[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14338]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Electrification Administration

7 CFR Part 1755

 

REA Specification for Terminating Cables

AGENCY: Rural Electrification Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Electrification Administration (REA) amends its 
regulations on telecommunications standards and specifications for 
materials, equipment and construction. The revised specification will 
require that terminating cables comply with Article 800-50 of the 1993 
National Electrical Code regarding fire retardancy of these products, 
include raw material requirements for insulating and jacketing 
compounds, and update the end product requirements associated with 
these type cables.

DATES: Effective date: July 14, 1994.
    Compliance date: Manufacturers of terminating cables will be 
allowed until March 14, 1995 to supply borrowers with products already 
produced or currently in the process of manufacturing under previous 
Bulletin 345-87.
    Incorporation by reference: Incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in this final rule is approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of July 14, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Garnett G. Adams, Chief, Outside Plant 
Branch, Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural Electrification 
Administration, room 2844, South Building, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-1500, telephone number (202) 720-
0667.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for the 
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and therefore has not been reviewed 
by OMB.

Executive Order 12778

    This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12778, 
Civil Justice Reform. If adopted, this final rule will not:
    (1) Preempt any State or local laws, regulations, or policies;
    (2) Have any retroactive effect; and
    (3) Require administrative proceeding before parties may file suit 
challenging the provisions of this rule.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    The Administrator of REA has determined that this final rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities, as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.). This final rule involves standards and specifications, which may 
increase the direct short term costs to REA borrowers. However, the 
long-term direct economic costs are reduced through greater durability 
and lower maintenance cost over time.

Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements

    In compliance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations (5 CFR part 1320) which implements the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-511) and section 3504 of that Act, information 
collection and recordkeeping requirements contained in this final rule 
have been submitted to OMB. Comments concerning these requirements 
should be directed to the office of Information and Regulator Affairs 
of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for USDA, room 3201, New Executive 
Office Building, Washington, DC 20503. When OMB has approved the 
information collection and recordkeeping requirements contained in this 
final rule, REA will publish an amendment to this final rule to add the 
OMB control number and statement to the regulatory text.

National Environmental Policy Act Certification

    The Administrator of REA has determined that this final 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 final 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 20402-9325.

Executive Order 12372

    This final rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order 
12372, Intergovernmental Consultation that requires intergovernmental 
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 REA and RTB loans and loan guarantees, and 
RTB bank loans, to governmental and nongovernmental entities from 
coverage under this Order.

Background

    REA issues publications titled ``Bulletins'' 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 REA financing. REA 
issues standards and specifications for construction of telephone 
facilities financed with REA loan funds. REA is rescinding Bulletin 
345-87, REA Specification for Terminating (TIP) Cable, PE-87, and 
codifying the revised specification at 7 CFR 1755.870, REA 
Specification for Terminating Cables.
    Terminating cables are used to connect the incoming outside plant 
cables to the vertical side of the main distributing frame in a 
telephone central office. Since these cables are installed inside of a 
building, these cables are required to be listed in accordance with 
Article 800-50 of the 1993 National Electrical Code (NEC). The current 
specification does not require these cables to be listed in accordance 
with Article 800-50 of the 1993 NEC. Therefore, REA is revising the 
current specification to require these cables to be listed in 
accordance with Article 800-50 of the 1993 NEC.
    The current specification does not include insulation and jacketing 
raw requirements, because these requirements were previously covered by 
REA Bulletins 345-21, 345-51, and 345-58 which have since been 
rescinded. Therefore, revision of the current specification is 
necessary to incorporate essential jacketing and insulation raw 
material requirements. By incorporating the raw material requirements 
which were formerly found in REA Bulletins 345-21, 345-51, and 345-58 
into 7 CFR 1755.870, a comprehensive document will be published for the 
manufacture of terminating cable products.
    The current specification contains end product performance 
requirements that have become outdated for these type cables because of 
the technological advancements made in the design of terminating cables 
over the past ten years. Therefore, REA is revising the current 
specification to update the end product performance requirements 
associated with these cables to reflect the technological advancements 
made in the design of these cables.
    On November 17, 1993, REA published a proposed rule at 58 FR 220 to 
rescind REA Bulletin 345-87, REA Specification for Terminating (TIP) 
Cable, PE-87, and to codify the revised specification at 7 CFR 
1755.870, REA Specification for Terminating Cables. Comments on this 
proposed rule were due by December 17, 1993. Comments and 
recommendations were received from one company by this due date. The 
comments, recommendations, and responses are summarized as follows:
    The first comment recommended that solid low density polyethylene 
and expanded polyethylene insulating compounds should also be allowed 
as an optional primary layer for the dual extruded insulated conductor.
    Response: One reason REA 7 CFR 1755.870 requires dual insulated 
conductors is to provide electrical stability and fire resistance of 
the insulated conductors. The electrical stability of the insulated 
conductor is provided by the primary layer which specifies the use of 
either solid high density polyethylene or solid crystalline propylene/
ethylene copolymer insulating compounds. The fire resistance of the 
insulated conductor is provided by the outer layer or skin which 
specifies various types of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulating 
compounds. REA chose to limit the primary layer of the dual insulated 
conductor to either the solid high density polyethylene or the solid 
crystalline propylene/ethylene copolymer insulating compounds because 
these insulating compounds have proven histories of providing 
satisfactory electrical stability of the dual insulated conductor over 
time. Therefore, REA will not change 7 CFR 1755.870 to allow the use of 
solid low density polyethylene and expanded polyethylene insulating 
compounds as primary layers as recommended by the commenter.
    The second comment recommended that 7 CFR 1755.870 should allow the 
use of single insulated conductors using solid PVC insulating compounds 
