IEC 61300-3-45:2023

IEC 61300-3-45 ®
Edition 2.0 2023-06
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures –
Part 3-45: Examinations and measurements – Attenuation of random mated
multi-fibre connectors
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.

IEC Secretariat Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
3, rue de Varembé info@iec.ch
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
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 corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews. With a subscription you will always have
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced access to up to date content tailored to your needs.
and withdrawn publications.
Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
containing more than 22 300 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and once
and French, with equivalent terms in 19 additional languages.
a month by email.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc

If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need
further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: sales@iec.ch.
IEC 61300-3-45 ®
Edition 2.0 2023-06
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures –
Part 3-45: Examinations and measurements – Attenuation of random mated
multi-fibre connectors
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.180.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-7169-8

– 2 – IEC 61300-3-45:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 General description . 6
4.1 Test methods . 7
4.2 Precautions . 8
5 Apparatus . 9
5.1 Launch conditions and light source (LS) . 9
4.2 Launch conditions (E) .
5.2 Detector (D) . 10
5.3 Analysis of results .
6 Procedure . 10
6.1 Method 1. 10
6.2 Method 2. 16
7 Calculation and analysis . 23
8 Details to be specified and reported. 24
Annex A (normative) Requirements for launch fibre and launch plug for multimode
measurement . 25
Bibliography . 26

Figure 1 – “Reference” cord measurement – Method 1 .
Figure 1 – Reference power measurement system – Method 1 . 12
Figure 2 – Test cord measurement – Method 1 .
Figure 2 – Attenuation measurement system – Method 1 . 12
Figure 3 – Test matrix and labelling for measuring Method 1 (2-fibre connector) . 14
Figure 4 – Test matrix and labelling for measuring Method 1 (4-fibre connector) . 15
Figure 5 – Test matrix and labelling for measuring Method 1 (8-, 10-, 12- and > 12-fibre
connectors) . 16
Figure 6 – “Reference” cord measurement (1) – Method 2 .
Figure 6 – Reference power measurement system (1) – Method 2 . 19
Figure 7 – Test cord measurement (1) – Method 2 .
Figure 7 – Attenuation measurement system (1) – Method 2 . 19
Figure 8 – “Reference” cord measurement (2) – Method 2 .
Figure 8 – Reference power measurement system (2) – Method 2 . 20
Figure 9 – Test cord measurement (2) – Method 2 .
Figure 9 – Attenuation measurement system (2) – Method 2 . 20
Figure 10 – Test matrix and labelling for measuring Method 2 (2-fibre connector) . 21
Figure 11 – Test matrix and labelling for measuring Method 2 (4-fibre connector) . 22
Figure 12 – Test matrix and labelling for measuring Method 2 (8-, 10-, 12- and > 12-
fibre connectors) . 23
Figure A.1 – Attenuation measurement system . 25

Table 1 – Sample size for Method 1 . 8

Table 2 – Sample size for Method 2 . 8
Table 3 – Preferred source conditions . 9
Table A.1 – Requirements for launch fibre and launch plug . 25

– 4 – IEC 61300-3-45:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND PASSIVE
COMPONENTS – BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –

Part 3-45: Examinations and measurements –
Attenuation of random mated multi-fibre connectors

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) 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.
This redline version of the official IEC Standard allows the user to identify the changes
made to the previous edition IEC 61300-3-45:2011. A vertical bar appears in the margin
wherever a change has been made. Additions are in green text, deletions are in
strikethrough red text.
IEC 61300-3-45 has been prepared by subcommittee 86B: Fibre optic interconnecting devices
and passive components, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International
Standard.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2011. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) addition of sample size for > 12-fibre connector measurement;
b) inclusion of guidance for multimode measurement.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86B/4757/FDIS 86B/4774/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 in the IEC 61300 series, published 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.

