US and International Standards For Fiber Optics and Premises Cabling

FOA Standards          Fiber Optic Standards         Premises Cabling Standards          Electrical Codes (NEC-US)     

Note: This list was assembled from a number of sources with various dates - we doubt it is complete because they change all the time. A full catalog of TIA specs is at http://www.tiaonline.org/

Learning More About Standards and Codes

There are a number of ways of finding out more about cabling standards. You can buy a complete copy of the EIA/TIA or ISO/IEC standards which can be very expensive and wade through page after page of standards language. You can also get catalogs and/or visit the websites of a number of cabling manufacturers who have extremely complete explanations of the standards which have been created for their installers and end users. The second method is the recommended one.

Other groups may have fiber optic standards also: ANSI is the governing bodies for standards in the US, NIST provides primary standards, IEEE has standards for networks like Ethernet, IWCS has standards for cables, Telcordia has standards for their telco members, many countries have their own standards. There are probably more.

FOA Standards

In response to complaints about the cost and meaning of many standards, FOA created its own basic standards for some widely used tests and topics.

TIA Fiber Optic Test Procedures (FOTPs)

(These are commonly known as "FOTPs" but are officially called "TIA-455-x, e.g. TIA-455-34 is FOTP-34. As they change continually, this list should be considered for reference purposes only - see the TIA for a catalog of the latest versions.)

FOTP-1 - Cable Flexing for Fiber Optic Interconnecting Devices (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455- 1-B-98)

FOTP-2 - Impact Test Measurements for Fiber Optic Devices (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-2-C- 98)

FOTP-3 - Temperature Cycling Effects on Optical Fiber Units, Optical Cable and Other Passive Components
FOTP-4 - Fiber Optic Component Temperature Life Test
FOTP-5 - Humidity Test Procedure for Fiber Optic Components
FOTP-6 - Cable Retention Test Procedure for Fiber Optic Interconnecting Devices

FOTP-7 - Numerical Aperture of Step-Index Multimode Fibers
FOTP-8 - Measurement of Splice or Connector Loss and Reflectance Using an OTDR

FOTP-10 - Procedure for Measuring the Amount of Extractable Material in Coatings Applied to Optical Fibers (withdrawn April, 1996)
FOTP-11 - Vibration Test Procedure for Fiber Optic Components and Cables
FOTP-12 Fluid Immersion Test for Fiber Optic Components
FOTP-13 Visual and Mechanical Inspection of Fibers, Cables, Connectors, and Other Devices
FOTP-14 - Fiber Optic Shock Test (Specified Pulse)
FOTP-15 - Altitude/Immersion of Fiber Optic Components
FOTP-16 - Salt Spray (Corrosion) Test for Fiber Optic Components
FOTP-17 Maintenance Aging of Fiber Optic Connectors and Terminated Cable Assemblies
FOTP-18 Acceleration Testing for Components and Assemblies
FOTP-20 IEC 60793-1-46 Optical Fibres - Part 1-46: Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Monitoring of Changes in Optical Transmittance
FOTP-21 Mating Durability for Fiber Optic Interconnecting Devices
FOTP-22 Ambient Light Susceptibility of Components
FOTP-23 Air Leakage Testing for Fiber Optic Component Seals
FOTP-24 Water Peak Attenuation Measurement of Single-Mode Fibers
FOTP-25 - Repeated Impact Testing of Fiber Optic Cables and Cable Assemblies
FOTP-26 Crush Resistance of Fiber Optic Interconnecting Devices
FOTP-27 Fiber Diameter Measurements
FOTP-28 - Measuring Dynamic Strength and Fatigue Parameters of Optical Fibers by Tension
FOTP-29 Refractive Index Profile (Transverse Interference Method)
FOTP-30 - Frequency Domain Measurement of Multimode Optical Fiber Information Transmission Capacity (withdrawn May, 2003, obsolete)
FOTP-31 - Proof Testing Optical Fibers by Tension (2004) (R 2005)
FOTP-32 - Fiber Optic Circuit Discontinuities
FOTP-33 Optical Fiber Cable Tensile Loading and Bending Test
FOTP-34 Interconnection Device Insertion Loss Test
FOTP-35 Fiber Optic Component Dust (Fine Sand) Test
FOTP-36 Twist Test for Connecting Devices
FOTP-37 - Low or High Temperature Bend Test for Fiber Optic Cable (ANSI/TIA/EIA- 455-37-A-93) (R2000) (R 2005)

