RUS Standard for Service Installations at Customer Access Locations

Federal RegisterDec 21, 1998

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) proposes to amend its

regulations on Telecommunications Standards and Specifications for

Materials, Equipment and Construction, by rescinding RUS Bulletin 345-

52, RUS Standard for Service Entrance and Station Protector

Installations, PC-5A, and codifying the revised standard in the Code of

Federal Regulations as RUS Standard for Service Installations at

Customer Access Locations. The revised standard will update the

installation methods used for installing aerial and buried service

drops, network interface devices, fused primary station protectors, and

protected building entrance terminals at customer access locations as a

result of technological advancements made in installation practices and

materials over the past 17 years.

DATES: Comments concerning this proposed rule must be received by RUS

or be postmarked no later February 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to the Orren E. Cameron III,

Director, Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural Utilities

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,

STOP 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598. RUS requests an original and

three copies of all comments (7 CFR part 1700). All comments received

will be made available for public inspection at room 2835, South

Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue,

SW., STOP 1598 Washington, DC 20250-1598 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (7

CFR 1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie I. Harper, Jr., Chief, Outside

Plant Branch, Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural Utilities

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,

STOP 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598, telephone (202) 720-0667.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

This proposed rule is exempt from the Office of Management and

Budget (OMB) review for purposes of Executive Order 12866 and,

therefore has not been reviewed by OMB.

Executive Order 12988

This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988,

Civil Justice Reform. RUS has determined that this proposed rule meets

the applicable standards provided in section 3 of that Executive Order.

In addition, all State and local laws and regulations that are in

conflict with this rule will be preempted, no retroactive effort will

be given to this rule, and, in accordance with section 212(c) of the

Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C.

6912(c)), administrative appeal procedures must be exhausted before an

action against the Department or its agencies may be initiated.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

The Administrator RUS has determined that this proposed rule will

not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small

entities, as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et

seq.). This proposed rule involves standards and specifications, which

may increase the direct-short term costs to the RUS borrower. However,

the long-term direct economic costs are reduced through greater

durability and lower maintenance cost over time. Small entities are not

subjected to any requirement which are not applied equally to large

entities.

Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements

This proposed rule contains no information collection or

recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

(44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended).

National Environmental Policy Act Certification

The Administrator of RUS has determined that this proposed rule

will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment as

defined by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.

4321 et seq.). Therefore, this action does not require an environmental

impact statement or assessment.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

The program described by this proposed rule is listed in the

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance programs under No. 10.851, Rural

Telephone Loans and Loan Guarantees, and No. 10.852, Rural Telephone

Bank Loans. This catalog is available on a subscription basis from the

Superintendent of Documents, the United States Government Printing

Office, Washington, DC 20402.

Executive Order 12372

This proposed rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order

12372, Intergovernmental Consultation, which may require consultation

with State and local officials. A Notice of Final rule titled

Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive Order 12372

(50 FR 47034) exempts RUS and RTB loans and loan guarantees, and RTB

bank loans, to governmental and nongovernmental entities from coverage

under this Order.

Unfunded Mandates

This proposed rule contains no Federal mandates (under the

regulatory provision of Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act)

for State, local, and tribal governments or the private sector. Thus

this proposed rule is not subject to the requirements of section 202

and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

Background

RUS issues publications titled ``Bulletin'' which serve to guide

borrowers regarding already codified policy, procedures, and

requirements needed to manage loans, loan guarantee programs, and the

security instruments which provide for and secure RUS financing. RUS

issues standards and specifications for the construction of

telecommunications facilities financed with RUS loan funds. RUS is

proposing to rescind Bulletin 345-52, RUS Standard for Service Entrance

and Station Protector Installations, PC-5A, and to codify the revised

standard at 7 CFR 1755.500 through 7 CFR 1755.510, RUS Standard for

Service Installations at Customer Access Locations.

RUS Bulletin 345-52 is used by borrowers and contractors as an

outside plant construction standard for the installation of aerial and

buried service drops and primary station protectors at customer

residences. Because of technological advancements and national code

changes made in customer drop and protector installation methods and

materials over the past 17 years, the installation methods and

materials specified in the current standard have become outdated. To

allow borrowers and contractors to observe current codes and take

advantage of these improved installation methods and materials which

will reduce installation costs, the current standard will be revised to

update the customer access location installation methods and materials

to reflect these improved methods and materials.

This action will allow borrowers and contractors an economical and

efficient

[[Page 70457]]

means of reducing their construction costs through the use of improved

customer access location installation methods and materials.

While this proposed rule proposes to codify the full text of this

contract, RUS is considering a new procedure under which we will no

longer publish the full text of construction contracts such as this in

the CFR. Consequently, it is contemplated that at the final rule stage,

the full text of this contract will not appear in codified text.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1755

Incorporation by reference, Loan programs--communications,

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Rural areas, Telephone.

For reasons set out in the preamble, RUS proposes to amend Chapter

XVII of title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 1755--TELECOMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR

MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION

1. The authority citation for part 1755 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 1921 et seq., 6941 et seq.

Sec. 1755.97 [Amended]

2. Section 1755.97 is amended by removing the entry RUS Bulletin

345-52 from the table.

3. Section 1755.98 is amended by adding the entry 1755.500 through

1755.510 to the table in numerical order to read as follows:

Sec. 1755.98 List of telephone standards and specifications included

in other 7 CFR parts.

* * * * *

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Section Issue date Title

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* * * * * *

1755.500 through 1755.510.......... [Effective date of final RUS Standard for Service Installations at

rule]. Customer Access Locations.

* * * * * *

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4. Sections 1755.500 through 1755.510 are added to read as follows:

Sec. 1755.500 RUS standard for service installations at customers

access locations.

(a) Sections 1755.501 through 1755.510 cover service installations

at permanent or mobile home customer access locations. Sections

1755.501 through 1755.510 do not cover service installations at

customer access locations associated with boat yards or marinas.

(b) Service installations for customer access locations in boat

yards or marinas shall be performed in accordance with Article 800,

Communications Circuits, of the American National Standards Institute/

National Fire Protection Association (ANSI/NFPA) 70-1996, National

Electrical Code (NEC). The National Electrical

Code and NEC are registered trademarks of the

National Fire Protection Association, Inc., Quincy, MA 02269. The ANSI/

NFPA 70-1996, NEC is incorporated by reference in

accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies are available

from NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, P. O. Box 9101, Quincy, Massachusetts

02269-9101, telephone number 1 (800) 344-3555. Copies of ANSI/NFPA 70-

1996, NEC, are available for inspection during normal

business hours at Rural Utilities Service (RUS), room 2845, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1598,

Washington, DC 20250-1598 or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800

North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Sec. 1755.501 Definitions.

(a) For the purpose of this section and Secs. 1755.502 through

1755.510, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

American National Standards Institute (ANSI). A private sector

standards coordinating body which serves as the United States source

and information center for all American National Standards.

Ampacity. As defined in the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC: The

current in amperes that a conductor can carry continuously under the

conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating. (Reprinted

with permission from NFPA 70-1996, the National Electrical

Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted material is

not the complete and official position of the National Fire Protection

Association, on the referenced subject which is represented only by the

standard in its entirety.). The National Electrical Code

and NEC are registered trademarks of the National Fire

Protection Association, Inc., Quincy, MA 02269. The ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC, is incorporated by reference in accordance with 5

U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies are available from NFPA, 1

Batterymarch Park, P. O. Box 9101, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269-9101,

telephone number 1 (800) 344-3555. Copies of ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC, are available for inspection during normal business

hours at RUS, room 2845, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598 or at

the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,

suite 700, Washington, DC.

Bonding. The permanent joining of metallic parts to form an

electrically conductive path that will ensure electrical continuity and

the capacity to conduct safely any current likely to be imposed.

Bonding harness wire. A reliable electrical conductor purposefully

connected between metal parts which are required to be electrically

connected (bonded) to one another to ensure the metal parts are at

similar electrical potential.

Building entrance terminal (BET). A BET is comprised of a housing

suitable for indoor and outdoor installation which contains quick-

connect or binding post terminals for terminating both

telecommunications service cable conductors and inside wiring cable

conductors. The BET also includes primary station protectors and a

means of terminating the metallic shields of service entrance cables.

Demarcation point (DP). As defined in the Federal Communications

Commission (FCC) rules in 47 CFR Part 68: The point of demarcation or

interconnection between telecommunications company communications

facilities and terminal equipment, protective apparatus, or wiring at a

subscriber's premises. Carrier-installed facilities at, or

constituting, the demarcation point shall consist of wire or a jack

conforming to subpart F of 47 CFR part 68. ``Premises'' as used herein

generally

[[Page 70458]]

means a dwelling unit, other building or a legal unit of real property

such as a lot on which a dwelling unit is located, as determined by the

telecommunications company's reasonable and nondiscriminatory standard

operating practices. The ``minimum point of entry'' as used herein

shall be either the closest practicable point to where the wiring

crosses a property line or the closest practicable point to where the

wiring enters a multiunit building or buildings. The telecommunications

company's reasonable and nondiscriminatory standard operating practices

shall determine which shall apply. The telecommunications company is

not precluded from establishing reasonable clarifications of multiunit

premises for determining which shall apply. Multiunit premises include,

but are not limited to, residential, commercial, shopping center, and

campus situations.

(1) Single unit installations. For single unit installations

existing as of August 13, 1990, and installations installed after that

date, the demarcation point shall be a point within 12 inches (in.)

