IEC 61300-3-46:2025

IEC 61300-3-46 ®
Edition 2.0 2025-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures –
Part 3-46: Examinations and measurements – Bore diameter in rectangular
ferrules
Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs fibroniques – Procédures
fondamentales d'essais et de mesures –
Partie 3-46 : Examens et mesures – Diamètre de l'alésage dans les férules
rectangulaires
ICS 33.180.20  ISBN 978-2-8327-0432-5

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– 2 – IEC 61300-3-46:2025 © IEC 2025
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 General description . 5
4.1 General . 5
4.2 Pin gauge assembly . 6
4.3 Test conditions . 6
4.4 Apparatus . 6
5 Procedure . 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 Method A with attached mass element . 7
5.3 Method B with force gauge . 8
6 Post test examination . 8
7 Details to be specified and reported . 8
Annex A (normative) Bore diameter conversion at different temperatures . 9

Figure 1 – Pin gauge inserted into the ferrule guide pin bore or fibre bore . 7
Figure 2 – Examples of pin gauge assembly with attached mass element for ferrule
guide pin bore and fibre bore measurement (method A) . 7
Figure 3 – Examples of pin gauge pulled by a force gauge for ferrule guide pin bore
and fibre bore measurement (method B) . 8

Table 1 – Pin gauge specifications . 6
Table 2 – Test conditions . 6

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

Part 3-46: Examinations and measurements –
Bore diameter in rectangular ferrules

FOREWORD
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IEC 61300-3-46 has been prepared by subcommittee SC86B: Fibre optic interconnecting
devices and passive components, of IEC technical committee TC86: 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.

– 4 – IEC 61300-3-46:2025 © IEC 2025
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) addition of fibre bore measurement;
b) addition of force gauge method;
c) addition of Annex A on temperature dependence.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86B/5027/FDIS 86B/5064/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.
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.
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.
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, or
• revised.
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND PASSIVE
COMPONENTS – BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –

Part 3-46: Examinations and measurements –
Bore diameter in rectangular ferrules

1 Scope
The purpose of this part of IEC 61300 is to provide a standard for the measurement of guide
pin bore and fibre bore diameters for rectangular ferrules used in connectors specified in the
IEC 61754 series.
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 61754 (all parts), Fibre optic connector interfaces
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61300-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology 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
4 General description
4.1 General
The guide pin and fibre bores in rectangular ferrule are used to align and position optical fibres
during a connector mating. The diameter of these bores shall be tightly controlled to ensure
easy insertion of either guide pin or fibre, and to minimize the gap between the alignment
features.
Due to the limitations with non-contact bore measurements, pin gauge is the common
measurement tool for inspecting ferrule bores because of their strong correlation with the actual
fitting of guide pins and fibres. This procedure details the method to measure the inside
diameter of rectangular ferrule guide pin and fibre bores using pin gauges. It shall be ensured
that the pin gauge is handled gently with the plastic ferrule to prevent any damage to the ferrule
bores.
– 6 – IEC 61300-3-46:2025 © IEC 2025
4.2 Pin gauge assembly
The pin gauge assembly consists of a pin gauge and a joined handle with an attachment for
connecting to a mass element or force gauge. The diameters of the pin gauges shall be
traceable and calibrated. The length of the exposed pin gauge used in this test shall be longer
than the ferrule in testing. See Table 1 for pin gauge specifications.
Table 1 – Pin gauge specifications
Material Tungsten carbide steel
Cylindricity ≤ 100,0 nm
Surface roughness ≤ 20,0 nm Ra
Edge shape Break sharp edges
4.3 Test conditions
See Table 2 for test conditions.
Table 2 – Test conditions
a
Relative humidity Pin gauge assembly force for method A
Temperature
18 °C to 25 °C 40 % to 50 % Guide pin bore measurement Fibre bore measurement
0,981 N ± 0,010 N 0,490 N ± 0,005 N
a
See Annex A for bore diameter conversion in different temperatures

4.4 Apparatus
The apparatus shall include the following elements:
• Set of pin gauge assemblies with sufficient diameter range to cover the guide pin bore and
fibre bore specifications from the relevant connector interface standards. The increment of
diameters on these pin gauges shall be 200 nm or less.
• Fixturing that holds the rectangular ferrule in place while the pin gauge assembly is being
pulled co-axially to the bore axis.
5 Procedure
5.1 General
Both the pin gauges and ferrule under test shall be clean to ensure an accurate measurement.
Both parts shall be preconditioned using the conditions in 4.3 for a minimum of 24 h.
Once conditioned, select a pin gauge that will be small enough to fit freely in the bore under
test. Insert the pin into the bore until it begins to protrude from the opposite end of the ferrule,
as shown in Figure 1. Rear entry is recommended for easier pin insertion, as well as to reduce
the risk of ferrule end face damage. To make this process easier for the operator, a microscope
or other magnifying tool can be used to help identify and locate each ferrule bore for inserting
the pin gauge.
After the pin has engaged the entire length of the ferrule bore diameter and is slightly protruding
from the opposite surface of the ferrule, a calibrated mass element or pulling force shall be
applied per one of two different methods to check if the load specified in Table 2 is sufficient to
pull the pin gauge out of the ferrule bore. This procedure is to be repeated using increasingly
larger diameter pin gauges until one is found that cannot be decoupled from the ferrule by the
specified force. Once this is reached, the diameter of the previous pin gauge, which is the last
pin gauge to be pulled out of the ferrule shall be recorded as the effective diameter of the
measured ferrule bore. Repeat the above procedure for all guide pin bores and fibre bores on
the ferrule.
Figure 1 – Pin gauge inserted into the ferrule guide pin bore or fibre bore
5.2 Method A with attached mass element
Place the ferrule with the inserted pin gauge on a fixture so that the ferrule is retained vertically,
and the pin gauge can be pulled out downwards. As shown in Figure 2, attach the mass element
so the whole pin gauge assembly has the specified force. Slowly release the support on the pin
gauge assembly and verify whether the gravity force of pin gauge assembly will pull the pin out
of the ferrule.
Figure 2 – Examples of pin gauge assembly with attached mass element for ferrule
guide pin bore and fibre bore measurement (method A)

– 8 – IEC 61300-3-46:2025 © IEC 2025
5.3 Method B with force gauge
Place the ferrule with the inserted pin gauge on a fixture, where a force gauge is attached to
the pin gauge handle, as shown in Figure 3. Slowly pull out the pin co-axially to the bore axis
and measure the peak force as the pin is pulled out the ferrule. If the maximum force is smaller
than or equal to 0,981 N for guide pin bore measurement, and 0,490 N for fibre bore
measurement, this pin gauge is considered as being pulled out under the forces defined in
Table 2.
Figure 3 – Examples of pin gauge pulled by a force gauge for ferrule guide pin bore
and fibre bore measurement (method B)
6 Post test examination
After the test is completed, visually examine the ferrule in accordance with IEC 61300-3-1.
Check for damage to the exit region of the ferrule bores, such as gouging, chipping, or
scratching of the ferrule end face.
7 Details to be specified and reported
The following details, as applicable, shall be specified in t
...