UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service 

Bulletin 1730-1

RD-GD-2016-84

SUBJECT: Electric System Operation and Maintenance (O&M) 

To: RUS Electric Borrowers and RUS Electric Staff 

Effective Date: Date of Approval 

Office of Primary Interest: Engineering Standards Branch, Office of Policy, Outreach, and 

Standards 

Filing Instructions: This Bulletin replaces Bulletin 1730-1, Electric System Operation and

Maintenance, dated April 12, 2011. 

Purpose: This bulletin contains guidelines related to electric bonowers' operation and 

maintenance (O&M) and outlines the Rural Utilities Service's (RUS) standard practices with

respect to review and evaluation of O&M practices. 

Electric Program 

Disclaimer: The contents of this guidance document does not have the force and effect of law and is not 

meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public 

regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
Bulletin 1730-1

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Purpose............................................................................................................................3

2. Borrower Guidelines ......................................................................................................3

3. Review and Evaluation of O&M Practices by RUS .......................................................5

Exhibit A: RUS Form 300 Rating Guide............................................................................7

INDEX: Inspection

Maintenance

Operation and Maintenance

Records

ABBREVIATIONS

ANSI American National Standards Institute

CAP Corrective Action Plan

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CT Current Transformer

EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

ERP Emergency Response Plan

FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

GFR General Field Representative

IFT Interfacial Tension

kVA Kilovolt-Ampere

kW Kilowatt

kWh Kilowatt-hour

NERC North American Electric Reliability Corporation

NESC National Electrical Safety Code

O&M Operation and Maintenance

OCR Oil Circuit Recloser

PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyl

PSD Power Supply Division

PT Potential Transformer

REA Rural Electrification Administration

RUS Rural Utilities Service
Bulletin 1730-1

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1. Purpose 

This bulletin contains guidelines related to electric borrowers' operation and maintenance (O&M) 

and outlines the Rural Utilities Service's (RUS) standard practices with respect to review and 

evaluation of O&M practices. 7 CFR 1730 contains the policies and procedures of RUS related to 

electric borrowers' O&M practices and RUS's review and evaluation thereof. The express and 

exclusive purpose of this bulletin is to protect RUS by protecting and preserving its loan collateral. 

This bulletin does not supersede or replace any practices or procedures as they relate to safety, 

including, but not limited to those practices or procedures referenced herein, and does not address 

any safety aspects in regard to the electric borrowers’ electric infrastructure or safety practices or 

procedures. 

Borrowers that are required to be registered on the NERC Compliance Registry are responsible for 

meeting all of the applicable standards as required by the borrowers’ specific functional 

registrations. It is not the intent of this bulletin to encompass, supersede or replace the reliability 

requirements enforced by NERC and its associated regional reliability organizations. Borrowers 

may choose to research, implement or incorporate some or all of the NERC standards into their 

operational procedures.

2. Borrower Guidelines 

a. Records: Each borrower is responsible for maintaining records of the physical and 

electrical condition of its electric system. Any or all of these records may be reviewed by 

RUS during its review and evaluation. Such records include, but are not limited to:

(1) Service interruption and power supply outage reports.

(2) Overhead and underground line patrol, inspection and maintenance records, 

including pole inspection.

(3) Substation inspection and maintenance records.

(4) Overcurrent (non-fuse) apparatus records (recloser, sectionalizing, relay-protected)

(5) Line voltage regulator records.

(6) Distribution transformer records.

 (7) Oil handling and storage records
Bulletin 1730-1

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(8) Meter records.

(9) Right-of-way maintenance records.

(10) Line voltage and amperage records.

 (11) Avian protection/contact records

(12) System maps.

(13) System loss records.

(14) Idle services records.

(15) Power quality investigation records. 

