BS EN IEC 60794-4-20:2018

What is BS EN IEC 60794‑4‑20 - Optical fibre cables about?  

BS EN IEC 60794 is a series on optical fibre cables. Optical fibres are used most often as a means to transmit light between the two ends of the fibre and find wide usage in fibre-optic communications. BS EN IEC 60794‑4‑20 is a family specification, that covers optical telecommunication cables, commonly with single-mode fibres used primarily in overhead power lines applications. The cables can also be used in other overhead utility networks, such as for telephony or TV services. Requirements of the sectional specification IEC 60794-4 for aerial optical cables along electrical power lines are applicable to cables covered by BS EN IEC 60794‑4‑20. 

BS EN IEC 60794‑4‑20 covers the construction, mechanical, electrical, and optical performance, installation guidelines, acceptance criteria, test requirements, environmental considerations, and accessories compatibility for an all-dielectric, self-supporting fibre optic (ADSS) cable. 

Who is BS EN IEC 60794‑4‑20 - Optical fibre cables for? 

BS EN IEC 60794‑4‑20 on optical fibre cable is useful for: 

• Optical fibre cable manufacturers 
• Telecommunication sector 
• IT sector 
• Design engineer 
• Quality control personnel 
• Research and development facilities 

Why should you use BS EN IEC 60794‑4‑20 - Optical fibre cables? 

Optical fibres are used most often as a means to transmit light between the two ends of the fibre and find wide usage in fibre optic communication, where they permit transmission over longer distances and at higher bandwidth (data transfer rates) than electrical cables. BS EN IEC 60794‑4‑20 provides construction and performance requirements that ensure, within the guidelines of BS EN IEC 60794‑4‑20 that the required mechanical integrity of the cable components, as well as optical fibre mechanical reliability and transmission parameters, are maintained. 

The ADSS cable consists of single-mode optical fibres contained in one or more protective dielectric fibre optic units surrounded by or attached to suitable dielectric strength members and sheaths. The cable does not contain metallic components. An ADSS cable is designed to meet the optical and mechanical requirements under different installation, operating and environmental conditions and loadings, as described in BS EN IEC 60794‑4‑20. Using BS EN IEC 60794‑4‑20 you understand the utilization of optical telecommunication cables, commonly with single-mode fibres used primarily in overhead power lines applications. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN IEC 60794‑4‑20:2018 supersedes BS EN 60794‑4‑20:2012. BS EN IEC 60794‑4‑20:2018 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 60794‑4‑20:2012. These include: 

• This document has been streamlined by cross-referencing IEC 60794-1-1, IEC 60794-4 (all parts) and IEC 60794-1-2 
• Reference to the MICE table has been deleted 
• The example of the test method for a particular environment in Annex C has been deleted