fibres. Sectional specifications for each of the four multimode categories: A1,
A2, A3, and A4 contain requirements specific to each category. A sectional specification for
all single-mode categories contains requirements common to all single-mode fibres. Within
each sectional specification, family specifications – found as normative annexes – contain
requirements for the applicable sub-categories. These sub-categories are distinguished on
the basis of different fibre types or applications.
The requirements of this standard apply to all categories. Each sectional specification
contains the requirements that are common to all the family specifications that are within it.
These common requirements are copied to the family specification for ease of reference.
Tests or measurement methods are defined for each specified attribute. Where possible,
these definitions are by reference to an IEC standard – otherwise the test or measurement
method is outlined in the relevant sectional specification.
The following table defines the sectional specifications. The relevant family specifications are
defined within the sectional specifications as normative annexes (see Tables 2 and 3)
Table 1 − Sectional specifications
Document ID Fibre category Cladding material Core material Index profile
60793-2-10 A1 multi-mode Glass Glass Graded
60793-2-20 A2 multi-mode Glass Glass Quasi step or step
60793-2-30 A3 multi-mode Plastic Glass Step
60793-2-40 A4 multi-mode Plastic Plastic Step, multi-step, or
graded index fibre
60793-2-50 B single-mode Glass Glass Not applicable
60793-2-60 C single mode Glass Glass Not applicable

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application 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 60304, Standard colours for insulation for low-frequency cables and wires
IEC 60793-1 (all parts), Optical fibres − Part 1: Measurement methods and test procedures
IEC 60793-2-10, Optical fibres − Part 2-10: Product specifications – Sectional specification
for category A1 multimode fibres

– 6 – 60793-2 © IEC:2007
IEC 60793-2-20, Optical fibres − Part 2-20: Product specifications – Sectional specification for
category A2 multimode fibres
IEC 60793-2-30, Optical fibres − Part 2-30: Product specifications – Sectional specification for
category A3 multimode fibres
IEC 60793-2-40, Optical fibres − Part 2-40: Product specifications – Sectional specification for
category A4 multimode fibres
IEC 60793-2-50, Optical fibres − Part 2-50: Product specifications – Sectional specification for
category B single-mode fibres
IEC 60793-2-60, Optical fibres – Part 2-60: Product specifications – Sectional specification for
category C single-mode intraconnection fibres
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
multimode fibres
fibres for which the photons follow a multiplicity of paths though the fibre core. An optical fibre
along whose core the radiation of two or more bound modes can propagate at the wavelength
of interest
3.2
single-mode fibres
fibres for which only one light path is followed for wavelengths greater than the cut-off
wavelength. An optical fibre in which the radiation of only one bound mode can propagate at
the wavelength of interest
3.3
core
the central region of an optical fibre, generally with higher refractive index, through which
most of the optical power is transmitted
3.4
cladding
the dielectric material of an optical fibre surrounding the core
3.5
primary coating
thin primary coating applied directly to the cladding, usually at the time of the fibre drawing, in
one or more layers, to preserve the integrity of the cladding surface
NOTE A secondary coating may be applied directly to the primary coating, of one or more fibres, to reinforce the
protection of the optical fibre during handling and cabling.
3.6
buffer
material or assembly of materials used to protect the optical fibre against physical damage
3.7
coloured coating and/or buffer
A thin coating and/or buffer applied on the primary coating and/or buffer or on the secondary
coating in order to make each fibre distinguishable by its colour

60793-2 © IEC:2007 – 7–
4 Quality assurance
It is the responsibility of the supplier to establish quality assurance by quality control
procedures which ensure that the product meets the requirements of this standard and the
subsidiary sectional specifications and family specifications. It is not intended that a complete
testing programme be carried out on every length of fibre. When the customer wishes to
specify acceptance tests or other quality procedures, it is essential that an agreement be
reached between the supplier and the customer at the time of ordering.
5 Construction of optical fibres
5.1 Category A – Multimode fibres
Fibre categories are based on g, the refractive index profile parameter.
The normalized index profile is expressed as:
g
δ()x =1− x (1)
where
n()x − n(1)
δ()x =  (2a)
n()0 − n(1)
r
x = ()0 ≤ r ≤ a is the normalized radial position; (2b)
a
a is the core radius;
n(x) is the refractive index at normalized position x.
Table 2 – Categories of multimode fibres
Category Material Type Limits
A1 Glass core/glass cladding Graded index fibre
1 ≤ g < 3
A2
Glass core/glass cladding Step and quasi step index fibre 3 ≤ g < ∞
A3
Glass core/plastic cladding Step index fibre 10 ≤ g < ∞
A4
Plastic core/plastic cladding Step, multi-step, or graded index fibre 1 ≤ g < ∞

