IEC 60793-2-10:2019

IEC 60793-2-10 ®
Edition 7.0 2019-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Optical fibres –
Part 2-10: Product specifications – Sectional specification for category A1
multimode fibres
Fibres optiques –
Partie 2-10: Spécifications de produits – Spécification intermédiaire pour les
fibres multimodales de catégorie A1

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IEC 60793-2-10 ®
Edition 7.0 2019-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Optical fibres –
Part 2-10: Product specifications – Sectional specification for category A1

multimode fibres
Fibres optiques –
Partie 2-10: Spécifications de produits – Spécification intermédiaire pour les

fibres multimodales de catégorie A1

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-6920-6

– 2 – IEC 60793-2-10:2019 © IEC 2019
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 Abbreviated terms . 10
5 Specifications . 10
5.1 General . 10
5.2 Dimensional requirements . 10
5.3 Mechanical requirements . 12
5.4 Transmission requirements . 12
5.5 Environmental requirements . 14
5.5.1 General . 14
5.5.2 Mechanical environmental requirements (common to all fibres in
category A1) . 15
5.5.3 Transmission environmental requirements . 16
Annex A (normative) Specifications for sub-categories A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and
A1-OM5 multimode fibres . 17
A.1 General . 17
A.2 Dimensional requirements . 17
A.3 Mechanical requirements . 18
A.4 Transmission requirements . 18
A.5 Environmental requirements . 20
Annex B (normative) Specifications for sub-category A1-OM1 multimode fibres . 21
B.1 General . 21
B.2 Dimensional requirements . 21
B.3 Mechanical requirements . 21
B.4 Transmission requirements . 22
B.5 Environmental requirements . 22
Annex C (normative) Specifications for sub-category A1d multimode fibres . 23
C.1 General . 23
C.2 Dimensional requirements . 23
C.3 Mechanical requirements . 23
C.4 Transmission requirements . 24
C.5 Environmental requirements . 24
Annex D (normative) Fibre differential mode delay (DMD), calculated effective modal
bandwidth (EMB ) and calculated overfilled modal bandwidth (OMB ) requirements . 25
c c
D.1 A1-OM3 fibre DMD requirements . 25
D.1.1 General . 25
D.1.2 DMD templates . 25
D.1.3 DMD interval masks . 26
D.2 A1-OM3 fibre EMB requirements . 27
c
D.2.1 General . 27
D.2.2 Calculated effective bandwidth . 27
D.3 A1-OM4 DMD requirements . 29
D.3.1 General . 29

D.3.2 DMD templates . 29
D.3.3 DMD interval masks . 30
D.4 A1-OM4 fibre EMB requirements . 30
c
D.4.1 General . 30
D.4.2 Calculated effective bandwidth . 30
D.5 A1-OM5 fibre modal bandwidth requirements . 30
D.5.1 General . 30
D.5.2 Calculated effective modal bandwidth . 31
D.6 A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and A1-OM5 calculated overfilled modal
bandwidth . 31
Annex E (informative) System, modal bandwidth, and transmitter considerations . 33
E.1 Background. 33
E.2 System considerations . 33
E.2.1 A1-OM3 and A1-OM4 fibres . 33
E.2.2 A1-OM5 fibre . 33
E.3 Effective modal bandwidth (EMB) . 34
E.4 Transmitter encircled flux (EF) and centre wavelength requirements . 37
E.4.1 Encircled flux . 37
E.4.2 Centre wavelength for A1-OM3 and A1-OM4 fibres . 38
E.4.3 Centre wavelength for A1-OM5 fibre . 38
Annex F (informative) Bandwidth nomenclature explanation . 40
Annex G (informative) Preliminary indications for items needing further study . 41
G.1 Effective modal bandwidth (EMB) at 1 300 nm . 41
G.2 Scaling of EMB with DMD . 41
Annex H (informative) Applications and cabling categories supported by A1 fibres . 43
Annex I (informative) 1-Gigabit, 10-Gigabit, 25-Gigabit, 40-Gigabit and 100-Gigabit
Ethernet applications . 44
Bibliography . 50

Figure 1 – Relation between bandwidths at 850 nm and 1 300 nm . 14
Figure D.1 – DMD template requirements . 26
Figure E.1 – Estimated minimum wide band EMB versus wavelength for A1-OM3 . 35
Figure E.2 – Estimated minimum wide band EMB versus wavelength for A1-OM4 . 36
Figure E.3 – Estimated minimum wide band EMB versus wavelength for A1-OM5 . 37
Figure E.4 – Approximate position of DMD weightings relative to the EF boundaries of
Equations (E.10) and (E.11) . 38

Table 1 – Cross reference IEC A1 multimode fibre designations to IEC 60793-2-
10:2017 . 8
Table 2 – Dimensional attributes and measurement methods . 11
Table 3 – Dimensional requirements common to category A1 fibres . 11
Table 4 – Additional dimensional attributes required in sub-category specifications . 11
Table 5 – Mechanical attributes and measurement methods . 12
Table 6 – Mechanical requirements common to category A1 fibres . 12
Table 7 – Transmission attributes and measurement methods . 13
Table 8 – Additional transmission attributes required in sub-category specifications . 13
Table 9 – Environmental exposure tests . 15

– 4 – IEC 60793-2-10:2019 © IEC 2019
Table 10 – Attributes measured for environmental tests . 15
Table 11 – Strip force for environmental tests . 15
Table 12 – Tensile strength for environmental tests . 16
Table 13 – Stress corrosion susceptibility for environmental tests . 16
Table 14 – Change in attenuation for environmental tests . 16
Table A.1 – Dimensional requirements specific to A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and A1-
OM5 fibres . 18
Table A.2 – Mechanical requirements specific to A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and A1-
OM5 fibres . 18
Table A.3 – Transmission requirements specific to A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and
A1-OM5 fibres . 19
Table B.1 – Dimensional requirements specific to A1-OM1 fibres . 21
Table B.2 – Mechanical requirements specific to A1-OM1 fibres . 21
Table B.3 – Transmission requirements specific to A1-OM1 fibres . 22
Table C.1 – Dimensional requirements specific to A1d fibres . 23
Table C.2 – Mechanical requirements specific to A1d fibres . 23
Table C.3 – Transmission requirements specific to A1d fibres. 24
Table D.1 – DMD templates for A1-OM3 fibres . 25
Table D.2 – DMD interval masks for A1-OM3 fibres . 27
Table D.3 – DMD weightings . 28
Table D.4 – DMD templates for A1-OM4 fibres . 30
Table D.5 – DMD interval masks for A1-OM4 fibres . 30
Table D.6 – DMD weighting for OMB . 32
c
Table F.1 – Bandwidth nomenclature explanation . 40
Table H.1 – Some standardised applications supported by A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4,
A1-OM5 fibres and in some cases A1-OM1 fibres . 43
Table I.1 – Summary of 1 Gb/s, 10 Gb/s, 25 Gb/s, 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s Ethernet
requirements and capabilities . 45

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRES –
Part 2-10: Product specifications –
Sectional specification for category A1 multimode fibres

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
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6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
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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 60793-2-10 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and
cables, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
This seventh edition cancels and replaces the sixth edition published in 2017. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant change with respect to the previous edition:
revision of the naming convention for A1 multimode fibres, which better matches with those
found in ISO/IEC standards. These changes are outlined in the scope of this document along
with a cross reference table for the new names.