– 6 – IEC 61300-3-45:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND PASSIVE
COMPONENTS – BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –

Part 3-45: Examinations and measurements –
Attenuation of random mated multi-fibre connectors

1 Scope
The purpose of this part of IEC 61300 is to describe the procedure required to measure the
statistical distribution and mean attenuation for random mated optical connectors with physical
contact (PC) and angled physical contact (APC) polished 1-row multi-fibre rectangular ferrules
as defined in the IEC 61754 series. This measurement method is applicable to cable assemblies.
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
IEC 61300-3-1, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-1: Examinations and measurements – Visual examination
IEC 61300-3-35, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-35: Examinations and measurements – Visual inspection of
fibre optic connector endface visual and automated inspection connectors and fibre-stub
transceivers
IEC 61754 (all parts), Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Fibre optic
connector interfaces
IEC 63267 (all parts), Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Connector
optical interfaces for enhanced macro bend loss multimode fibres
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp

4 General description
4.1 Test methods
Two test methods are described for measuring the attenuation of random mated optical
connectors. Both provide an estimate of the expected average performance that a group of
cable assemblies (including an adaptor, if applicable) selected from a batch will exhibit when
used in an optical system. The device under test (DUT) is a cable assembly with on one side a
plug with pins (pinned plug) and on the other side a plug without pins (unpinned plug). The
cable assemblies, and any adaptors, must shall be chosen at random to ensure that the
measurements provide a statistically unbiased estimate.
Method 1 describes a procedure using a sample of cable assemblies and adaptors specified in
Table 1. In this case the pinned plugs (with pins) are used as “reference” plugs "launch test
plugs” and the unpinned plugs (without pins) are tested against them sequentially. The results,
based on the number of measurements specified in Table 1, are recorded in the test matrix
shown in Figure 3 to Figure 5.
Method 1 is intended to be part of a design approval exercise that may involve one or more
suppliers. Once approval is achieved, Method 2 would be relied on to maintain process control.
However, in the event of a dispute, Method 1 shall act as the reference measurement method.
Method 2 describes a procedure for the measurement of a sample of cable assemblies and
adaptors specified in Table 2. Three cable assemblies are selected from the sample as
“reference” cable assemblies and pins are fitted. The other test cable assemblies (without pins)
are tested against each of the three “reference cable assemblies” sequentially. Three cable
assemblies are selected from the sample as "launch test cords” and the remaining cable
assemblies are grouped as “receive test cords”. First, the pinned plugs of the launch test cords
are used as launch test plugs and the unpinned plugs of the receive test cords are tested against
them sequentially. Then the unpinned plugs of the launch test cords are used as launch test
plugs and the pinned plugs of the receive test cords are tested. This produces the number of
measurements specified in Table 2 and the results are recorded in the test matrix shown in
Figure 10 to Figure 12.
Method 1 is intended to be part of a design approval exercise that can involve one or more
suppliers. It is recognised that the number of measurements required by Method 1 may can be
excessive for day-to-day routine checking of either in-house or supplier produced products. In
this case, as indicated above once approval is achieved, Method 2 may would be relied on to
maintain process control as an alternative option. However, in the event of a dispute, Method 1
shall act as the reference measurement method.
NOTE In this measurement method, the terms “reference” plug or “reference” cord are used to define those
components chosen at random from a batch, against which a number of comparative measurements are made. In
this measurement method, the term “launch test cord” is used to define one of the mated DUTs which is installed on
the light source side. On the other hand, the other DUT which is installed on the detector side is defined as “receive
test cord”. In the same way, the plugs mated at the connection point under test are defined as “launch test plug” and
“receive test plug”, respectively. "Launch test plug” and "launch test cord” are used to define those components
chosen at random from the sample, against which a number of comparative measurements are made. It is not
intended that the terms should imply specially chosen or manufactured components, such as those used, for example,
in screen testing.
– 8 – IEC 61300-3-45:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
Table 1 – Sample size for Method 1
Connectors Sample sizes
(n-fibre connector) Cords and adaptors Measurements Fibres
2-fibre connector 15 210 420
4-fibre connector 12 132 528
8-fibre connector 10 90 720
10-fibre connector 10 90 900
12-fibre connector 10 90 1 080
> 12-fibre connector 10 90 90*n
NOTE Parameter n is the number of fibres in the connector.

Table 2 – Sample size for Method 2
Sample size
Connector
Cord and adaptors
(n-fibre connector) Measurements Fibres
Total Reference Test :N
2-fibre connector 12 3 9 54 108
4-fibre connector 8 3 5 30 120
8-fibre connector 6 3 3 18 144
10-fibre connector 6 3 3 18 180
12-fibre connector 6 3 3 18 216

Sample sizes
Connectors (n Cords
‑fibre connector)
Adaptors Measurements Fibres
Launch test Receive
Total
cord test cord
2-fibre connector 12 3 9 3 54 108
4-fibre connector 8 3 5 3 30 120
8-fibre connector 6 3 3 3 18 144
10-fibre connector 6 3 3 3 18 150
12-fibre connector 6 3 3 3 18 216
> 12-fibre connector 6 3 3 3 18 18*n
NOTE Parameter n is the number of fibres in the connector.

