(a) Scope.

(1) This section covers the requirements for filled buried wires intended for direct burial as a subscriber drop and/or distribution wire.

(i) The conductors are solid copper, individually insulated with an extruded solid insulating compound.

(ii) The insulated conductors are twisted into pairs (a star-quad configuration is permitted for the two pair wires) which are then stranded or oscillated to form a cylindrical core.

(iii) A moisture resistant filling compound is applied to the stranded conductors completely covering the insulated conductors and filling the interstices between the pairs.

(iv) The wire structure is completed by the application of an optional core wrapping material, an inner jacket, a flooding compound, a shield, a flooding compound, and an overall plastic jacket.

(2) The number of pairs and gauge size of conductors which are used within the RUS program are provided in the following table:

(3) All wires sold to RUS borrowers for projects involving RUS loan funds under this section must be accepted by RUS Technical Standards Committee “A” (Telephone). For wires manufactured to the specification of this section, all design changes to an accepted design must be submitted for acceptance. RUS will be the sole authority on what constitutes a design change.

(4) Materials, manufacturing techniques, or wire designs not specifically addressed by this section may be allowed if accepted by RUS. Justification for acceptance of modified materials, manufacturing techniques, or wire designs must be provided to substantiate product utility and long term stability and endurance.

(5) The American National Standards 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 RUS. 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 RUS, room 2845, U.S Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-1500, or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal__register/code__of__federal__regulations/ibr__locations.html. Copies are available from EIA, 2001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., suite 900, Washington, DC 20006, telephone number (202) 457-4966.

(6) American Society for Testing and Materials specifications (ASTM) A 505-87, Standard Specification for Steel, Sheet and Strip, Alloy, Hot-Rolled and Cold-Rolled, General Requirements for; ASTM B 3-90, Standard Specification for Soft or Annealed Copper Wire; ASTM B 193-87, Standard Test Method for Resistivity of Electrical Conductor Materials; ASTM B 224-91, Standard Classification of Coppers; ASTM B 694-86, Standard Specification for Copper, Copper Alloy, and Copper-Clad Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip for Electrical Cable Shielding; ASTM D 150-87, Standard Test Methods for A-C Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials; ASTM D 257-91, Standard Test Methods for D-C Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials; ASTM D 1238-90b, Standard Test Method for Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer; 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 3349-86, Standard Test Method for Absorption Coefficient of Carbon Black Pigmented Ethylene Plastic; 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; ASTM D 4568-86, Standard Test Methods for Evaluating Compatibility between Cable Filling and Flooding Compounds and Polyolefin Cable Materials; ASTM D 4872-88, Standard Test Method for Dielectric Testing of Wire and Cable Filling Compounds; ASTM E 8-91, Standard Test Methods of Tension Testing of Metallic Materials; 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 RUS. 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 RUS, room 2845, U.S. Department Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-1500, or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal__register/code__of__federal__regulations/ibr__locations.html. Copies are available from ASTM, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-1187, telephone number (215) 299-5585.

(b) Conductors and conductor insulation.

(1) Each conductor must be a solid round wire of commercially pure annealed copper. Conductors must meet the requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) B 3-90 except that requirements for Dimensions and Permissible Variations are waived and elongation requirements are superseded by this section.

(2) The minimum conductor elongation in the final wire must comply with the following limits when tested in accordance with ASTM E 8-91.

(3) 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 must be butted. Splices made in insulated conductors need not be butted but may be joined in a manner acceptable to RUS.

(4)

(i) The tensile strength of any section of a conductor containing a factory joint must not be less than 85 percent of the tensile strength of an adjacent section of the solid conductor of equal length without a joint.

(ii) Engineering Information: The sizes of wire used and their nominal diameters shall be as shown in the following table:

(5) Each conductor must be insulated with either a colored, solid, insulating grade, high density polyethylene or crystalline propylene/ethylene copolymer or with a solid natural primary layer and a colored, solid outer skin using one of the insulating materials listed in paragraphs (b)(5)(i) through (b)(5)(ii) of this section.

