SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026
(Main)Optical fibre cables - Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, Method E25 (IEC 60794-1-125:2026)
- Abstract
IEC 60794-1-125:2026 specifies the ripcord functional test procedure used to measure the functionality of the cable ripcord.
This first edition cancels and replaces cancels and replaces Method E25 of the first edition of the IEC 60794-1-21:2015.
- Status
- Published
- Public Enquiry End Date
- 30-Apr-2025
- Publication Date
- 21-Jul-2026
- Technical Committee
- MOC - Mobile Communications
- Current Stage
- 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 07-Jul-2026
- Due Date
- 11-Sep-2026
- Completion Date
- 22-Jul-2026
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 is the CENELEC European Standard that adopts IEC 60794-1-125:2026 for optical fibre cables. It specifies the ripcord functional test, Method E25, used to check whether a cable ripcord can open the sheath without breaking after the cable has been cooled to the minimum temperature expected for installation. It is aimed at people who need a repeatable test method for cable design checks, production control, qualification, or conformity assessment.
What does SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 specify?
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 specifies one mechanical test method for optical fibre cables: the ripcord functional test, Method E25. The method measures the functionality of the cable ripcord and is part of the restructured IEC 60794 test-method series.
The document is organized into clauses 1 to 10 and Annex ZA.
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Annex ZA | Normative references to international publications and their corresponding European publications |
The main clauses cover the scope, normative references, terms and definitions, object, sample, apparatus, procedure, requirements, details to be specified, and details to be reported. In practice, that means the standard is written as a laboratory test procedure with clear setup, execution, and reporting steps.
What are the key requirements of SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026?
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 sets out a simple pass/fail functional test for the ripcord and gives the sample, equipment, conditioning, pulling action, and reporting items needed to run it consistently.
Sample and conditioning
Clause 5 requires a minimum test sample length of 1,5 m, and the sample must be long enough so the ripcord does not pull out during the pull. If the end preparation length is more than 100 mm, the sample length is increased accordingly. In practice, this prevents a short or poorly prepared specimen from giving a false pass.
Clause 6 requires a climatic chamber capable of holding the specified test temperature within ± 3°C, plus suitable cable preparation tools and a holding device or hand support. This matters because the test depends on temperature conditioning and controlled handling.
Test procedure
Clause 7 gives the sequence for each ripcord. One cable end is prepared by removing all or part of the sheath over 100 mm to expose the ripcords, the sheath is marked 1 m from that start point, and the sample is placed in the chamber at the specified temperature for at least 4 h. Immediately after removal, the ripcord is pulled until 1 m of sheath has been ripped and the cable core is revealed. For a test lab, this fixes the same pull length and conditioning time for every sample.
Acceptance and follow-up testing
Clause 8 states that the ripcord(s) shall rip through the sheath, including jacket material and armour if present, and shall not break during the pull. If a ripcord breaks or pulls out before the 1 m mark, two additional follow-up samples may be tested from the same cable length. To pass, both follow-up samples must also avoid breakage and premature pull-out. This gives a clear acceptance rule for borderline results.
Specification and reporting
Clause 9 says the test temperature(s) are taken from the relevant family or detail specification. Clause 10 lists the report items: test temperature(s), cable construction, sheath material, ripcord material, number of ripcords, number of samples tested, and test results. In practice, that makes the result traceable to the cable design that was tested.
What terms does SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 define?
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 uses terms and definitions from IEC 60794-1-1, and the following terms are central to the method.
- Ripcord - the cable element that is pulled to open the sheath.
- Cable sheath - the outer covering that the ripcord must slit, including jacket material and armour if present.
- Cable core - the inner part of the cable that becomes visible after the sheath is ripped open.
- Climatic chamber - the temperature-controlled chamber used to condition the sample before testing.
- Test sample - the prepared length of cable used for the functional test.
- Family or detail specification - the associated product specification that gives the test temperature(s) for the cable type.
Who uses SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026?
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 is used by optical fibre cable manufacturers, test laboratories, quality assurance teams, and specifiers who need to verify ripcord performance. It is relevant when checking cable design, routine production testing, or documenting conformance for a cable family or detail specification. Buyers and technical reviewers can also use it to identify the exact test method to require in procurement documents.
What changed in SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 from the previous edition?
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 is the first edition of this part and replaces Method E25 from IEC 60794-1-21:2015. The introduction also states that the optical cable test methods were restructured and renumbered, and that the methods previously contained in IEC 60794-1-21:2020 are now issued as individual documents in the IEC 60794-1-1xx series.
