BRITISH STANDARD BS EN

60793-1-46:
2002

Optical fibres —
Part 1-46: Measurement methods and
test procedures — Monitoring of
changes in optical transmittance

The European Standard EN 60793-1-46:2002 has the status of a

British Standard

ICS 33.180.10

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BS EN 60793-1-46:2002
This British Standard, having
been prepared under the
direction of the
Electrotechnical Sector Policy
and Strategy Committee, was
published under the authority
of the Standards Policy and
Strategy Committee on
23 May 2002
© BSI 23 May 2002
ISBN 0 580 39705 X
National foreword
This British Standard is the official English language version of
EN 60793-1-46:2002. It is identical with IEC 60793-1-46:2001. It partly
supersedes BS EN 188000:1994 which will be withdrawn upon publication of
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EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 60793-1-46
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM February 2002
ICS 33.180.10 Partly supersedes EN 188000:1992

English version

Optical fibres
Part 1-46: Measurement methods and test procedures -
Monitoring of changes in optical transmittance
(IEC 60793-1-46:2001)

Fibres optiques Lichtwellenleiter

Partie 1-46: Méthodes de mesure Teil 1-46: Messmethoden
et procédures d'essai - und Prüfverfahren -
Contrôle des variations du facteur Überwachung der optischen
de transmission optique Übertragungsänderungen
(CEI 60793-1-46:2001) (IEC 60793-1-46:2001)

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2001-07-03. 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 Central Secretariat 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 Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels

© 2002 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.

Ref. No. EN 60793-1-46:2002 E

Page 2
EN 60793−1−46:2002
EN 69703-1-642:200 --2

Foreword

The text of document 86A/675/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 60793-1-46, prepared by SC 86A, Fibres
and cables, of IEC TC 86, Fibre optics, was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and was
approved by CENELEC as EN 60793-1-46 on 2001-07-03.

This European Standard supersedes subclause 4.27 (test method 316) and subclause 4.28 (test
method 317) of EN 188000:1992.

The following dates were fixed:

– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented

at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2002-09-01

– latest date by which the national standards conflicting

with the EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2004-07-01

Annexes designated "normative" are part of the body of the standard.

In this standard, annexes A, B and ZA are normative.
Annex ZA has been added by CENELEC.

Compared to IEC 60793-1:1989 and IEC 60793-2:1992, IEC/SC 86A has adopted a revised structure
of the new IEC 60793 series: The individual measurement methods and test procedures for optical
fibres are published as "Part 1-XX"; the product standards are published as "Part 2-XX".

The general relationship between the new series of EN 60793 and the superseded European
Standards of the EN 188000 series is as follows:
EN Title supersedes
EN 60793-1-XX Optical fibres -- Part 1-XX: Measurement methods Individual subclauses of
and test procedures EN 188000:1992
EN 60793-2-XX Optical fibres -- Part 2-XX: Product specifications EN 188100:1995
EN 188101:1995
EN 188102:1995
EN 188200:1995
EN 188201:1995
EN 188202:1995

EN 60793-1-4X consists of the following parts, under the general title: Optical fibres:
- Part 1-40: Measurement methods and test procedures – Attenuation
- Part 1-41: Measurement methods and test procedures – Bandwidth
- Part 1-42: Measurement methods and test procedures – Chromatic dispersion
- Part 1-43: Measurement methods and test procedures – Numerical aperture
- Part 1-44: Measurement methods and test procedures – Cut-off wavelength
- Part 1-45: Measurement methods and test procedures – Mode field diameter
- Part 1-46: Measurement methods and test procedures – Monitoring of changes in optical
transmittance
- Part 1-47: Measurement methods and test procedures – Macrobending loss
- Part 1-48: Measurement methods and test procedures – Under consideration
- Part 1-49: Measurement methods and test procedures – Under consideration
__________

Endorsement notice

The text of the International Standard IEC 60793-1-46:2001 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
__________

© BSI 23 May 2002

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EN 60793−1−46:2002
60793-1-46 © IEC:2001 –3–

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................4

1 Scope ...............................................................................................................................5
2 Normative references........................................................................................................5
3 Reference test method......................................................................................................5
4 Apparatus .........................................................................................................................5
5 Sampling and specimens ..................................................................................................6
5.1 Specimen length ......................................................................................................6
5.2 Specimen end face ..................................................................................................6
5.3 Specimen preparation ..............................................................................................6
5.4 Reference specimen ................................................................................................6
6 Procedure.........................................................................................................................6
7 Calculations ......................................................................................................................6
8 Results .............................................................................................................................6
8.1 Information to be provided with each measurement ..................................................6
8.2 Information available upon request ..........................................................................6
9 Specification information ...................................................................................................7

Annex A (normative) Requirements specific to method A – Change in transmittance by

transmitted power ...................................................................................................................8
Annex B (normative) Requirements specific to method B – Change in transmittance by
backscattering....................................................................................................................... 11
Annex ZA (normative) Normative references to international publications with their
corresponding European publications .................................................................................... 12

Figure A.1 – Measurement of change in optical transmittance using reference specimen .........9
Figure A.2 – Measurement of change in optical transmittance using stabilized source ..............9

© BSI 23 May 2002

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EN 60793−1−46:2002
60793-1-46 © IEC:2001 –4–

INTRODUCTION

Publications in the IEC 60793-1 series concern measurement methods and test procedures as
they apply to optical fibres.

