What is BS EN 60794-3-20- Outdoor cables about?
BS EN 60794-3-20 is a safety standard on optical fibre cables.
BS EN 60794-3-20 covers optical self-supporting aerial telecommunication cables. Requirements of the sectional specification IEC 60794-3 for duct, buried and aerial cables are applicable to cables covered by BS EN 60794-3-20.
Self-supporting aerial telecommunication cable in this context means a cable construction with sufficient strength members designed to be suspended on poles and similar devices without the aid of another supporting wire or conductor.
Note: ADSS cables installed on power lines that require special sheath material for tracking and erosion resistance and other constructions intended for high-voltage applications are not covered by BS EN 60794-3-20.
Who is BS EN 60794-3-20- Outdoor cables for?
BS EN 60794-3-20 on the family specification for self-supporting aerial telecommunication cables is relevant to:
- Optical fibre technicians
- Suppliers of optical fibre
- Testing authorities
- Manufacturers of outdoor cables
- Manufacturers of self-supporting aerial telecommunication cables
Why should you use BS EN 60794-3-20- Outdoor cables?
An optical fibre is a cylindrical dielectric waveguide that transmits light along its axis through the process of total internal reflection.
BS EN 60794-3-20 provides tests on single-mode cables that are typically carried out at 1 550 nm. For 1 625 nm applications, performance criteria are mutually agreed upon between the user and the supplier. Multimode cables are typically tested at 1 300 nm.
Overall, BS EN 60794-3-20 is useful as it assists with the cables that are been tested, contains a full complement of working fibres.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 60794-3-20:2016 supersedes BS EN 60794-3-20:2009 which is withdrawn.
BS EN 60794-3-20:2016 replaces the second edition published in 2009. BS EN 60794-3-20:2016 constitutes a technical revision.
BS EN 60794-3-20:2016 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- The specification has been streamlined by cross-referencing IEC 60794-1-1, IEC 6079412 and the IEC 60794-3 series
- An annex containing the MICE table has been deleted
- An annex on examples has been added