UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Rural Electrification Administration 

October 18, 1985 

Supersedes 1/23/76 

REA BULLETIN 345-72

SUBJECT: REA Specification for Filled 

Splice Closures, PE-74

I. Purpose: To announce the issuance of a

revised REA Specification PE-74.

II. General: REA Specification for Filled Splice Closures,

PE-74, has been revised. The revision permits

salvageable and non-salvageable parts in reenterable

splice closures, delineates required hardware and

materials, addresses testing parameters for different

encapsulating compounds, and requires closure

identification and assembly instructions in the product

package. The revised specification becomes effective

immediately upon issuance.

III. Availability of Specification: A limited number of

copies of the new specification will be furnished by REA

upon request. As this document is produced by the

Federal government and is therefore in the public

domain, additional copies may be duplicated by any user

as desired. Questions concerning the revision may be

referred to the Chief, Outside Plant Branch,

Telecommunications Engineering and Standards Division,

Rural Electrification Administration, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, telephone (202)

382-8667.

Harold V. Hunter 

Administrator

Index: 

SPECIFICATIONS: 

 Filled Splice Closures 

Incorporated by reference in 7 CFR Part 1755.97
PE-74 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Rural Electrification Administration 

Page

1. SCOPE 1 

2. MATERIALS 1 

3. ENCAPSULANT EVALUATION 2 

4. MATERIAL CHEMICAL STABILITY EVALUATION 4 

5. CLOSURE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION 5 

6. INDENTIFICATION 7 

7. PACKAGING 8 

8. ACCEPTANCE TESTING 8 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Rural Electrification Administration 

Washington, D.C. 20250 

REA SPECIFICATION FOR FILLED SPLICE CLOSURES 

1.SCOPE

1.1 This document covers the minimum requirements for reenterable filled 

splice closures intended for manhole placement and buried 

applications. 

1.2 Filled splice closures provide mechanical protection and environmental 

isolation for in-line and butt splice connections of two or more 

cables. 

1.3 Two categories of reenterable splice closures are permitted: "Type 

One" splice closures shall have a reusable, salvagable, case and other 

hardware subsequent to reentry; "Type Two" splice closures need only 

to be reenterable with no required salvagable parts. 

1.4 All closures manufactured to this specification must be accepted by 

REA Technical Standards Committee "A" (Telephone). All design changes 

to an accepted design must be submitted for acceptance. REA will be 

the sole authority on what constitutes a design change. 

2. MATERIALS

2.1 The closure package consists of a case with fastener, complete cable

shield bonding hardware and a reenterable encapsulant. The case 

fastener may be metallic or nonmetallic. 

2.2 Bonding hardware, to insure continuity of the cable shield, shall be 

REA accepted. 

2.2.1 Connectors must meet the requirements of REA Bulletin 345-65, 

"REA Specification for Cable Shield Bonding Connectors", PE-33. 

2.2.2 Harness wire must meet the requirements of REA Bulletin 345-76, 

"REA Specification for Continuity and Ground Harness Wires", PE-57. 

Hardware which is an integral part of the closure, such as splicing 

trays and bond bars, may be used in lieu of harness wire provided 

the electrical conductivity of the completed bonding system equals 

or exceeds the conductivity of a 6 Awg solid copper conductor. 

2.3 The encapsulating material may be a gelling or non-gelling compound 

and must completely fill the splice interstices. 

2.4 All nonmetallic materials must be conditioned according to the 

requirements of ASTM G 21-70, "Determining Resistance of Synthetic 

Polymeric Materials to Fungi", and shown to have a visual rating no 

greater than one. 
REA PE-74 

Page 2 

2.5 All external metallic items of the closure shall be manufactured from 

nickel-chrome stainless steel, Type 300 series, ASTM A 276-80a or from 

metal of equivalent demonstrated corrosion resistance. Neither 

techniques of manufacture nor method of assembly of the closure shall 

compromise the inherent corrosion resistance of the metal. 

3. ENCAPSULANT EVALUATION

3.1 Accelerated aging of materials and subsequent change in physical 

properties after aging shall be evaluated independent of the closure 

for all encapsulants. 

3.1.1 Following the manufacturer's instructions provided with each 

unit, mix and pour or press the encapsulant into uniformly flat 

molds at least six millimeters thick at 40 ± 2°C, at 20 ± 2°C and at 

0 ± 2° C with maximum relative humidity at each temperature. Allow 

the encapsulant to remain at the respective temperatures at least 

one day but not over five days. 

Note: The closure must have sufficient integrity within 24 hours to withstand normal handling without compromising the function of the 

encapsulant. 

