IEC 61300-3-30-2020 PDF

Full title and description

Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 3-30: Examinations and measurements - Endface geometry of rectangular ferrule. This international standard defines measurement methods and acceptance metrics used to characterise the endface geometry of rectangular multifibre ferrules with IEC-defined optical interfaces (e.g. MT-type/guide-pin based multifibre ferrules).

Abstract

IEC 61300-3-30:2020 specifies methods to measure primary endface attributes of rectangular multifibre ferrules: fibre position relative to the endface (protrusion/withdrawal), endface angle relative to guide-pin bores (surface angles), individual fibre tip radii, and core dip for multimode fibres. The 2020 (Edition 2.0) revision introduces new metrics and procedures including individual fibre tip radii measurement, the geometry limit (GL) metric, minus-coplanarity, a revised method for core dip measurement, identical measurement regions for multimode and single-mode fibres, and a changed sign convention for ferrule surface angle. This edition cancels and replaces the 2003 edition.

General information

• Status: Current (published international standard, Edition 2.0).
• Publication date: 14 December 2020.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 33.180.20 (Fibre optic interconnecting devices).
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (2020).
• Number of pages: Base bilingual edition: 41 pages; Redline (RLV) package that includes redline material: 67 pages.

Scope

This part of IEC 61300 defines a standardized interferometric/measurement-based method to characterise the endface geometry of rectangular multifibre ferrules having an IEC-defined optical interface. Scope items include definition of measurement regions, apparatus and calibration requirements (three-dimensional interferometric analysis), procedures to determine fibre heights (protrusion/withdrawal), ferrule surface angles relative to guide-pin bores, fibre tip radii, and methods to measure core dip (for multimode fibres). The standard is intended for ferrules used in guide-pin aligned multifibre connectors where correct endface geometry is critical for physical contact and optical performance.

Key topics and requirements

• Measurement of individual fibre tip radii using defined approximation/formulae.
• Geometry Limit (GL) metric introduced to summarise endface geometry acceptability.
• Minus coplanarity metric and procedures to determine fibre plane angle and coplanarity.
• Procedures for measuring endface surface angles (SX, SY) relative to guide-pin bores and definition of best-fit planes.
• Method for measuring core dip (important for multimode fibres) and harmonised measurement regions for single-mode and multimode fibres.
• Apparatus and calibration requirements, typically using 3D interferometry analysers and suitable ferrule/connector holders and positioning stages.

Typical use and users

Used by fibre‑optic component manufacturers, connector/ferrule producers, metrology and test laboratories, quality assurance teams, and equipment specifiers. Typical applications include production acceptance and process control for multifibre patchcords and connectors, incoming inspection, R&D and design verification of ferrule polishing processes, and failure analysis where endface geometry affects insertion loss or mating performance. Measurement is typically performed in factory/QA environments using interferometric lab equipment or specialised metrology fixtures.

Related standards

IEC 61300 is a multipart series of basic test and measurement procedures for fibre optic interconnecting devices. Relevant companion parts include, for example, IEC 61300-3-35 (visual inspection of fibre optic connectors and fibre-stub transceivers) and IEC 61300-3-47 (endface geometry of spherically polished ferrules using interferometry). Other parts of the 61300 series cover polishing, mechanical and environmental tests, and measurement methods used throughout connector manufacture and acceptance testing. Users should consult the appropriate IEC 61300 parts that match the component type and test objective.

Keywords

fibre optic, ferrule, rectangular ferrule, endface geometry, interferometry, coplanarity, geometry limit (GL), fibre tip radius, core dip, guide-pin, MT ferrule, connector metrology, IEC 61300.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61300-3-30:2020 is an IEC international standard that specifies measurement procedures for the endface geometry of rectangular multifibre ferrules used in fibre optic interconnecting devices.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers measurement regions, apparatus and calibration requirements, and procedures to quantify fibre protrusion/withdrawal, ferrule surface angles relative to guide-pin bores, individual fibre tip radii, and core dip (for multimode fibres). It also introduces metrics such as the Geometry Limit (GL) and minus coplanarity.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of multifibre connectors and ferrules, production and QA test laboratories, metrology labs, connector designers, and installers/acceptance teams concerned with component-level optical performance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Edition 2.0 (published 14 December 2020) is the current published edition and it cancels and replaces the 2003 edition. A Redline (RLV) version is available that shows changes versus the previous edition. Project work to future revisions (updates) may be underway in IEC technical committees; users should check national or IEC catalogues for any later revisions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the IEC 61300 series (Basic test and measurement procedures for fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components). Many companion parts (for example 3-35 and 3-47) address visual inspection and other endface geometry/test methods for different connector types.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: fibre optic, endface geometry, rectangular ferrule, ferrule surface angle, geometry limit (GL), coplanarity, fibre tip radius, core dip, interferometry, IEC 61300.