[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 63 (Monday, April 2, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19525-19531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7610]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1728


Specification for 15 kV and 25 kV Primary Underground Power Cable

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is amending its regulations 
regarding electric distribution specifications for 15kV and 25 kV 
primary underground power cable. This rule will rescind Bulletin 50-70 
(U-1), ``REA Specification for 15 kV and 25 kV Primary Underground 
Power Cable,'' and codify the material which was formerly incorporated 
by reference. The specifications and standards that appeared in the old 
RUS Bulletin 50-70 (U-1) will be incorporated by reference and will 
update the specifications for 15kV and 25kV underground power cable, 
and provide RUS borrowers with specifications for 35 kV underground 
power cable for use in 25 kV primary systems. These specifications 
cover single-phase and multi-phase primary underground power cable 
which RUS electric borrowers use to construct their rural underground 
electric distribution systems.

DATES: This rule is effective May 2, 2012.
    Incorporation by Reference: The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in this rule is approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of May 2, 2012

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Trung V. Hiu, Electrical Engineer, 
Electric Staff Division, Distribution Branch, Rural Utilities Service, 
United States Department of Agriculture, Room 1262-S, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-1569. Telephone: (202) 720-1877. FAX: 
(202) 720-7491. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Executive Order 12866

    This final rule is exempted 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 12372

    This final rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order 
12372, Intergovernmental Consultation, which may require consultation 
with State and local officials. A notice of the final rule entitled 
``Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive Order 
12372,'' (50 FR 47034) exempted the Rural Utilities Service loans and 
loan guarantees to form coverage under this order.

Executive Order 12988

    This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, 
Civil Justice Reform. The Rural Utilities Service has determined that 
this rule meets the applicable standards provided in section 3 of the 
Executive Order. In

[[Page 19526]]

addition, all state and local laws and regulations that are in conflict 
with this rule will be preempted. No retroactive effect will be given 
to this rule and in accordance with section 212(e) of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6912(e)) 
administrative appeal procedures, if any, must be exhausted before an 
action against the Department or its agencies may be initiated.

Executive Order 13132

    This final rule will not have substantial direct effects on the 
States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or on distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. Under Executive Order 13132, this rule 
does not have sufficient federalism implications to require preparation 
of a Federalism Assessment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    It has been determined that the Regulatory Flexibility Act is not 
applicable to this rule since the Rural Utilities Service is not 
required by 5 U.S.C. et seq. or any other provision of law to publish a 
notice of proposed rulemaking with respect to the subject matter of 
this final rule.

Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements

    This final rule contains no additional information collection and 
recordkeeping requirements and is cleared under control number 0572-
0131 pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 
35, as amended).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The program described by this final rule is listed in the Catalog 
of Federal Domestic Assistance Programs under No. 10.850, Rural 
Electrification Loans and Loan Guarantees. This catalog is available on 
a subscription basis from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone number 
(202) 512-1800.

Executive Order 12372

    This final rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order 
12372, Intergovernmental Consultation, which may require consultation 
with State and local officials. See the final rule related notice 
titled ``Department Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive 
Order 12372'' (50 FR 47034), advising that Rural Utilities Service 
loans and loan guarantees are excluded from the scope of Executive 
Order 12372.

Unfunded Mandates

    This final rule contains no Federal Mandates (under the regulatory 
provision of title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 [2 
U.S.C. chapter 25]) for State, local, and tribal governments or the 
private sector. Thus, this rule is not subject to the requirements of 
sections 202 and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

National Environmental Policy Act Certification

    The Rural Utilities Service 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.

