EN IEC 60794-1-126:2026
(Main)Optical fibre cables - Part 1-126: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Galloping, Method E26
General Information
- Abstract
IEC 60794-1-126:2026 defines the test procedures used to establish uniform requirements for mechanical performance - galloping. It applies to optical fibre cables like ADSS, OPGW or OPPC that can be exposed to galloping phenomena. See IEC 60794-1-2 for general requirements and definitions and for a complete reference guide to test methods of all types. This first edition cancels and replaces Method E26 of the first edition of IEC 60794‑1‑21 published in 2015. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) Addition of "for ADSS" and "for OPGW and OPPC" in 4.7, a); b) Addition of "L4" in Figure 1 and in 4.7, b); c) Change of the specified static sag angle to ≤ 1,5±0,5°; d) Improvement of Figure 1;
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 11-Jun-2026
- Technical Committee
- CLC/TC 86A - Optical fibres and optical fibre cables
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
- Start Date
- 12-Jun-2026
- Due Date
- 14-Aug-2026
- Completion Date
- 12-Jun-2026
Overview
EN IEC 60794-1-126:2026 specifies the standardized test procedures for evaluating the mechanical performance of optical fibre cables under galloping conditions. Galloping refers to the large-scale oscillatory movement experienced by aerial cables, typically due to wind and ice accumulation. This standard is particularly relevant for cables such as All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS), Optical Ground Wire (OPGW), and Optical Phase Conductor (OPPC) lines that may be exposed to such dynamic stresses.
This first edition replaces Method E26 in IEC 60794-1-21:2015 and brings significant updates, including clarification for specific cable types, modification of test figures and parameters, and improvements in the standard’s technical rigour.
Key Topics
Scope and Applicability
- Focuses on mechanical test methods for optical fibre cables subjected to galloping.
- Applies to ADSS, OPGW, and OPPC cables commonly installed in outdoor aerial environments.
Test Method - Galloping (Method E26)
- Simulates dynamic stress similar to that imposed by natural galloping due to environmental conditions like wind and ice.
- Designed to assess both the fatigue performance of cable elements and the impact on optical performance.
Sample Selection and Preparation
- Specifies cable preparation for testing, including access to optical fibres and appropriate sample length.
- Cable terminations ensure realistic stress application and optical measurement capability.
Test Apparatus and Procedure
- Requires calibrated tensioning devices, secure fixtures, and an electronically controlled shaker to simulate galloping motions.
- Monitors cable behaviour and fibre attenuation during and after a prolonged sequence of simulated galloping cycles.
Performance Criteria
- Focus on changes in optical attenuation and the physical integrity of the cable after exposure to galloping.
- Mandates detailed reporting on results, including any physical damage and changes in performance.
Applications
Adopting EN IEC 60794-1-126:2026 ensures consistent and reliable mechanical testing for:
- Product Qualification
- Manufacturers use this standard to validate aerial optical cable designs for resistance to environmental stresses.
- Quality Assurance
- Service providers and network operators can refer to this standard during procurement to ensure installed cables will maintain performance and integrity in areas prone to galloping.
- Type Testing and Compliance
- Certification bodies apply these procedures for type testing to verify cables meet international safety and performance requirements.
- Research and Development
- R&D teams rely on this standard to benchmark improvements in cable and hardware design for better resistance to galloping-induced fatigue.
Cables tested under this standard are commonly found in power transmission environments, railway electrification, and telecom networks installed in regions susceptible to wind and ice.
Related Standards
For comprehensive cable qualification, EN IEC 60794-1-126:2026 should be used alongside the following key standards:
- IEC 60794-1-2 - General requirements and complete reference for optical cable test methods.
- IEC 60794 Series - Covers a broad spectrum of optical fibre cable specifications and test methods.
- IEC 60793-1-46 - Methods for monitoring changes in optical attenuation during mechanical testing.
- IEC 60794-1-1 - General specification for optical fibre cables.
Compliance with these interconnected standards ensures optical fibre cables meet global benchmarks for reliability and safety in challenging operational environments.
Keywords: EN IEC 60794-1-126, optical fibre cable, galloping test, ADSS, OPGW, OPPC, mechanical performance, aerial cable, cable fatigue, standard test methods, telecommunications, power utilities, optical cable standards
Relations
- Effective Date
- 09-Sep-2025
- Effective Date
- 09-Sep-2025
- Effective Date
- 26-May-2026
- Effective Date
- 26-May-2026
- Effective Date
- 16-Jun-2026
- Effective Date
- 16-Jun-2026
- Effective Date
- 16-Jun-2026
Get Certified
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ANCE
Mexican certification and testing association.