 (16) Other records as required by local, state or other governmental entities

b. Emergency Restoration Plan (ERP): Each borrower should have a written plan detailing 

how to restore its system in the event of large area or system-wide outage resulting from a 

major natural disaster or other cause. This plan should include how to contact emergency 

agencies, borrower management and other key personnel, material suppliers, contractors 

and equipment suppliers, other utilities, and any others who might need to be contacted in 

an emergency. It should also include recovery from loss of power to the headquarters, key 

offices, and/or operation center facilities. It should be readily accessible at all times by 

appropriate personnel, and under any and all circumstances. RUS Guide 1730B-2 contains 

the procedures for developing an ERP. 

c. System Ratings: RUS Form 300, Review Rating Summary, includes a numerical rating 

system as follows:

0: Unsatisfactory – no records

1: Unsatisfactory – corrective action needed

2: Acceptable, but could be improved – see attached recommendations

3: Satisfactory – no additional action required at this time

N/A: Not Applicable

Exhibit A provides a guide for the conditions normally needed to justify a rating of 3 for 

each of the items on RUS Form 300. The explanatory notes section of RUS Form 300 
Bulletin 1730-1

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should include a list of all items rated as unsatisfactory (ratings 0 or 1) along with 

comments indicating the action or implementation that is proposed. This is in addition to 

the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) required by 7 CFR 1730. Additional expenditures 

required for deferred maintenance should be indicated in the O&M Budgets, Part IV of 

RUS Form 300. These may be distributed over a period of two or three years as indicated 

on the form.

3. Review and Evaluation of O&M Practices by RUS

a. RUS will conduct a periodic review and evaluation of each borrower's O&M programs and 

practices. The purpose of this review is to assess loan security and to determine borrower 

compliance with RUS policy as outlined in Part 7 CFR 1730.

b. The General Field Representative (GFR) is responsible, within the GFR's assigned 

territory, for initiating and conducting a periodic review and evaluation of each borrower's 

O&M programs, practices, and records. This review and evaluation is normally done at 

least once every three years.

c. The GFR may review and evaluate facilities as well as records, and may also observe 

construction and maintenance work in the field. Key borrower personnel responsible for 

these facilities should accompany the GFR during such reviews.

d. If adequate information is available, the GFR will complete the review and evaluation and 

consult with the borrower regarding its programs and records for operation, maintenance, 

and system improvements. The GFR's signature on the Form 300 signifies concurrence 

with the borrower's analysis, ratings, and explanatory notes unless indicated otherwise.

e. If adequate information is not available, the GFR's review and evaluation will be deferred 

until the borrower has remedied the deficiencies identified by the GFR.

f. Upon completion of the O&M review and evaluation, the GFR will communicate his/her 

findings to the borrower verbally (exit interview), and in writing.
Bulletin 1730-1

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(BLANK PAGE)
Bulletin 1730-1

Exhibit A

Page 7

EXHIBIT A

RUS FORM 300 RATING GUIDE

CONDITIONS NORMALLY NEEDED TO JUSTIFY A RATING OF 3

PART I - TRANSMISSION and DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES

1. Substations (Transmission and Distribution)

a. Safety, Clearance Code Compliance: No known violations of RUS, or NESC 

requirements are present in any substation, including clearances, grounding, and 

separations. All substations are accessible by authorized personnel only. Operating 

manual and one-line diagram are available for each substation. Appropriate safety 

equipment and operational tools are serviceable and available on site.

b. Physical Condition – Structure, Major Equipment, and Appearance: Utility is able to 

present records that reflect rare instances of rust, weeds, dangerous insects, and bird 

nesting exist; only minor material associated with maintenance of the substation 

equipment are stored in yard; no leaks, no temporary bus or grounding being used on an 

ongoing basis; no debris inside or around the substation; no openings under fence greater 

than three inches (76 mm); and no broken insulators exist. Power transformers are 

properly fault-protected. Circuits, phases, and airbreak switch handles are properly 

identified.

c. Inspection Records of Each Substation: Written monthly inspection reports are 

completed and reviewed by responsible personnel.