in addition to dual insulated conductors.
    Response: Another reason REA requires the use of dual insulated 
conductors for terminating cables is because these terminating cables 
are presently being spliced to filled outside plant cables at REA 
borrower construction projects. REA knows that the PVC outer skin of 
the dual insulated conductor will degrade over time as a result of the 
PVC's incompatibility with the filling compound used in filled cables. 
REA also knows that the primary layer of the dual insulated conductor 
will not degrade because the insulation materials used as the primary 
layer of the dual insulated conductor are the same insulation materials 
used as conductor insulations in filled cables which have been proven 
to be compatible with the filling compound used in filled cables. Since 
satisfactory signal transmission is dependent upon the integrity of the 
primary layer of the dual insulated conductor in terminating cables 
covered by 7 CFR 1755.870, REA must assure that the primary layer will 
not degrade when these cables are spliced to filled outside plant 
cables. If REA allowed the use of single insulated conductors using 
solid PVC insulating compounds, signal transmission on these cables 
would degrade as a result of the PVC's incompatibility with filling 
compound when spliced to filled outside plant cables. Based on the 
above reasons, REA will not allow the use of single insulated 
conductors using PVC insulating compounds in 7 CFR 1755.870.
    The next comment recommended that more restrictive volatile loss 
requirements should be added to the PVC raw materials used as the outer 
skin of the dual insulated conductors specified in 7 CFR 1755.870.
    Response: The PVC raw materials used as the outer skin of the dual 
insulated conductor presently specified in 7 CFR 1755.870 have been 
used in these cables for a number of years with satisfactory results. 
Since no problems with terminating cables using these PVC raw materials 
have been encountered, REA will not add the more restrictive volatile 
loss requirement to the PVC raw materials requirements specified in 7 
CFR 1755.870 as recommended by the commenter.
    The fourth comment recommended that test method for insulation 
resistance (IR) specified in the American Society for Testing and 
Materials (ASTM) D 4566-90 Standard be allowed as an alternative test 
method for determining the insulation fault rate of the dual insulated 
conductors.
    Response: REA would like to point out that the IR test method for 
determining the fault rate of the dual insulated conductors specified 
in 7 CFR 1755.870 is same IR test method as specified in REA Bulletin 
345-87. Since manufacturers have been using this IR test method for 
determining the fault rate of the dual insulated conductors specified 
in REA Bulletin 345-87 for more than eleven years without any reported 
problems, REA will not change 7 CFR 1755.870 to allow the alternative 
IR test method specified in ASTM D 4566-90 as a method for determining 
the insulation fault of the dual insulated conductors.
    The next comment recommended that the dual insulated conductor cold 
bend test temperature specified in 7 CFR 1755.870 be changed from -40 
 1  deg.C to -20  1  deg.C.
    Response: REA would like to point out that the -40  1 
deg.C dual insulated cold bend test temperature specified in 7 CFR 
1755.870 is same cold bend test temperature as specified in REA 
Bulletin 345-87. Since manufacturers have been performing cold bend 
tests on the dual insulated conductors using the -40  1 
deg.C test temperature specified in REA Bulletin 345-87 for more than 
eleven years without any reported problems, REA will not change the -40 
 1  deg.C cold bend test temperature specified in 7 CFR 
1755.870 to the -20  1  deg.C cold bend test temperature 
recommended by the commenter.
    The sixth comment recommended that the PVC jacket raw material 
requirements be eliminated from the specification.
    Response: REA considers the PVC jacket raw material requirements 
along with end product PVC jacket requirements to be critical 
requirements to assure that the PVC jacket will withstand the rigors of 
installation. Since REA considers PVC jacket raw material requirements 
as one essential way of assuring that the PVC jacket will withstand the 
rigors of installation, REA will not eliminate the PVC jacket raw 
material requirements from 7 CFR 1755.870 as recommended by the 
respondent.
    The seventh comment from the respondent recommended that the 
thicknesses of the outer jacket should be reduced to coincide with 
other standards for these type cables.
    Response: First, REA knows of no accepted American National 
Standard for terminating cables. If REA was aware otherwise, REA would 
reference the jacket thickness requirements of the national standard to 
assist the industry in providing one cable design that could be used by 
both REA and non-REA telephone operating companies. Since its REA's 
knowledge, no accepted national standard exists, REA incorporated the 
jacket thickness requirements presently specified in REA Bulletin 345-
87 into 7 CFR 1755.870 because these thickness requirements have been 
used for REA terminating cables for over eleven years without any 
reported field problems. Therefore, REA will not reduce the jacket 
thickness requirements specified in 7 CFR 1755.870 to the 
recommendation of the commenter.
    The next comment recommended reducing the voice frequency 
electrical requirements because the respondent feels that the voice 
frequency electrical requirements specified in 7 CFR 1755.870 are too 
stringent for voice frequency signal transmission.
    Response: The voice frequency electrical requirements specified in 
7 CFR 1755.870 were chosen to match voice frequency electrical 
requirements of outside plant cables to provide satisfactory voice 
frequency signal transmission. In addition the voice frequency 
electrical requirements specified in 7 CFR 1755.870 are identical to 
the voice frequency electrical requirements specified in REA Bulletin 
345-87 which has been providing satisfactory voice frequency signal 
transmission to REA borrowers for the past eleven years. Since REA 
wanted the voice frequency electrical requirements of terminating 
cables to match the voice frequency electrical requirements of outside 
plant cables, REA will not reduce the voice frequency electrical 
requirements of 7 CFR 1755.870 as recommended by the respondent.
    The last comment from the respondent recommended that the test 
voltages used to test dielectric strength between conductors and 
dielectric strength between the cable core and shield be changed to 
coincide with other industry specifications for these type cables.
    Response: First, REA knows of no accepted American National 
Standard for terminating cables. If such a standard did exist, REA 
would reference the dielectric strength test voltages of the national 
standard to assist the industry in providing one cable design that 
could be used by both non-REA and REA telephone operating companies. 
Since no accepted national standard exists, REA incorporated the 
dielectric strength test voltages presently specified in REA Bulletin 
345-87 into 7 CFR 1755.870 because these dielectric strength test 
voltages have been used for REA terminating cables for over eleven 
years without any reported problems. Therefore, REA will not change the 
dielectric strength test voltages specified in 7 CFR 1755.870 to the 
commenter's recommendation.
    Although REA did not incorporate any of the respondent's 
recommendations into 7 CFR 1755.870, REA did renumber paragraphs 
(b)(3)(i) through (b)(12),(e)(2)(i) and (e)(2)(ii) to (b)(3) through 
(b)(13),(e)(2), and (e)(3), respectively, to make these paragraph 
numbers more user friendly to interested parties. No changes were made 
to the technical requirements specified in the above mentioned 
paragraphs.