(i) The polyethylene raw material selected to meet the requirements of this section must 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 must be Class PP 200B 40003 E11 in accordance with ASTM D 4101-82(1988).

(iii) Raw materials intended as conductor insulation furnished to these requirements must be free from dirt, metallic particles, and other foreign matter.

(iv) All insulating raw materials must be accepted by RUS prior to their use.

(6) All conductors in any single length of wire must be insulated with the same type of material.

(7) A permissible overall performance level of faults in conductor insulation must average not greater than one fault per 12,000 conductor meters (40,000 conductor feet) for each gauge of conductor.

(i) All insulated conductors must be continuously tested for insulation faults during the twinning operation with the method of test acceptable to RUS. The length count and number of faults must be recorded. The information must be retained for a period of 6 months and be available for review by RUS when requested.

(ii) The voltages for determining compliance with the requirements of this section are as follows:

(8) Repairs to the conductor insulation during manufacturing are permissible. The method of repair must be accepted by RUS prior to its use. The repaired insulation must be capable of meeting the relevant electrical requirements of this section.

(9) All repaired sections of insulation must be retested in the same manner as originally tested for compliance with paragraph (b)(7) of this section.

(10) Colored insulating material removed from or tested on the conductor, from a finished wire, must be capable of meeting the following performance requirements:

(11) Testing procedures. The procedures for testing the insulation samples for compliance with paragraph (b)(10) of this section must be as follows.

(i) Melt flow rate. The melt flow rate must be determined as described in ASTM D 1238-90b. Condition E must be used for polyethylene. Condition L must be used for crystalline propylene/ethylene copolymer. The melt flow test must be conducted prior to the filling operation.

(ii) Tensile strength and ultimate elongation. Samples of the insulation material, removed from the conductor, must be tested in accordance with ASTM D 4565-90a using the following conditions. The minimum length of unclamped specimen must be 50 mm (2.0 in.). The minimum speed of jaw separation must be 25 mm (1.0 in.) per minute per 25 mm (1.0 in.) of unclamped specimen. The temperature of specimens and surrounding shall be 23 ±1 °C.

(iii) Cold bend. Samples of the insulation material on the conductor must be tested in accordance with ASTM D 4565-90a at a temperature of −40 ±1 °C with a mandrel diameter equal to 3 times the outside diameter of the insulated conductor. There must be no cracks visible to normal or corrected-to-normal vision.

(iv) Shrinkback. Samples of insulation must be tested for four hours in accordance with ASTM D 4565-90a. The temperature for the type of material is listed as follows:

(v) Oxygen induction time. Samples of insulation, which have been conditioned in accordance with paragraph 17.3 of ASTM D 4565-90a, must be tested in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D 4565-90a using copper pans and a test temperature of 199 ±1 °C.

(12) Other methods of testing may be used if acceptable to RUS.

(c) Identification of pairs and twisting of pairs.

(1) The insulation must be colored to identify:

(i) The tip and ring conductor of each pair; and

(ii) Each pair in the completed wire.

(2) The colors to be used to provide identification of the tip and ring conductor of each pair are shown in the following table:

(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 must 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 must be accepted by RUS 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 RUS prior to its use.

(6) The insulated conductors must be twisted into pairs.

(7) In order to provide sufficiently high crosstalk isolation, the pair twists must be designed to enable the wire to meet the capacitance unbalance and the crosstalk loss requirements of paragraphs (m)(2), (m)(3), and (m)(4) of this section.

(8) The average length of pair twists in any pair in the finished wire, when measured on any 3 meter (m) (10 foot(ft)) length, must not exceed 152 mm (6 in.).

(9) An alternative method of forming the two pair wire is the use of a star-quad configuration.

(i) The assembly of the star-quad must be such as to enable the wire to meet the capacitance unbalance and the crosstalk loss requirements of paragraphs (m)(2), (m)(3), and (m)(4) of this section.