[305 millimeters (mm)] of the primary protector, where there is no

protector, within 12 in. (305 mm) of where the telecommunications wire

enters the customer's premises.

(2) Multiunit installations. (i) In multiunit premises existing as

of August 13, 1990, the demarcation point shall be determined in

accordance with the local carrier's reasonable and nondiscriminatory

standard operating practices. Provided, however, that where there are

multiple demarcation points within the multiunit premises, a

demarcation point for a customer shall not be further inside the

customer's premises than a point 12 in. (305 mm) from where the wiring

enters the customer's premises.

(ii) In multiunit premises in which wiring is installed after

August 13, 1990, including additions, modifications, and rearrangements

of wiring existing prior to that date, the telecommunications company

may establish a reasonable and nondiscriminatory practice of placing

the demarcation point at the minimum point of entry. If the

telecommunications company does not elect to establish a practice of

placing the demarcation point at the minimum point of entry, the

multiunit premises owner shall determine the location of the

demarcation point or points. The multiunit premises owner shall

determine whether there shall be a single demarcation point for all

customers or separate such locations for each customer. Provided,

however, that where there are multiple demarcation points within the

multiunit premises, a demarcation point for a customer shall not be

further inside the customer's premises than a point 12 in. (305 mm)

from where the wiring enters the customer's premises.

Fuse link. As defined in the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC: A

fine gauge section of wire or cable that serves as a fuse (that is,

open-circuits to interrupt the current should it become excessive) that

coordinates with the telecommunications cable and wire plant, and

protective devices. (Reprinted with permission from NFPA 70-1996, the

National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted

material is not the complete and official position of the National Fire

Protection Association, on the referenced subject which is represented

only by the standard in its entirety.)

Grounding conductor. As defined in the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC: A conductor used to connect equipment or the grounded

circuit of a wiring system to a grounding electrode or electrodes.

(Reprinted with permission from NFPA 70-1996, the National Electrical

Association, Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted material is not the

complete and official position of the National Fire Protection

Association, on the referenced subject which is represented only by the

standard in its entirety.)

Listed. As defined in the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC:

Equipment or materials included in a list published by an organization

acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with

product evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection of production of

listed equipment or materials, and whose listing states either that the

equipment or material meets appropriate designated standards or has

been tested and found suitable for use in a specified manner.

(Reprinted with permission from NFPA 70-1996, the National Electrical

Association, Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted material is not the

complete and official position of the National Fire Protection

Association, on the referenced subject which is represented only by the

standard in its entirety.)

Manufactured home. As defined in the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC: A factory-assembled structure or structures

transported in one or more sections, that is built on a permanent

chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with a permanent

foundation acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction where

connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing,

heating, air conditioning, and electric systems contained therein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term ``mobile home'' includes

manufactured homes. (Reprinted with permission from NFPA 70-1996, the

National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted

material is not the complete and official position of the National Fire

Protection Association, on the referenced subject which is represented

only by the standard in its entirety.)

Mobile home. As defined in the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC:

A factory-assembled structure or structures transportable in one or

more sections, that is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be

used as a dwelling without a permanent foundation where connected to

the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air-

conditioning, and electric systems contained therein. Unless otherwise

indicated, the term ``mobile home'' includes manufactured homes.

(Reprinted with permission from NFPA 70-1996, the National Electrical

Association, Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted material is not the

complete and official position of the National Fire Protection

Association, on the referenced subject which is represented only by the

standard in its entirety.)

Motor home. As defined in the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC: A

vehicular unit designed to provide temporary living quarters for

recreational, camping, or travel use built on or permanently attached

to a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis or on a chassis cab or van

that is an integral part of the completed vehicle. (Reprinted with

permission from NFPA 70-1996, the National Electrical Code,

Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted material is not the complete and

official position of the National Fire Protection Association, on the

referenced subject which is represented only by the standard in its

entirety.)

Network interface device (NID). A NID is comprised of a housing

suitable for outdoor installation which contains a compartment

accessible by only telecommunications employees which includes a

primary station protector and the means for terminating

telecommunications service wire conductors and metallic shields, and a

compartment accessible by customers which includes an RJ-11 plug and

jack

[[Page 70459]]

of the type specified in part 68 of FCC rules and regulations.

Primary station protector. An assembly which complies with RUS

Bulletin 345-39, RUS Specification for Telephone Station Protectors.

Copies of RUS Bulletin 345-39 are available upon request from RUS, U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP

1522, Washington, DC 20250-1522, FAX (202) 690-2268.

Recreational vehicle. As defined in the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC: A vehicular-type unit designed to provide temporary

living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use, which either

has its own motive power or is mounted on or drawn by another vehicle.

The basic entities are: travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper,

and motor home. (Reprinted with permission from NFPA 70-1996, the

National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted

material is not the complete and official position of the National Fire

Protection Association, on the referenced subject which is represented

only by the standard in its entirety.)

RUS accepted (material and equipment). Equipment which RUS has

reviewed and determined that:

(1) Final assembly or manufacture of the equipment is completed in

the United States, its territories and possessions, or in an eligible

country;

(2) The cost of components within the material or equipment

manufactured in the United States, its territories and possessions, or

in an eligible country is more than 50 percent of the total cost of all

components used in the material or equipment; and

(3) The material or equipment is suitable for use on systems of RUS

telecommunications borrowers.

RUS technically accepted (material and equipment). Equipment which

RUS has reviewed and determined that:

(1) Final assembly or manufacture of the equipment is not completed

in the United States, its territories and possessions, or in an

eligible country;

(2) The cost of components within the material or equipment

manufactured in the United States, its territories and possessions, or

in an eligible country is 50 percent or less than the total cost of all

components used in the material or equipment; and

(3) The material or equipment is suitable for use on systems of RUS

telecommunications borrowers.

Travel trailer. As defined in the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC: A vehicular unit mounted on wheels, designed to

provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel

use, of such size and weight as to not require special highway movement

permits when towed by a motorized vehicle and of gross trailer area

less than 320 square feet (29.77 square meters). (Reprinted with

permission from NFPA 70-1996, the National Electrical Code,

Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted material is not the complete and

official position of the National Fire Protection Association, on the

referenced subject which is represented only by the standard in its

entirety.)

Truck camper. As defined in the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC:

A portable unit constructed to provide temporary living quarters for

recreational, travel or camping use, consisting of a roof, floor, and

sides, designed to be loaded onto and unloaded from the bed of a pick-

up truck. (Reprinted with permission from NFPA 70-1996, the National

Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02269. This reprinted material is

not the complete and official position of the National Fire Protection

Association, on the referenced subject which is represented only by the

standard in its entirety.)

Sec. 1755.502 Scope.

(a) Sections 1755.503 through 1755.510 cover approved methods of

making service installations at customer access locations in

telecommunications systems of RUS borrowers.

(b) Requirements in Secs. 1755.503 through 1755.510 cover

facilities of the type described in the FCC rules in 47 CFR part 68 for

one and multi-party customer owned premises wiring.

Sec. 1755.503 General.

(a) For the purposes of this section and Secs. 1755.504 through

1755.510, a NID shall be as defined in Sec. 1755.501 and shall contain

both a fuseless primary station protector and a modular plug and jack

for each conductor pair, up to a maximum of eleven (11) pairs, and

shall be provided by the telecommunications company and used by

customers.

(b) For the purposes of this section and Secs. 1755.504 through

1755.510, a BET shall be as defined in Sec. 1755.501 and shall contain

both primary station protectors and connector terminals for each

conductor pair, of twelve (12) or more pairs, and shall be provided by

the telecommunications company and used by customers. The primary

station protectors may be either fuseless or fused.

through 1755.510 have been designed to coordinate with the provisions

of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, and the American National

Standards Institute/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,

Inc. (ANSI/IEEE) C2-1997, National Electrical Safety Code (NESC). The

National Electrical Code and NEC are registered

trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Inc., Quincy,

MA 02269. The ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, and the ANSI/IEEE C2-

1997, NESC, are incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C.

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC,

are available from NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, P. O. Box 9101, Quincy,

Massachusetts 02269--9101, telephone number 1 (800) 344-3555. Copies of

ANSI/IEEE C2--1997, NESC, are available from IEEE Service Center, 455

Hoes Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, telephone number 1 (800) 678-

4333. Copies of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, and the ANSI/

IEEE C2-1997, NESC, are available for inspection during normal business

hours at RUS, room 2845, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598 or at

the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,

suite 700, Washington, DC. Most state and local authorities require

that utility construction comply with either the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC, and ANSI/IEEE C2-1997, NESC, or some earlier editions

of the ANSI/NFPA 70, NEC, and ANSI/IEEE C2, NESC. Some

authorities have their own more stringent codes which may or may not be

embellishments of the ANSI/NFPA 70, NEC, and ANSI/IEEE C2,

NESC.

(d) RUS borrowers shall make certain that all construction financed

with RUS loan funds comply with:

(1) The provisions of this section and Secs. 1755.504 through

1755.510 and the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, and ANSI/IEEE C2-

1997, NESC codes, or any more stringent local codes; or

(2) The provisions of this section and Secs. 1755.504 through

1755.510 with borrower added adjustments to bring construction into

compliance with any more stringent local codes.

(e) This section and Secs. 1755.504 through 1755.510 are intended

primarily for the installer who will perform the work. It assumes that

decisions regarding the selection of grounding electrodes, locations,

and types of equipment have been made by the RUS borrower or the

engineer delegated by the RUS borrower.

