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Basic optical cable test

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Optical fibre cables are widely used in telecommunications, data centers, and industrial networks. Their mechanical performance directly determines installation reliability and long-term service stability—mechanical tests verify resistance to external stresses (tension, bending, compression, etc.) without damaging the fibre core or affecting signal transmission.


As the physical foundation of modern communication networks, the material properties of optical cables directly determine the transmission quality, reliability, and service life of communication systems. In application scenarios such as fiber-to-the-home, 5G base stations, data centers, and submarine cables, optical cables must withstand long-term mechanical stress, temperature changes, chemical corrosion, and ultraviolet radiation. Even minor defects in material performance can lead to signal attenuation, fiber breakage, or even the failure of the entire communication link. Statistics show that over 60% of optical cable failures stem from material aging or substandard performance. Therefore, testing the materials of optical cables is not only a core aspect of production quality control but also a key technical support for ensuring long-term stable operation in the construction and maintenance of communication networks. Through systematic material testing, potential issues can be effectively identified, such as reinforcement materials with insufficient tensile strength, sheath materials with poor heat resistance, or water-blocking materials with substandard dielectric constants, preventing major communication accidents caused by material failure from the source.

Basic optical cable testBasic optical cable test


Optical cable testing covers multiple dimensions, including optical performance, mechanical performance, environmental performance, and geometric dimensions. 

Specific test items mainly include: 

Optical Characteristics
Fiber attenuation coefficient, cutoff wavelength, mode field diameter, and macrobend loss
Mechanical properties

Cable tensile strength, crush resistance, repeated bending, torsion, impact, cut off, Aeolian vibration, Sheath pull-off force,

 Galloping test, Bending under Tension and Sheave Testing

Environmental propertiesTemperature cycling, water ingress, and flame retardancy
Structural dimensionsCable outer diameter, sheath thickness, and fiber geometric parameters (core diameter, cladding diameter, concentricity error)
Electrical performanceDielectric strength, insulation resistance, capacitance stability
Chemical performanceAcid and alkali resistance, oil resistance;


The wide range of testing is suitable for various types of communication cables (such as central tube, stranded, and skeleton cables), special cables (such as power OPGW, submarine optical cables, and military field optical cables), covering the full lifecycle from raw materials (such as optical fiber preforms, loose tube materials),  central reinforcing components, loose sleeves, fiber paste, waterstop strips, steel-plastic composite strips, and polyethylene sheaths, semi-finished products, finished products, to active systems. 


Test Instruments and Equipment Used: 

Completing the above tests requires a series of specialized instruments. 

The optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is the core equipment, used to measure fiber link attenuation, length, and locate faults; a combination of light source and optical power meter is used for precise measurement of insertion loss; an optical fiber geometry tester is used to analyze the microscopic geometric dimensions of the fiber; a tensile testing machine and a flattening tester are used to evaluate the mechanical strength of the cable; a high-low temperature cycling test chamber is used to simulate performance stability under extreme temperature conditions. In addition, auxiliary tools such as fusion splicers, fiber strippers, and cutting knives are needed for sample preparation. These devices typically feature high precision, automated data collection, and adherence to standard testing procedures to ensure the accuracy and comparability of the test results. 


Standards Landscape: 

International (IEC): The IEC 60794 series ("Optical fibre cables") is the primary standard. Part 1-2 details all mechanical test methods. It is widely adopted globally.


Optical cable testing work strictly follows a series of authoritative domestic and international standards. International standards include the IEC 60793 series (optical fiber) and IEC 60794 series (optical cable) issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission, as well as the ITU-T G.65x series recommendations from the International Telecommunication Union. 

These standards and specifications provide detailed testing methods, sample requirements, conditions, and limits for various performance parameters, offering a unified technical basis for testing. They ensure consistency and fairness of test results across different laboratories and product batches, and serve as the statutory technical documents for product certification, bidding, and project acceptance.