(ii) The four individual insulated conductors must be twisted together to form a star-quad configuration with the tip and ring conductors of each pair diagonally opposite each other in the quad.

(iii) The average length of twist for the star-quad in the finished wire, when measured on any 3 m (10 ft) length, must not exceed 152 mm (6 in.).

(iv) The following color scheme must be used to provide identification of the tip and ring conductor of each pair in the star-quad:

(v) If desired, the blue and orange conductors may contain a white stripe. The stripes in this case must be narrow enough so that the tip and ring identification is obvious.

(d) Forming of the wire core.

(1) Twisted pairs or star-quad configuration must be assembled in such a way as to form a substantially cylindrical group.

(2) The filling compound must be applied to the wire core in such a way as to provide a completely filled core as is commercially practical.

(3) If desired for manufacturing reasons, white or colored binders of nonhygroscopic and nonwicking material may be applied over the core.

(e) Filling compound.

(1) After or during the stranding operation and prior to application of the optional core wrap and inner jacket, a homogeneous filling compound free of agglomerates must be applied to the wire core. The compound must be as nearly colorless as is commercially feasible and consistent with the end product requirements and pair identification.

(2) The filling compound must be free from dirt, metallic particles, and other foreign matter. It must be applied in such a way as to fill the space within the wire core.

(3) The filling compound must be nontoxic and present no dermal hazards.

(4) The filling compound must exhibit the following dielectric properties at a temperature of 23 ±3 °C when measured in accordance with ASTM D 150-87 or ASTM D 4872-88.

(i) The dissipation factor must not exceed 0.0015 at a frequency of 1 megahertz (MHz).

(ii) The dielectric constant must not exceed 2.30.

(5) The volume resistivity must not be less than 1012 ohm-cm at a temperature of 23 ±3 °C when measured in accordance with ASTM D 257-91 or ASTM D 4872-88.

(6) The individual wire manufacturer must satisfy RUS that the filling compound selected for use is suitable for its intended application. The filling compound must be compatible with the wire components when tested in accordance with ASTM D 4568-86 at a temperature of 80 °C.

(f) Core wrap (optional).

(1) When a core wrap is used, it must consist of a layer of nonhygroscopic and nonwicking dielectric material. The wrap must be applied with an overlap.

(2) The core wrap must provide a sufficient heat barrier to prevent visible evidence of conductor insulation deformation or adhesion between conductors, caused by adverse heat transfer during the inner jacketing operation.

(3) If required for manufacturing reasons, white or colored binders of nonhygroscopic and nonwicking material may be applied over the core wrap.

(4) Sufficient filling compound must be applied to the core wrap that voids or air spaces existing between the core and inner side of the core wrap are minimized.

(g) Inner jacket.

(1) An inner jacket must be applied over the core and/or core wrap.

(2) The jacket must be free from holes, splits, blisters, or other imperfections and must be as smooth and concentric as is consistent with the best commercial practice.

(3) The inner jacket material and test requirements must be as specified for the outer jacket material per paragraphs (j)(3) through (j)(5)(iv) of this section.

(4) The inner jacket thickness at any point must not be less than 0.5 mm (0.020 in.). The thickness must be determined from measurements on 50 mm (2 in.) samples taken not less than 0.3 m (1 ft) from either end of the wire. The average must be determined from 4 readings taken approximately 90 °apart on any cross section of the samples. The maximum and minimum points must be determined by exploratory measurements. The maximum thickness minus the minimum thickness at any cross section must not exceed 43 percent of the average thickness at that cross section.

(h) Flooding compound.

(1) Sufficient flooding compound must be applied on all sheath interfaces so that voids and air spaces in these areas are minimized.

(2) The flooding compound must be compatible with the jacket when tested in accordance with ASTM D 4568-86 at a temperature of 80 °C. The floodant must exhibit adhesive properties sufficient to prevent jacket slip when tested in accordance with the requirements of appendix A, paragraph (III)(5), of this section.