4.2 Precautions
The following test requirements shall be met.
a) Precautions shall be taken to ensure that The cladding modes do shall not affect the
measurement. Cladding modes shall be stripped as a function of the fibre coating.
b) Precautions shall be taken to ensure that the position of the fibres in the test remains fixed
between the measurement of P and P to avoid changes in attenuation due to bending
1 2
losses.
b) The fibres in the test shall remain fixed between the reference power measurement and the
corresponding attenuation measurements to avoid changes in attenuation due to bending
losses.
b) The stability performance of the test equipment shall be ≤ 0,05 dB or 10 % of the attenuation
to be measured, whichever is the lower value. The stability shall be maintained over the
measurement time and operational temperature range. The required measurement
resolution shall be 0,01 dB for both multimode and single-mode.
c) To achieve consistent results, clean and inspect all connectors and adaptors prior to the
setup of the measurement system and if contaminated clean them. During measurement
steps, inspect all connectors and adaptors except those in the unchanged connections and
if contaminated clean them before mating. Visual examination shall be undertaken in
accordance with IEC 61300-3-1 and IEC 61300-3-35.
NOTE A cladding mode stripper usually comprises a material having a refractive index equal to or greater than that
of the fibre cladding.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Launch conditions and light source (LS)
The source consists of an optical emitter, the means to connect to it and associated drive
electronics. In addition to meeting the stability and power level requirements, the source shall
have the following characteristics:
– Centre wavelength, as detailed in the performance and product standard;
– Spectral width, filtered light emitting diode (LED) ≤ 150 nm full width half maximum (FWHM);
– Spectral width, laser diode (LD) < 10 nm FWHM.
For multimode fibres, broadband sources such as an LED shall be used.
For single mode fibres either an LED or LD may be used.
The source unit consists of an optical emitter, the associated drive electronics, and fibre pigtail
(if any). Preferred source conditions are given in Table 3. The stability of the single-mode fibre
source at 23 °C shall be ±0,01 dB over the duration of the measurement. The stability of the
multimode fibre source at 23 °C shall be ±0,05 dB over the duration of the measurement. The
source output power shall be ≥ 20 dB above the minimum measurable power level.
Table 3 – Preferred source conditions
Central Source type
No. Type Spectral width (RMS)
wavelength
nm nm
S1 Multimode 660 ± 30 ≥ 10 Monochromator or LED
S2 Multimode 780 ± 30 ≥ 10 Monochromator or LED
S3 Multimode 850 ± 30 ≥ 10 Monochromator or LED
S4 Multimode 1 300 ± 30 ≥ 10 Monochromator or LED
S5 Single-mode 1 310 ± 30 To be reported Laser diode, monochromator, or LED
S6 Single-mode 1 550 ± 30 To be reported Laser diode, monochromator, or LED
S7 Single-mode 1 625 ± 30 To be reported Laser diode, monochromator, or LED
It is recognized that some components, for example for coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM), can
require the use of other source types such as tunable lasers. It is therefore recommended in these cases that the
preferred source characteristics are specified on the basis of the component to be measured.
NOTE Central wavelength and spectral width are defined in IEC 61280-1-3.

