This part of IEC 60794 describes test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for the geometrical, material, mechanical, environmental properties of optical fibre cable elements.

This document applies to optical fibre cables for use with telecommunication equipment and devices employing similar techniques, and to cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors.

Throughout the document, the wording "optical cable" can also include optical fibre units, microduct fibre units, etc.

NOTE The environmental testing of optical fibre ribbon would be valuable for some applications.Useful information about suitable test methods can be found in the optical fibre standards IEC 60793-1-50, IEC 60793-1-51, IEC 60793-1-52, and IEC 60793-1-53.