Overview
IEC TR 62362:2020 - "Selection of optical fibre cable specifications relative to mechanical, ingress, climatic or electromagnetic characteristics - Guidance" is a Technical Report from the IEC that provides practical guidance for specifying optical fibre cables using the MICE classification (Mechanical, Ingress, Climatic and Chemical or Electromagnetic). This second edition (2020) supersedes the 2010 edition and updates references to the current cabling framework and fibre designations.
Key updates include:
- Replacement of older references with ISO/IEC 11801-1 as the source for MICE classification.
- An updated MICE table (Annex A) describing attribute severities.
- Updated optical fibre designations per IEC 60793-2-10 and IEC 60793-2-50.
Key topics and technical content
IEC TR 62362:2020 focuses on matching cable performance to environmental and installation stresses. Major technical topics covered:
- MICE classification: severity levels (subscripts 1–3) for mechanical, ingress, climatic and electromagnetic risks.
- Mechanical attributes: shock/bump, vibration, tensile force, crush, impact, bending/flexing/torsion.
- Ingress attributes: particulate ingress, water immersion and related protection requirements.
- Climatic and chemical attributes: ambient temperature, temperature change rate, humidity, solar radiation, liquid and gaseous pollution.
- Electromagnetic considerations: guidance where EMI/RFI may affect cable installations.
- Standards mapping and hierarchy: relationship between generic, sectional, family and product specifications; references to IEC 60794 series (cable tests) and IEC 60793 series (fibre specifications).
- Annexes: Annex A (MICE details), Annex B (IEC optical fibre cable standards), Annex C (fibre specifications and tests).
Note: this TR provides guidance and explanation rather than prescriptive requirements - it helps interpret and apply the normative cable standards (e.g., IEC 60794 parts).
Practical applications and users
Who benefits from IEC TR 62362:2020:
- Cable designers and manufacturers selecting constructions and materials to meet environmental targets.
- Network planners, system integrators and installers specifying cables for premises, industrial, outdoor, overhead or microduct environments.
- Procurement and specification writers creating tender documents linked to MICE severity levels.
- Test laboratories and quality engineers aligning test programs with cable performance requirements.
- Architects, building services engineers and telecom operators assessing suitability of cabling for specific sites.
Typical applications:
- Premises cabling (indoor/outdoor) aligned to ISO/IEC 11801-1 MICE ratings.
- Industrial and harsh-environment installations requiring elevated mechanical or ingress protection.
- Outdoor trunk and aerial cables subjected to temperature extremes, UV, pollutants or mechanical loading.
Related standards
- IEC 60794 (optical fibre cable standards - tests and specifications)
- IEC 60793 (optical fibre specifications)
- ISO/IEC 11801-1 (MICE classification for generic cabling)
- IEC 61753 (performance of fibre optic components)
For implementation, consult the full IEC TR 62362:2020 document and referenced IEC/ISO standards available from the IEC Webstore.