– 10 – IEC 61300-3-45:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
The launch condition shall be specified in accordance with IEC 61300-1. In case the specified
launch condition is not obtained by the original light from the source, an appropriate apparatus
for launch condition control (E) shall be used.
NOTE The interference of modes from a coherent source will create speckle patterns in
multimode fibres. These speckle patterns give rise to speckle or modal noise and are observed
as power fluctuations, since their characteristic times are longer than the resolution time of the
detector. As a result, it may be impossible to achieve stable launch conditions cannot be
achieved using coherent sources for multimode measurements. Consequently, lasers, including
optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) sources, should be avoided in favour of LEDs or
other incoherent sources for measuring multimode components.
4.2 Launch conditions (E)
The launch condition shall be specified in accordance with IEC 61300-1.
5.2 Detector (D)
The detector consists of an optical detector, the means to connect to it and associated
electronics. The connection to the detector will be an adaptor that accepts a connector plug of
the appropriate design. The detector shall capture all light emitted by the connector plug.
In addition to meeting the stability and resolution requirements, the detector shall have the
following characteristics:
– linearity of multimode, ≤ ±0,25 dB (over −5 dBm up to −60 dBm);
– linearity of single-mode, ≤ ±0,1 dB (over −5 dBm up to −60 dBm).
NOTE The power meter detector linearity should be referenced to a power level of −23 dBm at
the operational wavelength.
Where the connection to the detector is broken between the reference power measurement of
P the corresponding attenuation measurements, the measurement repeatability shall
and P
1 2
be within 0,05 dB or 10 % of the attenuation to be measured, whichever is the lower value. A
large sensitive area detector may can be used to achieve this.
The precise characteristics of the detector shall be compatible with the measurement
requirements. The dynamic range of the power meter detector shall be capable of measuring
the power level exiting from the device under test (DUT) at the wavelength being measured.
6 Procedure
6.1 Method 1
a) Randomly select the sample number of cable assemblies specified in Table 1. Sequentially
label the plugs under test as shown in Figures 3 to 5.
b) Randomly select the sample size of adaptors as specified in Table 1. Sequentially label the
adaptors under test as shown in Figures 3 to 5.
c) Set up the measurement system as shown in Figure 1, with cord 1as the “reference” cord
and with plug 1 as the “reference” plug. Measure power P to P for all fibres in the

1-1 1-n
cord.
Fan-out cord “Reference” cord
Ch 1
D
S E
Plug
Plug
1(without pins)
1(with pins)
Ch n
P
1-n
IEC  900/11
Figure 1 – “Reference” cord measurement – Method 1
d) Connect test cord 2 and adaptor 1 to the system and mate plug 1 (with pins) to plug 2
(without pins) as shown in Figure 2. Measure the power P to P for all fibres in the cord.

2-1 2-n
Adaptor 1
Test cord
Ch 1 Fan-out cord “Reference” cord
D
E
S
Plug 1 Plug 1 Plug 2 Plug 2
(without pins) (with pins) (without pins) (with pins)
Ch n
P
2-n
IEC  901/11
Figure 2 – Test cord measurement – Method 1
e) Calculate the attenuation of the mated plug pair 1 (with pins) / 2 (without pins) with adaptor
1, using Equation (1):
Attenuation = [-10 log (P /P )] - (A × L) dB (1)
2-i 1-i
Where
i is fibre number of Test cord.
A is fibre attenuation per km;
L is length of fibre in km.
NOTE The product A × L may be ignored for both single mode and multimode [50/125 µm and 62,5/125 µm] where
the cord length is small, i.e. < 10 m.
f) Record the attenuation results for each fibre into an appropriate matrix format.
NOTE An example of record table (for 4 fibre connectors) is shown in Figure 13.
g) Keeping plug 1 (with pins) and adaptor 1 as the “reference” configuration, replace test cord
2 by test cord 3 and mate plug 3 (without pins) with plug 1 (with pins).
h) Measure the power P to P and record the attenuation results for each fibre.

3-1 3-n
i) Repeat steps g) and h) until all the plugs (without pins) of the remaining test cable
assemblies have been tested against the “reference” plug 1 (with pins).
j) After step i) has been completed, replace the “reference” plug and adaptor so that plug 2
(with pins) and adaptor 2 are the “reference” configuration.
k) Measure the attenuation for all plugs against “reference” plug 2 (with pins) and adaptor 2.
l) Continue this process until all allocated plugs have been used as “reference” plugs.

a) Randomly select the sample number of cable assemblies specified in Table 1. Sequentially
label the cable assemblies and plugs under test as shown in Figure 3 to Figure 5.
b) Randomly select the sample size of adaptors as specified in Table 1. Sequentially label the
adaptors under test as shown in Figure 3 to Figure 5.

– 12 – IEC 61300-3-45:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
c) Set up the reference power measurement system as shown in Figure 1, with cord 1 as the
launch test cord and plug 1 (pinned) as the launch test plug. Measure power P to P for
1-1 1-n
all fibres in the cord. For multimode measurement, tight tolerance fibre and tight tolerance
plug as specified in Annex A shall be used for the launch plug. The launch condition at the
launch plug shall comply with IEC 61300-1.

