IEC 60793-1-40:2024

Overview

IEC 60793-1-40:2024 - Optical fibres: Attenuation measurement methods defines uniform requirements and accepted measurement methods for determining the attenuation of optical fibre. This third edition (2024) updates the previous 2019 edition and aligns the definition of attenuation with electropedia.org. The standard supports consistent inspection and commercial acceptance testing of fibres and cables by describing four measurement methods and specifying common requirements (Clauses 1–11) and method‑specific details in Annexes A–D.

Key topics

• Scope and applicability
  • Applies to class A multimode fibres and class B single-mode fibres.
  • Methods A–C apply to attenuation measurement for all categories of both classes.
  • Method D (modelling spectral attenuation) applies only to class B fibres.
• Four standardized methods
  • Method A - Cut‑back
  • Method B - Insertion loss
  • Method C - Backscattering (also used to locate, quantify and characterize point discontinuities)
  • Method D - Modelling spectral attenuation (spectral modelling for single‑mode fibres)
• Standard structure
  • Clauses 1–11: calibration, apparatus, sampling, procedures, calculations, results and specification information common to all methods.
  • Annexes A–D: normative, method‑specific apparatus, procedures, calibration and calculation requirements.
• Technical changes in 2024 edition
  • Main revision: attenuation definition modified for compatibility with electropedia terminology.

Applications

• Ensures reproducible, commercial acceptance testing of optical fibres and cable products.
• Used for quality control in fibre manufacturing and final product inspection.
• Enables laboratory test methods for product specifications, R&D, and comparative evaluations of fibre attenuation across wavelengths.
• Method C (backscattering) is particularly useful for field diagnostics and locating faults, splices and point discontinuities in installed fibres.

Who uses this standard

• Fibre and cable manufacturers
• Independent test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies
• Network equipment and optical component suppliers
• Installation, commissioning and maintenance teams performing acceptance tests and fault analysis
• R&D teams characterizing spectral attenuation of single‑mode fibres

Related standards

• Other parts of the IEC 60793 series (optical fibre specifications and test methods)
• Electropedia (electropedia.org) - referenced for terminology alignment

Keywords: IEC 60793-1-40, optical fibres, attenuation measurement, cut-back, insertion loss, backscattering, spectral attenuation modelling, multimode, single-mode, OTDR, fibre testing.