FOTP-38 Measurement of Fiber Strain in Cables under Tensile Load (expired)
FOTP-39 - Fiber Optic Cable Water Wicking Test (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-39B-99) (R 2005)
FOTP-40 Fluid Immersion, Cables
FOTP-41 Compressive Loading Resistance of Fiber Optic Cables
FOTP-42 Optical Crosstalk in Components
FOTP-43 Output Near Field Radiation Pattern Measurement of Optical Waveguide Fibers
FOTP-44 Refractive Index Profile (Refracted Ray Method)
FOTP-45 Microscopic Method for Measuring Fiber Geometry of Optical Waveguide Fibers
FOTP-46 Spectral Attenuation Measurement (Long Length Graded Index Optical Fibers)
FOTP-47 Output Far Field Radiation Pattern Measurement
FOTP-48 - Measurement of Optical Fiber Cladding Diameter Using Laser-Based Instruments (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-48B-90) (R2000) (R 2005)
FOTP-49 Measurement for Gamma Irradiation Effects on Optical Fiber and Cables
FOTP-50 Light Launch Conditions for Long- Length Graded-Index Optical Fiber Spectral Attenuation
FOTP-50 Light Launch Conditions of Long- Length Graded-Index Optical Fiber Spectral Attenuation Measurements
FOTP-51 Pulse Distortion Measurement of Multimode Glass Optical Fiber Information Capacity
FOTP-53 Attenuation by Substitution Measurement for Multimode Graded-Index Optical Fibers of Fiber Assemblies Used in Long Length Communications Systems
FOTP-54 Mode Scrambler Requirements for Overfilled Launching Conditions to Multimode Fibers (obsolete)