Within the same series several different areas are grouped, as follows:

– parts 1-10 to 1-19: General

– parts 1-20 to 1-29: Measurement methods and test procedures for dimensions
– parts 1-30 to 1-39: Measurement methods and test procedures for mechanical
characteristics
– parts 1-40 to 1-49: Measurement methods and test procedures for transmission and optical
characteristics
– parts 1-50 to 1-59: Measurement methods and test procedures for environmental
characteristics.

© BSI 23 May 2002

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EN 60793−1−46:2002
60793-1-46 © IEC:2001 –5–

OPTICAL FIBRES –

Part 1-46: Measurement methods and test procedures –

Monitoring of changes in optical transmittance

1 Scope

This part of IEC 60793 establishes uniform requirements for the monitoring of changes in
optical transmittance, thereby assisting in the inspection of fibres and cables for commercial
purposes.

This standard gives two methods for monitoring the changes in optical transmittance of optical
fibres and cables that occur during mechanical or environmental testing, or both. It provides a
monitor in the change of optical transmission characteristics arising from optical discontinuity,
physical defects and modifications of the attenuation slope:

– method A: change in transmittance by transmitted power;

– method B: change in transmittance by backscattering.

Methods A and B apply to the monitoring of all categories of the following fibres:

– class A: multimode fibres;

– class B: single-mode fibres.

Information common to both measurements is contained in clauses 1 to 8, and information

pertaining to each individual method appears in annexes A, and B respectively.

2 Normative references

The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text,
constitute provisions of this International Standard. For dated references, subsequent
amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply. However, parties to
agreements based on this International Standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility
of applying the most recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. For undated
references, the latest edition of the normative document referred to applies. Members of IEC
and ISO maintain registers of currently valid International Standards.

IEC 60793-1-40, Optical fibres – Part 1-40: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Attenuation

3 Reference test method

Under consideration.

4 Apparatus

Annexes A and B include layout drawings and other equipment requirements that individually
apply for each of the methods, respectively.

© BSI 23 May 2002

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EN 60793−1−46:2002
60793-1-46 © IEC:2001 –6–

5 Sampling and specimens

5.1 Specimen length

The minimum length of the specimen shall be such that the changes in attenuation are
compatible with the resolution of the measurement apparatus, and the non-linearities at the
beginning and end of it shall not affect the results.

5.2 Specimen end face

Prepare a flat end face, orthogonal to the fibre axis, at the input and output ends of each
specimen.

5.3 Specimen preparation

Prepare the specimen as described in the appropriate mechanical, environmental, or other test
method specified.

5.4 Reference specimen

In methods where a reference specimen is used, it shall comprise an identical kind of optical
fibre or cable to the specimen and shall be linked between the optical divider and detector, as
shown in figure A.1. It may be a short length of fibre. The condition of the reference specimen
shall be constant during the whole test.

6 Procedure

For individual procedures, see annexes A and B for methods A and B, respectively.

7 Calculations

For calculation procedures, see the appropriate annex: A and B, respectively.

8 Results

8.1 Information to be provided with each measurement

Report the following information with each measurement:

– date and title of measurement;

– identification of specimen;
– optical source wavelength, l;
– specimen length;
– conditions of the environment and measurement equipment;
– changes in optical transmittance, D h ; h = 1,2,3, ... preferably plotted in a graph versus test
parameters.

8.2 Information available upon request

The following information shall be available upon request:

– measurement method used: A or B;

– type of optical source used and its spectral width (FWHM);

© BSI 23 May 2002

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EN 60793−1−46:2002
60793-1-46 © IEC:2001 –7–

– launching technique used;

– description of all key equipment;
– details of computation technique;
– date of latest calibration of measurement equipment.

9 Specification information

The detail specification shall specify the following information:

– type of fibre to be measured;

– failure or acceptance criteria;
– information to be reported;
– any deviations from the procedure that apply.

© BSI 23 May 2002

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EN 60793−1−46:2002
60793-1-46 © IEC:2001 –8–

Annex A
(normative)

Requirements specific to method A –

Change in transmittance by transmitted power

A.1 Apparatus
A.1.1 General

The arrangement shall provide a monitoring for optical transmittance with high resolution and
good stability over the time and temperature changes given in the relevant product
specification.

Figure A.1 is an example of a typical arrangement suitable for use when carrying out
mechanical or environmental tests in a laboratory or factory. By comparison with a reference
sample, it provides a measurement of the change in optical transmittance, corrected for any
changes that might occur in the optical source. Connections shall have stable coupling
conditions.

Figure A.2 is an example of a typical arrangement suitable for use in the field, laboratory or
factory where long-term tests are required, in cases where it is possible to stabilize the optical
source by optical feedback. If the stability of the optical source is compatible with the accuracy
needed for the measurement, then the insertion loss measurement method (method B of
IEC 60793-1-40) may be used.

