This part of IEC 61753 contains the minimum initial tests and measurement requirements and severities which a non-wavelength selective branching device (NWBD) should satisfy in order to be categorized as meeting the requirements of this standard.

The requirements cover balanced bidirectional non-connectorized single-mode 1 × N and 2 × N non-wavelength-selective branching devices for use in an IEC category U environment (N is the number of branching ports), especially but not exclusively used for PON application. For balanced NWBD two attenuation and uniformity performance classes are considered: class A (premium class) which meets more restrictive requirements (i.e. for extended reach PON application) and class B (standard class) for standard application (i.e. for normal reach PON application).

The requirements also cover unbalanced, bidirectional, non-connectorized, single-mode, nonwavelength- selective branching devices; however, the specifications of unbalanced branching devices are limited to 1 × 2 and 2 × 2 devices because they are the most commonly used.