(3) The individual wire manufacturer must satisfy RUS that the flooding compound selected for use is acceptable for the application.

(i) Shield.

(1) A shield must be applied either longitudinally or helically over the inner jacket.

(i) If the shield is applied longitudinally, it must be corrugated.

(ii) If the shield is applied helically, it must be smooth.

(2) The overlap for longitudinally applied shields must be a minimum of 2 mm (0.075 in.) The overlap for helically applied shields must be a minimum of 23 percent of the tape width.

(3) General requirements for application of the shielding material are 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) Where two ends of a metal shield are to be joined together, care shall be taken to clean the metal surfaces in order to provide for a good mechanical and electrical connection;

(iii) The shields of each length of wire must be tested for continuity. A one meter (3 ft) section of shield containing a factory joint must 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 must 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 must be kept to a minimum and must not exceed 10 percent at any spot; and

(vi) The shielding material must be applied in such a manner as to enable the wire to pass the bend test as specified in paragraph (n)(3) of this section.

(4) The following materials are acceptable for use as wire shielding:

(i) The copper-clad steels and copper alloy 664 shielding tapes must be capable of meeting the following performance requirements prior to application to the wire:

(ii) Copper alloy 220. The shielding material, prior to application to the wire, must be in the fully annealed condition and shall conform to the requirements of ASTM B 694-86 for C22000 commercial bronze.

(iii) Copper-clad stainless steel. In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (i)(4)(i) of this section, the shielding material, prior to application to the wire, must be in the fully annealed condition and must conform to the requirements of ASTM B 694-86, with a cladding ratio of 16/68/16 and must have a minimum electrical conductivity of 28 percent IACS when measured in accordance with ASTM B 193-87.

(iv) Copper alloy 664. In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (i)(4)(i) of this section, the shielding material, prior to application to the wire, must be annealed temper and must conform to the requirements of ASTM B 694-86 and must have a minimum electrical conductivity of 28 percent IACS when measured in accordance with ASTM B 193-87.

(v) Copper-clad alloy steel. In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (i)(4)(i) of this section, the shielding material, prior to application to the wire, must be in the fully annealed condition and the copper component must conform to the requirements of ASTM B 224-91 and the alloy steel component must conform to the requirements of ASTM A 505-87, with a cladding ratio of 16/68/16, and must have a minimum electrical conductivity of 28 percent IACS when measured in accordance with ASTM B 193-87.

(j) Outer jacket.

(1) The outer jacket must provide the wire with a tough, flexible, protective covering which can withstand exposure to sunlight, to atmospheric temperatures and stresses reasonably expected in normal installation and service.

(2) The jacket must be free from holes, splits, blisters, or other imperfections and must be as smooth and concentric as is consistent with the best commercial practice.

(3) The raw material used for the outer jacket must be one of the five types listed in paragraphs (j)(3)(i) through (j)(3)(v) of this section. The raw material must contain an antioxidant to provide long term stabilization and the materials must contain a 2.60 ±0.25 percent concentration of furnace black to provide ultraviolet shielding. Both the antioxidant and furnace black must be compounded into the material by the raw material supplier.

(i) Low density, high molecular weight polyethylene (LDHMW) must conform to the requirements of ASTM D 1248-84(1989), Type I, Class C, Category 4 or 5, Grade J3.

(ii) Low density, high molecular weight ethylene copolymer (LDHMW) must conform to the requirements of ASTM D 1248-84 (1989), Type I, Class C, Category 4 or 5, Grade J3.

(iii) Linear low density, high molecular weight polyethylene (LLDHMW) must conform to the requirements of ASTM D 1248-84(1989), Type I, Class C, Category 4 or 5, Grade J3.

(iv) High density polyethylene (HD) must conform to the requirements of ASTM D 1248-84(1989), Type III, Class C, Category 4 or 5, Grade J4.