Key
LS light source 3 launch test cord
E launch condition control 31 unpinned plug of launch test cord
1 fan-out cord 32 pinned plug of launch test cord
2 launch plug (launch test plug)

Figure 1 – Reference power measurement system – Method 1
d) Pick up cord 2 as the receive test cord. Mate plug 1 (pinned) to plug 2 (unpinned) using
adaptor 1 as shown in Figure 2. Measure the power P to P for all fibres in the cord.
2-1 2-n
Key
LS light source 4 receive test cord
E launch condition control 41 unpinned plug of receive test cord
1 fan-out cord (receive test plug)
2 launch plug 42 pinned plug of receive test cord
3 launch test cord 5 adaptor
31 unpinned plug of launch test cord
32 pinned plug of launch test cord

(launch test plug)
Figure 2 – Attenuation measurement system – Method 1
e) Calculate the attenuation A of the mated plug pair 1 (pinned)/2 (unpinned) with adaptor 1,
using Formula (1):

 P 
2−i
A=−10log −×A L dB
  ( )
f
(1)
P

 1−i 

where
A is the attenuation;
i is the number of fibres of the test cord;
A is the fibre attenuation per kilometre;
f
L is the length of the fibre in kilometre.
The product A × L depends on the fibre attenuation level and can be neglectable when it is
f
small enough compared to the connection losses.
f) Record the attenuation results for each fibre into an appropriate matrix format.
g) Keeping plug 1 (pinned) as the launch test plug, replace cord 2 with cord 3 and mate plug
3 (unpinned) to plug 1 (pinned) using adaptor 1.
h) Measure the power P to P and record the attenuation results for each fibre.
3-1 3-n
i) Repeat steps g) and h) until all the unpinned plugs of the remaining cable assemblies have
been tested against the launch test plug 1 (pinned).
j) After step i) has been completed, replace the launch test cord and the adaptor so that plug
2 (pinned) is used as the launch test plug. Measure the reference power for the
configuration.
k) Measure the attenuation for all plugs (unpinned) against the launch test plug 2 (pinned)
using adaptor 2.
l) Continue this process until all allocated plugs (pinned) have been used as launch test plugs.

– 14 – IEC 61300-3-45:2023 RLV © IEC 2023

Test cord and labelling
“Reference”
Plug (without pins)
Configuration
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Plug 1 (with pins) Adaptor 1
-
Plug 2 (with pins) Adaptor 2
-
Plug 3 (with pins)) Adaptor 3
-
Plug 4 (with pins) Adaptor 4
-
Plug 5 (with pins) Adaptor 5
-
Plug 6 (with pins) Adaptor 6
-
Plug 7 (with pins) Adaptor 7
-
Plug 8 (with pins) Adaptor 8
-
Plug 9 (with pins) Adaptor 9
-
Plug 10 (with pins) Adaptor 10

-
Plug 11 (with pins) Adaptor 11

-
Plug 12 (with pins) Adaptor 12

-
Plug 13 (with pins) Adaptor 13

-
Plug 14 (with pins) Adaptor 14

-
Plug 15 (with pins) Adaptor 15

-
IEC  902/11
Figure 3 – Test matrix and labelling for measuring Method 1 (2-fibre connector)

Test cord and labelling
“Reference”
Plug (without pins)
configuration
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Plug 1 (with pins) Adaptor 1
-
Plug 2 (with pins) Adaptor 2
-
Plug 3 (with pins) Adaptor 3
-
Plug 4 (with pins) Adaptor 4
-
Plug 5 (with pins) Adaptor 5
-
Plug 6 (with pins) Adaptor 6
-
Plug 7 (with pins) Adaptor 7
-
Plug 8 (with pins) Adaptor 8
-
Plug 9 (with pins) Adaptor 9
-
Plug 10 (with pins) Adaptor 10
-
Plug 11 (with pins) Adaptor 11
-
Plug 12 (with pins) Adaptor 12
-
IEC  903/11
IEC  904/11
Figure 4 – Test matrix and labelling for measuring Method 1 (4-fibre connector)

