IEC 60794-2-22:2023

Overview

IEC 60794-2-22:2023 - "Optical fibre cables - Part 2-22: Indoor cables - Detail specification for multi-simplex breakout optical cables for use in terminated breakout cable assemblies" is the 2023 technical revision that specifies construction, tests and performance requirements for multi-simplex breakout optical fibre cables intended to be terminated with connectors. This edition replaces the 2016 version and aligns several test and wording requirements with related indoor cable standards.

Key Topics and Technical Requirements

• Scope and definition: Covers multi-simplex breakout cables (multiple simplex optical fibre cables stranded under a common sheath) intended to be delivered without splices and to be terminated in a terminated breakout cable assembly.
• Construction requirements: Rules for optical fibres, simplex optical fibre cables, strength/anti-buckling members, ripcord, sheath materials and sheath marking. Fibres must meet applicable IEC product specs (single-mode class B or multimode A1 subcategories) or be agreed between supplier and customer.
• Mechanical tests: Includes dimensional checks and mechanical requirements such as cable bend testing. Notably, the number of bend cycles was revised from 10 to 3 to harmonize with IEC 60794-2-50.
• Environmental tests: Temperature cycling parameters updated to align with IEC 60794-2-50; maximum attenuation requirements after temperature cycling have been added.
• Transmission requirements: Measurement and monitoring methods for attenuation and optical transmittance are referenced to IEC 60793 series methods.
• Fire performance: The fire performance text has been replaced with an improved description (details are in the standard).
• Normative references: Added IEC 60793-1-40, IEC 60793-1-46 and IEC 60794-1-2; reference to IEC 60794-2-51 removed.

Practical Applications and Who Uses This Standard

• Cable manufacturers specifying and producing indoor multi-simplex breakout cables for connectorized assemblies.
• Equipment and system integrators and data center designers selecting pre-terminated breakout cabling for high-density deployments.
• Test laboratories and QA teams conducting bend, temperature cycling and attenuation verification to ensure compliance.
• Procurement/specification authors and installers who need consistent requirements for terminated breakout cable assemblies in building and campus networks.

Related Standards

• IEC 60794 family: Part 2 (indoor cables), Part 2-20 (family spec for multi‑fibre), Part 2-50 (simplex/duplex for terminated assemblies)
• Optical fibre measurement references: IEC 60793-1-40, IEC 60793-1-46
• Cable test procedures: IEC 60794-1-2, IEC 60794-1-21, IEC 60794-1-22

This standard is essential for ensuring reliable indoor, connectorized breakout cabling with defined mechanical, environmental and transmission performance for modern telecom and enterprise installations.