1. Infrared inspection of all connectors, arrestors and other applicable apparatus as 

recommended by manufacturer;

2. Dielectric, dissolved gas, and interfacial tension (IFT) tests of oil-filled equipment 

performed as recommended by manufacturer;
Bulletin 1730-1

Exhibit A

Page 8

CONDITIONS NORMALLY NEEDED TO JUSTIFY A RATING OF 3

3. Annual Power factor tests of all applicable equipment;

4. Protective relays are functionally tested annually. Additional tests may be required 

per regulatory and/or manufactures recommendations and acceptable industry 

practice.

d. Oil Spill Prevention: Oil spill prevention and mitigation plans are prepared and available 

for all substations. On-site oil containment systems are inspected and serviceable.

2. Transmission Lines

a. Vegetation and Line Maintenance: Borrower is responsible for having a documented 

Vegetation and Line Maintenance program compliant with RUS and industry standards. 

Documented inspections should be completed and reviewed by qualified personnel for 

all transmission lines at intervals consistent with accepted industry and local practices.

b. Right-of-Way (ROW) – Clearing, Erosion, Appearance, and Intrusions: A process is in 

place to identify and address uncontrolled erosion. Gates or gaps exist at all fence 

crossings as necessary for proper access. Structures and lines are not impacted by 

untrimmed ROW. Structures are generally accessible by service vehicles. 

1. Floor Maintenance: All transmission ROW floors should be maintained either 

mechanically or by herbicide to allow for access and prevention of grow-ins. 

2. Danger Trees: All transmission ROWs should be patrolled to identify trees that may 

cause an outage. A process should be in place to document such trees’ locations and 

provide for their immediate removal.

3. Side Trimming: All transmission line ROW should be trimmed as needed. 

Appropriate techniques should be used based on terrain and type of vegetation.
Bulletin 1730-1

Exhibit A

Page 9

CONDITIONS NORMALLY NEEDED TO JUSTIFY A RATING OF 3

c. Physical Condition – Structure, Conductor, and Guying: All structures are plumb and all 

guys taut. Conductors are serviceable with infrequent damage, few splices, and are 

properly sagged. A process is in place to identify and repair broken insulators, crossarms,

and overvoltage-protection devices, as well as unauthorized attachments and 

encroachments. Essentially all structures are numbered. Poles, structures and hardware 

have minimal structural defects and corrosion. Structures and attachments conform to 

NESC requirements. Wood poles should be inspected at regular intervals to prevent 

decay and are replaced when less than 67% of the original required strength is remaining. 

d. Line Patrol Program and Records: All overhead lines (including those on private ROW) 

are patrolled at intervals of at least once per year. Records of line patrol activity showing 

dates and locations where line patrol has been performed and any apparent deficiencies 

are readily available in summary form. Line patrol is defined as simple visual inspection, 

of applicable electrical equipment and structures, which is designed to identify obvious 

structural problems and potential hazards. Records are maintained and line patrol 

deficiencies are corrected in a timely manner.

e. Pole Inspection Program and Records: Above and below ground pole inspections are 

performed on a cycle based upon decay zone, or as experience as shown to be necessary,

using experienced inspectors and accepted industry practices. Records of all poles 

inspected, treated, rejected and changed out readily available in summary form. 
Bulletin 1730-1

Exhibit A

Page 10

CONDITIONS NORMALLY NEEDED TO JUSTIFY A RATING OF 3

3. Distribution Lines - Overhead

a. Pole Inspection - Program and Records: Above and below ground pole inspections are 

performed on a cycle based upon decay zone, or as experience as shown to be necessary, 

using experienced inspectors. Records of all poles inspected, treated, rejected and 

changed out readily available in summary form. 

b. Line Patrol Program and Records - All overhead lines are patrolled at intervals of three 

years. Records of line patrol activity showing dates and locations where line patrol has 

been performed and any apparent deficiencies are readily available in summary form. 