A.1.2 Optical source

Use an suitable source such as a laser or light-emitting diode, emitting at wavelengths

compatible with the optical fibres under test. It is customary to modulate the optical source and
wavelength selective optical filters may be used.

A.1.3 Optical divider

The optical divider shall have a splitting ratio that remains constant during the test. The
splitting ratio and temperature stability shall be as shown in the relevant detail specification.
Commercially available or custom built devices may be used.

A.1.4 Optical detector

The optical detector shall be of sufficient area to intercept all of the radiated power in the
output cone and shall be sufficiently linear over the optical powers encountered.

© BSI 23 May 2002

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EN 60793−1−46:2002
60793-1-46 © IEC:2001 –9–

IEC 704/01

Figure A.1 – Measurement of change in optical transmittance using reference specimen

IEC 705/01

Figure A.2 – Measurement of change in optical transmittance using stabilized source

The optical detector shall have a sufficiently uniform response over the active area and range
of incidence angle at the measurement wavelength to ensure the movement of the output cone
in position or angle relative to the detector. This shall be within the limits determined by the
mechanical design of the measurement equipment and shall not significantly affect the results.

Where more than one detector is used, as in the arrangement shown in figure A.1, the
detectors shall be of the same manufacturer and model, and be of comparable linearity.

A.1.5 Launch apparatus

Provide apparatus to produce a full or restricted launch, depending on the parameter being
measured, with conditions as shown in IEC 60793-1-40, methods A and B, for both multimode
and single-mode fibre. Use cladding mode strippers at the source and detector ends of the
specimen, and of the reference specimen if used.

© BSI 23 May 2002

Page 10
EN 60793−1−46:2002
60793-1-46 © IEC:2001 – 10 –

A.2 Procedure
Before the test sequence, measure the initial optical power, P 0t, , from the test specimen and, in
the case of figure A.1, the initial optical output power, P 0r , from the reference specimen.

During the test sequence specified in the appropriate mechanical, environmental, or other test
being carried out, measure the subsequent optical output powers, P nt (n = 1, 2, 3, ...), from the
test specimen and, in the case of figure A.1, the subsequent powers, P nr , from the reference
specimen.

In the above measurements, quantities proportional to the absolute power, rather than the
absolute powers themselves, may be measured. In the case of figure A.1, the proportionality
factor may differ between the test and reference channels. The proportionality factor(s) shall
remain constant for the duration of the test sequence.

A.3 Calculations
Calculate the changes in optical transmittance during the test sequence (in decibels)

for figure 1:

P0r ´ Pnt
D n = 10 log10 (A.1)
P0t ´ Pnr

for figure 2:

Pnt
D n = 10 log10 (A.2)
P0t

where

Dn is the change in optical transmittance during the sequence, in dB;

P0 t is the initial optical output power from the test specimen, in mW;

P0 r is the initial optical output power from the reference specimen, in mW;

P nt is the subsequent optical output power from the test specimen, in mW;

P nr is the subsequent optical output power from the reference specimen, in mW.

© BSI 23 May 2002

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EN 60793−1−46:2002
60793-1-46 © IEC:2001 – 11 –

Annex B
(normative)

Requirements specific to method B –

Change in transmittance by backscattering

B.1 Apparatus
See IEC 60793-1-40, method C – Backscattering.

B.2 Procedure
B.2.1 Align the fibre under test to the coupling device.

B.2.2 Analyse the backscattering power by a signal processor, and record it on a logarithmic
scale.

B.2.3 Choose two points, A and B, on the curve corresponding to the beginning and the end
of the fibre or cable under test.

B.2.4 If necessary, make measurements from both sides.

B.2.5 Record the following values:

– initial power levels P A0 and P B0 at points A and B (dB);

– subsequent power levels P An and P Bn at points A and B (dB).

B.2.6 Record the aspects of the curves for comparison before, at intervals during, and after
the test sequence, as specified.

B.3 Calculations
For smooth backscattering curves, determine the change in attenuation at the different
intervals of the loss curve by the difference

D n = (P A0 - P B0 ) - (P An - P Bn ) (B.1)

In other cases, take care in the interpretation of the results.

For a more detailed interpretation of results of backscattering, see clause C.5 of IEC 60793-1-40.

___________

© BSI 23 May 2002

Page 12
EN 60793−1−46:2002
--3 EN 69703-1-642:200

Annex ZA
(normative)

Normative references to international publications

with their corresponding European publications

This European Standard incorporates, by dated or undated reference, provisions from other
publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the
publications are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any
of these publications apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or
revision. For undated references, the latest edition of the publication referred to applies (including
amendments).

NOTE When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant
EN/HD applies.

Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

1) 2)
IEC 60793-1-40 - Optical fibres EN 60793-1-40 -
Part 1-40: Measurement methods and
test procedures - Attenuation

1)
Undated reference.
2)
To be published.

© BSI 23 May 2002

BS EN
60793-1-46:
2002 BSI — British Standards Institution
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