NORME CEI

INTERNATIONALE IEC
INTERNATIONAL 60793-1-31
STANDARD Première édition
First edition
2001-07

Fibres optiques –
Partie 1-31:
Méthodes de mesure et procédures d'essai –
Résistance à la traction

Optical fibres –

Part 1-31:
Measurement methods and test procedures –
Tensile strength

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OPTICAL FIBRES –

Part 1-31: Measurement methods and test procedures –

Tensile strength

FOREWORD
1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of the IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, the IEC publishes International Standards. Their preparation is
entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may
participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. The IEC collaborates closely with the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two
organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of the IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an
international consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation
from all interested National Committees.
3) The documents produced have the form of recommendations for international use and are published in the form
of standards, technical specifications, technical reports or guides and they are accepted by the National
Committees in that sense.
4) In order to promote international unification, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC International
Standards transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional standards. Any
divergence between the IEC Standard and the corresponding national or regional standard shall be clearly
indicated in the latter.
5) The IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with one of its standards.
6) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject
of patent rights. The IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

International Standard IEC 60793-1-31 has been prepared by subcommittee 86A: Fibres and
cables, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.

This standard, together with the other standards in the IEC 60793-1-3X series, cancels and
replaces the second edition of IEC 60793-1-3, of which it constitutes a technical revision.

The text of this standard is based on the following documents:

FDIS Report on voting

86A/666/FDIS 86A/690/RVD

Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.

This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 3.
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IEC 60793-1-3X consists of the following parts, under the general title: Optical fibres:

– Part 1-30: Measurement methods and test procedures: Fibre proof test
– Part 1-31: Measurement methods and test procedures: Tensile strength
– Part 1-32: Measurement methods and test procedures: Coating strippability
– Part 1-33: Measurement methods and test procedures: Stress corrosion susceptibility
– Part 1-34: Measurement methods and test procedures: Fibre curl

The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
2003. At this date, the publication will be

• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
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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 charac-
teristics
– 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 charac-
teristics.
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OPTICAL FIBRES –

Part 1-31: Measurement methods and test procedures –

Tensile strength

1 Scope and object

This part of IEC 60793 provides values of the tensile strength of optical fibre samples. The
distribution of the tensile strength values of a given fibre strongly depends on the sample
length, loading velocity and environmental conditions. The test can be used for inspection
where statistical data on fibre strength is required. Results are reported by means of
statistical quality control distribution. Normally the test is carried out after temperature and
humidity conditioning of the sample. However, in some cases, it may be sufficient to measure
the values at ambient temperature and humidity conditions

This method is applicable to types A1, A2, A3 and B optical fibres.

The object of this standard is to establish uniform requirements for the mechanical charac-
teristic – tensile strength.

2 Normative references

The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text,
constitute provisions of this part of IEC 60793. For dated references, subsequent
amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply. However, parties to
agreements based on this part of IEC 60793 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/TR 62048, The law theory of optical fibre reliability

3 Apparatus

Use a suitable tensile machine with clamping devices which avoid damage to and slipping of
the sample. The measured strength values will vary with pulling speed. The pulling speed
values shall be agreed between buyer and seller. A pulling speed range of either 3 % to 5 %
or 15 % to 25 % is typically used.
NOTE The tensile machine may have a vertical or a horizontal pulling direction. The fibre clamping can be
achieved by means of chuck drums or other suitable means.

4 Sample preparation

4.1 Specimen length

Typically, the test is carried out on “short lengths”, up to 1 m, or on “long lengths”, from 10 m
to 20 m. Compare only test results from samples of the same length. The interpretation of the
results is different for different sample lengths.
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4.2 Specimen preparation and conditioning

If required, the samples can be conditioned in alternative environments for a specified period
of time as specified in the detail specification.

5 Procedure

Use a pulling machine that applies stress to the fibre without damaging it if supporting pulleys
are used. The length under test is the section between the clamping tools. If conditioning in
alternative environments is specified, the time between removal from the environment until the
beginning of the test shall be agreed.

6 Calculations

Calculation methods are under study. See IEC/TR 62048 for further details.

If testing after conditioning is performed, then the results shall be compared to unconditioned
results from the same population and using the same test characteristics (i.e. speed and
gauge length). The relevance of the distribution plot depends upon the total length of fibre
tested as well as the lengths of the test samples.
NOTE In case of fracture near the clamping region or supporting pulleys, the value should not be incorporated in
the statistical distribution but should be reported separately.

7 Results

7.1 The following information should be reported for each test:

– fibre identification;
– date and title;
– strength values – report the strain value under which the fibre breaks as the strength of
fibre.

7.2 The following information should be provided for each test:

– length of sample;
– pulling speed;
– type of clamping fixtures;
– relative humidity and ambient temperature;
– any special conditioning.

8 Specification information

The detail specification shall specify the following information:

– any deviations to the procedure that apply.

– failure or acceptance criteria.

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--3 EN 69703-1-132:200

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

IEC/TR 62048 - The law theory of optical fibre reliability - -
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