– 6 – IEC 60793-2-10:2019 © IEC 2019
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
86A/1932/FDIS 86A/1939/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in 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 document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://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 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 FIBRES –
Part 2-10: Product specifications –
Sectional specification for category A1 multimode fibres

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60793 is applicable to optical fibre sub-categories A1-OM1, A1-OM2,
A1-OM3, A1-OM4, A1-OM5, and A1d. These fibres are used or can be incorporated in
information transmission equipment and optical fibre cables.
Sub-categories A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and A1-OM5 apply to 50/125 µm graded index fibre
in four bandwidth grades. Each of these bandwidth grades is defined for two levels of
macrobend loss performance that are distinguished by "a" or "b" suffix. Those sub-categories
with suffix "a" are specified to meet traditional macrobend loss performance levels. Those sub-
categories with suffix "b" are specified to meet enhanced macrobend loss (i.e. lower loss)
performance levels.
Sub-category A1-OM5 is specified to support single wavelength or multi-wavelength
transmission systems in the vicinity of 850 nm to 950 nm. Although not normatively specified,
bandwidth information covering this wavelength range is also included for A1-OM3 and
A1-OM4.
Sub-category A1-OM1 applies to 62,5/125 µm graded index fibre and sub-category A1d applies
to 100/140 µm graded index fibre.
Other applications include, but are not restricted to, the following: short reach, high bit-rate
systems in telephony, distribution and local networks carrying data, voice and/or video services;
on-premises intra-building and inter-building fibre installations including data centres, local area
networks (LANs), storage area networks (SANs), private branch exchanges (PBXs), video,
various multiplexing uses, outside telephone cable plant use, and miscellaneous related uses.
Three types of requirements apply to these fibres:
• general requirements, as defined in IEC 60793-2;
• specific requirements common to the category A1 multimode fibres covered in this document
and which are given in Clause 5;
• particular requirements applicable to individual fibre sub-categories and models, or specific
applications, which are defined in the normative specification Annexes A to D.
Table 1 shows the cross reference between the IEC A1 multimode optical fibre designations
used in this document compared to those used in IEC 60793-2-10:2017. The table also refers
to the normative annexes A, B and C for the A1 sub-category multimode fibres in this document
that contains the detailed specification.

– 8 – IEC 60793-2-10:2019 © IEC 2019
Table 1 – Cross reference IEC A1 multimode fibre designations to
IEC 60793-2-10:2017
Annex Sub-category Sub-category/Model Core ISO/IEC
diameter 11801-1:2017
(nominal)
This document IEC 60793-2-10:2017 Usage of cabled
designations designations OMx fibres
A
a b
A1-OM2 A1a.1 50 µm OM2
A1-OM3 A1a.2 50 µm OM3
A1-OM4 A1a.3 50 µm OM4
A1-OM5 A1a.4 50 µm OM5
c d
B A1-OM1 A1b 62,5 µm OM1
C A1d A1d 100 µm -
a
Historically, ISO/IEC 11801:2002 also defined OM2 cables made with 62,5/125 μm fibres having a
minimum overfilled launch bandwidth of 500 MHz·km at 850 nm and 500 MHz·km at 1 300 nm. This
specific bandwidth combination of 62,5/125 μm fibre is not part of this document.
b
OM2 cables are not supported for new installations within ISO/IEC 11801-1:2017.
c
Historically, ISO/IEC 11801:2002 also defined OM1 cables made with 50/125 μm fibres having a
minimum overfilled launch bandwidth of 200 MHz⋅km at 850 nm and 500 MHz⋅km at 1 300 nm. This
specific bandwidth combination of 50/125 μm fibre is not part of this document.
d
OM1 cables are not supported for new installations within ISO/IEC 11801-1:2017.

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 60793-1-20, Optical fibres – Part 1-20: Measurement methods and test procedures – Fibre
geometry
IEC 60793-1-21, Optical fibres – Part 1-21: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Coating geometry
IEC 60793-1-22, Optical fibres – Part 1-22: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Length measurement
IEC 60793-1-30, Optical fibres – Part 1-30: Measurement methods and test procedures – Fibre
proof test
IEC 60793-1-31, Optical fibres – Part 1-31: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Tensile strength
IEC 60793-1-32, Optical fibres – Part 1-32: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Coating strippability
IEC 60793-1-33, Optical fibres – Part 1-33: Measurement methods and test procedures – Stress
corrosion susceptibility
IEC 60793-1-40, Optical fibres – Part 1-40: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Attenuation
IEC 60793-1-41, Optical fibres – Part 1-41: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Bandwidth
IEC 60793-1-42, Optical fibres – Part 1-42: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Chromatic dispersion
IEC 60793-1-43, Optical fibres – Part 1-43: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Numerical aperture measurement
IEC 60793-1-46, Optical fibres – Part 1-46: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Monitoring of changes in optical transmittance
IEC 60793-1-47, Optical fibres – Part 1-47: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Macrobending loss
IEC 60793-1-49, Optical fibres – Part 1-49: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Differential mode delay
IEC 60793-1-50, Optical fibres – Part 1-50: Measurement methods and test procedures – Damp
heat (steady state) tests
IEC 60793-1-51, Optical fibres – Part 1-51: Measurement methods and test procedures –Dry
heat (steady state) tests
IEC 60793-1-52, Optical fibres – Part 1-52: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Change of temperature tests
IEC 60793-1-53, Optical fibres – Part 1-53: Measurement methods and test procedures – Water
immersion tests
IEC 60793-2, Optical fibres – Part 2: Product specifications – General
IEC 61280-4-1:2009, Fibre-optic communication subsystem test procedures – Part 4-1:
Installed cable plant – Multimode attenuation measurement
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