Background

    RUS maintains a system of bulletins that contain construction 
standards and specifications for materials and equipment which must be 
complied with when system facilities are constructed by electric and 
telecommunications borrowers in accordance with the loan contract. 
These standards and specifications contain standard construction units 
and material items and equipment units commonly used in electric and 
telecommunications borrowers' systems.
    RUS in conjunction with the Office of the Federal Register 
determined that Bulletin 50-70 (U-1), ``REA Specification for 15 kV and 
25 kV Primary Underground Power Cable,'' would be codified. The 
material will now appear in 7 CFR 1728.204. Rescinding Bulletin 50-70 
(U-1) and codifying the material in its entirety provides greater 
convenience for RUS borrowers when searching for specifications and 
standards requirements. Additionally, the specifications and standards 
that appeared in the old RUS Bulletin 50-70 (U-1) will be incorporated 
by reference in 1728.97 and will update the specifications for 15kV and 
25kV underground power cable, and provide RUS borrowers with 
specifications for 35 kV underground power cable for use in 25 kV 
primary systems. These specifications cover single-phase and multi-
phase primary underground power cable which RUS electric borrowers use 
to construct their rural underground electric distribution systems. 
These changes provide standard requirements for 15kV and 25 kV single-
phase and multi-phase primary underground power cable with cross-linked 
polyethylene with tree retardant or ethylene propylene rubber 
insulation, concentric neutral, and insulating outer jacket and updates 
the specifications for 15kV and 25 kV primary underground cable while 
adding specifications for 35 kV primary underground power cable.
    The following changes and updates are as follows:
    1. Water blocking sealant would be required in all stranded 
conductor cables.
    2. The plain cross-linked polyethylene (XLP) would be removed and 
be replaced by tree-retardant cross-linked polyethylene (TR-XLPE) as an 
acceptable insulation material.
    3. Nominal insulation thickness on 25 kV cable would be reduced 
from 345 mils to 260 mils.
    4. An optional semi-conducting jacketing material would be added to 
the specification for cables of all three specified voltages. Cables 
with semi-conducting jackets may be used by RUS borrowers in areas with 
soil resistivity greater than 25 ohm-meter, in lieu of using cables 
with an insulating jacket to help improve the effectiveness of system 
grounding in locations of high soil resistivity.

Summary of Comments

    A proposed rule entitled ``Specifications for Primary Underground 
Power Cable,'' was published August 30, 2007, at 72 FR 50081, invited 
interested parties to submit comments. The National Rural Electric 
Cooperative Association Transmission and Distribution (NRECA T&D) 
Engineering Underground Subcommittee and the cable manufacturers--
Prysmian Cables & Systems (PCS), Southwire, General Cable, Nexans 
Energy, Hendrix Wire and Cable (HWC), submitted comments. No comments 
from any other sources were received. The comments submitted by NRECA 
represent the views of its members.
    Comment: NRECA T&D suggested adding the abbreviations IEEE, LDPE, 
LLDPE, MDPE and HDPE to the ``Abbreviations'' section.
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule accordingly.
    Comment: PCS suggested removing the word ``insulating'' as this 
implies a voltage rating for the jacket. Jackets do not have a voltage 
rating per the National Electrical Code (NEC).
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule accordingly.

[[Page 19527]]