Which standards are used with SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026?
- IEC 60794-1-1 - provides the general specification and the terms and definitions that apply to this method.
- IEC 60794-1-2 - provides general guidance for the basic optical cable test procedures and cross-reference details for the restructured series.
- IEC 60794-1-21 - the earlier part that contained Method E25 and is referenced for legacy continuity.
What does the SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 document contain?
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 contains a compact laboratory method rather than a broad product specification. The body gives the object of the test, sample length, apparatus, step-by-step procedure, acceptance requirements, and the information to specify and report. Annex ZA provides the European reference mapping for the normative reference listed in the text. The bibliography points to IEC 60794-1-2 and IEC 60794-1-21 for guidance and historical context within the series.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 01-Sep-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Jun-2026
- Effective Date
- 07-Jul-2026
- Effective Date
- 07-Jul-2026
- Effective Date
- 07-Jul-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Optical fibre cables - Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, Method E25 (IEC 60794-1-125:2026)". This standard covers: IEC 60794-1-125:2026 specifies the ripcord functional test procedure used to measure the functionality of the cable ripcord. This first edition cancels and replaces cancels and replaces Method E25 of the first edition of the IEC 60794-1-21:2015.
IEC 60794-1-125:2026 specifies the ripcord functional test procedure used to measure the functionality of the cable ripcord. This first edition cancels and replaces cancels and replaces Method E25 of the first edition of the IEC 60794-1-21:2015.
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN 60794-1-21:2015/A1:2020, SIST EN 60794-1-21:2015, SIST EN IEC 60794-1-1:2023, SIST-TS CLC/TS 50621:2016, SIST EN IEC 62148-1:2018, SIST EN 3745-505:2018. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 60794-1-21:2015
SIST EN 60794-1-21:2015/A1:2020
Optični kabli - 1-125. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Funkcionalni preskus Ripcord,
metoda E25 (IEC 60794-1-125:2026)
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, Method E25 (IEC
60794-1-125:2026)
Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 1-125: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren
für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Mechanische Prüfverfahren - Funktionsprüfung der Reißleine,
Verfahren E25 (IEC 60794-1-125:2026)
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-125: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais mécaniques - Essai de
fonctionnement du fil de déchirement, méthode e25 (IEC 60794-1-125:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026
ICS:
33.180.10 (Optična) vlakna in kabli Fibres and cables
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 60794-1-125
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM July 2026
ICS 33.180.10 Supersedes EN 60794-1-21:2015 (partially); EN 60794-1-
21:2015/A1:2020 (partially)
English Version
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic
optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods -
Ripcord functional test, Method E25
(IEC 60794-1-125:2026)
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-125: Spécification Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 1-125: Fachgrundspezifikation -
générique - Procédures fondamentales d'essais des câbles Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel -
optiques - Méthodes d'essais mécaniques - Essai de Mechanische Prüfverfahren - Funktionsprüfung der
fonctionnement du fil de déchirement, Méthode E25 Reißleine, Verfahren E25
(IEC 60794-1-125:2026) (IEC 60794-1-125:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2026-06-12. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026 E
European foreword
The text of document 86A/2670/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 60794-1-125, prepared by SC 86A
"Fibres and cables" of IEC/TC 86 "Fibre optics" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and
approved by CENELEC as EN IEC 60794-1-125:2026.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2027-07-31
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2029-07-31
document have to be withdrawn
This document partially supersedes EN 60794-1-21:2015 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if
any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60794-1-125:2026 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standard indicated:
IEC 60794-1-2 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60794-1-2
IEC 60794-1-21 NOTE Approved as EN 60794-1-21
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
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.
NOTE 1 Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod),
the relevant EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2 Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available
here: www.cencenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60794-1-1 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-1: Generic EN IEC 60794-1-1 -
specification - General
IEC 60794-1-125 ®
Edition 1.0 2026-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical fibre cables -
Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, Method E25
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8327-1230-6
IEC 60794-1-125:2026-05(en)
IEC 60794-1-125:2026 © IEC 2026
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 2
INTRODUCTION . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Object . 5
5 Sample . 5
6 Apparatus . 5
7 Procedure . 6
8 Requirements . 6
9 Details to be specified . 6
10 Details to be reported . 6
Bibliography . 7
IEC 60794-1-125:2026 © IEC 2026
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Optical fibre cables -
Part 1-125: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods - Ripcord functional test, Method E25
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
...