– 10 – IEC 60793-2-10:2019 © IEC 2019
4 Abbreviated terms
CPR coupled power ratio
DMD differential mode delay
EF encircled flux
EMB effective modal bandwidth
EMB calculated effective modal bandwidth
c
LAN local area network
MMF multimode fibre
NA numerical aperture
OFL overfilled launch
OMB overfilled launch modal bandwidth calculated from differential mode delay (also
c
known as OFL )
c
PBX private branch exchange
PMD physical medium dependent
ROFL radial overfilled launch
SAN storage area network
5 Specifications
5.1 General
The fibre consists of a glass core with a graded index profile and a glass cladding in accordance
with IEC 60793-2.
The term "glass" usually refers to material consisting of non-metallic oxides.
5.2 Dimensional requirements
Dimensional attributes and measurement methods are given in Table 2.
Requirements common to all fibres in category A1 are indicated in Table 3.
Table 4 lists additional attributes that shall be specified by each sub-category specification.

Table 2 – Dimensional attributes and measurement methods
Attributes Measurement methods
Cladding diameter IEC 60793-1-20
a, b
IEC 60793-1-20
Core diameter
Cladding non-circularity IEC 60793-1-20
Core non-circularity IEC 60793-1-20
Core-cladding concentricity error IEC 60793-1-20
Primary coating diameter IEC 60793-1-21
Primary coating non-circularity IEC 60793-1-21
Primary coating-cladding concentricity error IEC 60793-1-21
Fibre length IEC 60793-1-22
a
Core diameter is specified at 850 nm ± 10 nm with a test specimen length of 2,0 m ± 0,2 m and a threshold
value, k , of 0,025 for A1 fibres except A1-OM2b, A1-OM3b, A1-OM4b, A1-OM5b fibres.
CORE
b
Core diameter is specified at 850 nm ± 10 nm with a test specimen length of 100 m ± 5 % and a threshold
value, k , of 0,025 for A1-OM2b, A1-OM3b, A1-OM4b, A1-OM5b fibres.
CORE
Table 3 – Dimensional requirements common to category A1 fibres
Attributes Unit Limits
Core non-circularity % ≤ 6
Primary coating diameter –
µm 245 ± 10
a
uncoloured
Primary coating diameter –
µm 250 ± 15
a
coloured
Primary coating-cladding
µm ≤ 12,5
concentricity error
b
Fibre length km
a
The limits on primary coating diameter are most commonly used in telecommunications cables. There are other
applications, which use other primary coating diameters, several of which are listed below.
Alternative nominal primary coating diameters and tolerance (µm):
400 ± 40
500 ± 50
700 ± 100
900 ± 100
b
Length requirements vary and should be agreed between supplier and customer.

Table 4 – Additional dimensional attributes required in sub-category specifications
Attributes
Cladding diameter
Cladding non-circularity
Core diameter
Core-cladding concentricity error

– 12 – IEC 60793-2-10:2019 © IEC 2019
5.3 Mechanical requirements
Mechanical attributes and measurement methods are given in Table 5.
Requirements common to all fibres in category A1 are in Table 6.
Table 5 – Mechanical attributes and measurement methods
Attributes Test methods
Proof test IEC 60793-1-30
Tensile strength IEC 60793-1-31
Primary coating strippability IEC 60793-1-32
Stress corrosion susceptibility IEC 60793-1-33

Table 6 – Mechanical requirements common to category A1 fibres
Attributes Unit Limits
a
Proof stress level GPa
≥ 0,69
b
N 1,0 ≤ F ≤ 5,0
Average strip force
avg
b
N 1,0 ≤ F ≤ 8,9
Peak strip force
peak
Tensile strength (median) for 0,5 m GPa ≥ 3,8
specimen length
Stress corrosion susceptibility - ≥ 18
constant, n
d
a
The proof test value of 0,69 GPa equals about 1 % strain or about 8,8 N force, for A1-OM1 to A1-OM5 fibres.
For the relation between these different units, see IEC TR 62048:2014, 8.4.
b
Either average strip force or peak strip force, which are defined in the test procedure, may be specified by
agreement between supplier and customer.

5.4 Transmission requirements
Transmission attributes and measurement methods are given in Table 7.
Table 8 lists additional attributes that shall be specified by each sub-category specification.

Table 7 – Transmission attributes and measurement methods
Attributes Measurement methods
Attenuation coefficient IEC 60793-1-40
a,b
IEC 60793-1-41
Modal bandwidth
c,d
IEC 60793-1-43
Numerical aperture
Chromatic dispersion IEC 60793-1-42
Change of optical transmission IEC 60793-1-46
Macrobending loss IEC 60793-1-47
e
IEC 60793-1-49
Differential mode delay
a
For modal bandwidth, either overfilled launch (OFL) or overfilled launch modal bandwidth calculated from
differential mode delay (OMB ) can be used. OMB is the reference test method for A1-OM2, A1-OM3 and A1-
c c
OM4 fibres at 850 nm and is the required method for A1-OM5 fibres at 850 nm and 953 nm.
b
850 nm modal bandwidth is specified with a test specimen length of 1 000 m ± 5 % for A1-OM3 to A1-OM5
fibres. For A1-OM3 fibres, the 850 nm modal bandwidth is measured at 850 nm ± 10 nm. For A1-OM4 and A1-
OM5 fibres, the 850 nm modal bandwidth is measured at 850 nm ± 2 nm. For A1-OM5 fibre, the modal
bandwidth is also measured at 953 nm ± 6 nm.
c
Numerical aperture is specified at 850 nm ± 10 nm with a test specimen length of 2 m ± 0,2 m and a threshold
value, k , of 0,05 for A1 fibres except A1-OM2b, A1-OM3b, A1-OM4b, A1-OM5b fibres.
NA
d
Numerical aperture is specified at 850 nm ± 10 nm with a test specimen length of 100 m ± 5 % and a threshold
value, k of 0,05 for A1-OM2b, A1-OM3b, A1-OM4b and A1-OM5b fibres.
NA,
e
Differential mode delay is specified with a test specimen length of 1 000 m ± 5 % for A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and
A1-OM5 fibres. For A1-OM3 fibres, the DMD is measured at 850 nm ± 10 nm. For A1-OM4 and A1-OM5 fibres,
the DMD is measured at 850 nm ± 2 nm. For A1-OM5 fibre, the DMD is also measured at 953 nm ± 6 nm.