Line patrol is defined as a simple visual inspection, of applicable electrical equipment, 

clearances, structures, and joint attachments so as to identify obvious problems and 

potential hazards. Records are maintained for deficiencies which are to be corrected in a 

timely manner. 

c. Compliance with Safety Codes – Clearances: All facilities staked prior to construction 

are done by personnel familiar with NESC requirements. Conditions requiring greater 

clearances identified in line patrols are addressed as soon as practical.

Compliance with Safety Codes – Foreign Structures: Utility has policy and practice of 

promptly remedying foreign structures that conflict with primary lines upon observation.

Compliance with Safety Codes – Attachments: All overhead attachments meet NESC 

separation and clearance requirements. Up-to-date joint-use and pole rental agreements 

are in effect. Utility has policy and practice of periodic attachment inspection. 

Unauthorized attachments and violations of the NESC are promptly remedied.

d. Observed Physical Condition from Field Checking – Right-of-Way: Structures and lines 

are not impacted by ROW vegetation and structures. ROW vegetation trimming cycles 

to be dictated by local conditions. Clearance issues with structures are remediated as 

soon as possible.
Bulletin 1730-1

Exhibit A

Page 11

CONDITIONS NORMALLY NEEDED TO JUSTIFY A RATING OF 3

Observed Physical Condition from Field Checking – Other: Rare instances of leaning 

poles, slack guys, broken grounds, damaged or corroded conductors, excessive splices, 

loose hardware, and/or superfluous material on structures exist. No broken crossarms or 

insulators exist, and no pole steps are on wood poles. Installation of miscellaneous 

distribution equipment meets NESC requirements. Neutral conductor is properly 

identified when located on crossarm. Dated pole inspection tags are installed on all 

inspected wood poles. These dated pole inspection tags can either be physical or 

electronic.

4. Distribution - Underground Cable

a. Grounding and Corrosion Control: Ground rods are properly installed at each 

transformer, in addition to a minimum of four per mile (1.6 km), not including grounds 

at individual services, in accordance with the NESC. Appropriate and timely actions are 

taken to correct any unsatisfactory conditions.

b. Surface Grading, Appearance: Rare instances of earth settling, which could create 

hazards to the general public, exist, and timely action is taken to correct any deficiency.

c. Riser Poles – Hazards, Guying, Condition: Cut-outs are mounted per RUS requirements. 

Riser cable is covered with conduit to within four feet (1.2m) of the bottom of the 

potheads. Damaged conduits are promptly replaced or repaired. Adequate overvoltage 

protection is installed.

5. Distribution Line Equipment: Conditions and Records

a. Voltage Regulators: Voltage regulators are inspected and maintained in accordance with 

the manufacturer's recommendations, accepted industry practices and experience, and as 

local conditions dictate. Knowledge of and compliance with EPA requirements with 

respect to PCB-contaminated oil and equipment. Dielectric, dissolved gas, and IFT tests 

of oil-filled equipment are performed every five years or at intervals consistent with 
Bulletin 1730-1

Exhibit A

Page 12

CONDITIONS NORMALLY NEEDED TO JUSTIFY A RATING OF 3

accepted industry practices, vendor recommendations, borrower experience, and local 

conditions or events such as storms, faults, and related equipment failure.

b. Sectionalizing Equipment: Oil circuit reclosers (OCRs) and breakers are inspected and 

maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended timetable. Records 

reflect inspection results, maintenance performed, and date. Protective relaying controls 

are tested at periodic times as considered good industry practice or every three years.

c. Distribution Transformers: Complete records are kept as to size, location, and date 

installed. Knowledge of and compliance with EPA requirements with respect to PCBcontaminated oil and equipment. Transformer loading analysis is performed periodically 

as needed.

d. Pad-Mounted Equipment – Safety – Locking, Dead Front, Barriers: All pad-mount 

enclosures meet RUS dead-front requirements (secondary barriers, recessed penta-head 

nut, and separate pad-lock). Grounding is ensured in accordance with RUS and NESC 

requirements. "Danger" signs are installed inside all enclosures and "Warning" signs are 

installed on the exterior in accordance with ANSI Z535.

e. Pad-Mounted Equipment – Appearance – Settlement, Condition: Rare instances of 

leaning or undermined enclosures exist. Prompt action is taken to correct deficiencies. 

