BS EN 60794-3-12:2013

BSI Standards Publication

Optical fibre cables

Part 3-12: Outdoor cables — Detailed
specification for duct and directly buried
optical telecommunication cables for use
in premises cabling
BS EN 60794-3-12:2013 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 60794-3-12:2013. It is
identical to IEC 60794-3-12:2012. It supersedes BS EN 60794-3-12:2006
which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted by Technical
Committee GEL/86, Fibre optics, to Subcommittee GEL/86/1, Optical fibres
and cables.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of
a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
© The British Standards Institution 2013
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2013
ISBN 978 0 580 60668 7
ICS 33.180.10

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from

legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the

Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 July 2013.

Amendments issued since publication

Amd. No. Date Text affected

 BS EN 60794-3-12:2013

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 60794-3-12

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM June 2013

ICS 33.180.10 Supersedes EN 60794-3-12:2006

English version

Optical fibre cables -

Part 3-12: Outdoor cables -
Detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical
telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling
(IEC 60794-3-12:2012)

Câbles à fibres optiques - Lichtwellenleiterkabel -

Partie 3-12: Câbles extérieurs - Teil 3-12: LWL-Außenkabel -
Spécification particulière pour les câbles Produktspezifikation für LWL-Fernmelde-
optiques de télécommunication destinés à Erd- und Röhrenkabel für
être installés dans des conduites ou à être anwendungsneutrale Standortverkabelung
directement enterrés et utilisés dans le (IEC 60794-3-12:2012)
câblage de locaux
(CEI 60794-3-12:2012)

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2013-01-16. 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, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

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

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels

© 2013 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.

Ref. No. EN 60794-3-12:2013 E

BS EN 60794-3-12:2013
EN 60794-3-12:2013 -2-

Foreword
The text of document 86A/1471/FDIS, future edition 2 of IEC 60794-3-12, 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 60794-3-12:2013.

The following dates are fixed:

• latest date by which the document has (dop) 2013-12-28

to be implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national (dow) 2016-01-16
standards conflicting with the
document have to be withdrawn

This document supersedes EN 60794-3-12:2006.

EN 60794-3-12:2013 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 60794-3-
12:2006:

– reference to ISO/IEC 24702;

– reference to Fibre B6 (EN 60793-2-50);

– reference to Fibre A1a.3 (EN 60793-2-10);

– reference to the OS2 Fibre as defined by ISO/IEC 11801

– reference to the OM4 Fibre as defined by ISO/IEC 11801.

This International Standard is to be used in conjunction with EN 60794-1-1, EN 60794-1-2 and EN 60794-
3-10.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC [and/or CEN] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.

Endorsement notice

The text of the International Standard IEC 60794-3-12:2012 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
 BS EN 60794-3-12:2013
-3- EN 60794-3-12:2013

Annex ZA
(normative)

Normative references to international publications

with their corresponding European publications
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

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

IEC 60793-2-10 2011 Optical fibres - EN 60793-2-10 2011
Part 2-10: Product specifications - Sectional
specification for category A1 multimode fibres
IEC 60793-2-50 2012 Optical fibres - EN 60793-2-50 2013
Part 2-50: Product specifications - Sectional
specification for class B single-mode fibres
IEC 60794-1-1 - Optical fibre cables - EN 60794-1-1 -
Part 1-1: Generic specification - General
IEC 60794-1-2 - Optical fibre cables - EN 60794-1-2 -
Part 1-2: Generic specification - Basic optical
cable test procedures
IEC 60794-3 - Optical fibre cables - EN 60794-3 -
Part 3: Sectional specification - Outdoor
cables
IEC 60794-3-10 - Optical fibre cables - EN 60794-3-10 -
Part 3-10: Outdoor cables - Family
specification for duct, directly buried and
lashed aerial optical telecommunication
cables
ISO/IEC 11801 - Information technology - - -
Generic cabling for customer premises
ISO/IEC 24702 - Information technology - - -
Generic cabling - Industrial premises
 BS EN 60794-3-12:2013
–2– 60794-3-12 © IEC:2012