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, REA amends 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.


Sec. 1755.97  [Amended]

    2. Section 1755.97 is amended by removing the entry REA Bulletin 
345-87 from the table.
    3. Section 1755.870 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 1755.870  REA specification for terminating cables.

    (a) Scope. (1) This section establishes the requirements for 
terminating cables used to connect incoming outside plant cables to the 
vertical side of the main distributing frame in a telephone central 
office.
    (i) The conductors are solid tinned copper, individually insulated 
with extruded solid dual insulating compounds.
    (ii) The insulated conductors are twisted into pairs which are then 
stranded or oscillated to form a cylindrical core.
    (iii) The cable structure is completed by the application of a core 
wrap, a shield, and a polyvinyl chloride jacket.
    (2) The number of pairs and gauge size of conductors which are used 
within the REA program are provided in the following table: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                American Wire Gauge (AWG)                    D22     24 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Pairs...........................................     12     12
                                                               50     50
                                                              100    100
                                                              200    200
                                                              300    300
                                                              400    400
                                                              600    600
                                                              800   800 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Cables larger in pair sizes from those shown in this table shall  
  meet all the requirements of this section.                            

    (3) All cables sold to REA borrowers for projects involving REA 
loan funds under this section must be accepted by REA Technical 
Standards Committee ``A'' (Telephone). For cables manufactured to the 
specification of this section, all design changes to an accepted design 
must be submitted for acceptance. REA will be the sole authority on 
what constitutes a design change.
    (4) Materials, manufacturing techniques, or cable designs not 
specifically addressed by this section may be allowed if accepted by 
REA. Justification for acceptance of modified materials, manufacturing 
techniques, or cable designs shall be provided to substantiate product 
utility and long term stability and endurance.
    (5) The American National Standard Institute/Electronic Industries 
Association (ANSI/EIA) 359-A-84, EIA Standard Colors for Color 
Identification and Coding, referenced in this section is incorporated 
by reference by REA. This incorporation by reference was approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of ANSI/EIA 359-A-84 are available for 
inspection during normal business hours at REA, room 2845, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-1500 or at the Office 
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC. Copies are available from Global Engineering Documents, 
15 Inverness Way East, Englewood, CO 80112, telephone number (303) 792-
2181.
    (6) American Society for Testing and Materials Specifications 
(ASTM) B 33-91, Standard Specification for Tinned Soft or Annealed 
Copper Wire for Electrical Purposes; ASTM B 736-92a Standard 
Specification for Aluminum, Aluminum Alloy and Aluminum-Clad Steel 
Cable Shielding Stock; ASTM D 1248-84 (1989), Standard Specification 
for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials; ASTM D 1535-
89, Standard Test Method for Specifying Color by the Munsell System; 
ASTM D 2287-81 (Reapproved 1988), Standard Specification for Nonrigid 
Vinyl Chloride Polymer and Copolymer Molding and Extrusion Compounds; 
ASTM D 2436-85, Standard Specification for Forced-Convection Laboratory 
Ovens for Electrical Insulation; ASTM D 2633-82 (Reapproved 1989), 
Standard Methods of Testing Thermoplastic Insulations and Jackets for 
Wire and Cable; ASTM D 4101-82 (1988), Standard Specification for 
Propylene Plastic Injection and Extrusion Materials; ASTM D 4565-90a, 
Standard Test Methods for Physical and Environmental Performance 
Properties of Insulations and Jackets for Telecommunications Wire and 
Cable; ASTM D 4566-90, Standard Test Methods for Electrical Performance 
Properties of Insulations and Jackets for Telecommunications Wire and 
Cable; and ASTM E 29-90, Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits 
in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications, referenced 
in this section are incorporated by reference by REA. These 
incorporations by references were approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Copies of the ASTM standards are available for inspection during normal 
business hours at REA, room 2845, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Washington, DC 20250-1500 or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. Copies are 
available from ASTM, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
19103-1187, telephone number (215) 299-5585.
    (7) American National Standards Institute/National Fire Protection 
Association (ANSI/NFPA), NFPA 70-1993 National Electrical Code 
referenced in this section is incorporated by reference by REA. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal 
Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. A copy 
of the ANSI/NFPA standard is available for inspection during normal 
business hours at REA, room 2845, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Washington, DC 20250-1500 or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. Copies are 
available from NFPA, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269, 
telephone number 1 (800) 344-3555.
    (8) Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) 1666, Standard Test for 
Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables 
Installed Vertically in Shafts, dated January 22, 1991, referenced in 
this section is incorporated by reference by REA. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. A copy of the UL 
standard is available for inspection during normal business hours at 
REA, room 2845, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-
1500 or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. Copies are available from UL 
Inc., 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, Illinois 60062-2096, telephone 
number (708) 272-8800.
    (b) Conductors and conductor insulation. (1) Each conductor shall 
be a solid round wire of commercially pure annealed tin coated copper. 
Conductors shall meet the requirements of the American Society for 
Testing and Materials (ASTM) B 33-91 except that requirements for 
Dimensions and Permissible Variations are waived.
    (2) Joints made in conductors during the manufacturing process may 
be brazed, using a silver alloy solder and nonacid flux, or they may be 
welded using either an electrical or cold welding technique. In joints 
made in uninsulated conductors, the two conductor ends shall be butted. 
Splices made in insulated conductors need not be butted but may be 
joined in a manner acceptable to REA.
    (3) The tensile strength of any section of a conductor, containing 
a factory joint, shall not be less than 85 percent of the tensile 
strength of an adjacent section of the solid conductor of equal length 
without a joint.
    (4) Engineering Information: The sizes of wire used and their 
nominal diameters shall be as shown in the following table: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Nominal diameter    
                      AWG                      -------------------------
                                                Millimeters    (Inches) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
22............................................         0.643    (0.0253)
24............................................         0.511   (0.0201) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) Each conductor shall be insulated with a primary layer of 
natural or white solid, insulating grade, high density polyethylene or 
crystalline propylene/ethylene copolymer and an outer skin of colored, 
solid, insulating grade, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) using one of the 
insulating materials listed in paragraphs (b)(5)(i) through (iii) of 
this section.
    (i) The polyethylene raw material selected to meet the requirements 
of this section shall be Type III, Class A, Category 4 or 5, Grade E9, 
in accordance with ASTM D 1248-84 (1989).
    (ii) The crystalline propylene/ethylene raw material selected to 
meet the requirements of this section shall be Class PP 200B 40003 E11 
in accordance with ASTM D 4101-82 (1988).
    (iii) The PVC raw material selected to meet the requirements of 
this section shall be either Type PVC-64751E3XO, Type PVC-76751E3XO, or 
Type PVC-77751E3XO in accordance with ASTM D 2287-81 (1988).
    (iv) Raw materials intended as conductor insulation furnished to 
these requirements shall be free from dirt, metallic particles, and 
other foreign matter.
    (v) All insulating raw materials shall be accepted by REA prior to 
their use.
    (6) All conductors in any single length of cable shall be insulated 
with the same type of material.
    (7) A permissible overall performance level of faults in conductor 
insulation when using the test procedures in paragraph (b)(8) of this 
section shall average not greater than one fault per 12,000 conductor 
meters (40,000 conductor feet) for each gauge of conductor.
    (8) The test used to determine compliance with paragraph (b)(7) of 
this section shall be conducted as follows:
    (i) Samples tested shall be taken from finished cables selected at 
random from standard production cable. The samples tested shall contain 
a minimum of 300 conductor meters (1,000 conductor feet) for cables 
sizes less than 50 pairs and 1,500 conductor meters (5,000 conductor 
feet) for cables sizes greater than or equal to 50 pairs. No further 
sample need be taken from the same cable production run within 6,000 
cable meters (20,000 cable feet) of the original test sample from that 
run.
    (ii) The cable sample shall have its jacket, shield, and core wrap 
removed and its core shall be immersed in tap water for a minimum 
period of 6 hours. In lieu of removing the jacket, shield, and core 
wrap from the core, the entire cable may be tested. In this case, the 
core shall be completely filled with tap water, under pressure; then 
the cable assembly shall be immersed for a minimum period of 6 hours. 
With the cable core still fully immersed, except for end connections, 
the insulation resistance (IR) of all conductors to water shall be 
measured using a direct current (dc) voltage of 100 volts to 550 volts.
    (iii) An IR value of less than 500 megohms for any individual 
insulated conductor tested at or corrected to a temperature of 23 
deg.C is considered a failure. If the cable sample is more than 7.5 
meters (25 feet) long, all failing conductors shall be retested and 
reported in 7.5 meter (25 foot) segments.
    (iv) The pair count, gauge, footage, and number of insulation 
faults shall be recorded. This information shall be retained on a 6 
month running basis for review by REA when requested.
    (v) A fault rate, in a continuous length in any one reel, in excess 
of one fault per 3,000 conductor meters (10,000 conductor feet) due to 
manufacturing defects is cause for rejection. A minimum of 6,000 
conductor meters (20,000 conductor feet) is required to develop a 
noncompliance in a reel.
    (9) Repairs to the conductor insulation during manufacturing are 
permissible. The method of repair shall be accepted by REA prior to its 
use. The repaired insulation shall be capable of meeting the relevant 
electrical requirements of this section.
    (10) All repaired sections of insulation shall be retested in the 
same manner as originally tested for compliance with paragraph (b)(7) 
of this section.
    (11) The colored composite insulating material removed from or 
tested on the conductor, from a finished cable, shall be capable of 
meeting the following performance requirements: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Composite 
                          Property                            insulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tensile Strength, Minimum Megapascals (MPa) (Pounds per                 
 square inch (psi))........................................  16.5 (2400)
Ultimate Elongation Percent, Minimum.......................          125
Cold Bend Failures, Maximum................................         0/10
Shrinkback, Maximum Millimeter (mm) (Inches (in.)).........    9.5 (3/8)
Adhesion, Maximum Newtons (N) (Pound-force (lbf))..........     13.3 (3)
Compression Minimum, N (lbf)...............................   1780 (400)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (12) Testing procedures. The procedures for testing the composite 
insulation samples for compliance with paragraph (b)(11) of this 
section shall be as follows:
    (i) Tensile strength and ultimate elongation. Samples of the 
insulation material, removed from the conductor, shall be tested in 
accordance with ASTM D 2633-82(1989), except that the speed of jaw 
separation shall be 50 millimeters/minute (50 mm/min) (2 inches/minute 
(2 in./min)).

    Note: Quality assurance testing at a jaw separation speed of 500 
mm/min (20 in./min) is permissible. Failures at this rate shall be 
retested at the 50 mm/min (2 in./min) rate to determine 
specification compliance.

