Overview
IEC TR 63194:2019 - Guidance on colour coding of optical fibre cables is a Technical Report from the IEC that reviews the need, intent and practice of colour coding for optical fibre cables. This non‑normative guide catalogs major regional colour codes, documents historic IEC approaches (including references to IEC 60794‑2), and explains how colours are used for individual fibres, units/groups and outer jackets. The report explicitly does not promote one regional scheme over another and includes guidance on colours beyond the basic 12 set out in IEC 60304.
Key Topics
- Purpose and rationale for colour coding of optical fibre cables and common operational objectives (identification, maintenance, safety).
- Fibre colour coding: intent, historic IEC schemes, and extensions (e.g., coding for fibres 13–16 and high‑count arrangements).
- Unit and group coding: identification of tubes, fibre units and grouping methods used in composite and loose‑tube cables.
- Jacket colour coding: conventions to convey fibre types, expected performance, or application (including striping techniques).
- Measurement and specification of colour: preparation of specimens, methods to specify colour (examples include Munsell and RaL centroid values), and guidance on consistent colour measurement.
- Regional annexes: informative examples from Germany, North America, Sweden, Switzerland, China, Japan and Brazil with tables and figures illustrating local schemes and counting codes.
- Non‑normative guidance: clear statement that the document is for information and reference, not a mandatory standard.
Applications
IEC TR 63194 is practical for organizations and activities that require clear optical fibre identification:
- Cable manufacturers - selecting or documenting colour schemes for production and labeling.
- Network designers and planners - specifying cable identification schemes compatible with regional practices.
- Installers and field technicians - interpreting jacket/ unit/ fibre colours for splicing, testing and maintenance.
- Test laboratories and quality control - using the measurement guidance to verify colour consistency.
- Procurement and compliance teams - comparing supplier documentation to regional or project colour conventions.
- Standards committees and educators - referencing comparative regional schemes when proposing harmonized practices.
Related standards
- IEC 60304 - basic 12 colour set reference.
- IEC 60794‑2 - historic/follow‑up fibre and tube coding practices referenced in the report.
- IEC TR 63194 is published by IEC TC 86 (Fibre optics) and serves as a state‑of‑the‑art informational resource for the colour coding of optical fibre cables.
Keywords: colour coding of optical fibre cables, IEC TR 63194, fibre colour coding, jacket colour coding, fibre identification.