Equipment exterior and interior surfaces are relatively free of rust and corrosion and are 

still intact (i.e., no holes).

f. Watt-hour and Demand Meter Reading and Testing: All meters are tested in accordance 

with state regulations (where applicable) or ANSI C12.1. PT, CT, and demand meters 

are generally tested on at least a three-year cycle. Complete records are kept as to size, 

location, and date installed.
Bulletin 1730-1

Exhibit A

Page 13

CONDITIONS NORMALLY NEEDED TO JUSTIFY A RATING OF 3

PART II - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

6. Line Maintenance and Work Order Procedures

a. Work Planning and Scheduling: All lines are staked prior to construction by personnel 

familiar with NESC requirements. Work order inspections are performed in accordance 

with 7 CFR 1724, Electric Engineering, Architectural Services and Design Policies and 

Procedures (i.e., within six months of completion of construction). Utility shall 

document that all remedial work has been completed and provide notice to any contracted 

work order inspection entities of the same. Construction Work Plan projects are 

completed in time to meet load-level requirements. New service connections are 

completed in reasonable timeframes.

b. Work Backlogs – Right-of-Way Maintenance: Adequate resources are provided to 

address re-clearing on timely basis. ROW re-trimming cycles to be dictated by local 

conditions. 

c. Work Backlogs – Poles: All reject poles are replaced within six months of inspection. 

"Danger" and "Hazard" poles are replaced as soon as possible.

d. Work Backlogs – Idle Services - Retirement of: Policy and procedures are in place to 

address retirement of idle services so ratio of idle services to total is less than 10% unless 

specific local conditions dictate otherwise.

e. Work Backlogs – Other: Job orders from line inspections are completed in reasonable 

timeframes.

7. Service Interruptions 

a. System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI): Service continuity objectives are 

described in Section 5 of RUS Bulletin 1730A-119. For Form 300, Part II, 7(a), the “All 
Bulletin 1730-1

Exhibit A

Page 14

CONDITIONS NORMALLY NEEDED TO JUSTIFY A RATING OF 3

Other SAIDI” classification will be the primary category for evaluation. The current 

guideline is an “All Other SAIDI” of 200 minutes or less for a “Satisfactory” rating of 3. 

b. Emergency Restoration Plan: Emergency restoration plan is readily available and covers 

multiple scenarios, including loss of power to the headquarters, key offices, and/or 

operations centers.

8. Power Quality

General Freedom from Complaints: Minimal complaints are received with respect to 

television and radio interference, voltage flicker, neutral-to-earth voltage, harmonics, and 

EMF. Complaints are generally resolved quickly and effectively. Summary of 

complaints is maintained and analyzed periodically.

9. Loading and Load Balance

a. Coop shall provide evidence of transformer load studies that identify underutilized 

capacity or overloaded transformers. Transformers consistently loaded to 50% or less of 

nameplate capacity, or over 140% of nameplate capacity, should be considered for 

replacement.

b. Load Control Apparatus: Have records of individual controllers showing location, type 

of load being controlled, and any maintenance. Load control results are summarized.

c. Substation and Feeder Loading: All feeders are balanced among phases to within 20% 

during peak loads.