    Comment: Southwire suggested updating the publication dates of 
reference standards and adding ASTM B835-04, B836-00 (2005), B901-04, 
B902-04a standards.
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule accordingly.
    Comment: Southwire, NRECA T&D, General Cable, and Nexans suggested 
adding Insulated Cable Engineers Association, Inc. (ICEA) to the list 
of addresses.
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule accordingly.
    Comment: General Cable suggested adding the address: IHS; 15 
Inverness Way East; Englewood, CO 80112; Telephone: 800-854-7179; Web 
Site: http://www. globe,ihs.com (7, section 3b, ``Availability of 
Publications'').
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule accordingly.
    Comment: Southwire recommended adding compressed and compact round 
stranded copper conductors using single input wire construction in 
accordance with ASTM B902-4a and B835-04 to this section.
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule accordingly.
    Comment: PCS suggested correcting the ``R14'' in the first line to 
``H14''. This was a typo.
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule accordingly.
    Comment: General Cable, Nexans Energy, PCS, and Southwire suggested 
the following changes: Central aluminum phase conductors shall be one 
of the following:
    This part should be changed to 4d which would require the conductor 
to be filled whether it be copper or aluminum. The requirement to fill 
the conductor interstices so as not to allow moisture to migrate 
through the conductor should be for both aluminum and copper conductor 
and not just for aluminum conductor. Filling the strands of a conductor 
is done to pick moisture out to the conductor and whereby limiting the 
moisture that can migrate into the insulation.
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule accordingly.
    Comment: PCS suggested replacing the word ``moisture'' with the 
word ``water''. The test protocol is a Water penetration test.
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule accordingly.
    Comment: All cable manufacturers recommended removing the 
requirement for indent printing on a solid conductor. Requiring indent 
print on solid conductors does not seem consistent with keeping the 
interface of the conductor and extruded components smooth. Using indent 
on a solid conductor will cause the surface of the conductor to have 
some metal displacement and create irregularities on the conductor 
surface. Indent printing on the center strand of a stranded conductor 
is being used today on cables and this type of identification should be 
limited to stranded conductor and not used on solid conductor use for 
medium voltage cables.
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule.
    Comment: Conductor Shield, NRECA T&D suggested adding (for 
discharge resistant EPR) after the first word ``insulating''--``The 
void and protrusion limits on the conductor shield shall be in 
compliance with ANSI/ICEA S-94-649'' as was done in the Insulation 
Shield Section (or state the actual limits).
    Agency Response: The RUS agrees with the recommendation and has 
added ``The void and protrusion limits on the conductor shield shall be 
in compliance with ANSI/ICEA S-94-649''.
    Comment: PCS suggested replacing the words ``An insulating'' with 
``A non-conducting''. This will align the wording with ANSI/ICEA S-94-
649 standard.
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule.
    Comment: Insulation, NRECA T&D suggested adding ``The void and 
protrusion limits on the insulation shall be in compliance with ANSI/
ICEA S-94-649'' as was done in the Insulation Shield Section (or state 
the actual limits).
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has added 
``The void and protrusion limits on the conductor shield shall be in 
compliance with ANSI/ICEA S-94-649''.
    Comment: PCS suggested removing the words inside the parentheses 
``(e.g., cross-linked polyethylene shield may be used with EPR 
insulation)''. The term ``thermosetting polymeric layer'' sets forth 
the requirement sufficiently. As a matter of technical clarification, 
the insulation shield materials are not XLPE but are in fact a co-
polymer material. Polymeric layer is a good way to refer to these 
materials.
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule.
    Comment: PCS stated there is no technical justification to have 
different minimum stripping tensions for EPR and TRXLPE. This 
requirement needs to be changed so both materials have the same minimum 
tension of 3 pounds as required by the ANSI approved industry standard.
    Agency Response: Stripping tensions values shall be 3 through 18 
pounds (1.36 through 8.16 kg) for EPR discharge free and TR-XLPE 
cables. Discharge resistant cables shall have strip tension of 0 
through 18 pounds (0 through 8.16 kg).
    Comment: General Cable suggested changing the requirement of 
stripping tension for TR-XLPE cable to the industry standard of a 
maximum of 24 lb. Limiting the maximum stripping tension to 18 lb will 
cause quality cable to be rejected based on a difference of 6 lb. The 
industry standards require that the cables be able to be stripped at 
temperatures between -10c and 40c without tearing based on a defined 
test procedure regardless of the actual stripping tension.
    Agency Response: Stripping tensions values shall be 3 through 18 
pounds (1.36 through 8.16 kg) for EPR discharge free and TR-XLPE 
cables. Discharge resistant cables shall have strip tension of 0 
through 18 pounds (0 through 8.16 kg).
    Comment: HWC suggested the minimum strip tension should be 3 pounds 
for both EPR and TR0XLPE discharge free cable designs as required by 
the referenced ANSI/ICEA Standard. Specifying a difference without a 
technical basis would only serve to provide a justified commercial 
advantage.
    Agency Response: Stripping tensions values shall be 3 through 18 
pounds (1.36 through 8.16 kg) for EPR discharge free and TR-XLPE 
cables. Discharge resistant cables shall have strip tension of 0 
through 18 pounds (0 through 8.16 kg).
    Comment: Nexans Energy suggested the minimum strip tension of 3 
lbs. should be applicable to both EPR and TR-XLPE.
    Agency Response: Stripping tensions values shall be 3 through 18 
pounds (1.36 through 8.16 kg) for EPR discharge free and TR-XLPE 
cables. Discharge resistant cables shall have strip tension of 0 
through 18 pounds (0 through 8.16 kg).
    Comment: PCS suggested the word ``uncoated'' in the beginning of 
the second line should be removed as some manufacturers will only 
provide flat

[[Page 19528]]