Specification compliance of chromatic dispersion can be assured by compliance to the
numerical aperture (NA) specification for A1 fibre.
Table 8 – Additional transmission attributes
required in sub-category specifications
Attributes
Attenuation coefficient
Modal bandwidth
Chromatic dispersion
Numerical aperture
Macrobending loss
For attenuation coefficient and modal bandwidth, the sub-category specifications may contain
ranges of specifiable values instead of fixed limits. In this case, the actual values of the
maximum attenuation coefficient and minimum modal bandwidth, at both 850 nm and 1 300 nm
(or just at one of these wavelengths) shall be agreed between supplier and customer. For
commercial purposes, the modal bandwidth is linearly normalized to 1 km.
For guidance purposes, Annex H shows a number of standardised applications supported by
A1 fibres and Annex I shows transmission capabilities for these fibres.
The indicated maximum attenuation coefficients apply to uncabled optical fibres; for the
maximum cabled attenuation coefficients, reference is made to IEC 60794-1-1, which can be
used in conjunction with this document. Tighter specifications for the fibre may be requested to
account for added attenuation in the cabling process.
Remarks on the specification of modal bandwidth:

– 14 – IEC 60793-2-10:2019 © IEC 2019
Care should be taken in writing dual wavelength bandwidth specifications. It is understood that
for category A1 fibres, the bandwidth at 850 nm may be related to the bandwidth at 1 300 nm
in a way shown in Figure 1, depending on the refractive index parameter, g (see IEC 60793-2).
See [1] , page 50, and [2], page 255, for similar figures. The shaded region under the curve of
Figure 1 can be defined as the dual window area. In this area, regions X, Y, and Z are examples
of where a fibre manufacturer may choose to optimise the process. That is, centre the
production bandwidth peak at 850 nm, 1 300 nm, or between these two wavelengths.
Due to this optimisation of the manufacturing process, there will be combinations of bandwidth
that are not possible (i.e., outside the shaded region).

Figure 1 – Relation between bandwidths at 850 nm and 1 300 nm
5.5 Environmental requirements
5.5.1 General
Environmental exposure tests and measurement methods are documented in two forms:
• relevant environmental attributes and test procedures are given in Table 9;
• measurements of a particular mechanical or transmission attribute that may change on the
application of the environment are listed in Table 10.
____________
Numbers in square brackets refer to the Bibliography.

Table 9 – Environmental exposure tests
Environmental exposure Test
Damp heat IEC 60793-1-50
Dry heat IEC 60793-1-51
Change of temperature IEC 60793-1-52
Water immersion IEC 60793-1-53

Table 10 – Attributes measured for environmental tests
Attribute Measurement method
Change in optical transmission IEC 60793-1-46
Attenuation IEC 60793-1-40
Strip force IEC 60793-1-32
Tensile strength IEC 60793-1-31
Stress corrosion susceptibility IEC 60793-1-33

These tests are normally conducted periodically as type-tests for a fibre and coating design.
Unless otherwise indicated, the recovery period allowed between the completion of the
environmental exposure and performing the attribute measurements shall be as stated in the
particular environmental test method.
5.5.2 Mechanical environmental requirements (common to all fibres in category A1)
5.5.2.1 General
These tests are, in practice, the most severe requirements amongst the environments defined
in Table 9.
Tables 11, 12, and 13 give the prescriptions for strip force, tensile strength and stress corrosion
susceptibility respectively.
5.5.2.2 Strip force
The following attributes shall be verified following removal of the fibre from the particular
environment.
Table 11 – Strip force for environmental tests
Environment Average strip force Peak strip force
N N
Damp heat
1,0 ≤ F ≤ 5,0 1,0 ≤ F ≤ 8,9
avg peak
Water immersion
1,0 ≤ F ≤ 5,0 1,0 ≤ F ≤ 8,9
avg peak
5.5.2.3 Tensile strength
The following attribute shall be verified following removal of the fibre from the environment.

– 16 – IEC 60793-2-10:2019 © IEC 2019
Table 12 – Tensile strength for environmental tests
Environment Median tensile strength 15th percentile tensile strength
specimen length: 0,5 m specimen length: 0,5 m
GPa GPa
Damp heat
≥ 3,03 ≥ 2,76
NOTE These requirements do not apply to hermetically coated fibre.

5.5.2.4 Stress corrosion susceptibility
The following attribute shall be verified following removal of the fibre from the environment.
Table 13 – Stress corrosion susceptibility for environmental tests
Environment Stress corrosion susceptibility constant, n
d
Damp heat ≥ 18
NOTE This requirement does not apply to hermetically coated fibre.

5.5.3 Transmission environmental requirements
Change in attenuation from the initial value shall be less than the values in Table 14. Attenuation
shall be measured periodically during the entire exposure to each environment and after
removal.
Table 14 – Change in attenuation for environmental tests
Environment Wavelength Attenuation increase
nm dB/km
Damp heat 850 ≤ 0,20
1 300 ≤ 0,20
Dry heat 850
≤ 0,20
1 300 ≤ 0,20
Change of temperature 850 ≤ 0,20
1 300
≤ 0,20
Water immersion 850 ≤ 0,20
1 300 ≤ 0,20
Annex A
(normative)
Specifications for sub-categories A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4
and A1-OM5 multimode fibres
A.1 General
Annex A contains particular requirements applicable to sub-categories A1-OM2, A1-OM3,
A1-OM4 and A1-OM5 fibres. Common requirements, repeated here for ease of reference from
the main body of this document, are noted by a clause entry in the "Reference" column. The
"Reference" column also refers to other annexes containing relevant information on the
attribute. Relevant notes from the main body of this document are not repeated but indicated
"SS"
with a superscript .
Sub-categories A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and A1-OM5 are 50/125 µm graded index
multimode fibres in four bandwidth grades. All are specified using overfilled bandwidth metrics,
while sub-categories A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and A1-OM5 also apply differential mode delay
measurements to deliver laser-optimised performance near 850 nm. Sub-category
A1-OM5 also specifies both overfilled and differential mode delay bandwidth metrics at 953 nm
to deliver laser-optimized performance over a wavelength range in the vicinity
...