 FOTP-55 - Methods for Measuring the Coating Geometry of Optical Fibers (withdrawn July, 2000)
FOTP-56 - Test Method for Evaluating Fungus Resistance of Optical Waveguide Fiber
FOTP-56 - Test Method for Evaluating Fungus Resistance of Optical Fiber and Cable (2004) (R 2005)
FOTP-57 - Preparation and Examination of Optical Fiber Endface for Testing Purposes
FOTP-58 Core Diameter Measurements (Graded Index Fibers)
FOTP-59 Measurement of Fiber Point Defects Using an OTDR
FOTP-60 - Measurement of Fiber or Cable Length Using an OTDR (superceded by TIA- 455-133-A)
FOTP-61 - Method for Measuring the Effects of Nuclear Thermal Blast on Optical Waveguide FIber
FOTP-61 Measurement of Fiber or Cable Attenuation Using an OTDR
FOTP-62 IEC 60793-1-43 Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Numerical Aperture
FOTP-62 IEC 60793-1-47 Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Macrobending Loss
FOTP-63 Torsion Test for Optical Fiber
FOTP-64 Procedures for Measuring Radiation-Induced Attenuation in Optical Fibers and Optical Cables
FOTP-65 Flexure Test for Optical Fiber
FOTP-66 Test Method for Measuring Relative Abrasion Resistance
FOTP-67 - Procedure for Assessing High Temperature Exposure Effects on Optical Characteristics of Optical Fibers
FOTP-67 IEC 60793-1-51 Optical Fibres - Part 1-51: Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Dry Heat
FOTP-68 Optical Fiber Microbend Test Procedure
FOTP-69 - Test Procedure for Evaluating the Effect of Minimum and Maximum Exposure Temperature on the Optical Performance of Optical Fibers (ANSI/EIA/TIA-455-69A-91) (R2000)
FOTP-69 Test Procedure for Evaluating the Effect of Minimum and Maximum Exposure Temperatures on the Optical Performance of Optical Fibers
FOTP-70 - Procedure for Assessing High Temperature Exposure Effects on Mechanical Characteristics of Optical Fibers (superceded by ANSI/TIA-455-67-A)
FOTP-71 - Procedure to Measure Temperature-Shock Effects on Fiber Optic Components (ANSI/EIA/TIA-455-71-A-99)
FOTP-72 Procedure for Assessing Temperature and Humidity Cycling Exposure Effects on Optical Characteristics of Optical Fibers
FOTP-73 Procedure for Assessing Temperature and Humidity Cycling Exposure Effects on Mechanical Characteristics of Optical Fibers
FOTP-74 IEC 60793-1-53 Optical Fibres - Part 1-53: Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Water Immersion
FOTP-75 Fluid Immersion Aging Procedure for Optical Fiber Mechanical Properties
FOTP-76 - Method of Measuring Dynamic Fatigue of Optical Fibers by Tension (withdrawn July, 2000)
FOTP-77 - Procedures to Qualify a Higher- Order Mode Filter for Measurements on Single-Mode Fiber (withdrawn May, 2003)
FOTP-78 IEC 60793-1-40 Optical Fibres - Part 1-40: Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Attenuation
OTDR (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-8-2000)
FOTP-80 IEC 60793-1-44 Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Cut-off Wavelength
FOTP-81 - Compound Flow (Drip) Test for Filled Fiber Optic Cable (ANSI/EIA/TIA- 455-81B-91) (R2000)
FOTP-82 - Fluid Penetration Test for Fluid-Blocked Fiber Optic Cable (1991)
FOTP-83 Cable to Interconnecting Device Axial Compressive Loading
FOTP-84 Jacket Self-Adhesion (Blocking) Test for Cables
FOTP-85 Fiber Optic Cable Twist Test
FOTP-86 Fiber Optic Cable Jacket Shrinkage
FOT'P-87 Fiber Optic Cable Knot Test
FOTP-88 Fiber Optic Cable Bend Test
FOTP-89 Fiber Optic Cable Jacket Elongation and Tensile Strength Test
FOTP-91 Fiber Optic Cable Twist-Bend Test
FOTP-92 - Optical Fiber Cladding Diameter by Frizeau Interferometry (superceded by TIA-455-176-A)
FOTP-93 - Cladding Diameter by Non- Contacting Michelson Interferometry (withdrawn July, 2000)
FOTP-94 Fiber Optic Cable Stuffing Tubing Compression
FOTP-95 - Absolute Optical Power Test for Optical Fibers and Cables (ANSI/TIA/EIA- 455-95-A-2000) (R 2005)
FOTP-96 Fiber Optic Cable Long-Term Storage Temperature Test for Extreme Environments
FOTP-98 Fiber Optic Cable External Freezing Test
FOTP-99 Gas Flame Test for Special Purpose Cable

FOTP- I00 Gas Leakage Test for Gas Blocked Cable

FOTP- I01 Accelerated Oxygen Test

FOTP-102 Water Pressure Cycling

FOTP-104 Fiber Optic Cable Cyclic Flexing Test

FOTP-106 - Procedure for Measuring Near- Infrared Absorbance Coating Material (withdrawn September, 2002)

FOTP-107 – Determination of Component Reflectance or Link/System Return Loss Using a Loss Test Set (2004)

FOTP-111 IEC 60793-1-34 Optical Fibres - Part 1-34: Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Fibre Curl

FOTP-115 Spectral Attenuation Measurement of Step-Index Multimode Optical Fibers

FOTP-119 - Coating Geometry Measurement of Optical Fiber by Gray-Scale Analysis (withdrawn July, 2000)

FOTP-120 - Modeling Spectral Attenuation on Optical Fiber (superceded by TIA-455- 78-B)

FOTP-122 Polarization Mode Dispersion Measurement for Single Mode Optical Fibers by Stokes Parameter Evaluation

FOTP-123 - Measurement of Optical Fiber Ribbon Dimensions (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-123- 2000) (R 2005)

FOTP-124 - Polarization-Mode Dispersion Measurement for Single-Mode Optical Fibers by Interferometry Method (obsolete) 