CONTENTS
1 Scope ............................................................................................................................... 5
2 Normative references ....................................................................................................... 5
3 General requirements ....................................................................................................... 6
4 Particular requirements .................................................................................................... 6
4.1 General ................................................................................................................... 6
4.2 MICE (mechanical, ingress, climatic and chemical and electromagnetic)
characteristics ......................................................................................................... 6
4.3 Transmission requirements...................................................................................... 7
4.3.1 Attenuation of cabled fibre ........................................................................... 7
4.3.2 Fibre bandwidth requirements ...................................................................... 7
4.3.3 Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) requirements ....................................... 8
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................ 9

Table 1 – Multimode maximum cable attenuation coefficient (dB/km) ...................................... 7

Table 2 – Single-mode maximum cable attenuation coefficient (dB/km) .................................. 7
Table 3 – Minimum multimode fibre bandwidth (MHz × km) ..................................................... 8
BS EN 60794-3-12:2013
60794-3-12 © IEC:2012 –5–

OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –

Part 3-12: Outdoor cables –

Detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical
telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling

1 Scope

This part of IEC 60794 is a detailed specification for duct and directly buried optical
telecommunication cables for use in premises cabling to ensure compatibility with
ISO/IEC 11801 and ISO/IEC 24702. Those standards have requirements to ensure that
models work for generic cabling and system performances. Values in this standard support
these models.

The requirements of the family specification IEC 60794-3-10 are applicable to cables covered
by this standard. Particular requirements detailed in Clause 4 of this standard either define a
specific option relative to the requirements of IEC 60794-3-10 or define additional
requirements.

2 Normative references

The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.

NOTE These references complete the normative references already listed in the generic specifications
IEC 60794-1-1 and IEC 60794-1-2, in the sectional specification IEC 60794-3 and in the family specification
IEC 60794-3-10.

IEC 60793-2-10:2011, Optical fibres − Part 2-10: Product specifications − Sectional

specification for category A1 multimode fibres

IEC 60793-2-50:2012, Optical fibres − Part 2-50: Product specifications − Sectional

specification for class B single-mode fibres

IEC 60794-1-1, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-1: Generic specification – Cross reference table
for optical cable test procedures

IEC 60794-1-2, Optical fibre cables – Part 1-2: Generic specification – Cross reference table
for optical cable test procedures 1

IEC 60794-3, Optical fibre cables − Part 3: Sectional specification – Outdoor cables

IEC 60794-3-10, Optical fibre cables − Part 3-10: Outdoor cables − Family specification for
duct, directly buried and lashed aerial optical telecommunication cables

ISO/IEC 11801, Information technology − Generic cabling for customer premises

___________
1 IEC 60794-1-2:2003, Second edition has been withdrawn. A third edition, with the revised title Optical fibre
cables - Part 1-2: Generic specification - Cross reference table for optical cable test procedures, is currently in
preparation.
 BS EN 60794-3-12:2013
–6– 60794-3-12 © IEC:2012

ISO/IEC 24702, Information technology − Generic cabling – Industrial premises

3 General requirements

The cable shall comply with the family specification, IEC 60794-3-10, and meet the
requirements which are defined in it, including requirements in the sectional specification,
60794-3. Particular requirements detailed in Clause 4 are optional, relative to the
requirements of IEC 60794-3-10, or define additional requirements.

The optical fibre contained in cables covered by this standard shall comply with one of the
following standards, and meet the normative requirements defined within them as applicable:

– IEC 60793-2-50:2008, Annex A (Single-mode fibre category B1.1);

– IEC 60793-2-50:2008, Annex C (Single-mode fibre category B1.3) ;
– IEC 60793-2-50:2008, Annex G (Single-mode fibre sub-categories B6 a1 and B6 a2)
– IEC 60793-2-10:2011, Annex A (Multimode fibre sub-category A1a, 50 µm core
diameter);
– IEC 60793-2-10:2011, Annex B (Multimode fibre sub-category A1b, 62,5 µm core
diameter).

To ensure compatibility with ISO/IEC 11801 and ISO/IEC 24702, optical performance level
requirements are presented in terms of the performance classification codes as follows:

– OS1 Single-mode fibre categories B1.1, B1.3 or sub-categories B6 a1, B6 a2;

– OS2 Single-mode fibre category B1.3 or sub-categories B6 a1, B6 a2;
– OM1 Multimode fibre sub-categories A1a, A1b;
– OM2 Multimode fibre sub-categories A1a, A1b;
– OM3 Multimode fibre model A1a.2;
– OM4 Multimode fibre model A1a.3.

