Overview

IEC 60793-2-40:2015 - Optical fibres - Part 2-40: Product specifications - Sectional specification for category A4 multimode fibres - defines product and test requirements for category A4 optical multimode fibres (and sub-categories A4a–A4h). These fibres feature a plastic core and plastic cladding and may use step‑index, multi‑step index or graded‑index refractive profiles. The 2015 (4th) edition replaces the 2009 edition and is a technical revision that harmonizes terminology across the IEC 60793-2 series and adds measurement parameters for numerical aperture and fibre geometry.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard organizes requirements into clear, testable sections:

Dimensional requirements - geometry, core/cladding dimensions and measurement methods.
Mechanical requirements - tensile strength, elongation/tensile load tests and other mechanical attributes.
Transmission requirements - attenuation, bandwidth and modal performance for multimode operation.
Environmental requirements - exposure tests and limits for stability under temperature, humidity and mechanical stress.
Family/sub-category specifications (Annexes A–H) - tailored attributes and limits for A4a through A4h fibres.
Mode scrambler specification (Annex I) - requirements for mode scramblers used with A4a–A4d fibres to ensure repeatable modal launch conditions.
Additional transmission rules (Annex J) - extra requirements for A4a fibres operating below 650 nm.

Tables throughout the document summarize characteristics, measurement methods and pass/fail criteria to support consistent testing and procurement.

Applications and who uses this standard

IEC 60793-2-40:2015 is intended for stakeholders involved in the design, manufacture, testing and procurement of plastic optical multimode fibres and related systems:

Fibre manufacturers - to design and certify A4 family fibres to defined product specifications.
Cable and connector producers - to ensure component compatibility and mechanical robustness.
Test laboratories and QA teams - to perform dimensional, mechanical, transmission and environmental tests per standardized methods.
Systems integrators and equipment designers - especially for information transmission equipment and other light‑transmitting applications using plastic multimode fibres.
Procurement and compliance officers - to specify clear acceptance criteria in contracts and product datasheets.

Related standards

Other parts of the IEC 60793-2 series (for consistent terminology and sectional specifications).
Measurement and test standards referenced within IEC 60793-2-40 for attenuation, numerical aperture and geometry measurements.

IEC 60793-2-40:2015 is the authoritative reference for specifying and verifying category A4 optical multimode fibres in commercial and industrial optical transmission applications.

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard organizes requirements into clear, testable sections:

Dimensional requirements - geometry, core/cladding dimensions and measurement methods.
Mechanical requirements - tensile strength, elongation/tensile load tests and other mechanical attributes.
Transmission requirements - attenuation, bandwidth and modal performance for multimode operation.
Environmental requirements - exposure tests and limits for stability under temperature, humidity and mechanical stress.
Family/sub-category specifications (Annexes A–H) - tailored attributes and limits for A4a through A4h fibres.
Mode scrambler specification (Annex I) - requirements for mode scramblers used with A4a–A4d fibres to ensure repeatable modal launch conditions.
Additional transmission rules (Annex J) - extra requirements for A4a fibres operating below 650 nm.

Tables throughout the document summarize characteristics, measurement methods and pass/fail criteria to support consistent testing and procurement.

Applications and who uses this standard

IEC 60793-2-40:2015 is intended for stakeholders involved in the design, manufacture, testing and procurement of plastic optical multimode fibres and related systems:

Fibre manufacturers - to design and certify A4 family fibres to defined product specifications.
Cable and connector producers - to ensure component compatibility and mechanical robustness.
Test laboratories and QA teams - to perform dimensional, mechanical, transmission and environmental tests per standardized methods.
Systems integrators and equipment designers - especially for information transmission equipment and other light‑transmitting applications using plastic multimode fibres.
Procurement and compliance officers - to specify clear acceptance criteria in contracts and product datasheets.

Related standards

Other parts of the IEC 60793-2 series (for consistent terminology and sectional specifications).
Measurement and test standards referenced within IEC 60793-2-40 for attenuation, numerical aperture and geometry measurements.

IEC 60793-2-40:2015 is the authoritative reference for specifying and verifying category A4 optical multimode fibres in commercial and industrial optical transmission applications.

IEC 60793-2-40:2015 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Applications and who uses this standard

Related standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Applications and who uses this standard

Related standards

Related standards

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