FOTP-126 - Spectral Characterization of LEDs (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-126-2000)

FOTP-127, Spectral Characterization of Laser Diodes

FOTP-130 - Elevated Temperature Life Test for Laser Diodes (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-130- 2001)

FOTP-131 - Measurement of Optical Fiber Ribbon Residual Twist (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455- 131-97)

FOTP-132 - Measurement of the Effective Area of Single-Mode Optical Fiber (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-132-2001)

FOTP-133-A IEC 60793-1-22 Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Length Measurement

FOTP-141 - Twist Test for Optical Fiber Ribbons (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-141-1999) (R 2005)

FOTP-157 - Measurement of Polarization Dependent (PDL) of Single-mode Fiber Optic Components (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-157-1995) (R2000)

FOTP-158 Measurement of Breakaway Frictional Face in Fiber Optic Connector Alignment Sleeves

FOTP-160 IEC 60793-1-50 Optical Fibres - Part 1-50: Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Damp Heat (Steady State)

FOTP-161 - Procedure for Assessing Temperature and Humidity Exposure Effects on Mechanical Characteristics of Optical Fibers (superceded by ANSI/TIA-455-160-A)

FOTP-162 Optical Fiber Cable Temperature-Humidity Cycling

FOTP-164 Measurement of Mode Field Diameter by Far-Field Scanning (Single-mode)

FOTP-165 - Single-Mode Fiber Diameter by Near-Field Scanning Technique (withdrawn July, 2000)

FOTP-166 Transverse Offset Method

FOTP-167 - Mode Field Diameter Measurement - Variable Aperture Method in Far-Field (withdrawn September, 2002)

FOTP-168 - Chromatic DIspersion Measurement of Multimode Graded-Index and Single-mode Optical FIbers by SPectral Group Delay Measurement in the Time Domain (superceded by TIA-175-B)

FOTP-169 - Chromatic Dispersion Measurement of SIngle-mode Optical Fibers by the Phase-shift Method (superceded by TIA-455-175-B)

FOTP-170 Cable Cutoff Wavelength of Single-mode Fiber by Transmitted Power

FOTP-171 - Attenuation by Substitution Measurement for Short-Length Multimode Graded-Index and Single-Mode Optical Fiber Cable Assemblies (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-171-A- 2001)

FOTP-172 Flame Resistance of Firewall Connector

FOTP-173 Coating Geometry Measurement of Optical Fiber, Side-View Method

FOTP-174 Mode Field Diameter of Single-mode Fiber by Knife-Edge Scanning in Far-Field

FOTP-175 IEC 60793-1-42 Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Chromatic Dispersion

FOTP-176-A IEC 60793-1-20 Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Fibre Geometry

FOTP- 177 Numerical Aperture Measurement of Graded-Index Fiber

FOTP-178 IEC 60793-1-32 Optical Fibres - Part1-32: Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Coating Strippability

FOTP- 179 Inspection of Cleaved Fiber End Faces by Interferometry

FOTP-180 - Measurement of the Optical Transfer Coefficients of a Passive Branching Device (Coupler)

FOTP-181 - Lightning Damage Susceptibility Test for Fiber Optic Cables with Metallic Components (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-181-92) (R2001)

FOTP-183 - Hydrogen Effects on Optical Fiber Cable (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-183-2000) (R 2005)

FOTP-184 - Coupling Proof Overload Test for Fiber Optic Interconnecting Devices (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-184-91) (R95) (R99)

FOTP-185 - Strength of Coupling Mechanism for Fiber Optic Interconnecting Devices (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-185-91) (R95) (R99)

FOTP-186 - Gauge Retention Force Measurement for Fiber Optic Components (2004)

FOTP-187 - Engagement and Separation Force Measurement of Fiber Optic Connector Sets (2004)

FOTP-188 Low-Temperature Testing for Components

FOTP-189 Ozone Exposure Test for Fiber Optic Components

FOTP-190 Low Air Pressure (High Altitude) Test for Components

FOTP-191 IEC 60793-1-45 Optical Fibres - Part 1-45: Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Mode Field Diameter

