This part of IEC 60794-1 applies to optical fibre cables for use with telecommunications equipment and devices employing similar techniques, and to cables having a combination of both optical fibres and electrical conductors.

An objective of this document is to define general requirements and methodology guidance applicable to all of the cable test methods of IEC 60794-1 (all parts).

A second objective of this document is to provide the end user with an overview of the different test methods contained in the different parts of the IEC 60794-1 series, numbered -Xnn. Table 1 shows the different parts.

These documents define test procedures to be used in establishing uniform requirements for the geometrical, transmission, material, mechanical, ageing (environmental exposure) and climatic properties of optical fibre cables, and electrical requirements where appropriate.

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

The secondary objective of this document is to provide the end user with useful guidance when testing optical fibre cables.