10. Maps and Plant Records

a. Operating Maps – Accurate and Up-to-Date: Consumers are identifiable by location with 

a set of maps carried by all service personnel. Maps depict roads, grid lines, waterways, 

railroads, and other landmarks necessary to locate consumers. Maps are of a functional 
Bulletin 1730-1

Exhibit A

Page 15

CONDITIONS NORMALLY NEEDED TO JUSTIFY A RATING OF 3

size and permit location of consumers irrespective of date of service. Detail maps are 

current and up-to-date, generally 1 year old or less. 

b. Circuit Diagrams: Current and up-to-date maps depicting a multiple line layout of 

distribution facilities of the utility are kept at the utility’s office. The locations and sizes 

of substations, distribution lines, line regulators, reclosers, capacitors, and substation 

boundaries are clearly shown. Primary voltage drops are indicated at the ends of primary 

feeder lines. All transmission lines within the service territory are depicted and identified 

as to voltage and ownership.

c. Staking Sheets: Staking sheets are prepared for projects prior to construction. The sketch 

and construction units are consistent and sheets shall provide sufficient engineering detail 

to note all aspects of construction and unit specification, including but not limited to 

orientation, geographic location, operating voltage, ruling span, and special notes. Final 

staking sheets are consistent with the "as-built" conditions.

 d. Electronic Maps: Operational electronic maps or other field force automation applications 

may contain the required aforementioned information in user accessible attribute form.

11. Oil Storage & Handling 

 Records of oil testing, storage, spills, and spill prevention are present and maintained in 

accordance with federal requirements. Where applicable, a current spill prevention 

containment and control (SPCC) plan shall be in place and followed.

12. Avian Protection and Response Plan

 Records of system improvements for purposes of avian protection and responses to avian 

contacts with utility plant are present and maintained in accordance with federal 

requirements.
Bulletin 1730-1

Exhibit A

Page 16

CONDITIONS NORMALLY NEEDED TO JUSTIFY A RATING OF 3

PART III - ENGINEERING

13. System Load Conditions and Losses

a. Annual System Losses: System losses are appropriate for the conditions encountered. 

Reasonable efforts are made to reduce system losses.

b. Annual Load Factor: Load factor is appropriate for the conditions encountered. 

Reasonable efforts made to improve load factor, where possible.

c. Power Factor at Monthly Peak: Each distribution substation maintains a power factor as 

required by the wholesale power supplier.

14. Voltage Conditions

Substation Transformer Output Voltage Spread: All substations include automatic 

voltage regulators or voltage regulating transformers. Each substation has continuous 

voltage recording, which is monitored monthly. Regulated substation output voltage and 

line regulators are maintained so Range A service voltage per RUS Bulletin 1724D-113 

is provided to all consumers.

15. Load Studies and Planning

a. Long Range Engineering Plan: System planning study is valid and meets the 

requirements of 7 CFR 1710, can be used as a guide for preparing the next Construction 

Work Plan, and is prepared in accordance with RUS Bulletin 1724D-101A.

b. Construction Work Plan: Work Plan is up-to-date, meets the requirements of 

7 CFR 1710, and is prepared in accordance with RUS Bulletin 1724D-101B.
Bulletin 1730-1

Exhibit A

Page 17

CONDITIONS NORMALLY NEEDED TO JUSTIFY A RATING OF 3

c. Sectionalizing Study: System sectionalizing is reviewed and updated as needed 

concurrently with each Construction Work Plan and when significant changes occur in 

fault current conditions in accordance with RUS Bulletin 1724E-102.

d. Load Data for Engineering Studies: An integrated database automatically assigns 

consumers and their load to specific geographical locations that are associated with 

specific distribution line sections. Data is sufficiently accurate so the difference between 

the calculated and measured substation kW is less than 5%. 

e. Power Requirements Study: Power Requirements Study is current and completed in 

compliance with the requirements stated in 7 CFR 1710.

PART IV - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE BUDGETS

16. Budgeting

Adequacy of Budgets For Needed Work: Utility prepares an annual O&M budget with 

specific item quantities and dollars prior to the beginning of each year for each 

department. The O&M budget is broken down to show each program, the quantities of 

work to be accomplished and the time during the year when the proposed work is to be 

performed.

17. Date discussed with Board of Directors

Date that budget was discussed with the Board of Directors.