straps tin-coated and there is no technical reason to not allow this 
construction.
    Agency Response: RUS disagrees and its previous experience 
indicates tin-coated neutral may accelerate corrosion at holidays. RUS 
will not allow tin-coated neutral.
    Comment: PCS suggested this paragraph to read as follows: ``The 
jacket type shall be an Extruded-to-Fill Jacket that fills the area 
between the concentric neutral wires and covers the wires to the proper 
thickness. The jacket shall be free stripping. The jacket shall have 
three red stripes longitudinally extruded into the jacket surface 120 
degrees apart per ANSI/ICEA S-94-649.''
    Agency Response: RUS disagrees and the current text is in an 
acceptable format and remains unchanged.
    Comment: PCS stated ICEA does a good job specifying the jacket 
materials. ASTM has requirements that only pertain to base resins which 
typically can not be measured on compounds received or have pertinence 
to the performance of the jacket material in its intended environment. 
The Extruded-to-Fill jacket materials are limited to LLDPE and LDPE. 
The references to (insulating) and to the ASTM D1248 specification 
should be removed. This paragraph should be changed to ``Nonconducting 
jackets shall be LDPE or LLDPE compound meeting the requirements of 
ANSI/ICEA S-94-649.''
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule accordingly.
    Comment: NRECA T&D suggested checking with Dow Chemical and/or 
Borealis to confirm the vapor transmission rate of 2 g/m2/24 hours is 
valid for current semi-conducting jacket compounds.
    Agency Response: RUS has verified and confirmed with Dow Chemical 
of the current physical properties specification of the DOW DHDA-7708 
Black moisture vapor transmission rate at 38 degree C, 90% RH is 1.5 
gms/m2/24 hrs (ASTME96).
    Comment: PCS stated this paragraph indicates a maximum moisture 
vapor transmission rate of 2 g/m\2\/24 hours at 38 [deg]C and 96% 
relative humidity in accordance with ASTM E 96. They believe there is 
no test data to support there are materials commercially available to 
meet this maximum value. They suggest that this value be removed.
    Agency Response: RUS has verified and confirmed with Dow Chemical 
of the current physical properties specification of the DOW DHDA-7708 
Black moisture vapor transmission rate at 38 degree C, 90% RH is 1.5 
gms/m2/24 hrs (ASTME96).
    Comment: ``Overall Outer Jacket'', paragraph a (3), Southwire 
stated the requirement for maximum moisture transmission rate of 2 g/
m\2\/24 hours at 38 [deg]C (100 [deg] F) and 96% relative humidity in 
accordance with ASTM E 96 does not agree with existing data sheets from 
the material provider, Dow Chemical. Their product was tested at 90% 
RH. Southwire suggested this requirement be verified with the material 
supplier or deleted.
    Agency Response: RUS has verified and confirmed with Dow Chemical 
of the current physical properties specification of the DOW DHDA-7708 
Black moisture vapor transmission rate at 38 degree C, 90% RH is 1.5 
gms/m2/24 hrs (ASTME96).
    Comment: ``Overall Outer Jacket'', paragraph a (3), Southwire 
suggested the word ``maximum'' should be added to the first sentence--
Semi-conducting jackets shall have a maximum radial resistivity of 100 
ohm-meter.
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule accordingly.
    Comment: NRECA T&D, General Cable, PCS, Nexans Energy, and 
Southwire suggested deleting Dimensional Tolerances--this section come 
from the old U-1 and ICEA S-94-649 has minimum and maximum tolerances 
on each layer of the cable construction but not on the overall cable 
core. There is an Appendix C in ICEA to calculate these tolerances and 
they will vary greatly by conductor size and insulation thickness.
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule accordingly.
    Comment: General Cable suggested changing ``Partial Discharge 
Tests'' to Discharge Tests: Manufacturers shall demonstrate that their 
cable meets either the partial discharge test for Discharge Free cable 
design or the Discharge Resistance test for Discharge Resistant cable 
designs as required per ICEA S-94-649 and as described in b(1) or b(2) 
of this bulletin.
    Agency Response: RUS disagrees. The current text is acceptable.
    Comment: Jacket tests, cable manufacturers suggested the (cold bend 
test) requirement be omitted. Since polyethylene's (low, medium and 
high density) have excellent cold temperature properties, there is no 
need to do cold bend test. ICEA standards do not require a cold bend 
test for these jacket materials for the reason stated above. Jacket 
material such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Chlorinated Polyethylene 
(CPE) do require a cold bend test but are not allowed to be used in 
this specification.
    Agency Response: RUS agrees with the recommendation and has revised 
the final rule accordingly.
    Comment: HWC suggested that jacket type is only printed if the 
jacket is semi-conducting as required by the referenced ANSI/ICEA 
Standard.
    Agency Response: RUS disagrees. The current text and format are 
acceptable.
    Comment: PCS stated the cable reel is not for protection but to 
allow ease of handling and installation of the cable. They recommend 
that the purchaser define the class of reels and reel covering material 
that one want specified per NEMA WC26. The reel and covering should be 
at the mutual agreement of the purchaser and the manufacturer.
    Agency Response: RUS disagrees. The current text and requirement 
are acceptable.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1728

    Electric power, Incorporation by reference, Loan programs--energy, 
Rural areas.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 7 CFR part 1728 is amended 
as follows:

PART 1728--ELECTRIC STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS AND 
CONSTRUCTION

0
1. The authority citation for part 1728 continues to read as follows:

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


0
2. In Sec.  1728.97, redesignate paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) as 
paragraphs (f), (h), and (i), respectively, revise paragraph (d), and 
add new paragraphs (e) and (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  1728.97  Incorporation by reference of electric standards and 
specifications.

