Optical fibre cables - Part 1-207: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Environmental test methods - Nuclear radiation, Method F7 (IEC 60794-1-207:2025)

IEC 60794-1-207:2025 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for optical fibre cables for the environmental property: performance degradation when exposed to nuclear radiation. This document applies to optical fibre cables for use with telecommunication equipment and devices employing similar techniques, and to cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors. Method F7A evaluates performance degradation of optical fibre cable in environmental background radiation; Method F7B evaluates performance degradation of optical fibre cable in adverse nuclear environments.
NOTE Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc.
This first edition cancels and replaces the method F7 of the second edition of IEC 60794-1-22 published in 2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) detailed content of sample, apparatus, procedure, requirements and details of the method to be specified and reported are added.

Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 1-207: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Umweltprüfverfahren - Kernstrahlung, Verfahren F7 (IEC 60794-1-207:2025)

Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-207: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais d’environnement - Rayonnement nucléaire, méthode F7 (IEC 60794-1-207:2025)

IEC 60794-1-207: 2025 décrit les procédures d'essais à utiliser afin d'établir des exigences uniformes relatives aux câbles à fibres optiques pour la propriété environnementale: dégradation des performances lors de l'exposition au rayonnement nucléaire. Le présent document s'applique aux câbles à fibres optiques destinés à être utilisés dans les équipements de télécommunications et les dispositifs qui utilisent des techniques analogues, ainsi qu'aux câbles constitués de fibres optiques d'une part et de conducteurs électriques d'autre part. La méthode F7A évalue la dégradation des performances d'un câble à fibres optiques dans des conditions de rayonnement de l'environnement général; la méthode F7B évalue la dégradation des performances d'un câble à fibres optiques dans des environnements nucléaires hostiles.
NOTE Dans tout le document, l'expression "câble optique" peut également inclure des assemblages de fibres optiques, des assemblages de fibres pour microconduits, etc.
Cette première édition annule et remplace la méthode F7 de la deuxième édition de l'IEC 60794-1-22 parue en 2017. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) ajout d'un contenu détaillé de l'échantillon, de l'appareillage, du mode opératoire, des exigences et des détails de la méthode à spécifier et à consigner.

Optični kabli - 1-207. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za optične kable - Okoljske preskusne metode - Jedrsko sevanje, metoda F7 (IEC 60794-1-207:2025)

General Information

Status
Published
Public Enquiry End Date
25-Jan-2024
Publication Date
13-Jan-2026
Technical Committee
MOC - Mobile Communications
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
24-Dec-2025
Due Date
28-Feb-2026
Completion Date
14-Jan-2026

Relations

Effective Date
01-Feb-2026

Overview

EN IEC 60794-1-207:2025 defines Method F7 - the nuclear radiation environmental test method - for optical fibre cables. The document establishes uniform test procedures to evaluate radiation-induced attenuation and material degradation in optical fibre cables used with telecommunication equipment and related devices. This first edition replaces method F7 of IEC 60794-1-22 (2017) and adds detailed requirements for sample selection, apparatus, procedure, requirements and reporting.

Key Topics

  • Test scope: Applies to optical fibre cables and assemblies (including optical fibre units and microduct units), and to cables combining optical fibres with electrical conductors.
  • Method variants:
    • F7A - evaluates performance in environmental background radiation (relatively low total dose and dose rate).
    • F7B - evaluates performance in adverse nuclear environments (higher total dose and dose rate).
  • Sample selection: Test sample length shall be chosen so the induced attenuation at the end of irradiation lies between 3 dB and 10 dB. The irradiated length and spool arrangement must be reported.
  • Apparatus and controls:
    • Radiation source: Cobalt (Co) or equivalent ionizing sources are used unless otherwise specified. The time to turn the source on/off shall be < 10% of total exposure time.
    • Radiation dosimeter: Thermoluminescent detectors (LiF or CaF TLDs) or ion chamber detectors are used to measure the total dose received by the specimen fibre.
    • Temperature control: Containers must maintain specified temperatures to within ± 2 °C.
    • Optical attenuation measurement: Measurement equipment and launch conditions follow IEC 60793-1-54 (and related measurement methods).
  • Mechanical handling: Test samples shall be spooled on reels with drum radius no less than the larger of 10 cm or the cable minimum bending radius, and reels should not act as radiation shields. Non-conducting reel materials are recommended and any dose build-up due to reel materials must be accounted for.
  • Safety and competence: Tests require strict radiation safety measures and trained personnel; laboratories must apply relevant protective regulations.

Applications

  • Qualification and acceptance testing for optical fibre cables intended for use in environments where nuclear radiation exposure is possible - examples include:
    • Military installations and systems
    • Certain zones within nuclear power stations and research laboratories
    • Critical infrastructure where resilience to radiological events is specified

Benefits of applying EN IEC 60794-1-207:2025 include consistent, repeatable evaluation of radiation-induced attenuation, objective material performance data under radiation exposure, and better-informed selection of fibres, polymers and cable constructions (including metallic sheaths or screens) for radiation-prone environments.

Related Standards

  • IEC 60793-1-54 - Optical fibres: measurement methods and test procedures for gamma irradiation and attenuation monitoring.
  • IEC 60794-1-2 - Generic guidance for basic optical cable test procedures.
  • IEC 60794-1-201 / F1 - Temperature cycling test guidance.
  • IEC 60794-1-209 / F9 - Ageing test guidance.

Note: When specifying or reporting Method F7 tests, include details of sample preparation, apparatus, calibration, irradiation protocol, measurement methods and all required results as defined in the standard.