(f) Only a qualified installer shall be assigned to make

installations without advance planning and without direct

[[Page 70460]]

supervision. A qualified installer is one who has extensive

installation experience, complete knowledge and understanding of RUS

Bulletin 1751F-805, Electrical Protection At Customer Locations; RUS

Bulletin 345-154 (RUS Form 515g), Specifications and Drawings for

Service Entrance and Station Protector Installation, and applicable

portions of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, and ANSI/IEEE C2-

1997, NESC. Copies of RUS Bulletins 1751F-805 and 345-154 are available

upon request from RUS/USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1522,

Washington, DC 20250-1522, FAX (202) 690-2268.

(g) This section and Secs. 1755.504 through 1755.509 contain

information which is normally not provided on the construction drawings

which are included in Sec. 1755.510.

(h) All work shall be conducted in a careful and professional

manner. Service wire and cable shall not be trampled on, run over by

vehicles, pulled over or around abrasive objects or otherwise subjected

to abuse.

(i) When situations not covered by this section and Secs. 1755.504

through 1755.510 arise, the RUS borrower or the engineer delegated by

the borrower, shall specify the installation procedure to be used. The

requirements of paragraph (j) of this section shall be complied with in

every installation.

(j) NIDs, BETs, and fused primary station protectors shall be

installed and grounded to meet the requirements of the ANSI/NFPA 70-

1996, NEC, or local laws or ordinances, whichever are more

stringent.

(k) Battery polarity and conductor identification shall be

maintained throughout the system as indicated on construction drawings

815 and 815-1 contained in Sec. 1755.510. Color codes and other means

of conductor identification of buried and aerial service wires shall

conform to the requirements of this section and Secs. 1755.504 through

1755.510.

(l) All materials for which RUS makes acceptance determinations,

such as service wires and cables, ground rods, ground rod clamps, etc.,

used in service entrance installations shall be RUS accepted or RUS

technically accepted. Borrowers shall require contractors to obtain the

borrower's approval before RUS technically accepted materials are to be

used in service entrance installations. Borrower's shall also ensure

that the cost of the RUS technically accepted materials are at least 6

percent less than the cost of equivalent RUS accepted materials, as

specified in ``Buy American'' Requirement of the Rural Electrification

Act of 1938, as amended. Materials used in service entrance

installations which are of the type which RUS does not make acceptance

determinations shall be of a suitable quality for their intended

application as determined by the RUS borrower or the engineer delegated

by the RUS borrower.

(m) On completion of an installation, borrowers shall require the

installer to make all applicable tests required by Secs. 1755.400

through 1755.407, RUS standard for acceptance tests and measurements of

telecommunications plant.

Sec. 1755.504 Demarcation point.

(a) The demarcation point (DP) provides the physical and electrical

interface between the telecommunications company's facilities and the

customer's premises wiring.

(b) The FCC rules in 47 CFR part 68 require telecommunications

providers to establish a ``DP'' which marks a separation of the

provider's facilities from the customer's (owned) premises wiring and

equipment.

installing NIDs, BETs, or fused primary station protectors when

required by Section 800-30(a)(2) of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC, at all new or significantly modified customer access

locations which are financed with RUS loan funds. The National

Electrical Code and NEC are registered

trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Inc., Quincy,

MA 02269. The ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, is incorporated by

reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies

are available from NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy,

Massachusetts 02269-9101, telephone number 1 (800) 344-3555. Copies of

ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, are available for inspection during

normal business hours at RUS, room 2845, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1598, Washington, DC

20250-1598 or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(d) For all customer access locations of less than 12 pairs, RUS

borrowers shall establish DPs by using either NIDs or fused primary

station protectors when required by Section 800-30(a)(2) of the ANSI/

NFPA 70-1996, NEC. For customer access locations of 12

pairs or greater, RUS borrowers shall establish DPs using either NIDs,

BETs, or fused primary station protectors when required by Section 800-

30(a)(2) of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC.

Sec. 1755.505 Buried services.

(a) Buried services of two or three pairs shall consist of Service

Entrance, Buried (SEB) assembly units, in accordance with RUS Bulletin

345-154 (RUS Form 515g), Specifications and Drawings for Service

Entrance and Station Protector Installations. The wire used for buried

services shall conform to the requirements of Sec. 1755.860, RUS

specification for filled buried wires, and shall be RUS accepted or RUS

technically accepted. The conductor size for two and three pair buried

service wires shall be 22 American Wire Gauge (AWG). Copies of RUS

Bulletin 345-154 are available upon request from RUS/USDA, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1522, Washington, DC 20250-1522, FAX

(202) 690-2268.

(b) Buried services of six or more pairs shall be RUS accepted or

RUS technically accepted 22 AWG filled buried cable conforming to the

requirements of Sec. 1755.390, RUS specification filled telephone

cables.

plant housings using either splicing connectors or filled terminal

blocks in accordance with the applicable paragraphs of Sec. 1755.200,

RUS standard for splicing copper and fiber optic cables.

(d) Buried service wire or cable shall be identified at buried

plant housings in accordance with construction drawing 958 contained in

Sec. 1755.510.

(e) Buried service wire or cable shall be installed up to the

building in the same general manner as buried exchange cable but in

addition must meet the following requirements:

(1) Light weight lawn plows or trenchers shall be used;

(2) The shortest feasible route commensurate with the requirements

of Sec. 1755.508 (i), (j), and (k) and paragraph (f)(1) of this section

shall be followed;

(3) Buried service wire or cable shall be plowed or trenched to a

depth of 24 in. (610 mm) or greater where practicable in soil, 36 in.

(914 mm) in ditches, or 3 in. (76 mm) in rock. Depths shall be measured

from the top of the wire or cable to the surface of the ground or rock;

(4) In the case of a layer of soil over rock either the minimum

depth in rock measured to the surface of the rock, or the minimum depth

in soil measured to the surface of the soil may be used; and

(5) Where adequate advance planning has been done, burial of

telecommunications services jointly with electric power services may be

feasible. If a decision has been reached by management to provide joint

occupancy services, the services may be installed using the

recommendations in

[[Page 70461]]

RUS Bulletin 305-1, ``Joint Use of Facilities for Telephone and

Electric Service.'' Copies of RUS Bulletin 305-1 are available upon

request from RUS/USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1522,

Washington, DC 20250-1522, FAX (202) 690-2268.

(f) Buried service wire or cable shall be installed on or in

buildings as follows:

(1) Each buried service wire or cable shall contact the building as

close to the NID, BET, or fused primary station protector as

practicable. Service wire or cable runs on buildings shall normally

consist of a single vertical run held to the minimum practical length.

Horizontal and diagonal runs shall not be permitted.

(2) Buried service wire or cable shall be located so as to avoid

damage from lawn mowers, animals, gardening operations, etc.

(3) Buried service wire or cable shall be installed against a

foundation wall or pillar to provide adequate support and mechanical

protection.

(4) Where it is likely that the service wire or cable shall be

subjected to mechanical damage, the wire or cable shall be enclosed in

a guard in accordance with assembly unit drawing BM83 contained in

Sec. 1755.510.

(5) The first above-ground attachment for a buried service wire or

cable, unless it is enclosed in a guard, shall not be more than 4 in.

(100 mm) above final grade.

(6) Uninsulated attachment devices may be used to attach buried

service wire and cable to masonry and other types of noncombustible

buildings and on any type of building if fuseless primary station

protectors incorporated in NIDs or BETs are used and installations

fully comply with Section 800-30(a)(1) of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC. The National Electrical Code and

NEC are registered trademarks of the National Fire

Protection Association, Inc., Quincy, MA 02269. The ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC, is incorporated by reference in accordance with 5

U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies are available from NFPA, 1

Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269-9101,

telephone number 1 (800) 344-3555. Copies of ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC, are available for inspection during normal business

hours at RUS, room 2845, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598 or at

the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,

suite 700, Washington, DC.

(7) Insulated attachments shall be used to separate service wires

or cables from woodwork where Section 800-30(a)(2) of the ANSI/NFPA 70-

1996, NEC, requiring the use of fused primary station

protectors must be observed.

(8) Minimum separation between buried service wire or cable and

other facilities shall be as listed in Table 1, as follows:

Table 1.--Minimum Separation for Telecommunications Wires and Cables On

or In Buildings

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minimum clearance in. [mm]1 2

Foreign facility or obstruction telecommunications company's

wires or cables

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Electric supply wire including neutral

and grounding conductors.

Open................................ 4 [102]

In conduit.......................... 2 [50.8]

Radio and television antennas, lead-in 4 [102]

and grounding conductors.

Lightning rods and lightning conductors. 72 [1830] \3\

All foreign grounding conductors except 2 [50.8]

lightning rod ground conductors.

Neon signs and associated wiring........ 6 [150]

Metallic objects--pipes (gas, cold 2 [50.8] \4\

water, oil, sewer,) and structures.

Wires or cables of another 2 [50.8]

communications system.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes: \1\ If minimum separation cannot be obtained, nonshielded wire

and cable facilities shall be protected with either porcelain tubes or

flexible tubing as modified by Notes 3 and 4 of this table.

\2\ Separation applies to crossings and parallel runs.

\3\ If this separation cannot be obtained, bond the telecommunications

grounding conductors or grounding electrode to the lightning rod

grounding conductor or grounding electrode with at least a Number

(No.) 6 AWG copper, insulated, ground wire. With this provision a

minimum separation of 4 in. (100 mm) is acceptable but this provision

must not be utilized if the separation cited in this table can be

maintained.

