Fiber Optics
Fiber optics standards are published by SAE, IEEE and others and cover a variety of topics relating to the testing and construction of fiber optics cables in a variety of different applications ranging from military and industrial use. IEC standards typically cover the performance and testing specifications that fiber optic cables need to pass, while IEEE standards cover topics related to specific types of cables.
IEC 61753-1 Ed. 2.1 b:2020
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Performance standard - Part 1: General and guidance
IEC 61753-1:2018+A1:2020 provides guidance for the drafting of performance standards for all passive fibre optic products. This document defines the tests and severities which form the performance categories or general operating service environments and identifies those tests which are considered to be product specific. Test and severity details are given in Annex A. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2007. It constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) definitions updated with new products: wall outlets, wall or pole mounted boxes, splices, ODF modules, street cabinets, hardened connectors and field mountable connectors;
b) categories U and O are replaced by categories OP and OP+. No mandatory sequence in category OP+. Category OP+ contains the tests from category OP with the addition of only 4 other tests;
c) addition of Category I (Industrial);
d) temperature ranges added (with the HD suffix to the categories C, OP, OP+ and I) in case passive optical components are placed in a housing together with active electronics (HD stands for “heat dissipation”);
e) the height of category A changed from 3 m to ground level (0 m);
f) the lower level height of category G environment changed from ground level (0 m) to –1 m below ground level. Upper level remains at 3 m above ground level;
g) addition of performance tests, test severities and performance criteria for new products: Wall outlet, wall or pole mounted boxes, mechanical splices, fusion splice protectors, ODF modules, street cabinets, field mountable connectors and hardened optical connectors;
h) test severity of "Mating durability" test for connectors in categories C, OP ,OP+ and I is reduced to 200 cycles for connectors with cylindrical ferrules and 50 cycles for connectors with rectangular ferrules;
i) test severity of "Change of temperature" test for connectors and passive optical components in category I is reduced from 20 cycles to 12 cycles (harmonized with connectors and components from other categories);
j) test severity of "Flexing of strain relief" test for connectors in categories C, OP and OP+ is reduced to 50 cycles;
k) test severities of "Assembly and disassembly of fibre optic mechanical splices, fibre management systems and closures" test for all enclosures is reduced to 5 cycles;
l) test severities of "Change of temperature" test for all protective housings in categories C, A, G and S is reduced from 20 cycles to 12 cycles (harmonized with connectors and components);
m) test severities of "Resistance to solvents and contaminating fluids" test for closures in categories G and S changed – kerosene is removed, diesel oil exposure reduced to 1 h immersion and 24 h drying at room temperature;
n) sealing performance criteria of sealed closures for categories G and A are reduced to 20 kPa overpressure.
o) the change in attenuation criterion for connectors has changed from peak-to-peak into a +/- deviation from the original value of the transmitted power at the start of the test (harmonized with the change in attenuation criterion for components, splices and protective housings).
Keywords: performance standards for all passive fibre optic products
The contents of the corrigendum of May 2019 have been included in this copy. This consolidated version consists of the second edition (2018) and its amendment 1 (2020). Therefore, no need to order amendment in addition to this publication.
IEC 61300-3-35 Ed. 3.0 b:2022
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 3-35: Examinations and measurements - Visual inspection of fibre optic connectors and fibre-stub transceivers
IEC 61300-3-35:2022 is concerned with the observation and classification of debris, scratches and defects. The inspection requirements are based on IEC TR 62627-05. Advice for cleaning of contamination from fibres/ferrule is found in IEC TR 62627-01 and a recommendation is given in Annex D. IEC TR 62572-4 provides the cleaning method for a stub for optical transceivers. Visual inspection is in addition to, and does not replace measurement of performance parameters such as attenuation and return loss, or end face parameters. The dimensions specified are chosen such that they can be easily estimated. Not only the zones A and B on the fibre are inspected for defects and scratches but the whole contact area (where the two fibres/ferrules meet when mated) needs to be inspected for contamination (this is up to 250 µm diameter for cylindrical ferrules and the whole ferrule surface for rectangular ferrules).The objectives of this document are the following:
- specify the minimum criteria for a microscope to be compliant to this document;
- specify the procedure and criteria for inspecting fibre-optic end faces for cleanliness to determine if the end faces are fit for use. All connector optical interfaces (IEC 61755 series and IEC 63267 series) are based on physical contact between fibre cores;
- provide quantitative criteria for the analysis of end face images.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2015. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- adding of a statement that visual inspection is not a substitute for optical qualification such as attenuation and return loss measurement;
- adding of some terms and definitions;
- adding requirements for SM 35 dB connectors;
- adding of a sentence in Clause 5 concerning the susceptibility of the methods to system variability and variability within systems from same supplier;
- removal of inspection requirements for zones C and D;
- insertion of a generic cleanliness specification for whole rectangular ferrule and 250 µm area around every fibre;
- adding a cleaning recommendation for rectangular and cylindrical ferrules;
- outer edge of inspection zone B has changed from 115 µm to 110 µm to meet manufacturing tolerances of fixture for microscopes;
- change that defects that are partly in core are only to be judged for the part they are in the core. The remainder of the defect is considered to be located in the cladding.
