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. Table 1 – Document overview Test methods IEC reference Previous compendium reference Test method category reference letter General guidance IEC 60794-1-2 IEC 60794-1-2 - Mechanical IEC 60794-1-1nn IEC 60794-1-21:2015 Methods E Environmental IEC 60794-1-2nn IEC 60794-1-22:2017 Methods F Cable elements IEC 60794-1-3nn IEC 60794-1-23:2019 Methods G Electrical IEC 60794-1-4nn IEC 60794-1-24:2014 Methods H NOTE 1 – The compendium reference specifications detailed in column 3 will continue in force until all of the test methods therein are revised into the single-subject documents using the new numbering scheme. NOTE 2 – For existing test methods, "nn" is the test method number. For new test methods, "nn" is an incremental number following the last test method number for that test category. NOTE 3 – Several numbers in the test method numbering sequence are missing. The reasons for these omissions are historical. To avoid confusion, the existing numbering sequence has been retained. 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.