\4\ Increase to a minimum of 3 in. (75 mm) separation from steam or hot

water pipes, heating ducts, and other heat sources.

(9) Wire and cable attachments to buildings for outside mounted

NIDs, BETs, or fused primary station protectors shall be in accordance

with construction drawing 962 contained in Sec. 1755.510.

(10) Appropriate devices for attaching service wire or cable on or

in buildings vary with the type of building construction and the wire

or cable size. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate various types of anchoring

devices and their applications. The size and type of fastening device

for the wire or cable size and type of surface shall be in accordance

with the manufacturer's recommendation; Figures 1 and 2 are as follows:

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[[Page 70462]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.000

[[Page 70463]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.001

(11) Experience indicates that there are strenuous objections from

many owners of buildings covered with aluminum or vinyl siding to the

drilling of holes in the siding for the attachment of wires or cables,

and NIDs, BETs, or fused primary station protectors. It is, therefore,

important to obtain permission from the owner before drilling holes in

such siding.

(12) If the NID, BET, or fused primary station protector must be

mounted

[[Page 70464]]

inside (not recommended by RUS), the service entrance into the building

shall be installed in accordance with Section 800-12(c) of the ANSI/

NFPA 70-1996, NEC. After pulling-in the wire or cable, the

free space around the cable or wire shall be carefully sealed both

outside and inside with a duct sealer that has RUS acceptance or RUS

technical acceptance.

(13) If the customer requests an all buried installation for an

alarm system or objects to above-ground facilities because of

appearance and one-party service is involved, the entrance hole shall

be made below grade as shown in sketch C of construction drawing 510-2

contained in Sec. 1755.510. Care shall be exercised to prevent damage

to the building foundation. The hole shall be sealed as specified in

paragraph (f)(12) of this section. The installation shall comply with

all the requirements of Section 800-12(c) of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC.

(g) When the NID, BET, or fused primary station protector is to be

installed inside the building, the installation shall comply with

Section 800-12(c) of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, and the

outside plant wire or cable shall preferably be installed in a rigid

metal or intermediate metal conduit that is grounded to an electrode in

accordance with Section 800-40(b) of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC, as shown in sketch A of Figure 3 in paragraph (h)(2)

of this section. The shield of the outside plant wire or cable shall be

bonded to the grounding terminal of the NID, BET, or fused primary

station protector which in turn shall be connected to the closest,

existing, and accessible grounding electrode, of the electrodes cited

in Section 800-40 of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC.

(h) An inside NID, BET, or fused primary station protector

installation may also be made without use of a rigid metal or

intermediate metal conduit provided that the ingress of the outside

plant wire or cable complies with Section 800-12(c) of the ANSI/NFPA

70-1996, NEC, and provided either of the following are

observed:

(1) The NID, BET, or fused primary station protector is located as

close as practicable to the point where the outside plant wire or cable

emerges through an exterior wall. The length of outside plant wire or

cable exposed within the building shall be as short as practicable but

in no case shall it be longer than 50 feet (ft) [15.2 meters (m)] in

accordance with the allowable exception No. 3 of Section 800-50 of the

ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC. See sketch B of Figure 3 in

paragraph (h)(2) of this section. The shield of the outside plant wire

or cable shall be bonded to the grounding terminal of the NID, BET, or

fused primary station protector which in turn shall be connected to the

closest, existing and accessible grounding electrode, of the electrodes

cited in Section 800-40 of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC (Fine

print Note No. 2 of ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, Section 800-50,

warns that the full 50 ft (15.2 m) may not be authorized for outside

unlisted cable (not in a metal or intermediate metal conduit) within a

building if it is practicable to place the NID, BET, or fused primary

station protector closer than 50 ft (15.2 m) to the cable entrance

point, e.g., if there is an acceptable and accessible grounding

electrode of the type cited in Section 800-40 of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC, anywhere along the proposed routing of the outside

cable within the building); or

(2) Where the NID, BET, or fused primary station protector must be

located within the building remote from the entrance point and the

entrance point of the outside plant wire or cable cannot be designed to

be closer to the NID, BET, or fused primary station protector location,

the outside plant wire or cable shall be spliced, as close as

practicable to the point where the outside plant wire or cable emerges

through an outside wall, to an inside wiring cable that is ``Listed''

as being suitable for the purpose in accordance with Part E of Article

800 of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC. The length of outside

plant wire or cable exposed within the building shall be as short as

practicable but in no case shall it be longer than 50 ft (15.2 m) in

accordance with the allowable exception No. 3 of Section 800-50 of the

ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC. See sketch C of Figure 3. The

shield of the outside plant wire or cable shall be bonded to the

grounding terminal of the NID, BET, or fused primary station protector

which in turn shall be connected to the closest, existing, and

accessible grounding electrode, of the electrodes cited in Section 800-

40 of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC (Fine print Note No. 2 of

the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, Section 800-50, warns that the

full 50 ft (15.2 m) may not be authorized for outside unlisted cable

(not in a metal or intermediate metal conduit) if it is practicable to

place the NID, BET, or fused primary station protector closer than 50

ft (15.2 m) to the cable entrance point, e.g., if there is an

acceptable and accessible grounding electrode of the type cited in

Section 800-40 of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, anywhere

along the proposed routing of the outside cable within the building).

Figure 3 is as follows:

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[[Page 70465]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.002

[[Page 70466]]

(i) The polarity of buried wire or cable ``tip'' and ``ring''

conductors shall be maintained by making the connections in accordance

with Table 2, as follows:

Table 2.--Color Codes for Tip and Ring Connections of Inside Wiring Cable

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tip Ring

Pair -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color of insulation Color of marking Color of insulation Color of marking

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.................................. White...................... Blue....................... Blue....................... White

2.................................. White...................... Orange..................... Orange..................... White

3.................................. White...................... Green...................... Green...................... White

4.................................. White...................... Brown...................... Brown...................... White

5.................................. White...................... Slate...................... Slate...................... White

6.................................. Red........................ Blue....................... Blue....................... Red

7.................................. Red........................ Orange..................... Orange..................... Red

8.................................. Red........................ Green...................... Green...................... Red

9.................................. Red........................ Brown...................... Brown...................... Red

10.................................. Red........................ Slate...................... Slate...................... Red

11.................................. Black...................... Blue....................... Blue....................... Black

12.................................. Black...................... Orange..................... Orange..................... Black

13.................................. Black...................... Green...................... Green...................... Black

14.................................. Black...................... Brown...................... Brown...................... Black

15.................................. Black...................... Slate...................... Slate...................... Black

16.................................. Yellow..................... Blue....................... Blue....................... Yellow

17.................................. Yellow..................... Orange..................... Orange..................... Yellow

18.................................. Yellow..................... Green...................... Green...................... Yellow

19.................................. Yellow..................... Brown...................... Brown...................... Yellow

20.................................. Yellow..................... Slate...................... Slate...................... Yellow

21.................................. Violet..................... Blue....................... Blue....................... Violet

22.................................. Violet..................... Orange..................... Orange..................... Violet

23.................................. Violet..................... Green...................... Green...................... Violet

24.................................. Violet..................... Brown...................... Brown...................... Violet

25.................................. Violet..................... Slate...................... Slate...................... Violet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1755.506 Aerial wire services.

(a) Aerial services of one through six pairs shall consist of

Service Entrance, Aerial (SEA) assembly units, in accordance with RUS

Bulletin 345-154 (RUS Form 515g), Specifications and Drawings for

Service Entrance and Station Protector Installations. The wire used for

aerial services shall conform to the requirements of Secs. 1755.700

through 7 CFR 1755.704, RUS specification for aerial service wires, and

shall be RUS accepted or RUS technically accepted. Copies of RUS

Bulletin 345-154 are available upon request from RUS/USDA, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1522, Washington, DC 20250-1522, FAX

(202) 690-2268.

(b) If aerial wire services are to be connected to aerial cable

pairs, the NIDs or fused primary station protectors and grounds shall

be installed and connected before the aerial service wires are attached

to the customer's structure.

spans.

(d) Aerial service wires shall be run in accordance with the

construction drawings contained in Sec. 1755.510 and shall conform to

all clearance requirements of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC,

and ANSI/IEEE C2-1997, NESC, or local laws or ordinances, whichever are

the most stringent. The National Electrical Code and

NEC are registered trademarks of the National Fire

Protection Association, Inc., Quincy, MA 02269. The ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC, and ANSI/IEEE C2-1997, NESC, are incorporated by

reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies

of ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, are available from NFPA, 1

Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269-9101,

telephone number 1 (800) 344-3555. Copies of ANSI/IEEE C2-1997, NESC,

are available from IEEE Service Center, 455 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, New

Jersey 08854, telephone number 1 (800) 678--4333. Copies of ANSI/NFPA

70-1996, NEC, and ANSI/IEEE C2-1997, NESC, are available

for inspection during normal business hours at RUS, room 2845, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1598,

Washington, DC 20250-1598 or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800

North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) Aerial service wire shall be installed using the maximum

practicable sag consistent with the required ground clearance and good

construction practices. In no event shall the minimum sags be less than

the values shown on construction drawing 505 contained in Sec. 1755.510

for various span lengths and loading areas provided. Span lengths shall

not exceed 250 ft (76 m).

(f) To reduce vibration and galloping, aerial service wire shall be

twisted one complete turn for each 10 ft (3 m) of span length at the

time of installation.

(g) The methods of attaching aerial service wires at poles shall be

as illustrated in construction drawings 503-2 and 504 contained in

Sec. 1755.510.