(v) Medium density polyethylene (MD) must conform to the requirements of ASTM D 1248-84(1989), Type II, Class C, Category 4 or 5, Grade J4.

(vi) Particle size of the carbon selected for use must not average greater than 20 nanometers.

(vii) Absorption coefficient must be a minimum of 400 in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D 3349-86.

(4) The outer jacketing material removed from or tested on the wire must be capable of meeting the following performance requirements:

(5) Testing procedures. The procedures for testing the jacket samples for compliance with paragraph (j)(4) of this section must be as follows:

(i) Melt flow rate. The melt flow rate must be as determined by ASTM D 1238-90b, Condition E. Jacketing material must be free from flooding and filling compound.

(ii) Tensile strength and ultimate elongation. Test in accordance with ASTM D 4565-90a, using a jaw separation speed of 500 mm/min (20 in./min) for low density material and 50 mm/min (2 in./min) for high and medium density materials.

(iii) Shrinkback. Test in accordance with the procedures specified in ASTM D 4565-90a using a test temperature of 100 ±1 °C for low density material and a test temperature of 115 ±1 °C for high and medium density materials.

(iv) Impact. The test must 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 −20 ±2 °C. The cylinder must strike the sample at the shield overlap. A crack or split in the jacket constitutes failure.

(6) Jacket thickness. The minimum jacket thickness must be 0.64 mm (0.025 in.) except that the minimum thickness over the sheath slitting cord, if present, must be 0.46 mm (0.018 in.). The minimum point must be determined by exploratory measurements. The average thickness at any cross section must be determined from four readings including the minimum point, taken approximately 90 °apart. The thickness measurement must exclude any jacket material that has formed into the corrugation. The maximum thickness at any cross section must not be greater than 155 percent of the minimum thickness.

(7) Eccentricity. The eccentricity of the jacket must not exceed 43 percent when calculated using the formula as follows:

(k) Sheath slitting cord (optional).

(1) Sheath slitting cords may be used in the wire structure at the option of the manufacturer.

(2) When a sheath slitting cord is used it must be nonhygroscopic and nonwicking, continuous throughout a length of wire, and of sufficient strength to open the sheath without breaking the cord.

(3) Sheath slitting cords must be capable of consistently slitting the jacket(s) 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.

(l) Identification marker and length marker.

(1) Each length of wire must be permanently identified as to manufacturer and year of manufacture.

(2) The number of conductor pairs and their gauge size must be marked on the jacket.

(3) The marking must 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 RUS prior to its use.

(5) The completed wire must 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 must be such that for any single length of wire, continuous sequential numbering must be employed.

(7) The numbers must be dimensioned and spaced to produce good legibility and must 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 must be by means of suitable surface markings producing a clear, distinguishable, contrasting marking acceptable to RUS. Where direct or transverse printing is employed, the characters should be indented to produce greater durability of marking. Any other method of length marking must be acceptable to RUS as producing a marker suitable for the field. Size, shape and spacing of numbers, durability, and overall legibility of the marker will be considered in acceptance of the method.

(9) The accuracy of the length marking must be such that the actual length of any wire 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 must be white or silver. If the initial marking 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 wire and re-mark with yellow. No further re-marking is permitted. Any re-marking must be on a different portion of the wire 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 wire which contains more than one set of sequential markings must be labeled to indicate the color and sequence of marking to be used. The labeling must be applied to the reel and also to the wire.

(m) Electrical requirements—(1) Mutual capacitance and conductance.

(i) The average mutual capacitance (corrected for length) of all pairs in any reel must not exceed 52 ±4 nanofarad/ kilometer (nF/km) (83 ±7 nanofarad/mile (nF/mile)) when tested in accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 at a frequency of 1.0 ±0.1 kilohertz (kHz) and a temperature of 23 ±3 °C.