Standard

SIST EN IEC 60794-1-207:2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

SIST EN IEC 60794-1-207:2026 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Optical fibre cables - Part 1-207: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Environmental test methods - Nuclear radiation, Method F7 (IEC 60794-1-207:2025)". This standard covers: IEC 60794-1-207:2025 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for optical fibre cables for the environmental property: performance degradation when exposed to nuclear radiation. This document applies to optical fibre cables for use with telecommunication equipment and devices employing similar techniques, and to cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors. Method F7A evaluates performance degradation of optical fibre cable in environmental background radiation; Method F7B evaluates performance degradation of optical fibre cable in adverse nuclear environments. NOTE Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc. This first edition cancels and replaces the method F7 of the second edition of IEC 60794-1-22 published in 2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) detailed content of sample, apparatus, procedure, requirements and details of the method to be specified and reported are added.

IEC 60794-1-207:2025 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for optical fibre cables for the environmental property: performance degradation when exposed to nuclear radiation. This document applies to optical fibre cables for use with telecommunication equipment and devices employing similar techniques, and to cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors. Method F7A evaluates performance degradation of optical fibre cable in environmental background radiation; Method F7B evaluates performance degradation of optical fibre cable in adverse nuclear environments. NOTE Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc. This first edition cancels and replaces the method F7 of the second edition of IEC 60794-1-22 published in 2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) detailed content of sample, apparatus, procedure, requirements and details of the method to be specified and reported are added.

SIST EN IEC 60794-1-207:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 19.040 - Environmental testing; 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

SIST EN IEC 60794-1-207:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

SIST EN IEC 60794-1-207:2026 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-februar-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018
Optični kabli - 1-207. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Okoljske preskusne metode - Jedrsko sevanje, metoda F7 (IEC
60794-1-207:2025)
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-207: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Environmental test methods - Nuclear radiation, Method F7 (IEC 60794-1-
207:2025)
Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 1-207: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren
für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Umweltprüfverfahren - Kernstrahlung, Verfahren F7 (IEC
60794-1-207:2025)
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-207: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais d’environnement -
Rayonnement nucléaire, méthode F7 (IEC 60794-1-207:2025)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60794-1-207:2025
ICS:
19.040 Preskušanje v zvezi z Environmental testing
okoljem
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 60794-1-207

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM December 2025
ICS 33.180.10 Supersedes EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018 (partially)
English Version
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-207: Generic specification - Basic
optical cable test procedures - Environmental test methods -
Nuclear radiation, Method F7
(IEC 60794-1-207:2025)
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-207: Spécification Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 1-207: Fachgrundspezifikation -
générique - Procédures fondamentales d'essais des câbles Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel -
optiques - Méthodes d'essais d'environnement - Umweltprüfverfahren - Kernstrahlung, Verfahren F7
Rayonnement nucléaire, Méthode F7 (IEC 60794-1-207:2025)
(IEC 60794-1-207:2025)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2025-12-04. 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
© 2025 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 60794-1-207:2025 E

European foreword
The text of document 86A/2384/CDV, future edition 1 of IEC 60794-1-207, 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 60794-1-207:2025.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2026-12-31
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2028-12-31
document have to be withdrawn
This document partially supersedes EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018 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 60794-1-207:2025 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
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 60544-1 - Electrical insulating materials - EN 60544-1 -
Determination of the effects of ionizing
radiation - Part 1: Radiation interaction and
dosimetry
IEC 60793-1-46 - Optical fibres - Part 1-46: Measurement EN IEC 60793-1-46 -
methods and test procedures - Monitoring
of changes in attenuation
IEC 60793-1-54 - Optical fibres - Part 1-54: Measurement EN IEC 60793-1-54 -
methods and test procedures - Gamma
irradiation
IEC 60794-1-2 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-2: Generic EN IEC 60794-1-2 -
specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - General guidance
IEC 60794-1-201 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-201: Generic EN IEC 60794-1- -
specification - Basic optical cable test 201
procedures - Environmental test methods -
Temperature cycling, method F1
IEC 60794-1-209 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-209: Generic EN IEC 60794-1- -
specification - Basic optical cable test 209
procedures - Environmental test methods -
Ageing, method F9
IEC 60794-1-207 ®
Edition 1.0 2025-10
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical fibre cables -
Part 1-207: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Environmental test methods - Nuclear radiation, Method F7
ICS 33.180.10  ISBN 978-2-8327-0785-2

IEC 60794-1-207:2025-10(en)
IEC 60794-1-207:2025 © IEC 2025
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 2
INTRODUCTION . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 General requirements. 6
5 Method F7: Nuclear radiation . 6
5.1 Object . 6
5.2 Sample . 6
5.3 Apparatus . 7
5.3.1 General. 7
5.3.2 Radiation source . 7
5.3.3 Radiation dosimeter . 7
5.3.4 Temperature-controlled container . 7
5.3.5 Attenuation measurement apparatus . 7
5.4 Procedure . 7
5.4.1 General. 7
5.4.2 Calibration of radiation source . 7
5.4.3 Preparation and pre-conditioning . 8
5.4.4 Attenuation measurement prior to irradiation . 8
5.4.5 Radiation exposure . 8
5.5 Requirements . 9
5.6 Details to be specified . 9
5.7 Details to be reported . 9

IEC 60794-1-207:2025 © IEC 2025
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Optical fibre cables -
Part 1-207: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Environmental test methods - Nuclear radiation, Method F7

FOREWORD
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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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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) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had not received notice of (a) patent(s), which
may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent
the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 60794-1-207 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC technical
committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
This first edition cancels and replaces the method F7 of the second edition of IEC 60794-1-22
published in 2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) detailed content of sample, apparatus, procedure, requirements and details of the method
to be specified and reported are added.
IEC 60794-1-207:2025 © IEC 2025
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86A/2384/CDV 86A/2512A/RVC
Full information on the voting for its approva
...

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