(h) A horizontal climbing space of 24 in. (610 mm) shall be

provided on poles used jointly with power circuits that operate at 300

volts or less, provided the telecommunications conductors are

positioned below the power conductors; however, if the

telecommunications conductors are installed above power conductors that

operate at 300 volts or less (a practice which is highly discouraged

and not practicable), a horizontal climbing space of 30 in. (762 mm)

shall be provided as indicated on construction drawing 702 contained in

Sec. 1755.510. A climbing space of 30 in. (762 mm) shall be provided on

poles used jointly with power circuits that operate at voltages greater

than 300 volts but less than 15 kilovolts (kV) as indicated on

construction drawing 702 contained in Sec. 1755.510. On jointly used

poles with power conductors operating at voltages greater than 15 kV,

climbing space shall be provided in conformance

[[Page 70467]]

with the requirements of Rule 236 of the ANSI/IEEE C2-1997, NESC.

Climbing space shall be projected vertically 40 in. (1.02 m) above and

below the bounding telecommunications conductors on jointly used poles

with power conductors unless the telecommunications conductors are

installed above the power conductors (a practice which is highly

discouraged and not practicable) and the power conductors operate at

voltages greater than 8.7 kV line-to-ground or 15 kV line-to-line, in

which case the projected vertical space shall be increased to 60 in.

(1.5 m).

(i) Not more than four aerial service wires shall be distributed

from any one in \7/16\ in. (10 mm) drive hook, or more than two aerial

service wires from any one \5/16\ in. (8 mm) drive hook. Aerial service

wires and drive hooks shall be arranged so that the load does not pull

the drive hook out of the pole. When more than one drive hook is

required, the drive hooks shall be staggered with a minimum separation

of 1 in. (25.4 mm) horizontally on centers and 1.5 in. (40 mm)

vertically on centers. If drive hooks are placed within 3 in. (76 mm)

of the top of the pole and on the opposite side of the pole's

circumference, a vertical separation of at least 3 in. (76 mm) shall be

provided. A drive hook shall not be placed on the top of a pole or stub

pole.

(j) When connecting aerial service wires to cable pairs at

terminals, sufficient slack shall be provided so that each aerial

service wire shall reach any binding post position as shown on

construction drawing 312-1 contained in Sec. 1755.510.

(k) Aerial service wire attachments on utility poles and the manner

of placing bridle rings and entering cable terminals shall be as shown

on construction drawing 503-2 contained in Sec. 1755.510.

(l) Not more than two conductors shall be connected to any terminal

binding post. Where it is necessary to bridge more than two aerial

service wires at the same closure, the aerial service wires shall be

terminated in aerial service wire terminals connected in parallel with

a No. 20 AWG bridle wire which shall be terminated on the binding posts

of the filled terminal block.

(m) Where aerial service wire is attached to aerial plastic cable,

it shall be brought directly into a ready-access closure and shall be

terminated on the binding posts of the filled terminal block as shown

on construction drawing 503-2 contained in Sec. 1755.510.

(n) The conductor of copper coated steel reinforced aerial service

wires identified by tracer ridges shall be used as the ring (negative

battery) conductor of the pair, and shall normally be connected to the

right or lower binding post of a pair on filled terminal blocks and

NIDs or fused primary station protectors.

(o)(1) The tip and ring conductors of nonmetallic reinforced aerial

service wires shall be identified in accordance with Table 3, as

follows:

Table 3.--Nonmetallic Reinforced Aerial Service Wire Color Code

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Conductor color

Pair No -------------------------------------------

Tip Ring

------------------------------------------------------------------------

1........................... White/Blue or White. Blue.

2........................... White/Orange or Orange.

White.

3........................... White/Green or White Green.

4........................... White/Brown or White Brown.

5........................... White/Slate or White Slate.

6........................... Red/Blue or Red..... Blue.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

(2) The ring (negative battery) conductor of the pair shall

normally be connected to the right or lower binding post of a pair on

filled terminal blocks and NIDs or fused primary station protectors.

(p) When it is necessary to avoid intervening obstacles between a

pole and a building, span clamp attachments shall be used to support

the aerial service wires at points between the poles that are

supporting the cable on the suspension strand as indicated by

construction drawings 501-1 and 501-2 contained in Sec. 1755.510.

(q) Aerial service wire strung from pole to pole shall be placed

entirely below or entirely above any existing wire or cable. When

adequate ground clearance can be obtained, preference shall be given to

placing aerial service wire below wire and cable.

(r) When more than one aerial service wire is installed from pole

to pole, the first aerial service wire shall be sagged in accordance

with construction drawing 505 contained in Sec. 1755.510. Succeeding

aerial service wires shall be sagged with 2 in. (50.8 mm) more sag for

each aerial service wire.

(s) Aerial service wire spans from pole lines to buildings shall

follow the shortest feasible route commensurate with the requirements

of paragraph (t) of this section and shall be sagged in accordance with

construction drawing 505 contained in Sec. 1755.510. The route shall

avoid trees and other obstructions to the extent practicable. Where

trees cannot be avoided, tree trimming permission shall be obtained

from the owner or the owner's representative, and all limbs and foliage

within 2 ft (600 mm) of the finally sagged wire shall be removed. If

tree trimming permission cannot be obtained, the matter shall be

referred to the borrower for resolution before proceeding with the

installation.

(t) Aerial service wires shall contact buildings as closely as

practicable at a point directly above the NID, or fused primary station

protector. Generally, horizontal drop wire runs on buildings shall not

exceed 20 ft (6 m). The warning given in Sec. 1755.505(f)(11) regarding

drilling holes in aluminum and vinyl siding applies also to attaching

aerial service wires.

(u) The point of the first building attachment shall be located so

that the aerial service wire will be clear of roof drainage points.

(v) Where practicable, aerial service wires shall pass under

electrical guys, power distribution secondaries and services, tree

limbs, etc.

(w) Aerial service wire shall not pass in front of windows or

immediately above doors.

(x) Aerial service wires shall be routed so as to have a minimum

clearance of 2 ft (600 mm) from any part of a short wave, ham radio,

etc. antenna mast and a television antenna mast in its normal vertical

position and of the possible region through which it sweeps when being

lowered to a horizontal position.

(y) Aerial service wires shall be installed such that all

clearances and separations comply with either Section 237 of the ANSI/

IEEE C2-1997, NESC, or ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, or local

[[Page 70468]]

laws or ordinances, whichever is the most stringent.

(z) Aerial service wire attachments to buildings shall be as

follows:

(1) First attachments on buildings shall be made in accordance with

construction drawings 506, 507, or 508-1 contained in Sec. 1755.510, as

applicable;

(2) Intermediate attachments on buildings shall be made in

accordance with construction drawings 510 or 510-1 contained in

Sec. 1755.510; and

(3) Uninsulated attachments shall be permitted to be used as

follows:

(i) Wherever NIDS are used as permitted by Section 800-30(a)(1) of

the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC; and

(ii) On masonry and other types of nonflammable buildings.

(aa) Insulated attachments shall be used on wooden frame, metallic

siding and other types of combustible buildings where fused primary

station protectors are used, as required by Section 800-30(a)(2) of the

ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC.

(bb) Aerial service wire runs on buildings shall be attached

vertically and/or horizontally in a neat and most inconspicuous

possible manner. See construction drawing 513 contained in

Sec. 1755.510. Horizontal runs on buildings are undesirable and shall

be kept to a minimum. Diagonal runs shall not be made.

(cc) Aerial service wire runs on buildings shall be located so as

not to be subjected to damage from passing vehicles, pedestrians, or

livestock.

(dd) Minimum separation between aerial service wires and other

facilities on or in buildings shall be in accordance with

Sec. 1755.505(f)(8),

Table 1.

(ee) Appropriate devices for attaching aerial service wires to

buildings vary with the type of building construction and with the type

of customer access location equipment. Table 4 lists various types of

attachments and their application with respect to construction,

customer access location equipment, and proper mounting devices.

Construction drawings 506 through 513 contained in Sec. 1755.510

illustrate requirements with respect to various angles of service wire

contacts and uses of various attachments. Table 4 is as follows:

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[[Page 70469]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.003

[[Page 70470]]

Notes: \1\ Screw dimensions are minimum. Where appropriate,

either or both dimensions shall be increased. All wood screws for

exterior use shall be stainless steel. All other exterior metal

devices shall be stainless steel, zinc coated steel, silicon bronze,

or corrosion resistant aluminum alloy.

\2\ Toggle bolt dimensions are minimum. Where appropriate,

either or both dimensions shall be increased.

\3\ All devices should be attached to studding.

\4\ Screw-type devices shall be secured by means of expansion-

type anchors. Equivalent manual or machine-driven devices may be

used. Where toggle bolts are specified equivalent devices may be

used.

\5\ Pilot holes shall be provided for screws and bridle rings in

shingles and dropsiding.

\6\ Attachment device not applicable.

\7\ Attachment device applicable but no separate fastening

device required.

\8\ To convert English units to Metric units use 1 in. = 25.4

mm.

(ff) Fastener spacings for vertical and horizontal runs on frame or

masonry buildings shall not be more than 6 ft (2 m) apart. Fasteners

should be spaced close enough to prevent the aerial service wire from

``slapping'' against the building during windy conditions.

(gg) When it is necessary to pass behind or around obstructions

such as downspouts and vertical conduits, the aerial service wire shall

be supported firmly with attachment devices placed not more than 6 in.