(ii) The mutual conductance (corrected for length and gauge) of any pair must not exceed 2 micromhos/kilometer (micromhos/km) (3.3 micromhos/mile) when tested in accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 at a frequency of 1.0 ±0.1 kHz and a temperature of 23 ±3 °C.

(2) Pair-to-pair capacitance unbalance. The capacitance unbalance between any pair of the completed wire must not exceed 145 picofarad/kilometer (pF/km) (80 picofarad/1000 ft (pF/1000 ft)) when tested in accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 at a frequency of 1.0 ±0.1 kHz and a temperature of 23 ±3 °C.

(3) Pair-to-ground capacitance unbalance—(i) Pair-to-ground. The capacitance unbalance as measured on the individual pairs of the completed wire must not exceed 2625 pF/km (800 pF/1000 ft) when tested in accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 at a frequency of 1.0 ±0.1 kHz and a temperature of 23 ±3 °C.

(ii) When measuring pair-to-ground capacitance unbalance, all pairs, except the pair under test, are grounded to the shield.

(iii) Pair-to-ground capacitance unbalance may vary directly with the length of the wire.

(4) Far-end crosstalk loss.

(i) The output-to-outputfar-end crosstalk loss (FEXT) between any pair combination of a completed wire when measured in accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 at a test frequency of 150 kHz must not be less than 58 decibel/ kilometer (dB/km) (63 decibel/1000 ft). 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:

(5) Attenuation. The attenuation of any individual pair on any reel of wire must not exceed the following limits when measured at or corrected to a temperature of 20 ±1 °C and a test frequency of 150 kHz. The test must be conducted in accordance with ASTM D 4566-90.

(6) Insulation resistance. Each insulated conductor in each length of completed wire, when measured with all other insulated conductors and the shield grounded, must have an insulation resistance of not less than 1600 megohm-kilometer (1000 megohm-mile) at 20 ±1 °C. The measurement must be made in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D 4566-90.

(7) High voltage test.

(i) In each length of completed wire, the insulation between conductors when tested in accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 must withstand for 3 seconds a direct current (dc) potential whose value is not less than:

(A) 5.0 kilovolts for 22-gauge conductors; and

(B) 4.0 kilovolts for 24-gauge conductors.

(ii) In each length of completed wire, the dielectric strength between the shield and all conductors in the core must be tested in accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 and must withstand, for 3 seconds, a dc potential whose value is not less than 20 kilovolts.

(8) Conductor resistance. The dc resistance of any conductor must be measured in the completed wire in accordance with ASTM D 4566-90 and must not exceed the following values when measured at or corrected to a temperature of 20 ±1 °C.

(9) Resistance unbalance.

(i) The difference in dc resistance between the two conductors of any pair in the completed wire must not exceed 5.0 percent when measured in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D 4566-90.

(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.

(n) Mechanical requirements—(1) Defective wire. Pairs in each length of wire will not be permitted to have either a ground, cross, short or open circuit condition.

(2) Wire breaking strength. The breaking strength of the completed wire must not be less than 890 newtons (200 pound-force) when tested in accordance with ASTM D 4565-90a using a jaw separation speed of 25 mm/min (1.0 in./min).

(3) Wire bending test. The completed wire must be capable of meeting the requirements of ASTM D 4565-90a after conditioning at −20 ±2 °C and at 23 ±2 °C.

(4) Water penetration test.

(i) A one meter (3 ft) length of completed wire must be stabilized at 23 ±2 °C and tested in accordance with ASTM D 4565-90a using a one meter (3 ft) water head over the sample or placed under the equivalent continuous pressure for one hour.

(ii) After the one hour period, there must be no water leakage in the sheath interfaces, under the core wrap or between any insulated conductors in the core.

(iii) If water leakage is detected in the first sample, one 3 m (10 ft) additional adjacent sample from the same reel of wire must be tested in accordance with paragraph (n)(4)(ii) of this section. If the second sample exhibits water leakage, the entire reel of wire is to be rejected. If the second sample exhibits no leakage, the entire reel of wire is considered acceptable.