NOTE These codes are informative from the perspective of the requirements defined in this detailed specification.

4 Particular requirements

4.1 General

These requirements either define a specific option relative to the requirements of

IEC 60794-3-10 or define additional requirements.

4.2 MICE (mechanical, ingress, climatic and chemical and electromagnetic)

characteristics

Cables intended for installation in conformity with ISO/IEC 24702,and related standards, may
require the specification of additional tests to ensure their suitability in the applicable
environments defined by the mechanical, ingress, climatic and chemical and electromagnetic
(MICE) classification. Such tests are outside the scope of IEC 60794 cable specifications, and
MICE criteria are not part of the requirements for IEC 60794 specifications. The MICE tests
may be the same as, similar to, or substantially different from, the tests required by
IEC 60794 specifications. Cables manufactured per IEC 60794 specifications may or may not
meet the MICE criteria. For supplemental discussion see IEC/TR 62362 [1] 2.

___________
2 Numbers in square brackets refer to the Bibliography.
BS EN 60794-3-12:2013
60794-3-12 © IEC:2012 –7–

4.3 Transmission requirements

4.3.1 Attenuation of cabled fibre

Depending on the fibre type, the attenuation coefficient of the cabled fibre shall be less than
the maximum values in Table 1 for multimode fibres, and less than the maximum values in
Table 2 for single-mode fibres, for the wavelengths as stated in Tables 1 and 2.

The fibre category, sub-category or model as applicable shall be agreed between customer
and supplier.

Table 1 – Multimode maximum cable attenuation coefficient (dB/km)

Fibre Attenuation Attenuation Performance code

coefficient at coefficient at
850 nm 1 300 nm

IEC 60793-2-10:2011, A1a.1 3,5 1,5 OM1, OM2

IEC 60793-2-10:2011, A1a.2 3,5 1,5 OM1, OM2, OM3

IEC 60793-2-10:2011, A1a.3 3,5 1,5 OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4

IEC 60793-2-10:2011, A1b 3,5 1,5 OM1, OM2

Table 2 – Single-mode maximum cable attenuation coefficient (dB/km)

Fibre Wavelengths Maximum Performance

nm attenuation code
coefficient

IEC 60793-2-50:2008, B1.1, B1.3, B6 a1 or B6 a2 1 310, 1 550 1,0 OS1

IEC 60793-2-50:2008, B1.3, B6 a1 or B6 a2 1 310, 1 383, 0,4 OS2

1 550

NOTE Optical fibre B6 a is recommended when it is expected that the optical fibre or the cable will have to
support smaller bend radii than 25 mm.

4.3.2 Fibre bandwidth requirements

There are no bandwidth requirements on single-mode fibre.

For cables containing multimode fibres, the uncabled fibre shall be specified at one of
performance levels defined in Table 3 in terms of minimum bandwidth (MHz × km),
wavelength, and type of measurement.

The fibre category, sub-category or model as applicable and performance level shall be
agreed between customer and supplier.
 BS EN 60794-3-12:2013
–8– 60794-3-12 © IEC:2012

Table 3 – Minimum multimode fibre bandwidth (MHz × km)

Fibre Nominal Overfilled Overfilled Effective Performance

core bandwidth bandwidth modal code
diameter at 850 nm at 1 300 nm bandwidth
µm at 850 nm

IEC 60793-2-10:2011, A1a.1 50 200 500 N/A OM1

IEC 60793-2-10:2011, A1a.1 50 500 500 N/A OM2

IEC 60793-2-10:2011, A1a.2 50 1 500 500 2 000 OM3

IEC 60793-2-10:2011, A1a.3 50 3 500 500 4 700 OM4

IEC 60793-2-10:2011, A1b 62,5 200 500 N/A OM1

IEC 60793-2-10:2011, A1b 62,5 500 500 N/A OM2

N/A Not applicable.

4.3.3 Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) requirements

Cables containing single-mode fibres shall meet the PMD requirement of IEC 60794-3. This is
1/2
given as a link design value, PMD Q , with a maximum of 0,5 ps/km allowed.
BS EN 60794-3-12:2013
60794-3-12 © IEC:2012 –9–

Bibliography

[1] IEC/TR 62362, Selection of optical fibre cable specifications relative to mechanical,
ingress, climatic or electromagnetic characteristics – Guidance

___________
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