    (ii) Cold bend. Samples of the insulation material on the conductor 
shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D 4565-90a at a temperature of 
-401  deg.C with a mandrel diameter of 6 mm (0.25 in.). 
There shall be no cracks visible to normal or corrected-to-normal 
vision.
    (iii) Shrinkback. Samples of insulation shall be tested for four 
hours at a temperature of 1151  deg.C in accordance with 
ASTM D 4565-90a.
    (iv) Adhesion. Samples of insulation material on the conductor 
shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D 4565-90a with a crosshead 
speed of 50 mm/min (2 in./min).
    (v) Compression. Samples of the insulation material on the 
conductor shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D 4565-90a with a 
crosshead speed of 5 mm/min (0.2 in./min).
    (13) Other methods of testing may be used if acceptable to REA.
    (c) Identification of pairs and twisting of pairs. (1) The PVC skin 
shall be colored to identify:
    (i) The tip and ring conductor of each pair; and
    (ii) Each pair in the completed cable.
    (2) The colors used to provide identification of the tip and ring 
conductor of each pair shall be as shown in the following table: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Color       
                     Pair No.                      ---------------------
                                                       Tip       Ring   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................................................  White     Blue      
2.................................................  White     Orange    
3.................................................  White     Green     
4.................................................  White     Brown     
5.................................................  White     Slate     
6.................................................  Red       Blue      
7.................................................  Red       Orange    
8.................................................  Red       Green     
9.................................................  Red       Brown     
10................................................  Red       Slate     
11................................................  Black     Blue      
12................................................  Black     Orange    
13................................................  Black     Green     
14................................................  Black     Brown     
15................................................  Black     Slate     
16................................................  Yellow    Blue      
17................................................  Yellow    Orange    
18................................................  Yellow    Green     
19................................................  Yellow    Brown     
20................................................  Yellow    Slate     
21................................................  Violet    Blue      
22................................................  Violet    Orange    
23................................................  Violet    Green     
24................................................  Violet    Brown     
25................................................  Violet    Slate     
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Standards of color. The colors of the insulated conductors 
supplied in accordance with this section are specified in terms of the 
Munsell Color System (ASTM D 1535-89) and shall comply with the ``Table 
of Wire and Cable Limit Chips'' as defined in ANSI/EIA-359-A-84. 
(Visual color standards meeting these requirements may be obtained 
directly from the Munsell Color Company, Inc., 2441 North Calvert 
Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218).
    (4) Positive identification of the tip and ring conductors of each 
pair by marking each conductor of a pair with the color of its mate is 
permissible. The method of marking shall be accepted by REA prior to 
its use.
    (5) Other methods of providing positive identification of the tip 
and ring conductors of each pair may be employed if accepted by REA 
prior to its use.
    (6) The insulated conductors shall be twisted into pairs.
    (7) In order to provide sufficiently high crosstalk isolation, the 
pair twists shall be designed to enable the cable to meet the 
capacitance unbalance and the crosstalk loss requirements of paragraphs 
(h)(2), (h)(3), and (h)(4) of this section.
    (8) The average length of pair twists in any pair in the finished 
cable, when measured on any 3 meter (m) (10 foot (ft)) length, shall 
not exceed 152 mm (6 in.).
    (d) Forming of the cable core. (1) Twisted pairs shall be assembled 
in such a way as to form a substantially cylindrical group.
    (2) When desired for lay-up reasons, the basic group may be divided 
into two or more subgroups called units.
    (3) Each group, or unit in a particular group, shall be enclosed in 
bindings of the colors indicated for its particular pair count. The 
pair count, indicated by the color of insulation, shall be consecutive 
as indicated in paragraph (d)(5) of this section through units in a 
group.
    (4) Threads or tapes used as binders shall be nonhygroscopic and 
nonwicking. The threads shall consists of a suitable number of ends of 
each color arranged as color bands. When tapes are used as binders, 
they shall be colored. Binders shall be applied with a lay of not more 
than 100 mm (4 in.). The colored binders shall be readily recognizable 
as the basic intended color and shall be distinguishable from all other 
colors.
    (5) The colors of the bindings and their significance with respect 
to pair count shall be as shown in the following table: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Group pair 
  Group No.                Color of bindings                   count    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............  White-Blue................................  1-25         
2............  White-Orange..............................  26-50        
3............  White-Green...............................  51-75        
4............  White-Brown...............................  76-100       
5............  White-Slate...............................  101-125      
6............  Red-Blue..................................  126-150      
7............  Red-Orange................................  151-175      
8............  Red-Green.................................  176-200      
9............  Red-Brown.................................  201-225      
10...........  Red-Slate.................................  226-250      
11...........  Black-Blue................................  251-275      
12...........  Black-Orange..............................  276-300      
13...........  Black-Green...............................  301-325      
14...........  Black-Brown...............................  326-350      
15...........  Black-Slate...............................  351-375      
16...........  Yellow-Blue...............................  376-400      
17...........  Yellow-Orange.............................  401-425      
18...........  Yellow-Green..............................  426-450      
19...........  Yellow-Brown..............................  451-475      
20...........  Yellow-Slate..............................  476-500      
21...........  Violet-Blue...............................  501-525      
22...........  Violet-Orange.............................  526-550      
23...........  Violet-Green..............................  551-575      
24...........  Violet-Brown..............................  576-600      
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (6) The use of the white unit binder in cables of 100 pair or less 
is optional.
    (7) When desired for manufacturing reasons, two or more 25 pair 
groups may be bound together with nonhygroscopic and nonwicking threads 
or tapes into super-units. The group binders and the super-unit binders 
shall be colored such that the combination of the two binders shall 
positively identify each 25 pair group from every other 25 pair group 
in the cable.
    (8) Super-unit binders shall be of the colors shown in the 
following table: 

