oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025
(Main)Optical fibre cables - Part 1-120: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable storage performance before installation, method E20
Lichtwellenleiterkabel – Teil 1-120: Fachgrundspezifikation - Grundlegende Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiterkabel - Mechanische Prüfverfahren – Betriebsverhalten der Kabelablage vor der Installation, Verfahren E20
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-120: Spécification générique - Procédures fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d'essai mécaniques - Performance de stockage du câble avant installation, méthode e20
Optični kabli - 1-120. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Zmogljivost shranjevanja kablov pred namestitvijo, metoda E20
General Information
- Status
- Not Published
- Public Enquiry End Date
- 30-Sep-2025
- Technical Committee
- MOC - Mobile Communications
- Current Stage
- 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 06-Aug-2025
- Due Date
- 24-Dec-2025
- Completion Date
- 29-Sep-2025
Relations
- Effective Date
- 09-Sep-2025
- Effective Date
- 09-Sep-2025
Overview
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025 is an international standard published by SIST, specifying test methods for assessing the mechanical performance of optical fibre cables during storage before installation. Focused on method E20, the document outlines procedures to ensure that both underwater and armoured optical cables are stored appropriately, maintaining their performance characteristics and integrity prior to deployment. This standard is essential for cable manufacturers, installers, and quality assurance teams aiming to mitigate risks of cable damage or performance loss due to improper storage practices.
Key Topics
- Cable Storage Performance: The standard describes methods for verifying the ability of optical fibre cables to withstand storage conditions before installation, emphasizing the prevention of mechanical and optical degradation.
- Mechanical Test Methods: Two principal methods are covered:
- Circular Coiling Method (E20A): Appropriate for underwater cables, particularly those stored on ships, to prevent undue strain or deformation.
- Figure-8 Piling Method (E20B): Designed for armoured cables delivered on drums, protecting against torsional stress by specifying dimensions and handling techniques.
- Test Details and Reporting: The document details sample requirements, procedures under ambient conditions, reporting metrics, and visual inspections for both methods.
- Attenuation Monitoring: Especially for single-mode fibres, the standard emphasizes that attenuation at 1550 nm must remain unchanged post-storage, unless expressly agreed otherwise.
Applications
This standard applies to a broad range of optical fibre cables used in telecommunications, broadband networks, and mixed cable installations combining optical fibres with electrical conductors. Its specific areas of application include:
- Underwater Fibre Cable Projects: Ensuring performance of cables stored on ships before subsea installation.
- Long-distance Armoured Cable Deployments: Verifying mechanical integrity when cables are temporarily stored during large infrastructure rollouts.
- Quality Assurance for Fibre Cable Manufacturers: Standardizing storage test procedures to meet customer requirements and regulatory specifications.
- Infrastructure and Data Centre Installations: Reducing risks of fibre attenuation increase or mechanical failure due to improper handling prior to installation.
- International and Regional Compliance: Supporting consistent cable performance in global markets by aligning with IEC and CENELEC requirements.
By following these methodologies, stakeholders can ensure reliable network performance, minimize installation failures, and adhere to global best practices for fibre optic cable management.
Related Standards
For a comprehensive approach to optical fibre cable testing and installation, consider the following related standards:
- IEC 60793-1-46: Optical fibres - Measurement methods and test procedures - Monitoring changes in attenuation.
- IEC 60794-1-1: Optical fibre cables – Generic Specification – General.
- IEC 60794-1-2: Optical fibre cables – Basic optical cable test procedures - General guidance.
These documents provide definitions, measurement techniques, and further guidance on general cable properties, complementing the specific requirements detailed in oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025.
By implementing this standard, organizations can maintain control over optical cable storage practices, ensuring durability and high performance throughout project lifecycles, and demonstrating conformity with leading international standards for optical fibre cables.
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard

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
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Optical fibre cables - Part 1-120: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable storage performance before installation, method E20". This standard covers: Optical fibre cables - Part 1-120: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable storage performance before installation, method E20
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-120: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable storage performance before installation, method E20
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025 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.
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN 60794-1-21:2015/A1:2020, SIST EN 60794-1-21:2015. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
oSIST prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025 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-2025
Optični kabli - 1-120. del: Splošna specifikacija - Osnovni preskusni postopki za
optične kable - Mehanske preskusne metode - Zmogljivost shranjevanja kablov
pred namestitvijo, metoda E20
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-120: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Cable storage performance before installation,
method E20
Câbles à fibres optiques - Partie 1-120: Spécification générique - Procédures
fondamentales d’essais des câbles optiques - Méthodes d'essai mécaniques -
Performance de stockage du câble avant installation, méthode e20
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60794-1-120:2025
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.
86A/2595/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60794-1-120 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-08-01 2025-10-24
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86A/2500/CD, 86A/2593/CC
IEC SC 86A : FIBRES AND CABLES
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
France Mr Laurent Gasca
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: HORIZONTAL FUNCTION(S):
ASPECTS CONCERNED:
SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING
Attention IEC-CENELEC parallel voting
The attention of IEC National Committees, members of
CENELEC, is drawn to the fact that this Committee Draft
for Vote (CDV) is submitted for parallel voting.
The CENELEC members are invited to vote through the
CENELEC online voting system.
This document is still under study and subject to change. It should not be used for reference purposes.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of
which they are aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant “In Some
Countries” clauses to be included should this proposal proceed. Recipients are reminded that the CDV stage is the
final stage for submitting ISC clauses. (SEE AC/22/2007 OR NEW GUIDANCE DOC).
TITLE:
Optical fibre cables - Part 1-120: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures -
Mechanical tests methods - Cable storage performance before installation, Method E20
PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2029
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
electronic file, to make a copy and to print out the content for the sole purpose of preparing National Committee positions.
You may not copy or "mirror" the file or printed version of the document, or any part of it, for any other purpose without
permission in writing from IEC.
IEC CDV 60794-1-120 © IEC 2025
1 CONTENTS
3 FOREWORD . 2
4 1 Scope . 4
5 2 Normative references . 4
6 3 Terms and definitions . 4
7 4 Method E20 – Cable storage performance before installation . 4
8 4.1 Object . 4
9 4.2 General . 4
10 4.3 Method E20A: Circular coiling method . 5
11 4.3.1 Sample . 5
12 4.3.2 Apparatus . 5
13 4.3.3 Procedure . 5
14 4.3.4 Requirements . 5
15 4.3.5 Details to be specified . 5
16 4.3.6 Details to be reported . 6
17 4.4 Method E20B: “figure-8” piling method . 6
18 4.4.1 Sample . 6
19 4.4.2 Apparatus . 6
20 4.4.3 Procedure . 6
21 4.4.4 Requirements . 7
22 4.4.5 Details to be specified . 7
23 4.4.6 Details to be reported . 7
24 Bibliography . 8
26 Figure 1 – Test set-up of the circular coiling method . 6
IEC CDV 60794-1-120 © IEC 2025
29 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
30 ____________
32 OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES –
34 Part 1-120: Generic specification –
35 Basic optical cable test procedures –
36 Mechanical test methods – Cable storage performance before installation,
37 Method E20
39 FOREWORD
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71 IEC 60794-1-120 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and cables, of IEC te
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