The IEC has published a commented version of IEC 60793-1-44, focusing on optical fibres measurement methods, as well as test procedures for cut-off wavelength. This commented version highlights all the differences between the new version (2023) and the old version (2011) of the standard.

IEC 60793-1-44:2023 provides guidance on measuring the cut-off wavelength property of single-mode optical fibres. Standardizing this wavelength performance criteria for fibre types helps ensure the quality of single-mode fibre data transmission and the cables they are used in for commercial purposes. These methods work for different types of these fibres (called category B and C fibres). There are three ways to measure this property:

• Method A measures the cut-off wavelength using a 22-metre-long piece of fibre that's not in a cable.
• Method B does the same thing but with a 22-metre-long piece of fibre that's already in a cable.
• Method C measures the cut-off wavelength using a shorter, two-metre-long piece of fibre that's not in a cable.

No matter which method is chosen, a reference measurement is needed to compare against. There are two techniques to do this reference measurement:

• bend-reference technique involves bending the fibre to measure its cut-off wavelength.
• multimode-reference technique uses a specific type of multimode fibre called category A1 (OM1-OM5) to make the reference measurement.

It follows the publication of another fibre optic standard, IEC 60794-1-1:2023, also as a commented version. This standard applies to optical fibre cables for use with communication equipment and devices employing similar techniques and to cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors.

The updated standard specifies electrical properties for optical ground wire (OPGW) and optical phase conductor (OPPC) cables. IEC 60794-1-1 establishes uniform generic requirements for the geometrical, transmission, material, mechanical, ageing (environmental exposure), climatic and electrical properties of optical fibre cables and cable elements, where appropriate.

Both the IEC 60793 and IEC 60794 series of standards are developed by IEC Technical Committee 86, which prepares standards for fibre optic systems, modules, devices, and components primarily intended for use with communications equipment. Commented versions (CMVs) are redline versions in which IEC experts have added significant and extensive comments explaining the changes to the publication.

The fibre optics market relies on IEC International Standards to ensure that its systems, devices, and components are compatible and operate safely within agreed-upon parameters.

(Source: IEC)