(5) Compound flow test. The completed wire must be capable of meeting the compound flow test specified in ASTM D 4565-90a when exposed for a period of 24 hours at a temperature of 80 ±1 °C. At the end of this test period, there must be no evidence of flowing or dripping of compound from either the core or sheath interfaces.

(o) Acceptance testing and extent of testing.

(1) The tests described in appendix A of this section are intended for acceptance of wire designs and major modifications of accepted designs. RUS decides what constitutes a major modification. These tests are intended to show the inherent capability of the manufacturer to produce wire products having long life and stability.

(2) For initial acceptance, the manufacturer must submit:

(i) An original signature certification that the product fully complies with each requirement of this section;

(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 must 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 must 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 Utilities Service, Washington, DC 20250-1500.

(5) Tests on 100 percent of completed wire. (i) The shield of each length of wire must be tested for continuity using the procedures of ASTM D 4566-90.

(ii) Dielectric strength between all conductors and the shield must be tested to determine freedom from grounds in accordance with paragraph (m)(7)(ii) of this section.

(iii) Each conductor in the completed wire must be tested for continuity using the procedures of ASTM D 4566-90.

(iv) Dielectric strength between conductors must be tested to ensure freedom from shorts and crosses in accordance with paragraph (m)(7)(i) of this section.

(v) The average mutual capacitance must be measured on all wires.

(6) Capability tests. Tests on a quality assurance basis must 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) Performance requirements for filling and flooding compounds;

(iii) Sequential marking and lettering;

(iv) Capacitance unbalance and crosstalk;

(v) Insulation resistance;

(vi) Conductor resistance and resistance unbalance;

(vii) Wire bending and wire breaking strength tests;

(viii) Mutual conductance and attenuation; and

(ix) Water penetration and compound flow tests.

(p) Summary of records of electrical and physical tests.

(1) Each manufacturer must maintain suitable summary of records for a period of at least 3 years for all electrical and physical tests required on completed wire by this section as set forth in paragraphs (o)(5) and (o)(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 RUS upon request.

(2) Measurements and computed values must be rounded off to the number of places of figures specified for the requirement according to ASTM E 29-90.

(q) Manufacturing irregularities.

(1) Repairs to the inner jacket and shield are not permitted in wire supplied to the end user under this section.

(2) Minor defects in the outer jackets (defects having a dimension of 3 mm (0.125 in.) or less in any direction) may be repaired by means of heat fusing in accordance with good commercial practices utilizing sheath grade compound.

(r) Preparation for shipment.

(1) The wire must be shipped on reels. The diameter of the drum must be large enough to prevent damage to the wire from reeling or unreeling. The reels must be substantial and so constructed as to prevent damage to the wire during shipment and handling.

(2) The thermal wrap must comply with the requirements of appendix C of this section. When a thermal reel wrap is supplied, the wrap must be applied to the reel and must be suitably secured in place to minimize thermal exposure to the wire during storage and shipment. The use of the thermal reel wrap as a means of reel protection will be at the option of the manufacturer unless specified by the end user.

(3) The outer end of the wire must be securely fastened to the reel head so as to prevent the wire from becoming loose in transit. The inner end of the wire must 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 wire jacket must not be used. The method of fastening the wire ends must be accepted by RUS prior to it being used.

(4) Each length of wire must be wound on a separate reel unless otherwise specified or agreed to by the purchaser.

(5) Each reel must be plainly marked to indicate the direction in which it should be rolled to prevent loosening of the wire on the reel.

(6) Each reel must 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 wire, reel number and the RUS wire designation:

(7) Both ends of the filled buried wire, manufactured to the requirements of this section, must be equipped with end caps which are acceptable to RUS.

(The information and recordkeeping requirements of this section have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under the control number 0572-0059)

[58 FR 61004, Nov. 19, 1993, as amended at 60 FR 1711, Jan. 5, 1995; 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004]