IEC 61300-3-25-2016 PDF

Full title and description

Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components — Basic test and measurement procedures — Part 3-25: Examinations and measurements — Concentricity of non-angled ferrules and non-angled ferrules with fibre installed. The standard defines test procedures to determine the concentricity of the bore axis of non-angled ferrules relative to the ferrule axis, and (when a fibre is installed) the concentricity of the fibre core axis relative to the ferrule axis.

Abstract

IEC 61300-3-25:2016 specifies methods to measure concentricity for cylindrical (non-angled) ferrules and ferrules with fibres fitted. The 2016 (third) edition consolidates and revises earlier methods (splitting one method into A-1 and A-2 for ferrules with/without fibre, and removing a previously published method C because of potential end-face damage), and integrates informative annex material into the test procedures. The procedures are intended to provide repeatable concentricity measurement suitable for production and type testing of ferrules and terminated connectors.

General information

• Status: International Standard (current publication from 2016, third edition).
• Publication date: 30 August 2016 (edition 3.0).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 33.180.20 (Fibre optics).
• Edition / version: 3rd edition (2016), cancels and replaces the 2013 second edition.
• Number of pages: 20 pages (publication file size and page count as published by IEC).

Scope

This part of IEC 61300 provides detailed measurement procedures to determine concentricity for non-angled ferrules (bare ferrules and ferrules with fibres installed). It is intended for use in assessment of ferrule and connector geometry that affects mating and optical alignment, and is applicable to 125 µm cladding fibres in typical ferrules used in telecommunication and data communications equipment. The standard focuses on geometric measurement techniques and excludes performance tests such as attenuation or return loss, which are covered elsewhere in the IEC 61300 series and related documents.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of concentricity metrics for non-angled cylindrical ferrules and ferrules with fibre installed.
• Measurement methods: separation of method A into A-1 and A-2 for ferrules with and without fibre fitted; removal of method C (previous ferrule-bore reference method) due to potential end-face damage concerns.
• Detailed test setups, handling and fixturing instructions to ensure repeatable measurement without damaging the ferrule end face.
• Integration of previously annexed guidance into the normative test procedure to improve clarity and reduce ambiguity.
• Tolerancing guidance and pass/fail decision approach for manufacturing and incoming inspection (procedural rather than absolute values; users apply appropriate acceptance limits based on product requirements).

Typical use and users

Used by connector manufacturers, fibre-termination suppliers, quality and metrology laboratories, and design engineers involved in optical connector and transceiver development. Typical applications include production acceptance testing, incoming inspection of ferrules and pre-terminated assemblies, R&D verification of connector designs, and qualification testing of termination processes where concentricity affects insertion loss and mating alignment.

Related standards

Part of the IEC 61300 series (basic test and measurement procedures for fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components). Close companions include IEC 61300-3-35 (visual inspection of connector end faces) and various IEC TR documents on cleaning and inspection practices; users commonly apply IEC 61300-3-25 alongside IEC 61300-3-35 and IEC TR 62627 series for comprehensive connector assessment. Historical earlier versions of part 3-25 exist (1997 and subsequent revisions).

Keywords

concentricity, ferrule, ferrule bore, fibre core alignment, connector geometry, fibre optic connector testing, IEC 61300, measurement procedure, non-angled ferrule.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61300-3-25:2016 is an international test procedure specifying how to measure the concentricity of non-angled ferrules and ferrules with fibre installed, used to ensure geometric alignment of fibre optic connectors.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers measurement methods, test fixturing, procedural steps and interpretation for concentricity measurements. It details methods A-1 and A-2 (for ferrules with/without fibre) and documents the removal of a previous method (method C) due to risk of end-face damage. It is focused on geometric measurement rather than optical performance metrics.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Connector and ferrule manufacturers, contract termination houses, test laboratories, quality engineers, and designers of optical connectors and transceivers that require controlled alignment of the optical core within the ferrule.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document referenced here is the 3rd edition published in 2016. Users should verify if a later amendment or a newer edition has been published since 2016 before relying on it for compliance or procurement decisions. IEC webstore metadata lists the 2016 edition as the current published edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the IEC 61300 series of basic test and measurement procedures for fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components; related parts include visual inspection and other examinations and measurements (for example IEC 61300-3-35).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Concentricity, ferrule, non-angled, fibre alignment, measurement procedure, connector testing, IEC 61300.