- adding a statement that a connector cannot be rejected by just failing visual inspection. Meeting the specified optical performance determines the use of this connector.
IEC 61755-3-31 Ed. 1.0 b:2015
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Connector optical interfaces - Part 3-31: Connector parameters of non-dispersion shifted single mode physically contacting fibres - Angled polyphenylene sulphide rectangular ferrules
IEC 61755-3-31:2015 defines certain dimensional limits of an angled PC rectangular polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) ferrule optical interface in order to meet specific requirements for fibre-to-fibre interconnection. Ferrules made from the material specified in this standard are suitable for use in categories C, U, E, and O as defined in IEC 61753-1. Ferrule interface dimensions and features are contained in the IEC 61754 series, which deals with fibre optic connector interfaces. Keywords: dimensional limits of an angled PC rectangular polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) ferrule optical interface, fibre-to-fibre interconnection
IEC 61754-22 Ed. 1.0 b:2005
Fibre optic connector interfaces - Part 22: Type F-SMA connector family
This part of IEC 61754 defines the standard interface dimensions for the type F-SMA family of connectors.
SAE ARP 5602-2010 (SAE ARP5602-2010)
A Guideline for Aerospace Platform Fiber Optic Training and Awareness Education
This document establishes training guidelines applicable to fiber optic safety training, technical training and fiber awareness for individuals involved in the manufacturing, installation, support, integration and testing of fiber optic systems. Applicable personnel include: Managers; Engineers; Technicians; Logisticians; Trainers/Instructors; Third Party Maintenance Agencies; Quality Assurance; Shipping; Receiving; Production; Purchasing Whilst it is vital for individuals involved in the preparation, assembly, installation, testing and day-to-day support and supervision of fiber optic installations to receive effective safety and technical training, all other personnel employed in, or entering a fiber optic environment also have considerable responsibilities to ensure the maintained integrity of the fiber optic installation achievable through awareness training. This document establishes guidelines applicable to fiber optic safety training, technical training and fiber awareness for individuals involved in the manufacturing, installation, and support of fiber optic systems. This document is not intended to impose specific training requirements on individual employers or organizations. Rather, it is intended to provide core competencies to enable implementation of effective fiber optic training programs. It is not perceived that this document will create or impose conflict with other organizations or existing training plans. Where there is difference between this document and the vehicle specification or contract, the specific vehicle specification or contract shall take precedence. Where the design is such that the methods herein cannot be implemented, users will submit relevant information or modifications to existing methods to the specified sponsor of this document for review. The training guidelines contained within this document are intended for, but not limited to, managers, technicians, logisticians, trainers, instructors, third party maintenance agencies, quality assurance and procurement. A 'Fiber Optic Awareness' certification should also be required for all personnel employed in a fiber optic environment but NOT directly employed on fiber optic installations. This certification should attest to the successful completion of the detailed requirements at a qualified training facility/at place of employment. This information should not be seen as a 'one-off' information briefing provided during induction training but more of an annual awareness program where personnel are reminded of their responsibilities with respect to working in the vicinity of fiber optic installations. In addition, individuals should also be made aware of any new fiber optic issues within the workplace.
IEEE 1591.2-2017
IEEE Standard for Testing and Performance of Hardware for All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS) Fiber Optic Cable
Hardware performance, test requirements, procedures, and acceptance criteria for an all dielectric self-supporting overhead cable with optical fi bers are covered in this standard. Functional requirements, such as electrical, mechanical, optical fi ber, environmental and test requirements related to design, installation, in-service, and maintenance, including routine tests, are covered.
IEEE 1591.3-2020
IEEE Standard for Qualifying Hardware for Helically-Applied Fiber Optic Cable System (WRAP Cable)
Revision Standard - Active. Performance and testing specifications for hardware used on helically-applied cable systems (WRAP) in order to standardize testing, simplify procurement specifications, and improve product quality is established in this standard.
NECA 301-2004
Standard for Installing and Testing Fiber Optic Cables
This standard describes fiber optic cabling installed indoors (premises installations) with the addition of outside plant (OSP) applications involved in campus installations where the fiber optic cabling extends between buildings.
