IEC 61300-3-6-2008 PDF

Full title and description

Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 3-6: Examinations and measurements - Return loss. This is the third edition (IEC 61300-3-6:2008), a technical revision that cancels and replaces the 2003 edition and updates document constitution and launch conditions for multimode fibres.

Abstract

IEC 61300-3-6:2008 specifies standardized procedures to measure the optical return loss (RL) of fibre‑optic interconnecting devices and passive components. It defines RL, the measurement reference methods and the apparatus/setup required for reproducible laboratory and production measurements. The standard describes four principal measurement techniques and guidance for selecting the appropriate method depending on the device under test and the test objective.

General information

• Status: Published / Current (active edition).
• Publication date: 9 December 2008 (edition 3.0).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 33.180.20 (Fibre optic interconnecting devices).
• Edition / version: Edition 3.0 (2008).
• Number of pages: 54 (PDF/print).

Scope

This part of IEC 61300 defines measurement procedures for the return loss (RL) of fibre‑optic devices under test (DUT). It covers definition and reporting of RL (in dB), four measurement methods (OCWR/continuous‑wave detector technique, OTDR, OLCR and frequency‑domain techniques), apparatus and calibration requirements, launch conditions (with specific attention to multimode fibres) and rules for selecting the reference method appropriate to a DUT and test purpose.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and units of return loss (RL) and conventions for reporting results.
• Four formal measurement methods described with apparatus and procedural steps: Method 1 (OCWR/direct detector), Method 2 (OTDR), Method 3 (OLCR/low‑coherence interferometry) and Method 4 (frequency‑domain/OFDR).
• Requirements for launch conditions, reference connections, temporary joints and branching devices to ensure repeatability, with specific guidance for multimode fibre measurements.
• Apparatus calibration, selection of appropriate dynamic range and detector arrangements, and criteria for choosing the reference measurement method.
• Annex material comparing detectability of reflections by different methods and details to be specified in test reports.

Typical use and users

Used by manufacturers of fibre‑optic connectors, adapters and passive components, independent test laboratories, standards and compliance engineers, and R&D teams developing interconnect hardware. The standard supports production testing, inter‑laboratory comparisons and specification compliance verification for both singlemode and multimode components.

Related standards

Part of the IEC 61300 series of basic test and measurement procedures for fibre‑optic interconnecting devices (other parts cover insertion loss, mechanical and environmental tests, vibration, bending, polishing and specific measurement methods). Related documents include earlier and later parts of IEC 61300 and corresponding EN/BS national adoption documents (EN 61300-3-6:2009 / BS EN 61300-3-6:2009 identical to IEC 61300-3-6:2008).

Keywords

return loss; RL; fibre optic; interconnecting devices; connectors; OCWR; OTDR; OLCR; OFDR; multimode; singlemode; test procedure; measurement; calibration.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61300-3-6:2008 is an international standard that specifies standard procedures for measuring optical return loss (RL) of fibre‑optic interconnecting devices and passive components.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the definition of return loss, four measurement methods (direct detector/OCWR, OTDR, OLCR and frequency‑domain techniques), apparatus and calibration requirements, launch/reference conditions (including guidance for multimode fibres), and information to be recorded in test reports.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of connectors and passive components, test laboratories, product qualification teams, standards bodies and field test engineers who need reproducible, comparable return‑loss measurements for production, qualification and conformance testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 61300-3-6:2008 is the third edition published 9 December 2008 and is the valid edition referenced by EN 61300-3-6:2009; the IEC webstore lists stability information indicating the edition remains the published (active) document. Users should always check the IEC webstore or their national standards body for any amendments or later revisions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 3‑6 of the IEC 61300 series (Basic test and measurement procedures) which contains many companion parts addressing insertion loss, mechanical and environmental tests, polishing, bending, vibration and other examinations and measurements for fibre‑optic interconnecting devices.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Return loss, RL, OCWR, OTDR, OLCR, OFDR, connectors, passive components, multimode, singlemode, test method, calibration.