FOTP-193 - Polarization Crosstalk Method For Polarization Maintaining Optical Fiber And Components

FOTP-194 - Measurement of Fiber Pushback in Optical Connectors (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455- 194-99)

FOTP-195 IEC 60793-1-21 Optical Fibres - Part 1-21: Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Coating Geometry

FOTP-196 - Guideline for Polarization-Mode Meaurement in Single-Mode Fiber Optic Components and Devices (ANSI/TIAEIA-455- 196-99)

FOTP-197 - Differential Group Delay Measurement of Single-mode Components and Devices by the Differential Phase Shift Method (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-197-2000)

FOTP-198 Measurement of Polarization Sensitivity of Single-Mode Fiber Optic Components by Matrix Calculation Method

FOTP-199 In-line Polarization Crosstalk Measurement Method for Polarization - Maintaining Optical Fibers Components and Systems

FOTP-200 - Insertion Loss of Connectorized Polarization-Maintaining Fiber or Polarizing Fiber Pigtailed Devices and Cable Assemblies (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-200- 2001)

FOTP-201 - Return Loss of Commercial Polarization - Maintaining Fiber or Polarizing Fiber Pigtailed Devices and Cable Assemblies (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-201- 2001)

FOTP-203 - Launched Power Distribution Measurement Procedure for Graded-Index Multimode Fiber Transmitters (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-203-2001)

FOTP-204 - Measurement of Bandwidth on Multimode Fiber (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-204- 2000)

FOTP-206 - IEC 61290-1-1 Optical Fibre Amplifiers - Basic Specification Part 1-1: Test Methods for Gain Parameters - Optical Spectrum Analyzer (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-206- 2000)

FOTP-207 - IEC 61290-1-2 Optical Fibre Amplifiers - Basic Specification Part 102: Test Methods for Gain Parameters - Electrical Spectrum Analyzer (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-207-2000)

FOTP-208 - IEC 61290-1-3 Optical Fibre Amplifiers - Basic Specification Part 1-3: Test Methods for Gain Parameters - Optical Power Meter (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-208-2000)

FOTP-209 - IEC 61290-2-1 Optical Fibre Amplifiers - Basic Specification Part 2-1: Test Methods for Optical Power Parameters - Optical Spectrum Analyzer (ANSI/TIA/EIA- 455-209-2000)

FOTP-210 - IEC 61290-2-2 Optical Fibre Amplifiers - Basic Specification Part 2-2: Test Methods for Optical Power Parameters - Electrical Spectrum Analyzer (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-210-2000)

FOTP-211 - IEC 61290-2-3 Optical Fibre Amplifiers - Basic Specification Part 2-3: Test Methods for Optical Power Parameters - Optical Power Meter (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455- 211-2000)

FOTP-212 - IEC 61290-6-1 Optical Fibre Amplifiers - Basic Specification Part 6-1: Test Methods for Pump Leakage Parameters - Optical Demultiplexer (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455- 212-2000)

FOTP-213 - IEC 61290-7-1: Optical Fibre Amplifiers - Basic Specification Part 7-1: Test Methods for Out-of-Band Insertion Losses - Filtered Optical Power Meter (ANSI/TIA/EIA-455-213-2000)

FOTP-214 - IEC 61290-1 Optical Fibre Amplifiers - Part 1: Generic Specification (ANSI TIA/EIA-455-214-2000)

FOTP-218 Measurement of Endface Geometry of Optical Connectors

FOTP-219 Multifiber Ferrule Endface Geometry Measurement

FOTP-220 - Differential Mode Delay Measurement of Multimode Fiber in the Time Domain (superceded by TIA-455-220-A)

FOTP-220 Measurement of Minimum Modal Bandwidth of Multimode Fiber Using Differential Mode Delay

FOTP-221 IEC 61290 - 5-1 Optical Fibre Amplifiers - Basic Specification - Part 5- 1: Test Method for Reflectance Parameters - Optical Spectrum Analyzer