* * * * *
    (d) The American National Standards Institute/Insulated Cable 
Engineers Association, Inc. (ANSI/ICEA) makes the following material 
available for purchase from Global Engineering Documents for a fee at 
the following address: IHS Global Engineering Documents, 15 Inverness 
Way East, Englewood, CO 80112, Phone: (303) 397-7956; (800)-854-7179, 
Fax: (303) 397-2740, email: ihs.com">global@ihs.com, Web site: http://global.ihs.com.
    (1) ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004--Standard for Concentric Neutral Cables 
Rated 5 Through 46 KV (ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004), approved September 20, 
2005, incorporation by reference approved for Sec.  1728.204.

[[Page 19529]]

    (2) ANSI/ICEA T-31-610-2007--Test Method for Conducting 
Longitudinal Water Penetration Resistance Tests on Blocked Conductors 
(ANSI/ICEA T-31-610-2007), approved October 31, 2007, incorporated by 
reference approved for Sec.  1728.204.
    (e) Copies of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 
publications referenced in this specification can be obtained from ASTM 
for a fee at the following address: ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West 
Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, Telephone: (610) 832-9585, Web site: 
http://astm.org.
    (1) ASTM B 3-01 (Reapproved 2007)--Standard Specification for Soft 
or Annealed Copper Wire, (ASTM B 3-01) approved March 15, 2007, 
incorporated by reference approved for Sec.  1728.204.
    (2) ASTM B 8-04--Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded 
Copper Conductors, Hard, Medium-Hard, or Soft (ASTM B 8-04), approved 
April 1, 2004, incorporated by reference approved for Sec.  1728.204.
    (3) ASTM B 230/B 230M-07--Standard Specification for Aluminum 1350-
H19 Wire for Electrical Purposes (ASTM B 230/B 230M-07), approved March 
15, 2007, incorporated by reference approved for Sec.  1728.204.
    (4) ASTM B 231/B 231M-04--Standard Specification for Concentric-
Lay-Stranded Aluminum 1350 Conductors (ASTM B 231/B 231M-04), approved 
April 1, 2004, incorporated by reference approved for Sec.  1728.204.
    (5) ASTM B 400-08--Standard Specification for Compact Round 
Concentric-Lay-Stranded Aluminum 1350 Conductors (ASTM B 400-08), 
approved September 1, 2008, incorporated by reference approved for 
Sec.  1728.204.
    (6) ASTM B 496-04--Standard Specification for Compact Round 
Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors (ASTM B 496-04), approved 
April 1, 2004, incorporated by reference approved for Sec.  1728.204.
    (7) ASTM B 609/B 609M-99--Standard Specification for Aluminum 1350 
Round Wire, Annealed and Intermediate Tempers, for Electrical Purposes 
(ASTM B 609/B 609M-99), approved April 1, 2004, incorporated by 
reference approved for Sec.  1728.204.
    (8) ASTM B 786-08--Standard Specification for 19 Wire Combination 
Unilay-Stranded Aluminum 1350 Conductors for Subsequent Insulation 
(ASTM B 786-08), approved September 1, 2008, incorporated by reference 
approved for Sec.  1728.204.
    (9) ASTM B 787/B 787M-04--Standard Specification for 19 Wire 
Combination Unilay-Stranded Copper Conductors for Subsequent Insulation 
(ASTM B 787/B 787M-04), approved September 1, 2004, incorporated by 
reference approved for Sec.  1728.204.
    (10) ASTM B 835-04--Standard Specification for Compact Round 
Stranded Copper Conductors Using Single Input Wire Construction (ASTM B 
835-04), approved September 1, 2004, incorporated by reference approved 
for Sec.  1728.204.
    (11) ASTM B902-04a--Standard Specification for Compressed Round 
Stranded Copper Conductors, Hard, Medium-Hard, or Soft Using Single 
Input Wire Construction (ASTM B902-04a), approved September 1, 2004, 
incorporated by reference approved for Sec.  1728.204.
    (12) ASTM D 1248-05--Standard Specification for Polyethylene 
Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable (ASTM D 1248-05), 
approved March 1, 2005, incorporated by reference approved for Sec.  
1728.204.
    (13) ASTM D 2275-01 (Reapproved 2008)--Standard Test Method for 
Voltage Endurance of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials Subjected to 
Partial Discharges (Corona) on the Surface (ASTM D 2275-01), approved 
May 1, 2008, incorporated by reference approved for Sec.  1728.204.
    (14) ASTM E 96/E 96M-05--Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor 
Transmission of Materials (ASTM E 96/E 96M-05), approved May 1, 2005, 
incorporated by reference approved for Sec.  1728.204.
* * * * *
    (g) The following material is available from the Insulated Cable 
Engineers Association (ICEA) and may be purchased from Global 
Engineering Documents for a fee at the following address: IHS Global 
Engineering Documents, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood, CO 80112, 
Phone: (303) 397-7956; (800)-854-7179, Fax: (303) 397-2740, email: 
ihs.com">global@ihs.com, Web site: http://global.ihs.com.
    (1) ICEA T-32-645-93--Guide for Establishing Compatibility of 
Sealed Conductor Filler Compounds with Conducting Stress Control 
Materials (ICEA T-32-645-93), approved February 1993, incorporated by 
reference approved for Sec.  1728.204.
    (2) [Reserved]

0
3. Add and reserve new Sec.  1728.203 to read as follows:


Sec.  1728.203  [Reserved]

0
4. Add new Sec.  1728.204 to read as follows:


Sec.  1728.204  Electric standards and specifications for materials and 
construction.