NOTE Attention is drawn to the index profile as stated in the detail specification. The fibre category is determined
on the basis of the material type and the g value which best fits the normalized refractive index profile, falling
within the category defined above.
5.2 Category B – Single-mode fibres
The categories of single-mode fibres currently in use are given in Table 3.

– 8 – 60793-2 © IEC:2007
Table 3 – Categories of glass core/glass clad single-mode fibres
Category Type Description
B1.1 Dispersion unshifted This dispersion unshifted single mode fibre is optimized for use in the 1
310 nm region but can be used in the 1 550 nm region. Depending on
link length and bit rates, dispersion may need accommodation in the
1 550 nm region.
B1.2 Cut-off shifted This category of dispersion unshifted single-mode fibre is optimized for
low loss in the 1 550 nm region.
B1.3 Extended band This category of dispersion unshifted single-mode fibre is to extend the
range of possible transmission signals, using 1 310 nm band power
budgets, to portions of the band above 1 360 nm and below 1 530 nm.
Chromatic dispersion in this band may impose requirements either on the
maximum link length, or the need for accommodation.
B2 Dispersion shifted This dispersion-shifted single-mode fibre is optimized for single-channel
transmission in the 1 550 nm region. Multiple channels can only be
transmitted if care is taken to avoid the effects of four-wave mixing by,
for example, moderating the power levels or appropriate spacing or
placement of the channels.
B4
Non-zero This dispersion-shifted single-mode fibre is optimised for multiple
dispersion-shifted channel transmission in the 1 550 nm region. The dispersion coefficient
is required to be non-zero throughout the band from 1 530 nm to 1 565
nm, but may be either positive or negative. Depending on the dispersion
characteristics, multiple channel transmission may be possible at bands
either above or below the normal 1 550 nm region.
B5 Wideband non-zero This wideband non-zero dispersion-shifted single-mode fibre is optimised
dispersion-shifted for multiple channel transmission in the wavelength range of 1460-1625
nm with the positive value of the chromatic dispersion coefficient that is
greater than some non-zero value. This fibre can be used for both CWDM
and DWDM system throughout the wavelength region between 1460 nm
and 1625 nm.
Bending loss
This category of single-mode fibre is optimised for improved bending loss.
B6
insensitive single
Two sub-categories are recognized:
mode fibre
B6_a to be used in the O, E, S, C and L-band (i.e. throughout the 1260 to
1625 nm range). Fibres and requirements in this category are a subset of

B1.3 fibres and have the same transmission and interconnection properties.
B6_b suitable for transmission at 1310, 1550, and 1625 nm for restricted
distances that are associated with in-building transport of signals. These
fibres may have different splicing and connection properties than B1.3 fibres,
but are capable at very low values of bend radius.

5.3 Category C – Single-mode fibres for intraconnection
The categories of single-mode fibres for intraconnection currently in use are given in Table 4.
Table 4 – Categories of glass core/glass clad single mode fibres for intraconnection
Category Type Description
C1
Single mode interconnection fibre This category of single mode fibre is optimised for precision
suitable for use with any category glass geometry and improved macrobending, and generally
B single mode fibre at wavelengths having lower fibre cut-off wavelength compared to that of B1.1
from 1260 nm to 1625 nm fibres
C2
Single mode interconnection fibre This category of single mode fibre with reduced mode field
suitable for use from 1260 nm to diameter is optimised for loss performance in the 1310 nm
1360 nm region
C3 Single mode interconnection fibre This category of single mode fibre with reduced mode field
suitable for use from 1530 nm to diameter is optimised for loss performance in the 1550 nm
1625 nm region
C4 Single mode interconnection fibre This single-mode intraconnection fibre is intended to support
suitable for use at 980 nm 980 nm transmissions

60793-2 © IEC:2007 – 9–
6 General requirements
6.1 Coating
Fibres with glass cladding shall be coated with a material suitable for protecting the cladding
material from damage. For fibres with coatin
...