                        Super-Unit Binder Colors                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Pair No.                            Binder color 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-600..................................................  White          
601-1200...............................................  Red            
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Core wrap. (1) The core shall be completely covered with a 
layer of nonhygroscopic and nonwicking dielectric material. The core 
wrap shall be applied with an overlap.
    (2) The core wrap shall provide a sufficient heat barrier to 
prevent visible evidence of conductor insulation deformation or 
adhesion between conductors, caused by adverse heat transfer during the 
jacketing operation.
    (3) Engineering Information: If required for manufacturing reasons, 
white or uncolored binders of nonhygroscopic and nonwicking material 
may be applied over the core and/or core wrap.
    (f) Shield. (1) An aluminum shield, plastic coated on one side, 
shall be applied longitudinally over the core wrap.
    (2) The shield may be applied over the core wrap with or without 
corrugations (smooth) and shall be bonded to the outer jacket.
    (3) The shield overlap shall be a minimum of 3 mm (0.125 in.) for 
cables with core diameters of 15 mm (0.625 in.) or less and a minimum 
of 6 mm (0.25 in.) for cables with core diameters greater than 15 mm 
(0.625 in.). The core diameter is defined as the diameter under the 
core wrap and binding.
    (4) General requirements for application of the shielding material 
shall be as follows:
    (i) Successive lengths of shielding tapes may be joined during the 
manufacturing process by means of cold weld, electric weld, soldering 
with a nonacid flux, or other acceptable means;
    (ii) The metal shield with the plastic coating shall have the 
coating removed prior to joining the metal ends together. After 
joining, the plastic coating shall be restored without voids using good 
manufacturing techniques;
    (iii) The shields of each length of cable shall be tested for 
continuity. A one meter (3 ft) section of shield containing a factory 
joint shall exhibit not more than 110 percent of the resistance of a 
shield of equal length without a joint;
    (iv) The breaking strength of any section of a shield tape 
containing a factory joint shall not be less than 80 percent of the 
breaking strength of an adjacent section of the shield of equal length 
without a joint;
    (v) The reduction in thickness of the shielding material due to the 
corrugating or application process shall be kept to a minimum and shall 
not exceed 10 percent at any spot; and
    (vi) The shielding material shall be applied in such a manner as to 
enable the cable to pass the bend test as specified in paragraph (i)(1) 
of this section.
    (5) The dimensions of the uncoated aluminum tape shall be 
0.20300.0254 mm (0.00800.0010 in.).
    (6) The aluminum tape shall conform to either Alloy AA-1100-0, AA-
1145-0, or AA-1235-0 as covered in the latest edition of Aluminum 
Standards and Data, issued by the Aluminum Association, except that 
requirements for tensile strength are waived.
    (7) The single-sided plastic coated aluminum shield shall conform 
to the requirements of ASTM B 736-92a, Type I Coating, Class 1 or 2, or 
Type II Coating, Class 1. The minimum thickness of the Type I Coating 
shall be 0.038 mm (0.0015 in.). The minimum thickness of the Type II 
Coating shall be 0.008 mm (0.0003 in.).
    (8) The plastic coated aluminum shield shall be tested for 
resistance to water migration by immersing a one meter (3 ft) length of 
tape under a one meter (3 ft) head of water containing a soluble dye 
plus 0.25 percent (%) wetting agent.
    (i) After a minimum of 5 minutes, no dye shall appear between the 
interface of the shield tape and the plastic coating.
    (ii) The actual test method shall be acceptable to REA.
    (9) The bond between the plastic coated shield and the jacket shall 
conform to the following requirements:
    (i) Prepare test strips approximately 200 mm (8 in.) in length. 
Slit the jacket and shield longitudinally to produce 4 strips evenly 
spaced and centered in 4 quadrants on the jacket circumference. One of 
the strips shall be centered over the overlapped edge of the shielding 
tape. The strips shall be 13 mm (0.5 in.) wide. For cable diameters 
less than 19 mm (0.75 in.) make two strips evenly spaced.
    (ii) Separate the shield and jacket for a sufficient distance to 
allow the shield and jacket to be fitted in the upper and lower jaws of 
a tensile machine. Record the maximum force required to separate the 
shield and jacket to the nearest newton (pound-force). Repeat this 
action for each test strip.
    (iii) The force required to separate the jacket from the shield 
shall not be less than 9 N (2 lbf) for any individual strip when tested 
in accordance with paragraph (f)(9)(ii) of this section. The average 
force for all strips of any cable shall not be less than 18 N (4 lbf).
    (g) Cable jacket and extraneous material. (1) The jacket shall 
provide the cable with a tough, flexible, protective covering which can 
withstand stresses reasonably expected in normal installation and 
service.
    (2) The jacket shall be free from holes, splits, blisters, or other 
imperfections and shall be as smooth and concentric as is consistent 
with the best commercial practice.
    (3) The raw material used for the cable jacket shall be one of the 
following four types:
    (i) Type PVC-55554EOXO in accordance with ASTM D 2287-81(1988);
    (ii) Type PVC-65554EOXO in accordance with ASTM D 2287-81(1988);
    (iii) Type PVC-55556EOXO in accordance with ASTM D 2287-81(1988); 
or
    (iv) Type PVC-66554EOXO in accordance with ASTM D 2287-81(1988).
    (4) The jacketing material removed from or tested on the cable 
shall be capable of meeting the following performance requirements: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Jacket   
                         Property                            performance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tensile Strength-Unaged Minimum, MPa (psi)................   13.8 (2000)
Ultimate Elongation-Unaged Minimum, Percent (%)...........           200
Tensile Strength-Aged Minimum, % of original value........            80
Ultimate Elongation-Aged Minimum, % of original value.....            50
Impact Failures, Maximum..................................          2/10
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) Testing procedures. The procedures for testing the jacket 
samples for compliance with paragraph (g)(4) of this section shall be 
as follows:
    (i) Tensile strength and ultimate elongation-unaged. The test shall 
be performed in accordance with ASTM D 2633-82(1989), using a jaw 
separation speed of 50 mm/min (2 in./min).

    Note: Quality assurance testing at a jaw separation speed of 500 
mm/min (20 in./min) is permissible. Failures at this rate shall be 
retested at the 50 mm/min (2 in./min) rate to determine 
specification compliance.

    (ii) Tensile strength and ultimate elongation-aged. The test shall 
be performed in accordance with paragraph (g)(5)(i) of this section 
after being aged for 7 days at a temperature of 1001  deg.C 
in a circulating air oven conforming to ASTM D 2436-85.
    (iii) Impact. The test shall be performed in accordance with ASTM D 
4565-90a using an impact force of 4 newton-meter (3 pound force-foot) 
at a temperature of -101  deg.C. The cylinder shall strike 
the sample at the shield overlap. A crack or split in the jacket 
constitutes failure.
    (6) Jacket thickness. The nominal jacket thickness shall be as 
specified in the following table. The test method used shall be either 
the End Sample Method (paragraph (g)(6)(i) of this section) or the 
Continuous Uniformity Thickness Gauge Method (paragraph (g)(6)(ii) of 
this section): 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Nominal jacket 
                     No. of pairs                         thickness mm  
                                                              (in.)     
------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 or less............................................  1.4 (0.055)     
50....................................................  1.5 (0.060)     
100...................................................  1.7 (0.065)     
200...................................................  1.9 (0.075)     
300...................................................  2.2 (0.085)     
400...................................................  2.4 (0.095)     
600...................................................  2.9 (0.115)     
800 and over..........................................  3.3 (0.130)     
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) End sample method. The jacket shall be capable of meeting the 
following requirements:

Minimum Average Thickness--90% of nominal thickness
Minimum Thickness--70% of nominal thickness

    (ii) Continuous uniformity thickness gauge method. (A) The jacket 
shall be capable of meeting the following requirements:

Minimum Average Thickness--90% of nominal thickness
Minimum (Min.) Thickness--70 % of nominal thickness
Maximum (Max.) Eccentricity--55%
Eccentricity=Max. Thickness--Min. Thickness (Average Thickness) x 100

    (B) Maximum and minimum thickness values. The maximum and minimum 
thickness values shall be based on the average of each axial section.
    (7) The color of the jacket shall be either black or dark grey in 
conformance with the Munsell Color System specified in ASTM D 1535-89.
    (8) There shall be no water or other contaminants in the finished 
cable which would have a detrimental effect on its performance or its 
useful life.
    (h) Electrical requirements--(1) Mutual capacitance and 
conductance. (i) The average mutual capacitance (corrected for length) 
of all pairs in any reel shall not exceed the following when tested in 
accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 at a frequency of 1.0 0.1 
kilohertz (kHz) and a temperature of 233 deg.C:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Mutual capacitance   
                                               -------------------------
             Number of cable pairs               Nanofarad/  (Nanofarad/
                                                 kilometer      mile)   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12............................................  520.1 kHz and a temperature of 
233 deg.C.
    (2) Pair-to-pair capacitance unbalance. The capacitance unbalance 
as measured on the completed cable shall not exceed 45.3 picofarad/
kilometer (pF/km) (25 picofarad/1000 ft (pF/1000 ft)) rms when tested 
in accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 at a frequency of 1.00.1 
kHz and a temperature of 233 deg.C.
    (3) Pair-to-ground capacitance unbalance. (i) The average 
capacitance unbalance as measured on the completed cable shall not 
exceed 574 pF/km (175 pF/1000 ft) when tested in accordance with ASTM D 
4566-90 at a frequency of 1 0.1 kHz and a temperature of 
233 deg.C.
    (ii) When measuring pair-to-ground capacitance unbalance all pairs 
except the pair under test are grounded to the shield except when 
measuring cable containing super-units in which case all other pairs in 
the same super-unit shall be grounded to the shield.
    (iii) Pair-to-ground capacitance unbalance may vary directly with 
the length of the cable.
    (4) Crosstalk loss. (i) The rms output-to-output far-end crosstalk 
loss (FEXT) measured on the completed cable in accordance with ASTM D 
4566-90 at a test frequency of 150 kHz shall not be less than 68 
decibel/kilometer (dB/km) (73 decibel/1000 ft (dB/1000 ft)). The rms 
calculation shall be based on the combined total of all adjacent and 
alternate pair combinations within the same layer and center to first 
layer pair combinations.
    (ii) The FEXT crosstalk loss between any pair combination of a 
cable shall not be less than 58 dB/km (63 dB/1000 ft) at a frequency of 
150 kHz. If the loss Ko at a frequency Fo for length Lo 
is known, then Kx can be determined for any other frequency 
Fx or length Lx by:

TR14JN94.000

    (iii) The near-end crosstalk loss (NEXT) as measured within and 
between units of a completed cable in accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 at 
a frequency of 772 kHz shall not be less than the following mean minus 
sigma (M-S) crosstalk requirement for any unit within the cable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   M-S  
                          Unit size                              decibel
                                                                  (dB)  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Within Unit:                                                            
  12 and 13 pairs.............................................        56
  18 and 25 pairs.............................................        60
Between Unit:                                                           
  Adjacent 13 pairs...........................................        65
  Adjacent 25 pairs...........................................        66
  Nonadjacent (all)...........................................        81
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Where M-S is the Mean near-end coupling loss based on the combined 
total of all pair combinations, less one Standard Deviation, Sigma, of 
the mean value.
    (5) Insulation resistance. Each insulated conductor in each length 
of completed cable, when measured with all other insulated conductors 
and the shield grounded, shall have an insulation resistance of not 
less than 152 megohm-kilometer (500 megohm-mile) at 
201 deg.C. The measurement shall be made in accordance with 
the procedures of ASTM D 4566-90.
    (6) High voltage test. (i) In each length of completed cable, the 
dielectric strength of the insulation between conductors shall be 
tested in accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 and shall withstand, for 3 
seconds, a direct current (dc) potential whose value is not less than:
    (A) 3.6 kilovolts for 22-gauge conductors; or
    (B) 3.0 kilovolts for 24-gauge conductors.
    (ii) In each length of completed cable, the dielectric strength 
between the shield and all conductors in the core shall be tested in 
accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 and shall withstand, for 3 seconds, a dc 
potential whose value is not less than 10 kilovolts.
    (7) Conductor resistance. The dc resistance of any conductor shall 
be measured in the completed cable in accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 
and shall not exceed the following values when measured at or corrected 
to a temperature of 201 deg.C:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Maximum resistance                      
   AWG   ---------------------------------------------------------------
                  ohms/kilometer                  (ohms/1000 ft)        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
22......                   60.7                          (18.5)         
24......                   95.1                          (29.0)         
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (8) Resistance unbalance. (i) The difference in dc resistance 
between the two conductors of a pair in the completed cable shall not 
exceed the values listed in this paragraph when measured in accordance 
with the procedures of ASTM D 4566-90:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Resistance unbalance            Maximum for any reel     
   AWG   ---------------------------------------------------------------
                  Average percent             Individual pair percent   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
22......                    1.5                             4.0         
24......                    1.5                             5.0         
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The resistance unbalance between tip and ring conductors shall 
be random with respect to the direction of unbalance. That is, the 
resistance of the tip conductors shall not be consistently higher with 
respect to the ring conductors and vice versa.
    (9) Electrical variations. (i) Pairs in each length of cable having 
either a ground, cross, short, or open circuit condition shall not be 
permitted.
    (ii) The maximum number of pairs in a cable which may vary as 
specified in paragraph (h)(9)(iii) of this section from the electrical 
parameters given in this section are listed in this paragraph. These 
pairs may be excluded from the arithmetic calculation:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Maximum No.
                                                               of pairs 
                                                                 with   
                     Nominal pair count                       allowable 
                                                              electrical
                                                              variation 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12-100.....................................................            1
101-300....................................................            2
301-400....................................................            3
401-600....................................................            4
601 and above..............................................            6
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Parameter variations--(A) Capacitance unbalance-to-ground. If 
the cable fails either the maximum individual pair or average 
capacitance unbalance-to-ground requirement and all individual pairs 
are 3280 pF/km (1000 pF/1000 ft) or less the number of pairs specified 
in paragraph (h)(9)(ii) of this section may be eliminated from the 
average and maximum individual calculations.
    (B) Resistance unbalance. Individual pair of not more than 7 
percent for all gauges.
    (C) Far end crosstalk. Individual pair combination of not less than 
52 dB/km (57 dB/1000 ft).

    Note: REA recognizes that in large pair count cables (600 pair 
and above) a cross, short, or open circuit condition occasionally 
may develop in a pair which does not affect the performance of the 
other cable pairs. In these circumstances rejection of the entire 
cable may be economically unsound or repairs may be impractical. In 
such circumstances the manufacturer may desire to negotiate with the 
customer for acceptance of the cable. No more than 0.5 percent of 
the pairs may be involved.