(152 mm) from the obstruction as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of

paragraph (hh) of this section. Preferably, the aerial service wire

should be routed behind obstructions to minimize the possibility of

mechanical damage to the aerial service wire in the event repair work

to the obstruction is required.

(hh) When passing around building projections of masonry or wood or

around corners, aerial service wires shall be installed as illustrated

in Figures 5 and 6. Figures 4, 5, and 6 are as follows:

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[[Page 70472]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.005

[[Page 70473]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.006

BILLING CODE 3410-15-C

[[Page 70474]]

(ii) In areas where ice and snow conditions are severe, aerial

service wires shall be located so that ice and snow falling from the

roof will not strike the wires. However, where aerial service wires

must pass under the sloping part of the roof, first attachments shall

be made as close as practicable to the eaves.

(jj) If two aerial service wire spans are required to the same

building, the first attachment shall be such that both aerial service

wires can be attached at the same attachment device. Refer to

construction drawing 508-1 contained in Sec. 1755.510. Where more than

two aerial service wires are required, additional attachment devices in

the same general location on the building shall be used.

(kk) When two or more aerial service wire runs are required on the

same building they shall share the same type of attachment devices.

(ll) Aerial service wire entrances to buildings shall conform to

sketch B of construction drawing 510-2 contained in Sec. 1755.510,

unless the entrance is made through a conduit.

(mm) When the aerial service wire approaches the entrance hole from

above, a 1.5 in. (40 mm) minimum drip loop shall be formed in

accordance with sketch B of construction drawing 510-2 contained in

Sec. 1755.510.

(nn) If an entrance conduit which slopes upward from outside to

inside is available and suitably located, it shall be used for the

aerial service wire entrance.

Sec. 1755.507 Aerial cable services.

(a) Where more than six pairs are needed initially, and where an

aerial service is necessary, the service shall consist of 22 AWG filled

aerial cable of a pair size adequate for the ultimate anticipated

service needs of the building. The cable shall comply with the

requirements of Sec. 1755.390, RUS Specification for Filled Telephone

Cables, and shall be RUS accepted or RUS technically accepted.

(b) Aerial cable services shall be constructed in accordance with

specific installation specifications prepared by the RUS borrower or

the engineer delegated by the borrower.

aerial cable service installations shall meet the following

requirements:

(1) Strand supported lashed construction shall be used.

(2) Where practicable a \5/16\ in. (8 mm) utility grade strand and

automatic clamps shall be used in slack spans to avoid damage to the

building.

(3) Construction on poles shall comply with applicable construction

drawings for regular line construction. Aerial service cable shall be

spliced to the main cable in accordance with Sec. 1755.200, RUS

standard for splicing copper and fiber optic cables.

(4) Where practicable, aerial cable shall pass under electrical

guys, distribution secondaries, and services.

(5) The suspension strand shall be attached to the building by wall

brackets as indicated in Figure 7 as follows:

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

[[Page 70475]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.007

BILLING CODE 3410-15-C

[[Page 70476]]

(i) If taut spans are necessary, appropriate size strand may be

used if the pull is in line with one wall of the building, or within 20

degrees of being in line as illustrated in sketch A of Figure 7. If the

angle of pull is greater than 20 degrees from the building, the wall

bracket shall be reinforced against pullout by an arrangement

equivalent to sketch B of Figure 7. Taut spans may be strung using the

recommendations in RUS Bulletin 1751F-630, Design of Aerial Plant. The

same tension as would be used in normal line construction so as not to

exceed 60 percent of the breaking strength of the strand under maximum

loading shall be used. Taut spans shall not exceed 100 ft (30.5 m) in

length and the cable weight shall not exceed 1 pound/foot (lb/ft) [1.5

kilogram/meter (kg/m)] except when equivalent combinations of greater

span lengths with cable weight less than 1 lb/ft (1.5 kg/m) are

permissible. Copies of RUS Bulletin 1751F-630 are available upon

request from RUS/USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1522,

Washington, DC 20250-1522, FAX (202) 690-2268.

(ii) When an attachment must be made to the face of a building wall

away from a corner, a ``U'' type wall bracket shall be used as

indicated in sketch C of Figure 7 of this paragraph (c)(5). Only slack

span construction with \5/16\ in. (8 mm) utility grade strand shall be

permitted in this situation. The bail of the automatic clamp shall be

protected by a wire rope thimble.

(6) Aerial cable shall be located on the rear or side of the

building and shall be run only in a horizontal or a vertical direction.

The cable route shall be selected so as to avoid building projections

and obstructions to the extent practicable.

(7) Cable attachment devices shall be located in solid masonry or

in studs of wood frame buildings. Sheet surface materials may be used

only where they are reinforced by substantial backing material which

the attachment services can penetrate.

(8) The minimum separation on or in buildings between cable and

other facilities shall be as indicated in Sec. 1755.505(f)(8), Table 1.

(9) On horizontal runs, place cable clamps so that the attachment

shall be made below the cable. On vertical runs place the cable clamps

so that the attachment shall be made on the same side as horizontal

runs. Cable clamps shall be placed on the inside of cable bends.

(10) On horizontal runs, cable clamps shall be placed not more than

16 in. (400 mm) apart for cable diameters equal to or greater than 1

in. (25.4 mm) and 24 in. (600 mm) apart for cable diameters less than 1

in. (25.4 mm).

(11) On vertical runs, cable clamps shall be approximately 24 in.

(600 mm) apart for all sizes of cable.

(12) For the cable entrance, holes shall be bored slightly larger

in diameter than the cable and shall slope upward from outside to

inside. A duct sealer having RUS acceptance or RUS technical acceptance

shall be applied to both ends of the hole after the cable is pulled in.

(13) Section 1755.505 (g) and (h) shall also apply to aerial cable

services.

Sec. 1755.508 Customer access location protection.

(a) All customer access locations shall be protected.

(b) Customer access location protection shall consist of installing

the telecommunications facilities with proper clearances and insulation

from other facilities, providing primary voltage limiting protection,

fuse links, NIDs, BETs, or fused primary station protectors, if

required, and adequate bonding and grounding.

the RUS borrower shall obtain RUS regional office approval on a case by

case basis as applicable.

(d) All BETs shall be RUS accepted or RUS technically accepted.

(e) All fused primary station protectors shall be RUS accepted or

RUS technically accepted.

(f) NIDs, BETs, or fused primary station protectors shall be

mounted outside for all applications except for those described in

paragraphs (g) introductory text through (g)(3) of this section.

(g) NIDs, BETs, or fused primary station protectors may be mounted

inside when:

(1) Large buildings are to be served and the customer requests an

inside installation;

(2) Buried alarm circuits are requested by the subscriber; or

(3) The customer requests an all buried installation for appearance

or to prevent the drilling of holes in aluminum or vinyl siding.

(h) Outside mounted NIDs, BETs, or fused primary station protectors

shall be easily accessible and shall be located between 3 to 5 ft (1 to

1.5 m) above final grade.

(i) The locations of NIDs, BETs, or fused primary station

protectors shall be selected with emphasis on utilizing the shortest

primary station protector grounding conductor practicable and on

grounding of the telecommunications primary station protector to the

electric service grounding system established at the building served

utilizing electrodes (3) through (7) cited in Section 800-40(b)(1) of

the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC. The National Electrical

Code and NEC are registered trademarks of the

National Fire Protection Association, Inc., Quincy, MA 02269. The ANSI/

NFPA 70-1996, NEC, is incorporated by reference in

accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies are available

from NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, Massachusetts

02269-9101, telephone number 1 (800) 344-3555. Copies of ANSI/NFPA 70-

1996, NEC, are available for inspection during normal

business hours at RUS, room 2845, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598 or at

the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,

suite 700, Washington, DC.

(j) If access to the building electric service grounding system, as

referenced in paragraph (i) of this section, is not possible or is not

reasonable [telecommunications primary station protector grounding

conductor will be longer than 10 ft (3 m)], the NID, BET, or fused

primary station protector shall be located as close as practicable to

electrodes (1) or (2) cited in Section 800-40(b)(1) of the ANSI/NFPA

70-1996, NEC.

(k) In addition, the NID, BET, or fused primary station protector

shall be located in, on, or immediately adjacent to the structure or

building to be served as close as practicable to the point at which the

telecommunications service wire attaches to the building, making sure

that the telecommunications primary station protector grounding

conductor is connected to the closest, existing, and accessible

electrode, of the electrodes cited in paragraphs (i) or (j) of this

section.

(l) For the preferred customer access location installation, the

ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, permits the telecommunications

grounding conductor to be connected to the metallic conduit, service

equipment closure, or electric grounding conductor as shown in Figure 8

of paragraph (l)(2) of this section.

(1) Connections to metallic conduits shall be made by ground straps

clamped over a portion of the conduit that has been cleaned by sanding

down to bare metal.

(2) Connections to metallic service equipment closures shall be

made by attaching a connector which is listed for the purpose by some

organization acceptable to the local authority (State, county, etc.)

per Article 100 of the

[[Page 70477]]

ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, definition for ``Listed'' [for

example connectors listed for the purpose by Underwriters Laboratories

(UL)]. Figure 8 is as follows:

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

[[Page 70478]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.008

BILLING CODE 3410-15-C

[[Page 70479]]

(m) Where it is not possible to accomplish the objective of

paragraphs (i), (j), and (k) of this section, interior metallic pipes

may be used to the maximum practicable extent to gain access to the

electric service ground as shown in Figure 9. Note that the water pipe

in Figure 9 is electrically continuous between electric and

telecommunications bonds to the cold water pipe and it is used only as

a portion of a bonding conductor and, therefore, does not have to be

``acceptable'' as a ground electrode but may be floating (isolated from

ground by a plastic pipe section). ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC,

requires that metal piping be used as a bonding conductor in this

manner only when the connectors to the pipe are within 1.5 m (5 ft) of

where the pipe enters the premises. This is not the preferred

installation. The RUS preferred installation has the telecommunications

primary station protector grounded directly to an accessible location

near the power grounding system. See paragraph (l) of this section.

