IEC 60793-2-60:2025

Overview

IEC 60793-2-60:2025 - Edition 2.0 - is the IEC sectional product specification for class C single-mode interconnection fibres (types C1, C2, C3, C4). It defines dimensional, mechanical, transmission and environmental requirements for optical fibres used for interconnections within or between optical component systems. These fibres are optimized for dense optical connectivity and may be supplied uncoated, colour-coded or overcoated/buffered to make protected pigtails. This 2025 edition replaces the 2008 edition and is a technical revision.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and families: Requirements are specified per family (C1–C4) and summarized in tables covering dimensional and performance differences.
• Dimensional attributes: Nominal mode field diameter (MFD) limits (notably modified for C1), coating diameters (including new 200 µm requirements for C1_125), and primary coating diameter options (coloured vs uncoloured).
• Mechanical requirements: Tensile strength, coating strip force limits (revised for C1–C3) and stress-corrosion susceptibility.
• Transmission requirements: Insertion loss and attenuation metrics across wavelengths; addition of a transmission requirement at 1625 nm and removal of 1310 nm for some C1 specifications.
• Cut-off specification: Replacement of “fibre cut-off wavelength” with cable cut-off wavelength across multiple tables and family specifications, with revised limits and notes.
• Environmental tests: Temperature, humidity and other environment-dependent mechanical and transmission tests tailored for interconnection fibre use.
• Standards governance: Annexes A–D provide family-specific normative tables (dimensional, mechanical, transmission, environmental).

Applications

• Dense optical connectivity in connectorized assemblies, photonics modules and component-to-component links.
• Manufacturing of pigtails, jumpers, and short interconnect fibres for data centers, telecom modules, optical transceivers and test fixtures.
• Use where tight dimensional control, low insertion loss and reliable mechanical handling (coating strip force, tensile strength) are critical.

Who uses this standard

• Optical fibre manufacturers and product engineers specifying single-mode interconnection fibres.
• Component and module designers (connectors, transceivers, photonic integrated circuits).
• Test laboratories and quality managers performing acceptance and conformance testing.
• Network architects and procurement teams requiring standardized fibre interoperability and performance data.

Related standards

• Other parts of the IEC 60793 series (optical fibres product specifications) and IEC standards covering fibre and cable testing and component interoperability are commonly referenced together with IEC 60793-2-60 during design, production and qualification of interconnection fibres.

Keywords: IEC 60793-2-60, optical fibres, single-mode interconnection fibres, class C fibres, C1 C2 C3 C4, mode field diameter, coating diameter, cable cut-off wavelength, coating strip force, 1625 nm, dense optical connectivity.