IEC 60793-2-10 ®
Edition 7.1 2022-01
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
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Optical fibres –
Part 2-10: Product specifications – Sectional specification for category A1
multimode fibres
Fibres optiques –
Partie 2-10: Spécifications de produits – Spécification intermédiaire pour les
fibres multimodales de catégorie A1

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IEC 60793-2-10 ®
Edition 7.1 2022-01
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Optical fibres –
Part 2-10: Product specifications – Sectional specification for category A1
multimode fibres
Fibres optiques –
Partie 2-10: Spécifications de produits – Spécification intermédiaire pour les
fibres multimodales de catégorie A1
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-4596-5

IEC 60793-2-10 ®
Edition 7.1 2022-01
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
REDLINE VERSION
VERSION REDLINE
colour
inside
Optical fibres –
Part 2-10: Product specifications – Sectional specification for category A1
multimode fibres
Fibres optiques –
Partie 2-10: Spécifications de produits – Spécification intermédiaire pour les
fibres multimodales de catégorie A1
– 2 – IEC 60793-2-10:2019+AMD1:2022 CSV
© IEC 2022
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 Abbreviated terms . 10
5 Specifications . 10
5.1 General . 10
5.2 Dimensional requirements . 10
5.3 Mechanical requirements . 12
5.4 Transmission requirements . 12
5.5 Environmental requirements . 14
5.5.1 General . 14
5.5.2 Mechanical environmental requirements (common to all fibres in
category A1) . 15
5.5.3 Transmission environmental requirements . 16
Annex A (normative) Specifications for sub-categories A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and
A1-OM5 multimode fibres . 17
A.1 General . 17
A.2 Dimensional requirements . 17
A.3 Mechanical requirements . 18
A.4 Transmission requirements . 18
A.5 Environmental requirements . 20
Annex B (normative) Specifications for sub-category A1-OM1 multimode fibres . 21
B.1 General . 21
B.2 Dimensional requirements . 21
B.3 Mechanical requirements . 21
B.4 Transmission requirements . 22
B.5 Environmental requirements . 22
Annex C (normative) Specifications for sub-category A1d multimode fibres . 23
C.1 General . 23
C.2 Dimensional requirements . 23
C.3 Mechanical requirements . 23
C.4 Transmission requirements . 24
C.5 Environmental requirements . 24
Annex D (normative) Fibre differential mode delay (DMD), calculated effective modal
bandwidth (EMB ) and calculated overfilled modal bandwidth (OMB ) requirements . 25
c c
D.1 A1-OM3 fibre DMD requirements . 25
D.1.1 General . 25
D.1.2 DMD templates . 25
D.1.3 DMD interval masks . 26
D.2 A1-OM3 fibre EMB requirements . 27
c
D.2.1 General . 27
D.2.2 Calculated effective bandwidth . 27
D.3 A1-OM4 DMD requirements . 29
D.3.1 General . 29

© IEC 2022
D.3.2 DMD templates . 29
D.3.3 DMD interval masks . 30
D.4 A1-OM4 fibre EMB requirements . 30
c
D.4.1 General . 30
D.4.2 Calculated effective bandwidth . 30
D.5 A1-OM5 fibre modal bandwidth requirements . 30
D.5.1 General . 30
D.5.2 Calculated effective modal bandwidth . 31
D.6 A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and A1-OM5 calculated overfilled modal
bandwidth . 31
Annex E (informative) System, modal bandwidth, and transmitter considerations . 33
E.1 Background. 33
E.2 System considerations . 33
E.2.1 A1-OM3 and A1-OM4 fibres . 33
E.2.2 A1-OM5 fibre . 33
E.3 Effective modal bandwidth (EMB) . 34
E.4 Transmitter encircled flux (EF) and centre wavelength requirements . 37
E.4.1 Encircled flux . 37
E.4.2 Centre wavelength for A1-OM3 and A1-OM4 fibres . 38
E.4.3 Centre wavelength for A1-OM5 fibre . 38
Annex F (informative) Bandwidth nomenclature explanation . 40
Annex G (informative) Preliminary indications for items needing further study . 41
G.1 Effective modal bandwidth (EMB) at 1 300 nm . 41
G.2 Scaling of EMB with DMD . 41
Annex H (informative) Applications and cabling categories supported by A1 fibres . 43
Annex I (informative) 1-Gigabit, 10-Gigabit, 25-Gigabit, 40-Gigabit and 100-Gigabit
Ethernet applications . 44
Bibliography . 50

Figure 1 – Relation between bandwidths at 850 nm and 1 300 nm . 14
Figure D.1 – DMD template requirements . 26
Figure E.1 – Estimated minimum wide band EMB versus wavelength for A1-OM3 . 35
Figure E.2 – Estimated minimum wide band EMB versus wavelength for A1-OM4 . 36
Figure E.3 – Estimated minimum wide band EMB versus wavelength for A1-OM5 . 37
Figure E.4 – Approximate position of DMD weightings relative to the EF boundaries of
Equations (E.10) and (E.11) . 38

Table 1 – Cross reference IEC A1 multimode fibre designations to IEC 60793-2-
10:2017 . 8
Table 2 – Dimensional attributes and measurement methods . 11
Table 3 – Dimensional requirements common to category A1 fibres . 11
Table 4 – Additional dimensional attributes required in sub-category specifications . 11
Table 5 – Mechanical attributes and measurement methods . 12
Table 6 – Mechanical requirements common to category A1 fibres . 12
Table 7 – Transmission attributes and measurement methods . 13
Table 8 – Additional transmission attributes required in sub-category specifications . 13
Table 9 – Environmental exposure tests . 15

– 4 – IEC 60793-2-10:2019+AMD1:2022 CSV
© IEC 2022
Table 10 – Attributes measured for environmental tests . 15
Table 11 – Strip force for environmental tests . 15
Table 12 – Tensile strength for environmental tests . 16
Table 13 – Stress corrosion susceptibility for environmental tests . 16
Table 14 – Change in attenuation for environmental tests . 16
Table A.1 – Dimensional requirements specific to A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and A1-
OM5 fibres . 18
Table A.2 – Mechanical requirements specific to A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and A1-
OM5 fibres . 18
Table A.3 – Transmission requirements specific to A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and
A1-OM5 fibres . 19
Table B.1 – Dimensional requirements specific to A1-OM1 fibres . 21
Table B.2 – Mechanical requirements specific to A1-OM1 fibres . 21
Table B.3 – Transmission requirements specific to A1-OM1 fibres . 22
Table C.1 – Dimensional requirements specific to A1d fibres . 23
Table C.2 – Mechanical requirements specific to A1d fibres . 23
Table C.3 – Transmission requirements specific to A1d fibres. 24
Table D.1 – DMD templates for A1-OM3 fibres . 25
Table D.2 – DMD interval masks for A1-OM3 fibres . 27
Table D.3 – DMD weightings . 28
Table D.4 – DMD templates for A1-OM4 fibres . 30
Table D.5 – DMD interval masks for A1-OM4 fibres . 30
Table D.6 – DMD weighting for OMB . 32
c
Table F.1 – Bandwidth nomenclature explanation . 40
Table H.1 – Some standardised applications supported by A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4,
A1-OM5 fibres and in some cases A1-OM1 fibres . 43
Table I.1 – Summary of 1 Gb/s, 10 Gb/s, 25 Gb/s, 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s Ethernet
requirements and capabilities . 45