Intertek Slovenia
Intertek testing, inspection, and certification services in Slovenia.
LNE (Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d'Essais)
French national laboratory for metrology and testing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN IEC 60794-1-126:2026 is a standard published by CLC. Its full title is "Optical fibre cables - Part 1-126: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Galloping, Method E26". This standard covers: IEC 60794-1-126:2026 defines the test procedures used to establish uniform requirements for mechanical performance - galloping. It applies to optical fibre cables like ADSS, OPGW or OPPC that can be exposed to galloping phenomena. See IEC 60794-1-2 for general requirements and definitions and for a complete reference guide to test methods of all types. This first edition cancels and replaces Method E26 of the first edition of IEC 60794‑1‑21 published in 2015. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) Addition of "for ADSS" and "for OPGW and OPPC" in 4.7, a); b) Addition of "L4" in Figure 1 and in 4.7, b); c) Change of the specified static sag angle to ≤ 1,5±0,5°; d) Improvement of Figure 1;
IEC 60794-1-126:2026 defines the test procedures used to establish uniform requirements for mechanical performance - galloping. It applies to optical fibre cables like ADSS, OPGW or OPPC that can be exposed to galloping phenomena. See IEC 60794-1-2 for general requirements and definitions and for a complete reference guide to test methods of all types. This first edition cancels and replaces Method E26 of the first edition of IEC 60794‑1‑21 published in 2015. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) Addition of "for ADSS" and "for OPGW and OPPC" in 4.7, a); b) Addition of "L4" in Figure 1 and in 4.7, b); c) Change of the specified static sag angle to ≤ 1,5±0,5°; d) Improvement of Figure 1;
EN IEC 60794-1-126:2026 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 60794-1-126:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 60794-1-21:2015/A1:2020, EN 60794-1-21:2015, EN IEC 60794-1-1:2023, EN IEC 60793-1-46:2024, CLC/TS 50621:2016, EN 3745-505:2018, EN IEC 62148-1:2018. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN IEC 60794-1-126:2026 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-september-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 60794-1-21:2015
Optični kabli - 1-126. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Galopiranje, metoda E26 (IEC 60794
-1-126:2026)
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-126: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Galloping, Method E26 (IEC 60794-1-
126:2026)
Lichtwellenleiterkabel – Teil 1-126: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende
Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Mechanische Prüfverfahren - Galoppieren,
Verfahren E26 (IEC 60794-1-126:2026)
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-126: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d’essais mécaniques - Galop,
Méthode E26 (IEC 60794-1-126:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60794-1-126:2026
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 60794-1-126
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM June 2026
ICS 33.180.10 Supersedes EN 60794-1-21:2015 (partially); EN 60794-1-
21:2015/A1:2020 (partially)
English Version
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-126: Generic specification - Basic
optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods -
Galloping, Method E26
(IEC 60794-1-126:2026)
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-126: Spécification Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Teil 1-126: Fachgrundspezifikation -
générique - Procédures fondamentales d'essais des câbles Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel -
optiques - Méthodes d'essais mécaniques - Galop, Mechanische Prüfverfahren - Galoppieren, Verfahren E26
Méthode E26 (IEC 60794-1-126:2026)
(IEC 60794-1-126:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2026-05-27. 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 60794-1-126:2026 E
European foreword
The text of document 86A/2653/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 60794-1-126, 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 60794-1-126:2026.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2027-06-30
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2029-06-30
document have to be withdrawn
This document partially supersedes EN 60794-1-21 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 60794-1-126:2026 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following note has to be added for the standard indicated:
IEC 60794-1-2 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60794-1-2
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 60794-1-1 - Optical fibre cables - Part 1-1: Generic EN IEC 60794-1-1 -
specification - General
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 60794-1-126 ®
Edition 1.0 2026-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical fibre cables -
Part 1-126: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods - Galloping, Method E26
ICS 33.180.10 ISBN 978-2-8327-1129-3
IEC 60794-1-126:2026-04(en)
IEC 60794-1-126:2026 © IEC 2026
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 2
INTRODUCTION . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Method E26: Galloping . 5
4.1 Object . 5
4.2 Sample . 5
4.3 Apparatus . 6
4.4 Procedure . 6
4.5 Loading criteria . 6
4.6 Requirements . 7
4.7 Details to be specified . 7
4.8 Details to be reported . 7
Bibliography . 9
Figure 1 – Cable galloping test set-up . 7
Table 1 – Test values for cable galloping test . 8
IEC 60794-1-126:2026 © IEC 2026
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Optical fibre cables -
Part 1-126: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods - Galloping, Method E26
FOREWORD
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