– 16 – IEC 61300-3-45:2023 RLV © IEC 2023

Test cord and labelling
“Reference”
Plug (without pins)
configuration
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Plug 1 (with pins) Adaptor 1
-
Adaptor 2
Plug 2 (with pins)
-
Plug 3 (with pins) Adaptor 3
-
Plug 4 (with pins) Adaptor 4
-
Plug 5 (with pins) Adaptor 5
-
Plug 6 (with pins) Adaptor 6
-
Plug 7 (with pins) Adaptor 7
-
Plug 8 (with pins) Adaptor 8
-
Plug 9 (with pins) Adaptor 9
-
Plug 10 (with pins) Adaptor 10
-
Figure 5 – Test matrix and labelling for measuring Method 1
(8-, 10-, 12- and > 12-fibre connectors)
6.2 Method 2
a) Randomly select the sample number of cable assemblies specified in Table 2.
b) Choose three cable assemblies at random and sequentially label the plugs of each cord as
“reference” plugs. Sequentially label the plugs of the remaining cable assemblies as test
plugs. Sequentially label three adaptors 1 to 3 (as shown in Figures 10 to 12).
c) Set up the measurement system as shown in Figure 6, with “reference” cord 1 so that the
plug 1 (with pins) is the “reference” plug. Measure power P to P for all fibres in the

1-1 1-n
cord.
Fan-out cord “Reference” cord
Ch 1
D
S E
Plug 1
Plug 1
(without pins)
(with pins)
Ch n
P
1-n
IEC  905/11
Figure 6 – “Reference” cord measurement (1) – Method 2
d) Connect test cord 2 and adaptor 1 to the measurement system and mate reference plug 1
(with pins) with test plug 2 (without pins) as shown in Figure 7. Measure the power P to

2-1
P .
2-n
Adaptor 1
Test cord
“Reference” cord
Ch 1 Fan-out cord
D
E
S
Plug 1 Plug 1 Plug 2 Plug 2
(without pins) (with pins) (without pins) (with pins)
Ch n
P
2-n
IEC  906/11
Figure 7 – Test cord measurement (1) – Method 2
e) Calculate the attenuation of the mated plug pair 1 (with pins) / 2 (without pins) with adaptor
1, using Equation (2):
Insertion loss = [-10 log (P /P )] - (A × L) dB (2)
2-i 1-i
Where
i is fiber number of Test cord
A is fibre attenuation per km
L is length of fibre in km
NOTE The product A × L may be ignored for both single mode and multimode [50/125 µm and 62.5/125 µm] where
the cord length is small, i.e. < 10 m.
f) Record the attenuation results for each fibre into an appropriate matrix format.
g) Repeat steps d) to f) until all test plugs (without pins) have been tested against “reference”
plug 1 (with pins) and adaptor 1.
h) After step g) has been completed, replace the “reference” plug and adaptor so that
“reference” plug 2 (with pins) and adaptor 2 are the “reference” configuration.
i) Measure the attenuation for all test plugs (without pins) against “reference” plug 2 (with
pins) and adaptor 2, using the procedures described above.
j) Continue this process until all allocated “reference” plugs (with pins) and adaptors have
been used and all test cable assemblies (without pins) have been tested.
k) Set up the measurement system shown in Figure 8, with “reference” cord 1 so that the plug
(without pins) 1 is the “reference” plug, Measure power P to P for all fibres in the cord.

1-1 1-n
– 18 – IEC 61300-3-45:2023 RLV © IEC 2023

Fan-out cord “Reference” cord
Ch 1
D
S E
Plug 1
Plug 1
(with pins)
(without pins)
Ch n
P
1-n
IEC  907/11
Figure 8 – “Reference” cord measurement (2) – Method 2
l) Connect test cord 2 and adaptor 1 to the measurement system and mate “reference” plug 1
(without pins) with test plug 2 (with pins) as shown in Figure 9. Measure the power P to