    (a) General specifications. This section details requirements for 
15 and 25 kV single phase, V-phase, and three-phase power cables for 
use on 12.5/7.2 kV (15 kV rated) and 24.9/14.4 kV (25 kV rated) 
underground distribution systems with solidly multi-grounded neutral. 
Cable complying with this specification shall consist of solid or 
strand-filled conductors which are insulated with tree-retardant cross-
linked polyethylene (TR-XLPE) or ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), with 
concentrically wound copper neutral conductors covered by a 
nonconducting or semiconducting jacket. 35 kV rated cables may be used 
in 24.9/14.4 kV application where additional insulation is desired.
    (1) The cable may be used in single-phase, two (V)-phase, or three-
phase circuits.
    (2) Acceptable conductor sizes are: No. 2 AWG (33.6 mm\2\) through 
1000 kcmil (507 mm\2\) for 15 kV cable, No. 1 AWG (42.4 mm\2\) through 
1000 kcmil (507 mm\2\) for 25 kV, and 1/0 (53.5 mm\2\) through 1000 
kcmil (507 mm\2\) for 35 kV cable.
    (3) Except where provisions therein conflict with the requirements 
of this specification, the cable shall meet all applicable provisions 
of ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  
1728.97). Where provisions of the ANSI/ICEA specification conflict with 
this section, Sec.  1728.204 shall apply.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section:
    Agency refers to the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of 
the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA), hereinafter 
referred to as the Agency.
    EPR Insulating Compound is a mixture of ethylene propylene base 
resin and selected ingredients.
    TR-XLPE Insulating Compound is a tree retardant crosslinked 
polyethylene (TR-XLPE) insulation compound containing an additive, a 
polymer modification filler, which helps to retard the growth of 
electrical trees in the compound.
    (c) Phase conductors. (1) Central phase conductors shall be copper 
or aluminum as specified by the borrower within the limit of Sec.  
1728.204(a)(2).
    (2) Central copper phase conductors shall be annealed copper in 
accordance with ASTM B 3-01 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  
1728.97). Concentric-lay-stranded phase conductors shall conform to 
ASTM B 8-04 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97) for Class B 
stranding. Compact round concentric-

[[Page 19530]]