Figure 9 is as follows:

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

[[Page 70480]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.009

BILLING CODE 3410-15-C

[[Page 70481]]

(n) Where the telecommunications premises system at a customer's

access location is grounded to a separate electrode (of any type) this

telecommunications grounding electrode must be bonded to the electric

grounding system with a No. 6 AWG or larger copper insulated grounding

conductor. Bonding of separate electrodes is a requirement of the ANSI/

NFPA 70-1996, NEC.

(o) The NID, BET, or fused primary station protector pair size

shall be adequate for the number of lines anticipated within five

years.

(p) When lightning damage is considered probable or customer access

locations are remote from the borrower's headquarters, use of maximum

duty gas tube primary station protectors incorporated in NIDs, BETs, or

fused primary station protectors shall be considered. (See RUS TE&CM

823, Electrical Protection by Use of Gas Tube Arresters). Copies of RUS

TE&CM 823 are available upon request from RUS/USDA, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW., STOP 1522, Washington, DC 20250-1522, FAX (202) 690-2268.

(q) NIDs or BETs incorporating fuseless station protectors shall

always be used in preference to fused station protectors or BETs

incorporating fused protectors, when in the judgment of the RUS

borrower or the engineer delegated by the RUS borrower, the

requirements of the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, for fuseless

station protectors can be met.

(r) A fuse link consisting of a copper conductor two gauges (AWG)

finer (numerically higher) conductivity than the aerial service wire

shall be provided between the cable and aerial service wire where NIDs

or BETs incorporating fuseless station protectors are used. Thus for a

22 AWG drop, a fuse link of No. 24 AWG or finer copper wire shall be

provided. If the cable circuit is No. 24 gauge or finer, the cable

conductors serve as the fuse link for the 22 AWG aerial service wire

and no separate fuse link is necessary. (Note: The fuse link or the

facilities serving as the fuse link must be located between the

telecommunications facilities that are exposed to possible power cross

and the customer drop where there is no exposure to possible power

cross.)

(s) RUS's buried plant practices require buried main line plant to

be protected against power contacts to aerial plant extensions and

aerial inserts by No. 24 AWG fuse links at every buried-aerial

junction.

(t) In aerial cable plant, fuse links are usually provided by 24

AWG leads on filled terminal blocks regardless of the gauge of the

cable conductors. This practice is acceptable if the ampacity of the

aerial service wire is sufficiently higher than the fuse link's

ampacity.

(u) The grounding and bonding of each NID, BET, or fused primary

station protector shall be selected by consulting paragraphs (i)

through (n) of this section. The ``first choice'' assembly unit shall

be selected whenever the prevailing conditions make its use

practicable. The NID, BET, or fused primary station protector assembly

unit selected shall be installed in accordance with the appropriate

construction drawing specified in RUS Bulletin 345-154 (RUS Form 515g),

Specifications and Drawings for Service Entrance and Station Protector

Installation. Copies of RUS Bulletin 345-154 are available upon request

from RUS/USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1522, Washington, DC

20250-1522, FAX (202) 690-2268.

(v) The minimum size grounding conductor that can be used with a

single NID; a group of NIDS; a multipair NID; fused protector; or BET

shall be in accordance Table 5, as follows:

Table 5.--Grounding Conductor Size Versus Number of Circuits

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of circuits

Minimum Grounding Conductor Size ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Fuseless (carbon or gas tube) Fused

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#12 AWG, copper, insulated............... 1 to 2................................. 1 to 3.

#10 AWG, copper, insulated............... 3 to 5................................. 4 to 7.

#6 AWG, copper, insulated................ 6 or more.............................. 8 or more.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(w) Grounding conductor runs between the NID, BET, or fused station

protector and the ground electrode shall conform to the following:

(1) The shortest, most direct route practicable shall be used;

(2) Sharp bends in the grounding conductor shall be avoided during

installation;

(3) No splices shall be made in the grounding conductor;

(4) Grounding conductors shall not be fished through walls, under

floors, or placed in bridle rings or any metal conduit unless the

grounding conductor is bonded to the conductor at both ends of the

metallic conduit;

(5) Grounding conductor runs from an outside mounted NID, BET, or

fused station protector to an inside ground electrode shall use the

same entrance as the station wire; and

(6) Grounding conductor runs from an outside mounted NID, BET, or

fused station protector to an outside ground electrode at the building

shall be attached to the exterior surface of the building or buried. If

buried, the grounding conductor shall be either plowed or trenched to a

minimum depth of 12 in. (300 mm). When trenched, the trenches shall be

as close to the side of the building as practicable, backfilled, and

tamped to restore the earth to its original condition.

(x) Telecommunications grounding connectors shall be RUS accepted

or RUS technically accepted. Grounding and bonding conductors shall be

made of copper. Where the grounding and bonding conductors must be

connected to aluminum electric service grounding conductors, bimetal

grounding connectors shall be used.

(y) Grounding conductor attachments shall conform to the following:

(1) Galvanized nails or clamps, or nickel-copper alloy staples

shall be used for grounding conductor attachments in accordance with

Table 6 in paragraph (y)(3) of this section.

(2) Grounding conductors, station or buried service wires in

parallel runs may share the same fastening device when the device is

specifically designed for two wires. See Table 6 in paragraph (y)(3) of

this section for station wire and grounding conductor fasteners; and

(3) Grounding conductor fasteners shall be placed 12 to 18 in. (300

to 450 mm) apart on straight runs and 2 to 4 in. (50.8 to 100 mm) apart

at corners and at bends. Table 6 is as follows:

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[[Page 70482]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.010

BILLING CODE 3410-15-C

[[Page 70483]]

Notes: \1\ Screw dimensions are minimum. Where appropriate,

either or both dimensions shall be increased. All wood screws for

exterior use shall be stainless steel. All other exterior metal

devices shall be stainless steel, zinc coated steel, silicon bronze,

or corrosion resistant aluminum alloy.

\2\ Toggle bolt dimensions are minimum. Where appropriate,

either or both dimensions shall be increased.

\3\ Wall screw anchors may be used in wall board, plaster or

tile walls. Screws and nails in masonry shall be secured by means of

expansions type anchors. Equivalent manual or machine-driven devices

may be used. Where toggle bolts are specified, equivalent devices

may be used.

\4\ Lead holes shall be drilled for screws, nails, and bridle

rings in shingles and drop siding.

\5\ Sheet metal screws shall be used except where toggle bolts

are required. Where wood sheathing under sheet metal siding is

encountered, the sheet metal may be drilled or punched and a wood

screw used.

\6\ Machine-driven staples of nickel-copper composition may be

used for exterior wiring.

\7\ Galvanized clamps and wiring nails may be used for exterior

and interior wiring. Enameled clamps shall be used for interior

wiring only. Where toggle bolts or equivalent devices require holes

in the structure larger than the clamp being fastened, a suitable

washer of sufficient size to cover the hole must be used under the

clamp.

\8\ Double clamp may be used where two #22 AWG station wires,

two #12 AWG grounding conductors, or one #22 AWG station wire and

one #12 grounding conductor parallels one another.

\9\ For converting English units to Metric units use 1 in. =

25.4 mm.

(z) Grounding conductors shall be separated from non-telephone

company wires in accordance with Section 800-12(b) of the ANSI/NFPA 70-

1996, NEC.

(aa) Grounding conductors run through metal conduits shall be

bonded to the conduit at each end. RUS accepted and RUS technically

accepted pipe type ground clamps and grounding connectors shall be used

for bonding.

(bb) Where NID, BET, or fused station protector assembly units

require grounding conductor connections to pipe systems, the following

apply:

(1) The connection shall be made to a cold water pipe of an

operating water system;

(2) The connection point shall be preferably inside the building;

(3) Allow a minimum of 6 in. (152 mm) between the last fastener and

the point where the grounding conductor first touches the water pipe;

(4) Leave 2 in. (50.8 mm) of slack in the grounding conductor to

avoid breaking the conductor at the terminating point. Tape the

grounding conductor to the pipe where possible to avoid movement. In no

case, shall the grounding conductor be coiled or wrapped around the

pipe;

(5) The pipe shall be cleaned with fine sand paper to make a good

electrical connection. Care should be taken to avoid damaging the pipe

while cleaning it;

(6) Attach the pipe grounding conductor connector to the cleaned

area of pipe and tighten. Care shall be exercised to avoid deforming,

crushing, or otherwise damaging the pipe. A simple continuity check

with an ohmmeter between the connector and the pipe will indicate

whether or not a good electrical contact has been made. Set the

ohmmeter to ``R x 1'' scale to ensure that a low resistance contact is

made;

(7) A warning tag shall be attached to the ground clamp with the

following or equivalent statement: ``Call the telecommunications

company if this connector or grounding conductor is loose or must be

removed''; and

(8) When the water pipe is used, the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC, requires that metal piping be used as a bonding

conductor in this manner only when the connections to the pipe are

within 5 ft (1.5 m) of where the pipe enters the premises.