Related products and device

Optical Fiber Horizontal Tensile Testing Machine

Optical Fiber Horizontal Tensile Testing Machine is suitable for testing the mechanical character of tensile performance of optical cables within the specified tensile load (usually the load allowed during installation), i.e., to determine the attenuation changes in the optical fibers, the strain of the optical fibers, and/or the relationship between the strain of the optical cable and the tensile load. IEC 60794-1-21 Method E1: Tensile performance

Optical Fiber Warp Bending Testing Machine

UTOF35-WB Optical Fiber Warp Bending Testing Machine is suitable for testing the ability of optical cables or optical cable components to withstand winding around a mandrel. By applying repeated winding forces, qualified optical cables are required to ensure that the fibers do not break, the change in fiber attenuation does not exceed the values specified in the detailed product specifications of the optical cable, and the cable sheath does not crack. Compliant with IEC 60794-1-E11A.

Optical Fiber Cable Repeat Bending Testing Machine

UTOF35-RB Optical Fiber Cable Repeat Bending Testing Machine is suitable for testing the ability of optical cables to withstand repeated bending. By applying repeated bending forces, qualified optical cables are required to have no fiber breakage, the change in fiber attenuation should not exceed the value specified in the detailed specifications of the optical cable product, and the cable sheath should not crack. Compliant with IEC 60794-1-E6 Repeated Bending Test.

Optical Fiber Cable Torsion Testing Machine

UTOF35-T Optical Fiber Cable Torsion Testing Machine is Suitable for testing the ability of optical cables to withstand mechanical twisting, by applying forward and reverse twisting forces. For qualified optical cables, the optical fibers should not break, the attenuation change of the fibers should not exceed the value specified in the detailed specifications of the cable product, the cable sheath should not crack, and the core components should not be damaged. Compliant with IEC 60794-1-E7 Torsion Test.

Optical Fiber Cable Abrasion Testing Machine

UTOF35-A Optical Fiber Cable Abrasion Testing Machine is purpose of this test is to determine the ability of an optical fibre cable sheath or sheath markings to resist abrasion. Compliant with IEC 60794-1-E2 Abrasion Test.

Optical Fiber Cable Compression Crush Testing Machine

UTOF35-CC Optical Fiber Cable Compression Crush Testing Machine is suitable for testing the ability of optical cables to withstand flattening. By applying a flattening force, qualified optical cables are required to have no fiber breakage, the change in fiber attenuation does not exceed the value specified in the optical cable product standard, and the cable sheath does not crack. Compliant with IEC 60794-1-E3 Crush Test.

Optical Fiber Impact Testing Machine

UTOF35-IM Optical Fiber Cable Impact Testing Machine is suitable for testing the ability of optical cables to withstand impact. By applying impact force, qualified optical cables are required to have no fiber breakage, fiber attenuation changes not exceeding the values specified in the detailed specifications of the cable products, and the cable jacket must not crack. Compliant with IEC 60794-1-E4 Impact Test.

Optical Fiber Cable Bending under Tension and Sheave Testing Machine

UTOF35-BS Optical Fiber Cable Bending under Tension and Sheave Testing Machine is applicable for testing the ability of optical cables to withstand repeated bending. By applying repeated bending forces, qualified optical cables are required to have no fiber breakage, a change in fiber attenuation within the limits specified in the detailed product standards, no cracking of the cable sheath, and no damage to the cable core components.

Electronic Universal Testing machine

WDW Series Computer Control Electronic Universal Testing Machine made by UNITEDTEST range from 100N to 600KN load capacity with various models like single columns, table type, door frame type etc., is used to perform tension, compression, flexure/bending, shearing, peeling etc., test for metal and nonmetal specimens. Matched with UNITEDTEST design and produced various test fixture, like peel, flexure, puncture, tear, pneumatic grip, belt tension etc., this UTM can be used to almost all materials include but not limited to steel rod, rubber, steel wire, plastic, seat belt, textile, wood, panel etc., mechanical performance inspection.

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