2-1
P .
2-n
Adaptor 1
Test cord
“Reference” cord
Ch 1 Fan-out cord
D
E
S
Plug 1 Plug 1 Plug 2 Plug 2
(with pins) (without pins) (with pins) (without pins)
Ch n
P
2-n
IEC  908/11
Figure 9 – Test cord measurement (2) – Method 2
m) Calculate the attenuation of the mated plug pair 1 (without pins) / 2 (with pins) with adaptor
1, using the equation given above.
n) Record the attenuation results for each fibre into an appropriate matrix format.
o) Repeat steps l) to n) until all test plugs (with pins) have been tested against the “reference”
plug 1 (without pins) and adaptor 1.
p) After step m) has been completed, replace the “reference” plug and adaptor so that
“reference” plug 2 (without pins) and adaptor 2 are the “reference” configuration.
q) Measure the attenuation for all test plugs (with pins) against “reference” plug 2 (without
pins) and adaptor 2, using the procedures described above.
r) Continue this process until all allocated “reference” plugs (without pins) and adaptors have
been used and all test cable assemblies (with pins) have been tested.
a) Randomly select the sample number of cable assemblies specified in Table 2.
b) Choose three cable assemblies at random and sequentially label them as launch test cords,
and the plugs of each cord as launch test plugs as shown in Figure 10 to Figure 12.
Sequentially label the remaining cable assemblies as receive test cords, and the plugs of
each cord as receive test plugs as shown in Figure 10 to Figure 12. Sequentially label three
adaptors 1 to 3.
c) Set up the reference power measurement system as shown in Figure 6, with launch test
cord L1 so that plug L1 (pinned) is the launch test plug. Measure power P to P for all
1-1 1-n
fibres in the cord. For multimode measurement, tight tolerance fibre and tight tolerance plug
as specified in Annex A shall be used for the launch plug. The launch condition at the launch
plug shall comply with IEC 61300-1.

Key
LS light source 3 launch test cord
E launch condition control 31 unpinned plug of launch test cord
1 fan-out cord 32 pinned plug of launch test cord
2 launch plug (launch test plug)

Figure 6 – Reference power measurement system (1) – Method 2
d) Pick up receive test cord R1 and mate launch test plug L1 (pinned) to receive test plug R1
(unpinned) using adaptor 1 as shown in Figure 7. Measure the power P to P .
2-1 2-n
Key
LS light source 4 receive test cord
E launch condition control 41 unpinned plug of receive test cord
1 fan-out cord receive test plug)
2 launch plug 42 pinned plug of receive test cord
3 launch test cord 5 adaptor
31 unpinned plug of launch test cord
32 pinned plug of launch test cord
(launch test plug)
Figure 7 – Attenuation measurement system (1) – Method 2
e) Calculate the attenuation of the mated plug pair L1 (pinned)/R1 (unpinned) with adaptor 1,
using Formula (1).
f) Record the attenuation results for each fibre into an appropriate matrix format.
g) Repeat steps d) to f) until all receive test plugs (unpinned) have been tested against launch
test plug L1 (pinned) and adaptor 1.
h) After step g) has been completed, replace the launch test cord and the adaptor so that
launch test plug L2 (pinned) is used as the launch test plug. Measure the reference power
for the configuration.
i) Measure the attenuation for all receive test plugs (unpinned) against launch test plug L2
(pinned) and adaptor 2, using the procedures described above.
j) Continue this process until all allocated launch test plugs (pinned) and adaptors have been
used and all receive test plugs (unpinned) have been tested.

– 20 – IEC 61300-3-45:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
k) Set up the measurement system shown in Figure 8, with launch test cord 1 so that plug L1
(unpinned) is the launch test plug. Measure power P to P for all fibres in the cord.
1-1 1-n
Key
LS light source 3 launch test cord
E launch condition control 31 unpinned plug of launch test cord
1 fan-out cord 32 pinned plug of launch test cord
2 launch plug (launch test plug)

Figure 8 – Reference power measurement system (2) – Method 2
l) Pick up receive test cord R1 and mate launch test plug L1 (unpinned) to receive test plug
R1 (pinned) using adaptor 1 as shown in Figure 9. Measure the power P to P .
2‑1 2‑n
Key
LS light source 4 receive test cord
E launch condition control 41 unpinned plug of receive test cord
1 fan-out cord (receive test plug)
2 launch plug 42 pinned plug of receive test cord
3 launch test cord 5 adaptor
31 unpinned plug of launch test cord
32 pinned plug of launch test cord
(launch test plug)
Figure 9 – Attenuation measurement system (2) – Method 2
m) Calculate the attenuation of the mated plug pair L1 (unpinned)/R1 (pinned) with adaptor 1,
using Formula (1).
n) Record the attenuation results for each fibre into an appropriate matrix format.
o) Repeat steps l) to n) until all receive test plugs (pinned) have been tested against launch
test plug L1 (unpinned) and adaptor 1.

p) After step o) has been completed, replace the launch test cord and the adaptor so that
launch test p
...