IEC 61300-3-4-2023 cor1-2023 PDF

Full title and description

IEC 61300-3-4:2023 / Corrigendum 1 (2023) — Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components — Basic test and measurement procedures — Part 3-4: Examinations and measurements — Attenuation. Corrigendum 1 (issued June 28, 2023) corrects/clarifies specific items in the 4th edition of the part published in May 2023.

Abstract

This document (edition 4.0, 2023) specifies methods for measuring the attenuation of optical components (connectors, adapters, pigtails, assemblies and similar passive devices). It introduces new measurement methods (including an LSPM method and an insertion method D), adds a clause of definitions and an Annex for multicore fibre attenuation, and updates the reference and alternative test-method assignments. The published Corrigendum 1 (June 2023) provides editorial/technical corrections incorporated into the current edition.

General information

• Status: Current (active international standard; amended by Corrigendum 1, 2023).
• Publication date: Main publication: 9 May 2023; Corrigendum 1 publication: 28 June 2023.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 33.180.20 — Fibre optic interconnecting devices.
• Edition / version: Edition 4.0 (2023); Corrigendum 1 (2023) applied to ed. 4.0.
• Number of pages: Base document: 45 pages; Corrigendum 1: 1 page.

Scope

Specifies basic test and measurement procedures for attenuation of passive optical components. It covers reference and alternative measurement methods (substitution, insertion and the newly specified LSPM method), applicability to various DUT types, and includes an annex on multicore fibre attenuation. It explicitly excludes random-mate attenuation methods (covered in IEC 61300-3-34 and IEC 61300-3-45) and certain DWDM attenuation measurements (covered in IEC 61300-3-29). Corrigendum 1 supplies corrections incorporated into the published text.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of terms and abbreviated terms for attenuation testing (new Clause 3).
• Measurement methods: substitution, insertion (including insertion method D), and LSPM (new method) with specified reference/alternative assignments for different DUT types.
• Test arrangements and procedure requirements for power-meter and source-based measurements; calibration and uncertainty considerations.
• Annex A: procedures and guidance for attenuation measurement of multicore fibres.
• Exclusions and normative cross-references to related IEC 61300 parts for random-mate and DWDM-specific tests.

Typical use and users

Used by optical-component manufacturers, test laboratories, design and quality engineers in telecommunications and datacom industries, certification bodies and standards committees for specifying, performing and verifying attenuation measurements on connectors, assemblies and passive optical components.

Related standards

Part of the IEC 61300 series. Closely related documents include IEC 61300-3-29 (DWDM device measurements), IEC 61300-3-34 and IEC 61300-3-45 (random-mate attenuation methods) and other IEC 61300 test-method parts; many regional adoptions/identical versions (EN IEC, national equivalents) exist.

Keywords

attenuation, insertion loss, substitution method, insertion method, LSPM, optical connectors, multicore fibre, IEC 61300, test procedures, power-meter measurement, passive optical components.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61300-3-4:2023 is Part 3-4 of the IEC 61300 series specifying basic test and measurement procedures for attenuation of fibre-optic interconnecting devices and passive components; Corrigendum 1 (2023) provides published corrections to the 4th edition.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers approved methods to measure attenuation (insertion loss) of passive optical components, the required test arrangements, definitions, measurement uncertainty considerations and an annex for multicore fibre — while excluding random-mate and some DWDM-specific measurements handled in other IEC parts.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, test laboratories, telecom/datacom engineering teams, QA and certification bodies that perform or specify attenuation testing of connectors, assemblies and passive optical devices.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It is the current edition published in 2023 (edition 4.0) and replaces IEC 61300-3-4:2012; Corrigendum 1 was issued on 28 June 2023 and has been incorporated into the current published text. The IEC entry lists stability through 2031.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the IEC 61300 series (Basic test and measurement procedures) that defines test methods for fibre-optic interconnecting devices and passive components; several other parts in the series cover different tests and special cases.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Attenuation, insertion loss, substitution method, insertion method, LSPM, multicore fibre, optical connectors, IEC 61300.