    (i) Mechanical requirements--(1) Cable cold bend test. The 
completed cable shall be capable of meeting the requirements of ASTM D 
4565-90a after conditioning at -20  2  deg.C except the 
mandrel diameters shall be as specified below:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Mandrel 
                   Cable outside diameter                      diameter 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<40 mm (1.5 in.)............................................  15x       
40 mm (1.5 in.)..................................  20x       
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Cable flame test. The completed cable shall be capable of 
meeting a maximum flame height of 3.7 m (12.0 ft) when tested in 
accordance with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1666 dated January 22, 
1991.
    (3) Cable listing. All cables manufactured to the specification of 
this section at a minimum shall be listed as Communication Riser Cable 
(Type CMR) in accordance with Sections 800-50 and 800-51(b) of the 1993 
National Electrical Code.
    (j) Sheath slitting cord (optional). (1) Sheath slitting cords may 
be used in the cable structure at the option of the manufacturer.
    (2) When a sheath slitting cord is used it shall be nonhygroscopic 
and nonwicking, continuous throughout a length of cable, and of 
sufficient strength to open the sheath without breaking the cord.
    (3) Sheath slitting cords shall be capable of consistently slitting 
the jacket and/or shield for a continuous length of 0.6 m (2 ft) when 
tested in accordance with the procedure specified in Appendix B of this 
section.
    (k) Identification marker and length marker. (1) Each length of 
cable shall be permanently identified as to manufacturer and year of 
manufacture.
    (2) The number of conductor pairs and their gauge size shall be 
marked on the jacket.
    (3) The marking shall be printed on the jacket at regular intervals 
of not more than 1.5 m (5 ft).
    (4) An alternative method of marking may be used if accepted by REA 
prior to its use.
    (5) The completed cable shall have sequentially numbered length 
markers in FEET OR METERS at regular intervals of not more than 1.5 m 
(5 ft) along the outside of the jacket.
    (6) The method of length marking shall be such that for any single 
length of cable, continuous sequential numbering shall be employed.
    (7) The numbers shall be dimensioned and spaced to produce good 
legibility and shall be approximately 3 mm (0.125 in.) in height. An 
occasional illegible marking is permissible if there is a legible 
marking located not more than 1.5 m (5 ft) from it.
    (8) The method of marking shall be by means of suitable surface 
markings producing a clear, distinguishable, contrasting marking 
acceptable to REA. Where direct or transverse printing is employed, the 
characters should be indented to produce greater durability of marking. 
Any other method of length marking shall be acceptable to REA as 
producing a marker suitable for the field. Size, shape and spacing of 
numbers, durability, and overall legibility of the marker shall be 
considered in acceptance of the method.
    (9) The accuracy of the length marking shall be such that the 
actual length of any cable section is never less than the length 
indicated by the marking and never more than one percent greater than 
the length indicated by the marking.
    (10) The color of the initial marking for a black colored jacket 
shall be either white or silver. The color of the initial marking for a 
dark grey colored jacket shall be either red or black. If the initial 
marking of the black colored jacket fails to meet the requirements of 
the preceding paragraphs, it will be permissible to either remove the 
defective marking and re-mark with the white or silver color or leave 
the defective marking on the cable and re-mark with yellow. If the 
initial marking of the dark grey colored jacket fails to meet the 
requirements of the preceding paragraphs, it will be permissible to 
either remove the defective marking and re-mark with the red or black 
color or leave the defective marking on the cable and re-mark with 
yellow. No further re-marking is permitted. Any re-marking shall be on 
a different portion of the cable circumference than any existing 
marking when possible and have a numbering sequence differing from any 
other existing marking by at least 5,000.
    (11) Any reel of cable which contains more than one set of 
sequential markings shall be labeled to indicate the color and sequence 
of marking to be used. The labeling shall be applied to the reel and 
also to the cable.
    (l) Preconnectorized cable (optional). (1) At the option of the 
manufacturer and upon request by the purchaser, cables 100 pairs and 
larger may be factory terminated in 25 pair splicing modules.
    (2) The splicing modules shall meet the requirements of REA 
Bulletin 345-54, PE-52, REA Specification for Telephone Cable Splicing 
Connectors (Incorporated by Reference at Sec. 1755.97), and be accepted 
by REA prior to their use.
    (m) Acceptance testing and extent of testing. (1) The tests 
described in Appendix A of this section are intended for acceptance of 
cable designs and major modifications of accepted designs. REA decides 
what constitutes a major modification. These tests are intended to show 
the inherent capability of the manufacturer to produce cable products 
having long life and stability.
    (2) For initial acceptance, the manufacturer shall submit:
    (i) An original signature certification that the product fully 
complies with each section of the specification;
    (ii) Qualification Test Data, per Appendix A of this section;
    (iii) To periodic plant inspections;
    (iv) A certification that the product does or does not comply with 
the domestic origin manufacturing provisions of the ``Buy American'' 
requirements of the Rural Electrification Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 901 et 
seq.);
    (v) Written user testimonials concerning performance of the 
product; and
    (vi) Other nonproprietary data deemed necessary by the Chief, 
Outside Plant Branch (Telephone).
    (3) For requalification acceptance, the manufacturer shall submit 
an original signature certification that the product fully complies 
with each section of the specification, excluding the Qualification 
Section, and a certification that the product does or does not comply 
with the domestic origin manufacturing provisions of the ``Buy 
American'' requirements of the Rural Electrification Act of 1938 (7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq.) for acceptance by June 30 every three years. The 
required data and certification shall have been gathered within 90 days 
of the submission.
    (4) Initial and requalification acceptance requests should be 
addressed to: Chairman, Technical Standards Committee ``A'' 
(Telephone), Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural 
Electrification Administration, Washington, DC 20250-1500.
    (5) Tests on 100 percent of completed cable. (i) The shield of each 
length of cable shall be tested for continuity using the procedures of 
ASTM D 4566-90.
    (ii) Dielectric strength between all conductors and the shield 
shall be tested to determine freedom from grounds in accordance with 
paragraph (h)(6)(ii) of this section.
    (iii) Each conductor in the completed cable shall be tested for 
continuity using the procedures of ASTM D 4566-90.
    (iv) Dielectric strength between conductors shall be tested to 
ensure freedom from shorts and crosses in accordance with paragraph 
(h)(6)(i) of this section.
    (v) Each conductor in the completed preconnectorized cable shall be 
tested for continuity.
    (vi) Each length of completed preconnectorized cable shall be 
tested for split pairs.
    (vii) The average mutual capacitance shall be measured on all 
cables. If the average mutual capacitance for the first 100 pairs 
tested from randomly selected groups is between 50 and 53 nF/km (80 to 
85 nF/mile), the remainder of the pairs need not to be tested on the 
100 percent basis. (See paragraph (h)(1) of this section).
    (6) Capability tests. Tests on a quality assurance basis shall be 
made as frequently as is required for each manufacturer to determine 
and maintain compliance with:
    (i) Performance requirements for conductor insulation and jacket 
material;
    (ii) Bonding properties of coated or laminated shielding materials;
    (iii) Sequential marking and lettering;
    (iv) Capacitance unbalance and crosstalk;
    (v) Insulation resistance;
    (vi) Conductor resistance and resistance unbalance;
    (vii) Cable cold bend and cable flame tests; and
    (viii) Mutual conductance.
    (n) Summary of records of electrical and physical tests. (1) Each 
manufacturer shall maintain a suitable summary of records for a period 
of at least 3 years for all electrical and physical tests required on 
completed cable by this section as set forth in paragraphs (m)(5) and 
(m)(6) of this section. The test data for a particular reel shall be in 
a form that it may be readily available to the purchaser or to REA upon 
request.
    (2) Measurements and computed values shall be rounded off to the 
number of places of figures specified for the requirement according to 
ASTM E 29-90.
    (o) Manufacturing irregularities. (1) Repairs to the shield are not 
permitted in cable supplied to the end user under this section.
    (2) No repairs or defects in the jacket are allowed.
    (p) Preparation for shipment. (1) The cable shall be shipped on 
reels unless otherwise specified or agreed to by the purchaser. The 
diameter of the drum shall be large enough to prevent damage to the 
cable from reeling or unreeling. The reels shall be substantial and so 
constructed as to prevent damage to the cable during shipment and 
handling.
    (2) A waterproof corrugated board or other means of protection 
acceptable to REA shall be applied to the reel and shall be suitably 
secured in place to prevent damage to the cable during storage and 
shipment.
    (3) The outer end of the cable shall be securely fastened to the 
reel head so as to prevent the cable from becoming loose in transit. 
The inner end of the cable shall be securely fastened in such a way as 
to make it readily available if required for electrical testing. 
Spikes, staples, or other fastening devices which penetrate the cable 
jacket shall not be used. The method of fastening the cable ends shall 
be accepted by REA prior to it being used.
    (4) Each length of cable shall be wound on a separate reel unless 
otherwise specified or agreed to by the purchaser.
    (5) The arbor hole shall admit a spindle 63 mm (2.5 in.) in 
diameter without binding. Steel arbor hole liners may be used but shall 
be acceptable to REA prior to their use.
    (6) Each reel shall be plainly marked to indicate the direction in 
which it should be rolled to prevent loosening of the cable on the 
reel.
    (7) Each reel shall be stenciled or labeled on either one or both 
sides with the name of the manufacturer, year of manufacture, actual 
shipping length, an inner and outer end sequential length marking, 
description of the cable, reel number and the REA cable designation:
Cable Designation
CT
Cable Construction
Pair Count
Conductor Gauge

A = Coated Aluminum Shield

P = Preconnectorized Cable

Example: CTAP 100-22

Terminating Cable, Coated Aluminum Shield, Preconnectorized, 100 
pairs, 22 AWG.

    (8) When preconnectorized cable is shipped, the splicing modules 
shall be protected to prevent damage during shipment and handling. The 
protection method shall be acceptable to REA prior to its use.