(cc) Bonding conductors shall consist of either copper or tinned

copper insulated wires of appropriate sizes.

(1) Bonding conductors shall be run and attached in the same manner

as grounding conductors.

(2) Attaching and terminating devices for bonding conductors shall

be adequate for the size of wire involved. The No. 6 AWG copper

insulated conductor or larger shall not be terminated by bending it

around a threaded stud.

(dd) Where NID, BET, or fused station protector assembly units

require a driven ground rod the following shall apply to the ground rod

installation:

(1) Locate the ground rod at least 1 ft (300 mm) from buildings,

poles, trees and other obstruction;

(2) Ground rods shall not be installed within 6 ft (2 m) of

electric service ground rods (Note: This minimum separation is provided

to avoid mutual impedance effects of multiple grounding electrodes that

will deleteriously degrade the effective impedance-to-earth if

grounding electrodes are installed any closer than 6 ft (2 m) to one

another. This requirement is included for special cases where the

telecommunications company is not allowed, for some reason, to observe

the RUS preferred grounding method of attaching the primary protector

grounding conductor directly to an accessible point on the building

electric service grounding system. RUS believes that if the primary

protector location can be sited within 6 ft (2 m) of the electric

service ground rod then the electric service ground rod could be used

as the preferred telecommunications grounding electrode and a separate

telecommunications ground rod is unnecessary);

(3) A hole, 15 in. (350 mm) deep and 6 in. (150 mm) in diameter,

shall be dug at the location where the ground rod is to be driven;

(4) Where ``slip-on'' type ground rod clamps are used instead of

``clamp-around'' type clamps, the ground rod clamps shall be placed

onto the rod prior to driving the rod into the ground (Note there

should be one clamp for the NID, BET, or fused station protector

grounding conductor and one clamp for the conductor required to bond

the telecommunications ground rod to the electric grounding system).

However, the clamp shall not be tightened until the rod is completely

driven. The end of the rod shall be placed in the bottom of the hole

and the rod shall be aligned vertically adjacent to one wall of the

hole prior to driving. The rod shall be driven until its tip is 12 in.

(300 mm) below final grade. The grounding conductor shall then be

attached, the clamp shall be tightened, and hole backfilled. Clamps

employed in this manner shall be suitable for direct burial and shall

be RUS accepted or RUS technically accepted; and

(5) Where rods are manually driven, a large number of blows from a

light hammer (4 lbs [1.8 kg]) shall be used instead of heavy

sledgehammer type blows. This should keep the rod from bending.

(ee) Terminations on fuseless primary station protectors

incorporated in NIDs and on fused primary station protectors shall be

as shown in Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 of paragraph (ee)(1) of

this section. The inner jackets of buried service wires and outer

jackets of cables used as service drops shall be extended into the NID

or the fused primary station protector. A 10 in. (250 mm) length of

each spare wire shall be left in NIDs or fused primary station

protectors. The spare wires shall be coiled up neatly and stored in the

NID

[[Page 70484]]

or fused primary station protector housing.

(1) The shields of buried service wires may be connected to the

ground binding post using RUS accepted or RUS technically accepted

buried service shield bond connectors as shown in Figure 10 for NIDs

and Figure 11 for fused primary station protectors. RUS accepted or RUS

technically accepted buried service wire harness wires designed for

customer access location installations may also be used for terminating

buried service wire shields to the ground binding post of the NID as

shown in Figure 12 and Figure 13 for fused primary station protectors.

Figures 10 through 13 are as follows:

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

[[Page 70485]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.011

[[Page 70486]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.012

[[Page 70487]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.013

[[Page 70488]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.014

BILLING CODE 3410-15-C

[[Page 70489]]

(2) On buried service drops and aerial service drops of more than 6

pairs using RUS accepted or RUS technically accepted cables, the

shields shall be terminated with a RUS accepted or RUS technically

accepted cable shield bonding connector and extended to the ground

binding post of the NID, BET, or fused primary station protector with a

RUS accepted or RUS technically accepted bonding harness wire. The

installation of the shield bond connector and bonding harness wire

shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

(3) The shield and other conductors at the fuseless primary station

protector incorporated in the NID shall be terminated as shown on

Figure 14 in paragraph (ee)(4) of this section. The pronged or cupped

washer shall be placed above the shield. The grounding conductor shall

be placed around the post on top of the pronged or cupped washer. A

flat washer shall be placed above the grounding conductor.

(4) The station wire signaling ground conductor, if required, shall

be placed above the first flat washer and beneath the second flat

washer as indicated in Figure 14 as follows:

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

[[Page 70490]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.015

BILLING CODE 3410-15-C

[[Page 70491]]

(5) The shield and other conductors at the fused primary station

protector shall be terminated as shown on Figure 15 in paragraph

(ee)(6) of this section. The pronged or cupped washer shall be placed

above the shield. The grounding conductor shall be placed around the

post on top of the pronged or cupped washer. A flat washer shall be

placed above the grounding conductor.

(6) The station wire signaling ground conductor, if required, shall

be placed above the first flat washer and beneath the second flat

washer as indicated in Figure 15 as follows:

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

[[Page 70492]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.016

BILLING CODE 3410-15-C

[[Page 70493]]

(7) Indoor NIDs or BETs that are equipped with ``Quick Connect''

type terminals shall not have more than one wire connected per clip.

No. 19 AWG copper and No. 18 AWG copper covered-steel reinforced aerial

service wire conductors shall not be connected to quick connect

terminals. Nonmetallic reinforced aerial service wire using No. 22 AWG

copper conductors may be connected to the quick connect terminals.

(8) Tip and ring connections and other connections in multipair

NIDs or BETs shall be as indicated in Figure 16 as follows:

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

[[Page 70494]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.017

BILLING CODE 3410-15-C

[[Page 70495]]

(ff) System polarity and conductor identification shall be

maintained in NIDs, BETs, or fused primary station protectors in

accordance with construction drawings 815 and 815-1 contained in

Sec. 1755.510.

Sec. 1755.509 Mobile homes.

(a) Customer access location installations at mobile homes shall be

treated the same whether the homes are mounted on permanent foundations

or temporary foundations and shall be installed as specified in

Secs. 1755.500 through 1755.510. For the purpose of this section,

mobile homes include motor homes, truck campers, travel trailers, and

all forms of recreational vehicles. Customer access location

installations at mobile homes can be considerably different than

customer access location installations at regular homes and borrowers

shall be certain that the two types of installations are properly

applied.

(b) The method of customer access location installation prescribed

by the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC for a mobile home depends on

how the electric power is installed at the mobile home and it can

involve considerable judgment on the part of the telecommunications

installer. The National Electrical Code and NEC

are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association,

Inc., Quincy, MA 02269. The ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, is

incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR

part 51. Copies are available from NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, P. O. Box

9101, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269-9101, telephone number 1 (800) 344-

3555. Copies of ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, are available for

inspection during normal business hours at RUS, room 2845, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1598,

Washington, DC 20250-1598 or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800

North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. Essentially, the

ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, requires primary station protectors

to be located where specific acceptable grounding electrodes exist. The

ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC, allows station protector

installations to be at the location of the power meter or the electric

disconnecting means apparatus serving the mobile home providing these

electric facilities are installed in the manner specifically defined by

the ANSI/NFPA 70-1996, NEC. The ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC, requires the station protectors to be installed at the

nearest of a number of other meticulously defined ANSI/NFPA 70-1996,

NEC, acceptable electrodes where the protector cannot be

installed at the power meter or the electric disconnecting means

apparatus serving the mobile home. The provisions can be confusing.

judgment, NIDs shall be installed at mobile homes in either of the

following situations:

(1) Where the mobile home electric service equipment (power meter,

etc.) or the electric service disconnecting means associated with the

mobile home is located within 35 ft (10.7 m) of the exterior wall of

the mobile homes it serves, the NID shall be installed in accordance

with Figure 17 as follows:

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

[[Page 70496]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.018

BILLING CODE 3410-15-C

[[Page 70497]]

(2) Where the mobile home electric service equipment (power meter,

etc.) or the electric service disconnecting means associated with the

mobile home is located more than 35 ft (10.7 m) from the exterior wall

of the mobile homes it serves, the NID shall be installed in accordance

with Figure 18 as follows:

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

[[Page 70498]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.019

BILLING CODE 3410-15-C

[[Page 70499]]

(d) The service wire and station wire shall be terminated in the

NID in accordance with Figure 19 in paragraph (e) of this section.

(e) Installation of the station wire and grounding conductor at the

mobile home shall be in accordance with Figure 20. Figures 19 and 20

are as follows:

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

[[Page 70500]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.020

[[Page 70501]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21DE98.021

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Sec. 1755.510 Construction and assembly unit drawings.

(a) The construction and assembly unit drawings in this section

shall be used by borrowers to assist the installer in making the

customer access location installations.

(b) The asterisks appearing on the construction drawings indicate

that the items are no longer listed in the RUS Informational

Publication (IP) 344-2, ``List of Materials Acceptable for Use on

Telecommunications Systems of RUS Borrowers.'' RUS IP 344-2 can be

obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, P. O. Box 371954,

Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954, telephone number (202) 512-1800.

508-1, 510, 510-1, 510-2, 513, 702, 815, 815-1, 912, 958, and 962 are

as follows:

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Dated: November 20, 1998.

Jill Long Thompson,

Under Secretary Rural Development.

[FR Doc. 98-32207 Filed 12-18-98; 8:45 am]

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This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.