lay-stranded phase conductors shall conform to ASTM B 496-04 
(incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97). Combination unilay 
stranded phase conductors shall conform to ASTM B 787/B 787M-04 
(incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97). Compact round atranded 
copper conductors using single input wire construction shall conform to 
ASTM B835-04 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97). Compressed 
round stranded copper conductors, hard, medium-hard, or soft using 
single input wire construction shall conform to ASTM B902-04a 
(incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97). If not specified, 
stranded phase conductors shall be Class B stranded.
    (3) Central aluminum phase conductors shall be one of the 
following:
    (i) Solid: Aluminum 1350 H12 or H22, H14 or H24, H16 or H26, in 
accordance with ASTM B 609/B 609M-99 (incorporated by reference in 
Sec.  1728.97).
    (ii) Stranded: Aluminum 1350 H14 or H24, H142 or H242, H16, or H26, 
in accordance with ASTM B 609/B 609M-99 (incorporated by reference in 
Sec.  1728.97) or Aluminum 1350-H19 in accordance with ASTM B 230/B 
230M-07 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97). Concentric-lay-
stranded (includes compacted and compressed) phase conductors shall 
conform to ASTM B 231/B 231M-04 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  
1728.97) for Class B stranding. Compact round concentric-lay-stranded 
phase conductors shall conform to ASTM B 400-08 (incorporated by 
reference in Sec.  1728.97). Combination unilay stranded aluminum phase 
conductors shall conform to ASTM B 786-08 (incorporated by reference in 
Sec.  1728.97). If not specified, stranded phase conductors shall be 
class B stranded.
    (4) The interstices between the strands of stranded conductors 
shall be filled with a material designed to fill the interstices and to 
prevent the longitudinal migration of water that might enter the 
conductor. This material shall be compatible with the conductor and 
conductor shield materials. The surfaces of the strands that form the 
outer surface of the stranded conductor shall be free of the strand 
fill material. Compatibility of the strand fill material with the 
conductor shield shall be tested and shall be in compliance with ICEA 
T-32-645-93 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97). Water 
penetration shall be tested and shall be in compliance with ANSI/ICEA 
T-31-610-2007 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97).
    (5) The center strand of stranded conductors shall be indented with 
the manufacturer's name and year of manufacture at regular intervals 
with no more than 12 inches (0.3 m) between repetitions.
    (d) Conductor shield (stress control layer). A non-conducting (for 
discharge resistant EPR) or semi-conducting shield (stress control 
layer) meeting the applicable requirements of ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004 
(incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97) shall be extruded around 
the central conductor. The minimum thickness at any point shall be in 
accordance with ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004. The void and protrusion limits 
on the conductor shield shall be in compliance with ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-
2004. The shield shall have a nominal operating temperature equal to, 
or higher than, that of the insulation.
    (e) Insulation. (1) The insulation shall conform to the 
requirements of ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004 (incorporated by reference in 
Sec.  1728.97) and may either be tree retardant cross-linked 
polyethylene (TR-XLPE) or ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), as specified 
by the borrower. The void and protrusion limits on the insulation shall 
be in compliance with ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004.
    (2) The thickness of insulation shall be as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Cable rated voltage           Nominal thickness      Minimum thickness           Maximum thickness
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 kV.............................  220 mils (5.59 mm)...  210 mils (5.33 mm)...  250 mils (6.35 mm).
25 kV.............................  260 mils (6.60 mm)...  245 mils (6.22 mm)...  290 mils (7.37 mm).
35 kV.............................  345 mils (8.76 mm)...  330 mils (8.38 mm)...  375 mils (9.53 mm).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) Insulation shield. (1) A semi-conducting thermosetting 
polymeric layer meeting the requirements of ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004 
(incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97) shall be extruded tightly 
over the insulation to serve as an electrostatic shield and protective 
covering. The shield compound shall be compatible with, but not 
necessarily the same material composition as, that of the insulation 
(e.g., cross-linked polyethylene shield may be used with EPR 
insulation). The void and protrusion limits on the semi-conducting 
shields shall be in compliance with the ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004.
    (2) The thickness of the extruded insulation shield shall be in 
accordance with ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004 (incorporated by reference in 
Sec.  1728.97).
    (3) The shield shall be applied such that all conducting material 
can be easily removed without the need for externally applied heat. 
Stripping tension values shall be 3 through 18 pounds (1.36 through 
8.16 kg) for TR-XLPE and EPR discharge free cables. Discharge resistant 
cables shall have strip tension of 0 through 18 pounds (0 through 8.16 
kg).
    (4) The insulation shield shall meet all applicable tests of ANSI/
ICEA S-94-649-2004 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97).
    (g) Concentric neutral conductor. (1) Concentric neutral conductor 
shall consist of annealed round, uncoated copper wires in accordance 
with ASTM B 3-01 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97) and shall 
be spirally wound over the shielding with uniform and equal spacing 
between wires. The concentric neutral wires shall remain in continuous 
intimate contact with the extruded insulation shield. Full neutral is 
required for single phase and \1/3\ neutral for three phase 
applications unless otherwise specified. The minimum wire size for the 
concentric neutral is 16 AWG (1.32 mm\2\).
    (2) When a strap neutral is specified by the borrower, the neutral 
shall consist of uncoated copper straps applied concentrically over the 
insulation shield with uniform and equal spacing between straps and 
shall remain in intimate contact with the underlying extruded 
insulation shield. The straps shall not have sharp edges. The thickness 
of the flat straps shall be not less than 20 mils (0.5 mm).
    (h) Overall outer jacket. (1) An electrically nonconducting 
(insulating) or semi-conducting outer jacket shall be applied directly 
over the concentric neutral conductors.
    (2) The jacket material shall fill the interstice area between 
conductors, leaving no voids. The jacket shall be free stripping. The 
jacket shall have three red stripes longitudinally extruded into the 
jacket surface 120[deg] apart.
    (3) Nonconducting jackets shall consist of low density, linear low 
density, medium density, or high density HMW black polyethylene

[[Page 19531]]