© IEC 2022
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL FIBRES –
Part 2-10: Product specifications –
Sectional specification for category A1 multimode fibres

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
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6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
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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.
This consolidated version of the official IEC Standard and its amendment has been
prepared for user convenience.
IEC 60793-2-10 edition 7.1 contains the seventh edition (2019-05) [documents
86A/1932/FDIS and 86A/1939/RVD] and its amendment 1 (2022-01) [documents
86A/2121/CDV and 86A/2140/RVC].
In this Redline version, a vertical line in the margin shows where the technical content is
modified by amendment 1. Additions are in green text, deletions are in strikethrough red
text. A separate Final version with all changes accepted is available in this publication.

– 6 – IEC 60793-2-10:2019+AMD1:2022 CSV
© IEC 2022
International Standard IEC 60793-2-10 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and
cables, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
This seventh edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant change with respect to the previous edition:
revision of the naming convention for A1 multimode fibres, which better matches with those
found in ISO/IEC standards. These changes are outlined in the scope of this document along
with a cross reference table for the new names.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in 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 the base publication and its amendment will
remain unchanged until the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under 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.

© IEC 2022
OPTICAL FIBRES –
Part 2-10: Product specifications –
Sectional specification for category A1 multimode fibres

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60793 is applicable to optical fibre sub-categories A1-OM1, A1-OM2,
A1-OM3, A1-OM4, A1-OM5, and A1d. These fibres are used or can be incorporated in
information transmission equipment and optical fibre cables.
Sub-categories A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and A1-OM5 apply to 50/125 µm graded index fibre
in four bandwidth grades. Each of these bandwidth grades is defined for two levels of
macrobend loss performance that are distinguished by "a" or "b" suffix. Those sub-categories
with suffix "a" are specified to meet traditional macrobend loss performance levels. Those sub-
categories with suffix "b" are specified to meet enhanced macrobend loss (i.e. lower loss)
performance levels.
Sub-category A1-OM5 is specified to support single wavelength or multi-wavelength
transmission systems in the vicinity of 850 nm to 950 nm. Although not normatively specified,
bandwidth information covering this wavelength range is also included for A1-OM3 and
A1-OM4.
Sub-category A1-OM1 applies to 62,5/125 µm graded index fibre and sub-category A1d applies
to 100/140 µm graded index fibre.
Other applications include, but are not restricted to, the following: short reach, high bit-rate
systems in telephony, distribution and local networks carrying data, voice and/or video services;
on-premises intra-building and inter-building fibre installations including data centres, local area
networks (LANs), storage area networks (SANs), private branch exchanges (PBXs), video,
various multiplexing uses, outside telephone cable plant use, and miscellaneous related uses.
Three types of requirements apply to these fibres:
• general requirements, as defined in IEC 60793-2;
• specific requirements common to the category A1 multimode fibres covered in this document
and which are given in Clause 5;
• particular requirements applicable to individual fibre sub-categories and models, or specific
applications, which are defined in the normative specification Annexes A to D.
Table 1 shows the cross reference between the IEC A1 multimode optical fibre designations
used in this document compared to those used in IEC 60793-2-10:2017. The table also refers
to the normative annexes A, B and C for the A1 sub-category multimode fibres in this document
that contains the detailed specification.

– 8 – IEC 60793-2-10:2019+AMD1:2022 CSV
© IEC 2022
Table 1 – Cross reference IEC A1 multimode fibre designations to
IEC 60793-2-10:2017
Annex Sub-category Sub-category/Model Core ISO/IEC
diameter 11801-1:2017
(nominal)
This document IEC 60793-2-10:2017 Usage of cabled
designations designations OMx fibres
A
a b
A1-OM2 A1a.1 50 µm OM2
A1-OM3 A1a.2 50 µm OM3
A1-OM4 A1a.3 50 µm OM4
A1-OM5 A1a.4 50 µm OM5
c d
B A1-OM1 A1b 62,5 µm OM1
C A1d A1d 100 µm -
a
Historically, ISO/IEC 11801:2002 also defined OM2 cables made with 62,5/125 μm fibres having a
minimum overfilled launch bandwidth of 500 MHz·km at 850 nm and 500 MHz·km at 1 300 nm. This
specific bandwidth combination of 62,5/125 μm fibre is not part of this document.
b
OM2 cables are not supported for new installations within ISO/IEC 11801-1:2017.
c
Historically, ISO/IEC 11801:2002 also defined OM1 cables made with 50/125 μm fibres having a
minimum overfilled launch bandwidth of 200 MHz⋅km at 850 nm and 500 MHz⋅km at 1 300 nm. This
specific bandwidth combination of 50/125 μm fibre is not part of this document.
d
OM1 cables are not supported for new installations within ISO/IEC 11801-1:2017.

