IEC 61753-031-2:2014(E) contains the minimum initial tests and measurement requirements and severities which a non-wavelength selective branching device (NWBD) should satisfy in order to be categorized as meeting the requirement of this IEC standard. The requirements cover balanced bidirectional non-connectorized single-mode 1xN and 2xN non wavelength-selective branching devices for use in an IEC Category C environment (N is the number of branching ports), especially but not exclusively used for PON application. For balanced NWBD two attenuation and uniformity performance classes are considered:
- class A (premium class) which meets more restrictive requirements (i.e. for extended reach PON application) and
- class B (standard class) for standard application (i.e. normal reach PON application). The requirements also cover unbalanced bidirectional non-connectorized single-mode, non-wavelength-selective branching devices; however, the specifications of unbalanced branching devices are limited to 1x2 and 2x2 devices because they are the most commonly used. Keywords: non-wavelength selective branching device (NWBD), IEC Category C environment