Appendix A to 7 CFR 1755.870--Qualification Test Methods

    (I) The test procedures described in this appendix are for 
qualification of initial designs and major modifications of accepted 
designs. Included in paragraph (V) of this appendix are suggested 
formats that may be used in submitting test results to REA.
    (II) Sample Selection and Preparation. (1) All testing shall be 
performed on lengths removed sequentially from the same 25 pair, 22 
gauge jacketed cable. This cable shall not have been exposed to 
temperatures in excess of 38  deg.C since its initial cool down 
after sheathing. The lengths specified are minimum lengths and if 
desirable from a laboratory testing standpoint longer lengths may be 
used.
    (a) Length A shall be 12  0.2 meters (40 
 0.5 feet) long. Prepare the test sample by removing the 
jacket, shield, and core wrap for a sufficient distance on both ends 
to allow the insulated conductors to be flared out. Remove 
sufficient conductor insulation so that appropriate electrical test 
connections can be made at both ends. Coil the sample with a 
diameter of 15 to 20 times its sheath diameter. Two lengths are 
required.
    (b) Length B shall be 300 millimeters (1 foot) long. Three 
lengths are required.
    (c) Length C shall be 3 meters (10 feet) long and shall be 
maintained at 23  3  deg.C for the duration of the test. 
Two lengths are required.
    (2) Data Reference Temperature. Unless otherwise specified, all 
measurements shall be made at 23  3  deg.C.
    (III) Environmental Tests--(1) Heat Aging Test--(a) Test 
Samples. Place one sample each of lengths A and B in an oven or 
environmental chamber. The ends of sample A shall exit from the 
chamber or oven for electrical tests. Securely seal the oven exit 
holes.
    (b) Sequence of Tests. Sample B referenced in paragraph 
(III)(1)(a) of this appendix shall be subjected to the insulation 
compression test outlined in paragraph (III)(2) of this appendix.
    (c) Initial Measurements. (i) For sample A, measure the open 
circuit capacitance and conductance for each odd pair at 1, 150, and 
772 kilohertz after conditioning the sample at the data reference 
temperature for 24 hours. Calculate the average and standard 
deviation for the data of the 13 pairs on a per kilometer (per mile) 
basis.
    (ii) Record on suggested formats in paragraph (V) of this 
appendix or on other easily readable formats.
    (d) Heat Conditioning. (i) Immediately after completing the 
initial measurements, condition the sample for 14 days at a 
temperature of 65  2  deg.C.
    (ii) At the end of this period. Measure and calculate the 
parameters given in paragraph (III)(1)(c) of this appendix. Record 
on suggested formats in paragraph (V) of this appendix or on other 
easily readable formats.
    (e) Overall Electrical Deviation. (i) Calculate the percent 
change in all average parameters between the final parameters after 
conditioning with the initial parameters in paragraph (III)(1)(c) of 
this appendix.
    (ii) The stability of the electrical parameters after completion 
of this test shall be within the following prescribed limits:
    (A) Capacitance. The average mutual capacitance shall be within 
10 percent of its original value;
    (B) The change in average mutual capacitance shall be less than 
10 percent over the frequency range of 1 to 150 kilohertz; and
    (C) Conductance. The average mutual conductance shall not exceed 
3.7 micromhos/kilometer (6 micromhos/mile) at a frequency of 1 
kilohertz.
    (2) Insulation Compression Test--(a) Test Sample B. Remove 
jacket, shield, and core wrap being careful not to damage the 
conductor insulation. Remove one pair from the core and carefully 
separate and straighten the insulated conductors. Retwist the two 
insulated conductors together under sufficient tension to form 10 
evenly spaced 360 degree twists in a length of 100 millimeters (4 
inches).
    (b) Sample Testing. Center the mid 50 millimeters (2 inches) of 
the twisted pair between two smooth rigid parallel metal plates 
measuring 50 millimeters (2 inches) in length or diameter. Apply a 
1.5 volt direct current potential between the conductors, using a 
light or buzzer to indicate electrical contact between the 
conductors. Apply a constant load of 67 newtons (15 pound-force) on 
the sample for one minute and monitor for evidence of contact 
between the conductors. Record results on suggested formats in 
paragraph (V) of this appendix or on other easily readable formats.
    (3) Temperature Cycling. (a) Repeat paragraphs (III)(1)(a) 
through (III)(1)(c)(ii) of this appendix for a separate set of 
samples A and B which have not been subjected to prior environmental 
conditioning.
    (b) Immediately after completing the measurements, subject the 
test samples to 10 cycles of temperature between -40  deg.C and +60 
deg.C. The test samples shall be held at each temperature extreme 
for a minimum of 1.5 hours during each cycle of temperature. The air 
within the temperature cycling chamber shall be circulated 
throughout the duration of the cycling.
    (c) Repeat paragraphs (III)(1)(d)(ii) through (III)(2)(b) of 
this appendix.
    (IV) Control Sample--(1) Test Samples. One length of sample B 
shall have been maintained at 23  3  deg.C for at least 
48 hours before the testing.
    (2) Repeat paragraphs (III)(2) through (III)(2)(b) of this 
appendix.
    (3) Surge Test. (a) One length of sample C shall be used to 
measure the breakdown between conductors while the other length of C 
shall be used to measure core to shield breakdown.
    (b) The samples shall be capable of withstanding, without 
damage, a single surge voltage of 20 kilovolts peak between 
conductors, and 35 kilovolts peak between conductors and the shield 
as hereinafter described. The surge voltage shall be developed from 
a capacitor discharge through a forming resistor connected in 
parallel with the dielectric of the test sample. The surge generator 
constants shall be such as to produce a surge of 1.5  x  40 
microseconds wave shape.
    (c) The shape of the generated wave shall be determined at a 
reduced voltage by connecting an oscilloscope across the forming 
resistor with the cable sample connected in parallel with the 
forming resistor. The capacitor bank is charged to the test voltage 
and then discharged through the forming resistor and test sample. 
The test sample shall be considered to have passed the test if there 
is no distinct change in the wave shape obtained with the initial 
reduced voltage compared to that obtained after the application of 
the test voltage.
    (V) The following suggested formats may be used in submitting 
the test results to REA:
Environmental Conditioning ____________________

                          Frequency 1 Kilohertz                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Capacitance nF/km P(nF/  Conductance micromhos/km
                               mile)                (micromhos/mile)    
      Pair No.       ---------------------------------------------------
                        Initial       Final       Initial       Final   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
3...................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
5...................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
7...................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
9...................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
11..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
13..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
15..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
17..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
19..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
21..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
23..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
25..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
Average x.8.........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
Overall Percent                                                         
 Difference in                                                          
    Average x.8.....  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Environmental Conditioning ____________________

                        Frequency 150 Kilohertz                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Capacitance nF/km P(nF/  Conductance micromhos/km
                               mile)                (micromhos/mile)    
      Pair No.       ---------------------------------------------------
                        Initial       Final       Initial       Final   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
3...................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
5...................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
7...................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
9...................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
11..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
13..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
15..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
17..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
19..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
21..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
23..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
25..................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
Average x.8.........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
    Overall Percent                                                     
     Difference in                                                      
     Average x.8....  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Environmental Conditioning ____________________ 

                                            Frequency 772 Kilohertz                                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Capacitance nF/km P(nF/  Conductance micromhos/km
                                                                       mile)                (micromhos/mile)    
                          Pair No.                           ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                Initial       Final       Initial       Final   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
3...........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
5...........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
7...........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
9...........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
11..........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
13..........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
15..........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
17..........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
19..........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
21..........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
23..........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
25..........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
Average x.8.................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
    Overall Percent Difference in...........................                                                    
    Average x.8.............................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Failures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insulation Compression:                                                 
  Control.....................................................  ........
  Heat Age....................................................  ........
  Temperature Cycling.........................................  ........
Surge Test (kilovolts):                                                 
  Conductor-to-Conductor......................................  ........
  Shield-to-Conductors........................................  ........
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix B to 7 CFR 1755.870--Sheath Slitting Cord Qualification

    (I) This test procedure described in this appendix is for 
qualification of initial and subsequent changes in sheath slitting 
cords.
    (II) Sample selection. All testing shall be performed on two 1.2 
m (4 ft) lengths of cable removed sequentially from the same 25 
pair, 22 gauge jacketed cable. This cable shall not have been 
exposed to temperatures in excess of 38  deg.C since its initial 
cool down after sheathing.
    (III) Test procedure. (1) Using a suitable tool, expose enough 
of the sheath slitting cord to permit grasping with needle nose 
pliers.
    (2) The prepared test specimens shall be maintained at a 
temperature of 23  1  deg.C for at least 4 hours 
immediately prior to and during the test.
    (3) Wrap the sheath slitting cord around the plier jaws to 
ensure a good grip.
    (4) Grasp and hold the cable in a convenient position while 
gently and firmly pulling the sheath slitting cord longitudinally in 
the direction away from the cable end. The angle of pull may vary to 
any convenient and functional degree. A small starting notch is 
permissible.
    (5) The sheath slitting cord is considered acceptable if the 
cord can slit the jacket and/or shield for a continuous length of 
0.6 m P(2 ft) without breaking the cord.

    Dated: June 2, 1994.
Bob J. Nash,
Under Secretary, Small Community and Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 94-14338 Filed 6-13-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P