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 60793-1-20, Optical fibres – Part 1-20: Measurement methods and test procedures – Fibre
geometry
IEC 60793-1-21, Optical fibres – Part 1-21: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Coating geometry
IEC 60793-1-22, Optical fibres – Part 1-22: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Length measurement
IEC 60793-1-30, Optical fibres – Part 1-30: Measurement methods and test procedures – Fibre
proof test
IEC 60793-1-31, Optical fibres – Part 1-31: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Tensile strength
IEC 60793-1-32, Optical fibres – Part 1-32: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Coating strippability
© IEC 2022
IEC 60793-1-33, Optical fibres – Part 1-33: Measurement methods and test procedures – Stress
corrosion susceptibility
IEC 60793-1-40, Optical fibres – Part 1-40: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Attenuation
IEC 60793-1-41, Optical fibres – Part 1-41: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Bandwidth
IEC 60793-1-42, Optical fibres – Part 1-42: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Chromatic dispersion
IEC 60793-1-43, Optical fibres – Part 1-43: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Numerical aperture measurement
IEC 60793-1-46, Optical fibres – Part 1-46: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Monitoring of changes in optical transmittance
IEC 60793-1-47, Optical fibres – Part 1-47: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Macrobending loss
IEC 60793-1-49, Optical fibres – Part 1-49: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Differential mode delay
IEC 60793-1-50, Optical fibres – Part 1-50: Measurement methods and test procedures – Damp
heat (steady state) tests
IEC 60793-1-51, Optical fibres – Part 1-51: Measurement methods and test procedures –Dry
heat (steady state) tests
IEC 60793-1-52, Optical fibres – Part 1-52: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Change of temperature tests
IEC 60793-1-53, Optical fibres – Part 1-53: Measurement methods and test procedures – Water
immersion tests
IEC 60793-2, Optical fibres – Part 2: Product specifications – General
IEC 61280-4-1:2009, Fibre-optic communication subsystem test procedures – Part 4-1:
Installed cable plant – Multimode attenuation measurement
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

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© IEC 2022
4 Abbreviated terms
CPR coupled power ratio
DMD differential mode delay
EF encircled flux
EMB effective modal bandwidth
EMB calculated effective modal bandwidth
c
LAN local area network
MMF multimode fibre
NA numerical aperture
OFL overfilled launch
OMB overfilled launch modal bandwidth calculated from differential mode delay (also
c
known as OFL )
c
PBX private branch exchange
PMD physical medium dependent
ROFL radial overfilled launch
SAN storage area network
5 Specifications
5.1 General
The fibre consists of a glass core with a graded index profile and a glass cladding in accordance
with IEC 60793-2.
The term "glass" usually refers to material consisting of non-metallic oxides.
5.2 Dimensional requirements
Dimensional attributes and measurement methods are given in Table 2.
Requirements common to all fibres in category A1 are indicated in Table 3.
Table 4 lists additional attributes that shall be specified by each sub-category specification.

© IEC 2022
Table 2 – Dimensional attributes and measurement methods
Attributes Measurement methods
Cladding diameter IEC 60793-1-20
a, b
IEC 60793-1-20
Core diameter
Cladding non-circularity IEC 60793-1-20
Core non-circularity IEC 60793-1-20
Core-cladding concentricity error IEC 60793-1-20
Primary coating diameter IEC 60793-1-21
Primary coating non-circularity IEC 60793-1-21
Primary coating-cladding concentricity error IEC 60793-1-21
Fibre length IEC 60793-1-22
a
Core diameter is specified at 850 nm ± 10 nm with a test specimen length of 2,0 m ± 0,2 m and a threshold
value, k , of 0,025 for A1 fibres except A1-OM2b, A1-OM3b, A1-OM4b, A1-OM5b fibres.
CORE
b
Core diameter is specified at 850 nm ± 10 nm with a test specimen length of 100 m ± 5 % and a threshold
value, k , of 0,025 for A1-OM2b, A1-OM3b, A1-OM4b, A1-OM5b fibres.
CORE
Table 3 – Dimensional requirements common to category A1 fibres
Attributes Unit Limits
Core non-circularity % ≤ 6
Primary coating diameter –
µm 245 ± 10
a
uncoloured
Primary coating diameter –
µm 250 ± 15
a
coloured
Primary coating-cladding
µm ≤ 12,5
concentricity error
b
Fibre length km
a
The limits on primary coating diameter are most commonly used in telecommunications cables. There are other
applications, which use other primary coating diameters, several of which are listed below.
Alternative nominal primary coating diameters and tolerance (µm):
400 ± 40
500 ± 50
700 ± 100
900 ± 100
b
Length requirements vary and should be agreed between supplier and customer.

Table 4 – Additional dimensional attributes required in sub-category specifications
Attributes
Cladding diameter
Cladding non-circularity
Core diameter
Core-cladding concentricity error

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5.3 Mechanical requirements
Mechanical attributes and measurement methods are given in Table 5.
Requirements common to all fibres in category A1 are in Table 6.
Table 5 – Mechanical attributes and measurement methods
Attributes Test methods
Proof test IEC 60793-1-30
Tensile strength IEC 60793-1-31
Primary coating strippability IEC 60793-1-32
Stress corrosion susceptibility IEC 60793-1-33

Table 6 – Mechanical requirements common to category A1 fibres
Attributes Unit Limits
a
Proof stress level GPa
≥ 0,69
b
N 1,0 ≤ F ≤ 5,0
Average strip force
avg
b
N 1,0 ≤ F ≤ 8,9
Peak strip force
peak
Tensile strength (median) for 0,5 m GPa ≥ 3,8
specimen length
Stress corrosion susceptibility - ≥ 18
constant, n
d
a
The proof test value of 0,69 GPa equals about 1 % strain or about 8,8 N force, for A1-OM1 to A1-OM5 fibres.
For the relation between these different units, see IEC TR 62048:2014, 8.4.
b
Either average strip force or peak strip force, which are defined in the test procedure, may be specified by
agreement between supplier and customer.

5.4 Transmission requirements
Transmission attributes and measurement methods are given in Table 7.
Table 8 lists additional attributes that shall be specified by each sub-category specification.

© IEC 2022
Table 7 – Transmission attributes and measurement methods
Attributes Measurement methods
Attenuation coefficient IEC 60793-1-40
a,b
IEC 60793-1-41
Modal bandwidth
c,d
IEC 60793-1-43
Numerical aperture
Chromatic dispersion IEC 60793-1-42
Change of optical transmission IEC 60793-1-46
Macrobending loss IEC 60793-1-47
e
IEC 60793-1-49
Differential mode delay
a
For modal bandwidth, either overfilled launch (OFL) or overfilled launch modal bandwidth calculated from
differential mode delay (OMB ) can be used. OMB is the reference test method for A1-OM2, A1-OM3 and A1-
c c
OM4 fibres at 850 nm and is the required method for A1-OM5 fibres at 850 nm and 953 nm.
b
850 nm modal bandwidth is specified with a test specimen length of 1 000 m ± 5 % for A1-OM3 to A1-OM5
fibres. For A1-OM3 fibres, the 850 nm modal bandwidth is measured at 850 nm ± 10 nm. For A1-OM4 and A1-
OM5 fibres, the 850 nm modal bandwidth is measured at 850 nm ± 2 nm. For A1-OM5 fibre, the modal
bandwidth is also measured at 953 nm ± 6 nm.
c
Numerical aperture is specified at 850 nm ± 10 nm with a test specimen length of 2 m ± 0,2 m and a threshold
value, k , of 0,05 for A1 fibres except A1-OM2b, A1-OM3b, A1-OM4b, A1-OM5b fibres.
NA
d
Numerical aperture is specified at 850 nm ± 10 nm with a test specimen length of 100 m ± 5 % and a threshold
value, k of 0,05 for A1-OM2b, A1-OM3b, A1-OM4b and A1-OM5b fibres.
NA,
e
Differential mode delay is specified with a test specimen length of 1 000 m ± 5 % for A1-OM3, A1-OM4 and
A1-OM5 fibres. For A1-OM3 fibres, the DMD is measured at 850 nm ± 10 nm. For A1-OM4 and A1-OM5 fibres,
the DMD is measured at 850 nm ± 2 nm. For A1-OM5 fibre, the DMD is also measured at 953 nm ± 6 nm.