FOTP-222 IEC 61290-3 - Optical Fibre Amplifiers - Basic Specification - Part 3: Test Methods for Noise Figure Parameters

FOTP-223 IEC 61291-2 - Optical Fibre Amplifiers - Part 2: Digital Applications - Performance Specification Template

FOTP-224 IEC 61744 Calibration of Fibre Optic Chromatic Dispersion Test Sets

FOTP-225 IEC 61745 End-Face Image Analysis Procedure for the Calibration of Optical Fibre Geometry Test Sets

FOTP-225 IEC 61745, Ed. 1.0 (1998-08): End Face Image Analysis Procedure for the Calibration of Optical Fibre Geometry Test Sets

FOTP-226 IEC 61746 Calibration of Optical Time-Domain Reflectometers (OTDR's)

FOTP-227 IEC 61300-3-24 Fibre Optic Interconnecting Devices and Passive Components - Basic Test and Measurement Procedures - Part 3-24: Examination and Measurements - Keying Accuracy of Optical Connectors for Polarization Maintaining Fibre

FOTP-228 Relative Group Delay and Chromatic Dispersion Measurement of Single-Mode Components and Devices by the Phase Shift Method

FOTP-229 - Optical Power Characterization

FOTP-231 IEC 61315 Calibration of Fibre-Optic Power Meters

FOTP-234 IEC 60793-1-52 Optical Fibres - Part 1-52: Measurement Methods and Test Procedures - Change of Temperature

FOTP-239 - Fiber Optic Splice Loss Measurement Methods

FOCIS 1: Biconic
FOCIS 2: ST
FOCIS 3: SC, SC/APC
FOCIS 4: FC, FC,APC
FOCIS 5: MPO
FOCIS 6: Panduit FJ
FOCIS 7: 3M Volition
FOCIS 8: Mini-MAC (Withdrawn)
FOCIS 9: Mini MPO (Withdrawn)
FOCIS 10: Lucent LC, LC/APC
FOCIS 11: Siecor SCDC/SCQC
FOCIS 12: Siecor/Amp MT-RJ
FOCIS 13: SFFSC, SFOC, LX-5

FOCIS 14: SMC-SB
FOCIS 15: MF

FOCIS 16: LSH (E2000)
FOCIS 17: MU

FOCIS-18: MPO16

FOCIS-19: SEN

Premises Cabling Standards

TIA-568 is only part of the structured cabling standards. It's a multi-part standard itself and there are several more standards cover other areas of cabling:

EIA/TIA 568: The main standard document for structured cabling, usually referred to as simply "568." Always check with manufacturers for the latest revisions.

EIA/TIA 569: Covers pathways and spaces. Defines the "telecom closet" or telecom room as it is now called.

EIA/TIA 570: Residential cabling.

EIA/TIA 606: Cabling system administration (documentation)

EIA/TIA 607: Grounding and bonding

 

 

International Standards

The international equivalent of EIA/TIA 568 is ISO/IEC 11801. The standards are written similarly to what has been done by TR 42. Here are their relevant standards:

ISO/IEC 11801 - Cabling for customer premises - structured cabling similar to TIA 568
ISO/IEC 14763-1 - Administration, documentation - similar to TIA 606
ISO/IEC 14763-2 - Planning and Installation - similar to TIA 569
ISO/IEC 14763-3 - Testing optical fibre cabling - included in TIA 568
IEC 61935-1 - Testing copper cabling - included in TIA 568

Electrical Codes For Cabling
The most important "standards" and the only ones that are legally mandatory are  the local building and electrical codes, such as the US National Electrical Code (NEC.) The NEC is developed by the National Fire Protection Assn. and covers all aspects of electrical and fire safety. Article 800 of the NEC covers communication circuits, such as telephone systems and outside wiring for fire and burglar alarm systems and Article 770 covers fiber optics. All premises cabling must comply with building and electrical codes applicable in your area. Below is a listing of current NEC articles covering premises cabling.

NEC Articles Covering Cabling (US)

 Standards for premises cabling are described in the FOA Reference Guide to Premises Cabling.