(LDPE, LLDPE, MDPE, HDPE) compound meeting the requirements of ANSI/
ICEA S-94-649-2004 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97) and 
ASTM D 1248-05 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97) for Type I, 
Class C, Category 4 or 5, Grade J3 before application to the cable. 
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) jackets are 
not acceptable.
    (4) Semi-conducting jackets shall have a maximum radial resistivity 
of 100 ohm-meter and a maximum moisture vapor transmission rate of 1.5 
g/m\2\/24 hours at 38[deg] C (100[deg] F) and 90 percent relative 
humidity in accordance with ASTM E 96/E96M-05 (incorporated by 
reference in Sec.  1728.97).
    (5) The minimum thickness of the jacket over metallic neutral wires 
or straps shall comply with the thickness specified in ANSI/ICEA S-94-
649-2004 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97).
    (i) Tests. (1) As part of a request for Agency consideration for 
acceptance and listing, the manufacturer shall submit certified test 
data results to the Agency that detail full compliance with ANSI/ICEA 
S-94-649-2004 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97) for each 
cable design.
    (i) Test results shall confirm compliance with each of the material 
tests, production sampling tests, tests on completed cable, and 
qualification tests included in ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004 (incorporated 
by reference in Sec.  1728.97).
    (ii) The testing procedure and frequency of each test shall be in 
accordance with ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004 (incorporated by reference in 
Sec.  1728.97).
    (iii) Certified test data results shall be submitted to the Agency 
for any test, which is designated by ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004 
(incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97) as being ``for Engineering 
Information Only,'' or any similar designation.
    (2) Partial discharge tests. Manufacturers shall demonstrate that 
their cable is not adversely affected by excessive partial discharge. 
This demonstration shall be made by completing the procedures described 
in paragraphs (i)(2)(i) and (i)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (i) Each shipping length of completed cable shall be tested and 
have certified test data results available indicating compliance with 
the partial discharge test requirements in ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004 
(incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97).
    (ii) Manufacturers shall test production samples and have available 
certified test data results indicating compliance with ASTM D 2275-01 
(incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97) for discharge resistance 
as specified in the ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004 (incorporated by reference 
in Sec.  1728.97). Samples of insulated cable shall be prepared by 
either removing the overlying extruded insulation shield material, or 
using insulated cable before the extruded insulation shield material is 
applied. The sample shall be mounted as described in ASTM D 2275-01 and 
shall be subjected to a voltage stress of 250 volts per mil of nominal 
insulation thickness. The sample shall support this voltage stress, and 
not show evidence of degradation on the surface of the insulation for a 
minimum of 100 hours. The test shall be performed at least once on each 
50,000 feet (15,240 m) of cable produced, or major fractions thereof, 
or at least once per insulation extruder run.
    (3) Jacket tests. Tests described in paragraph (i)(3)(i) of this 
section shall be performed on cable jackets from the same production 
sample as in paragraphs (i)(2)(i) and (i)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (i) A Spark Test shall be performed on nonconducting jacketed cable 
in accordance with ANSI/ICEA S-94-649-2004 (incorporated by reference 
in Sec.  1728.97) on 100 percent of the completed cable prior to its 
being wound on shipping reels. The test voltage shall be 4.5 kV AC for 
cable diameters <1.5 inches and 7.0 kV for cable diameters >1.5 inches, 
and shall be applied between an electrode at the outer surface of the 
nonconducting (insulating) jacket and the concentric neutral for not 
less than 0.15 second.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) Frequency of sample tests shall be in accordance with ANSI/ICEA 
S-94-649-2004 (incorporated by reference in Sec.  1728.97).
    (5) If requested by the borrower, a certified copy of the results 
of all tests performed in accordance with this section shall be 
furnished by the manufacturer on all orders.
    (j) Miscellaneous. (1) All cable provided under this specification 
shall have suitable markings on the outer surface of the jacket at 
sequential intervals not exceeding 2 feet (0.61 m). The label shall 
indicate the name of the manufacturer, conductor size, type and 
thickness of insulation, center conductor material, voltage rating, 
year of manufacture, and jacket type. There shall be no more than 6 
inches (0.15 m) of unmarked spacing between texts label sequence. The 
jacket shall be marked with the symbol required by Rule 350G of the 
National Electrical Safety Code and the borrower shall specify any 
markings required by local safety codes. This is in addition to 
extruded red stripes required in this section.
    (2) Watertight seals shall be applied to all cable ends to prevent 
the entrance of moisture during transit or storage. Each end of the 
cable shall be firmly and properly secured to the reel.
    (3) Cable shall be placed on shipping reels suitable for protecting 
it from damage during shipment and handling. Reels shall be covered 
with a suitable covering to help provide physical protection to the 
cable.
    (4) A durable label shall be securely attached to each reel of 
cable. The label shall indicate the purchaser's name and address, 
purchase order number, cable description, reel number, feet of cable on 
the reel, tare and gross weight of the reel, and beginning and ending 
sequential footage numbers.

    Dated: March 8, 2012.
Jonathan Adelstein,
Administator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-7610 Filed 3-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P