Specification compliance of chromatic dispersion can be assured by compliance to the
numerical aperture (NA) specification for A1 fibre.
Table 8 – Additional transmission attributes
required in sub-category specifications
Attributes
Attenuation coefficient
Modal bandwidth
Chromatic dispersion
Numerical aperture
Macrobending loss
For attenuation coefficient and modal bandwidth, the sub-category specifications may contain
ranges of specifiable values instead of fixed limits. In this case, the actual values of the
maximum attenuation coefficient and minimum modal bandwidth, at both 850 nm and 1 300 nm
(or just at one of these wavelengths) shall be agreed between supplier and customer. For
commercial purposes, the modal bandwidth is linearly normalized to 1 km.
For guidance purposes, Annex H shows a number of standardised applications supported by
A1 fibres and Annex I shows transmission capabilities for these fibres.
The indicated maximum attenuation coefficients apply to uncabled optical fibres; for the
maximum cabled attenuation coefficients, reference is made to IEC 60794-1-1, which can be
used in conjunction with this document. Tighter specifications for the fibre may be requested to
account for added attenuation in the cabling process.
Remarks on the specification of modal bandwidth:

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Care should be taken in writing dual wavelength bandwidth specifications. It is understood that
for category A1 fibres, the bandwidth at 850 nm may be related to the bandwidth at 1 300 nm
in a way shown in Figure 1, depending on the refractive index parameter, g (see IEC 60793-2).
See [1] , page 50, and [2], page 255, for similar figures. The shaded region under the curve of
Figure 1 can be defined as the dual window area. In this area, regions X, Y, and Z are examples
of where a fibre manufacturer may choose to optimise the process. That is, centre the
production bandwidth peak at 850 nm, 1 300 nm, or between these two wavelengths.
Due to this optimisation of the manufacturing process, there will be combinations of bandwidth
that are not possible (i.e., outside the shaded region).

Figure 1 – Relation between bandwidths at 850 nm and 1 300 nm
5.5 Environmental requirements
5.5.1 General
Environmental exposure tests and measurement methods are documented in two forms:
• relevant environmental attributes and test procedures are given in Table 9;
• measurements of a particular mechanical or transmission attribute that may change on the
application of the environment are listed in Table 10.
____________
Numbers in square brackets refer to the Bibliography.

© IEC 2022
Table 9 – Environmental exposure tests
Environmental exposure Test
Damp heat IEC 60793-1-50
Dry heat IEC 60793-1-51
Change of temperature IEC 60793-1-52
Water immersion IEC 60793-1-53

Table 10 – Attributes measured for environmental tests
Attribute Measurement method
Change in optical transmission IEC 60793-1-46
Attenuation IEC 60793-1-40
Strip force IEC 60793-1-32
Tensile strength IEC 60793-1-31
Stress corrosion susceptibility IEC 60793-1-33

These tests are normally conducted periodically as type-tests for a fibre and coating design.
Unless otherwise indicated, the recovery period allowed between the completion of the
environmental exposure and performing the attribute measurements shall be as stated in the
particular environmental test method.
5.5.2 Mechanical environmental requirements (common to all fibres in category A1)
5.5.2.1 General
These tests are, in practice, the most severe requirements amongst the environments defined
in Table 9.
Tables 11, 12, and 13 give the prescriptions for strip force, tensile strength and stress corrosion
susceptibility respectively.
5.5.2.2 Strip force
The following attributes shall be verified following removal of the fibre from the particular
environment.
Table 11 – Strip force for environmental tests
Environment Average strip force Peak strip force
N N
Damp heat
1,0 ≤ F ≤ 5,0 1,0 ≤ F ≤ 8,9
avg peak
Water immersion
1,0 ≤ F ≤ 5,0 1,0 ≤ F ≤ 8,9
avg peak
5.5.2.3 Tensile strength
The following attribute shall be verified following removal of the fibre from the environment.

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Table 12 – Tensile strength for environmental tests
Environment Median tensile strength 15th percentile tensile strength
specimen length: 0,5 m specimen length: 0,5 m
GPa GPa
Damp heat
≥ 3,03 ≥ 2,76
NOTE These requirements do not apply to hermetically coated fibre.

5.5.2.4 Stress corrosion susceptibility
The following attribute shall be verified following removal of the fibre from the environment.
Table 13 – Stress corrosion susceptibility for environmental tests
Environment Stress corrosion susceptibility constant, n
d
Damp heat ≥ 18
NOTE This requirement does not apply to hermetically coated fibre.

5.5.3 Transmission environmental requirements
Change in attenuation from the initial value shall be less than the values in Table 14. Attenuation
shall be measured periodically during the entire exposure to each environment and after
removal.
Table 14 – Change in attenuation for environmental tests
Environment Wavelength Attenuation increase
nm dB/km
Damp heat 850 ≤ 0,20
1 300 ≤ 0,20
Dry heat 850
≤ 0,20
1 300 ≤ 0,20
Change of temperature 850 ≤ 0,20
1 300
≤ 0,20
Water immersion 850 ≤ 0,20
1 300 ≤ 0,20
© IEC 2022
Annex A
(normative)
Specifications for sub-categories A1-OM2, A1-OM3, A1-OM4
and A1-OM5 multimode fibres
A.1 General
Annex A contains particular requirements applicable to sub-categories A1-OM2, A1-OM3,
A1-OM4 and A1-OM5 fibres. Common requirements, repeated here for ease of reference from
the
...