General Information

Abstract

This part of IEC 60794-1 describes test procedures used to establish uniform requirements for optical fibre cables for the environmental property - underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic pressure.
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.
See IEC 60794-1-2 for a reference guide to test methods of all types and for general requirements.

Status
Published
Publication Date
27-Aug-2026
Current Stage
6060 - Document made available - Publishing
Start Date
28-Aug-2026
Due Date
25-Jul-2025
Completion Date
28-Aug-2026

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EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026

English language (17 pages)
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Overview

EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 specifies standardized test procedures for evaluating the environmental performance of optical fibre cables under hydrostatic pressure. This standard, published by CLC, details Method F10, which focuses on assessing underwater cable resistance to both radial and longitudinal pressures. The goal is to ensure optical fibre cable reliability and durability in underwater environments, making the standard essential for manufacturers, system designers, and testing laboratories working with submarine or underwater optical fibre cables.

Key Topics

  • Hydrostatic Pressure Resistance: The core of this standard is Method F10, which outlines test methods for demonstrating a cable’s ability to withstand water pressure in submerged conditions. This includes:
    • F10A: Radial hydrostatic pressure resistance, testing the cable’s structural integrity under radial loading.
    • F10B: Longitudinal hydrostatic pressure, simulating local damage and measuring water ingress along the cable in two variations.
    • F10C: Longitudinal hydrostatic pressure through vessel, evaluating water leakage post-damage in compartmentalized environments.
  • Test Procedures: Guidance on sample preparation, pressure vessel configuration, apparatus requirements, and measurement techniques such as optical attenuation and water ingress detection.
  • Acceptance Criteria: Requirements for allowable changes in optical attenuation, limits on water penetration or leakage, and acceptable time for water to travel through or along the cable.
  • Data Reporting: Details the essential data to record and report, including test methods, sample specifications, measured results, and any procedural variations.

Applications

EN IEC 60794-1-210 is critical in multiple fields requiring robust underwater optical fibre cable performance:

  • Submarine Telecommunications: Assures that fibre optic cables deployed on the seabed maintain integrity and low attenuation despite exposure to high water pressures.
  • Marine Energy and Data Communications: Used to qualify cables for offshore wind farms, oil platforms, and subsea data infrastructures.
  • Infrastructure Protection: Helps confirm cable suitability for use in subsea tunnels, pipelines, and water crossings where hydrostatic pressures present operational challenges.
  • Cable Development and Qualification: Enables manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with environmental durability requirements for new cable designs.

By following this standard, stakeholders can mitigate risks associated with water penetration, mechanical failure, or performance degradation in underwater conditions.

Related Standards

Several other international standards provide complementary or referenced requirements for optical fibre cables and test methods:

  • IEC 60794-1-1: General definitions and requirements for optical fibre cables.
  • IEC 60794-1-2: General guidance and reference to all basic test procedures for optical fibre cables.
  • IEC 60793-1-46: Methods for measuring changes in optical attenuation, vital for assessing performance during hydrostatic pressure tests.
  • ITU-T G.976: Test methods specifically applicable to submarine optical fibre cable systems.

Following EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 in combination with these related documents ensures a comprehensive and harmonized approach to cable testing, promotes interoperability, and enhances the long-term reliability of underwater optical fibre infrastructure.


Keywords:
EN IEC 60794-1-210, optical fibre cable, underwater cable, hydrostatic pressure test, submarine cable, environmental test method, cable attenuation, water ingress, cable reliability testing, CLC standard, fibre optic cable testing

Relations

Effective Date
06-Jan-2026
Effective Date
07-Jul-2026
Effective Date
07-Jul-2026
Effective Date
01-Sep-2026
Effective Date
01-Sep-2026
Effective Date
01-Sep-2026

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Standard

EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026

English language (17 pages)
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Frequently Asked Questions

EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 is a standard published by CLC. Its full title is "Optical fibre cables - Part 1-210: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Environmental test methods - Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic pressure, Method F10". This standard covers: This part of IEC 60794-1 describes test procedures used to establish uniform requirements for optical fibre cables for the environmental property - underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic pressure. 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. See IEC 60794-1-2 for a reference guide to test methods of all types and for general requirements.

This part of IEC 60794-1 describes test procedures used to establish uniform requirements for optical fibre cables for the environmental property - underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic pressure. 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. See IEC 60794-1-2 for a reference guide to test methods of all types and for general requirements.

EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 33.180.10 - Fibres and cables. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018, EN IEC 60794-1-1:2023, EN IEC 60793-1-46:2024, EN 3745-505:2018, EN IEC 62148-1:2018, CLC/TS 50621:2016. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 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-oktober-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018
Optični kabli - 1-210. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Okoljske preskusne metode - Odpornost podvodnega kabla proti
hidrostatičnemu tlaku, metoda F10 (IEC 60794-1-210:2026)
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-210: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Environmental test methods - Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic
pressure, Method F10 (IEC 60794-1-210:2026)
Lichtwellenleiter - Teil 1-210: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für
Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Umweltprüfverfahren - Widerstandsfähigkeit von
Unterwasserkabeln gegen hydrostatischen Druck, Verfahren F10 (IEC 60794-1-
210:2026)
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-210: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais d’environnement -
Résistance des câbles immergés à la pression hydrostatique, Méthode F10 (IEC 60794-
1-210:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026
ICS:
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 60794-1-210

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM August 2026
ICS 33.180.10 Supersedes EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018 (partially)
English Version
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-210: Generic specification - Basic
optical cable test procedures - Environmental test methods -
Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic pressure, Method
F10
(IEC 60794-1-210:2026)
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-210: Spécification Lichtwellenleiter - Teil 1-210: Fachgrundspezifikation -
générique - Procédures fondamentales d'essais des câbles Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel -
optiques - Méthodes d'essais d'environnement - Résistance Umweltprüfverfahren - Widerstandsfähigkeit von
des câbles immergés à la pression hydrostatique, Méthode Unterwasserkabeln gegen hydrostatischen Druck,
F10 Verfahren F10
(IEC 60794-1-210:2026) (IEC 60794-1-210:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2026-07-16. 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, 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
© 2026 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 60794-1-210:2026 E

European foreword
The text of document 86A/2688/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 60794-1-210, 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 60794-1-210:2026.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2027-08-31
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2029-08-31
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 60794-1-210:2026 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standard indicated:
IEC 60794-1-2 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60794-1-2
IEC 60794-1-22:2017 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60794-1-22:2018 (not modified)
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 60793-1-46 - Optical fibres - Part 1-46: Measurement EN IEC 60793-1-46 -
methods and test procedures - Monitoring
of changes in attenuation
IEC 60794-1-1 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-1: Generic EN IEC 60794-1-1 -
specification - General
IEC 60794-1-210 ®
Edition 1.0 2026-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical fibre cables -
Part 1-210: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Environmental test methods - Underwater cable resistance to hydrostatic
pressure, Method F10
ICS 33.180.10  ISBN 978-2-8327-1289-4

IEC 60794-1-210:2026-06(en)
IEC 60794-1-210:2026 © IEC 2026
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 2
INTRODUCTION . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Object . 5
4.1 General . 5
4.2 F10A: radial hydrostatic pressure . 5
4.3 F10B: longitudinal hydrostatic pressure . 5
4.3.1 General. 5
4.3.2 F10B.1 . 6
4.3.3 F10B.2 . 6
4.4 F10C: longitudinal hydrostatic pressure for cables through vessel . 6
5 Sample . 6
6 Apparatus . 6
6.1 General . 6
6.2 Pressure vessel . 6
6.3 Water . 6
6.4 Optical attenuation measuring apparatus . 7
6.5 Detecting devices . 7
7 Procedure . 7
7.1 General . 7
7.2 Procedure for F10A. 7
7.3 Procedure for F10B. 8
7.3.1 Procedure for F10B.1 . 8
7.3.2 Procedure for F10B.2 . 9
7.4 Procedure for F10C . 10
8 Requirements . 11
9 Details to be specified . 11
10 Details to be reported . 12
Bibliography . 13

Figure 1 – Test set-up of F10A. 8
Figure 2 – Test set-up of F10B.1 . 9
Figure 3 – Test set-up of F10B.2 . 10
Figure 4 – Test set-up of F10C . 11

IEC 60794-1-210:2026 © IEC 2026
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Optical fibre cables -
Part 1-210: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Environmental test methods - Underwater cable resistance
to hydrostatic pressure, Method F10

FOREWORD
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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
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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 60794-1-210 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 Method F10 of the second edition of IEC 60794-1-22
published in 2017. This edition constitutes
...