IEC 62496-3-1:2009

Overview - IEC 62496-3-1:2009 (Flexible optical circuit boards)

IEC 62496-3-1:2009 specifies performance standards for flexible optical circuit boards (FOCBs) that use unconnectorized optical glass fibres in controlled environments. The standard defines quality classification, required tests, and acceptance criteria to verify mechanical integrity and optical performance of FFOCB assemblies that route glass optical fibres on a flexible polymer substrate covered by a protection layer.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Performance testing and quality classification of fibre flexible OCBs (FFOCBs) for controlled environments.
• Core tests:
  • Bending endurance - attenuation change must be < 0.3 dB; typical test uses a bending radius of 30 mm, 10 cycles, and inspection for delamination or fibre breakage (see Annex A/B).
  • Static pressure endurance - attenuation change < 0.3 dB, with no delamination or fibre break.
  • Dry heat (high temperature) - per IEC 61300-2-18: +60 °C ±2 °C, measurement at initial and 96 h; attenuation change < 0.3 dB.
  • Damp heat (steady state) - per IEC 61300-2-19: +40 °C ±2 °C, 93% RH, measurement at initial and 96 h; attenuation change < 0.3 dB.
  • Change of temperature - per IEC 61300-2-22: cycles between +60 °C and -10 °C (5 cycles), followed by bending endurance re-test; attenuation change < 0.3 dB.
• Optical verification:
  • Attenuation measured by methods AT1/AT2/AT3 of IEC 61300-3-4.
  • Test wavelengths: 1 550 nm ± 30 nm for single‑mode and 850 nm ± 30 nm for multimode fibres.
• Inspections:
  • Visual inspection for delamination and fibre breaks (IEC 61300-3-1).
  • Connectivity inspection to confirm input/output port mapping and continuity.

Applications and practical value

• Use this standard when developing, qualifying, procuring, or testing FFOCBs for board‑level optical interconnects in controlled environments.
• Practical benefits:
  • Ensures repeatable optical performance (low attenuation shift) after mechanical and environmental stress.
  • Provides test methods and acceptance criteria to support quality control, supplier validation, and R&D evaluations.
• Typical stakeholders: optical circuit board designers, manufacturers, test laboratories, quality engineers, and system integrators working with board‑level optical wiring.

Related standards (key references)

• IEC 61300 series (test & measurement procedures): IEC 61300-2-18, -2-19, -2-22, -3-1, -3-4, -3-6
• IEC 60793-2 (optical fibre specifications) and IEC 60793-2-60 (intraconnection fibre)
• ISO 5999 (related polymeric material specification)

Keywords: IEC 62496-3-1, flexible optical circuit boards, FFOCB, unconnectorized optical glass fibres, performance standards, bending endurance, static pressure endurance, attenuation testing, IEC 61300.