3.1.2 Test the molded encapsulant from each temperature at 20 ± 2°C for 

hardness, with either ASTM D 217-68/78 or ASTM D 2240-75 or for 

viscosity, ASTM D 2196-74, and for weight with an analytical balance 

which has a ± 0.0001 gram accuracy. For the ASTM procedures, prepare 

three sets of test specimens as required in that procedure. For the 

weight test, cut, three sets of three discs each from the 

temperature preparations of Paragraph 3.1.1. The disc should be 

approximately two centimeters in diameter from the molds for solid 

materials. 

3.1.3 Retain one set of test specimens at 20 ± 2°C while conditioning 

the other two sets in a forced air convection oven at 70 ± 2°C. 

Place one of the two sets over a saturated solution of potassium 

sulfate (KSO) as described in ASTM E 104-51/71 to simulate maximum 

humidity exposure. 

3.1.4 After 100 days of conditioning, test again the properties 

described in Paragraph 3.1.2. 

3.1.5 Failure criteria for property changes following thermal 

conditioning are defined as follows: 

- Comparison of the final measurement results 

taken after the thermal conditioning for 100 

days to the initial measurement results shall 

show a change no greater than 15 percent for 

weight and no greater than 35 percent for 

hardness. 

- Comparison of the final percent change between 

the 20° C aged specimens and the two 70°C oven 

aged specimens (in air and over KSO) shall show 

a difference no greater than 15 percentage 
points for weight and no greater than 35 

percentage points for hardness. 
_ REA PE-74 

Page 3 

3.2 Conductor insulation, connector and module compatibility with the 

encapsulant shall be evaluated on white expanded insulation extruded 

over 22 Awg copper conductor. The insulated conductor must be taken 

from cable which is REA accepted to REA Bulletin 345-89, "REA 

Specification for Filled Telephone Cable with Expanded Insulation", 

PE-89. All connector designs which are REA accepted to REA Bulletin 

345-54, "REA Specification for Telephone Cable Splicing Connectors", 

PE-52, must be tested. 

3.2.1 Insulation evaluation requires 20 test specimens from a 

continuous conductor length. Cut each specimen to 12 centimeter 

lengths then twist each specimen around its own diameter for a 

minimum of 10 turns within a three centimeter length, leaving a loop 

at one end for handling. 

3.2.2 Connector evaluation requires 20 test specimens for each 

connector type. Using two 6-centimeter lengths of conductor make a 

splice following the connector manufacturer's recommended 

procedures. Form a loop in the free end of one of the lengths of 

conductor. 

3.2.3 Module evaluation requires three test specimens for each module 

type. Using 6-centimeter lengths of conductor, make a completely 

filled splice following the module manufacturer's recommended 

procedures. Form a loop in the free end of one of the lengths of 

conductors. 

3.2.4 Prepare the encapsulant according to the manufacturer's 

instructions and place the material into an open top vessel. 

3.2.5 Coat 10 of the test specimens from the insulation evaluation and 

from each connector evaluation and two specimens from each module 

evaluation with the encapsulant immediately after mixing. Insure 

that the insulation wraps, the connectors and the modules are well 

covered and the interstices between the conductor wraps are well 

penetrated. Suspend the specimens by their loops at 20 ± 2°C for 24 

hours to allow the excess encapsulant to drip and to permit uniform 

coverage of the insulation and connectors. 

3.2.6 Place all of the prepared specimens in test tubes which are 

nominally 20 centimeters long with an outside diameter of 3.2 

centimeters. Place no more than five similar specimens in each 

tube. Seal the tubes with an aluminum foil wrapped cork. 

3.2.7 Age the specimen test tubes in an oven for 45 days at 80 ± 2°C. 

3.2.8 Upon completion of the oven heat aging, remove the specimens from 

the tubes, untwist and straighten the wrapped insulation and inspect 

for failure - any peeling or cracking of a single insulation. 

Inspect the connectors and modules for failure - any peeling, 

discoloration or crazing of a single specimen. 

Note: Daily visual inspection through the glass tubes of the aging specimens 

to detect premature cracking and peeling will permit early test termination. 
REA PE-74 

Page 4 

3.3 Sheath jacket compatibility with the encapsulant shall be 

evaluated on stabilized low density polyethylene taken from completed 

cable which is REA accepted to any current REA bulletin. 

3.3.1 Test for stress cracking of 20 cable jacket specimens in the 

encapsulant using the procedures of ASTM D 1693-70/80. Substitute 

the candidate encapsulant for the reagent. Use extruded jacket 

(buffed to the desired thickness from the core side) instead of the 

molded granules. 

3.3.2 Inspection of the test specimens at the end of the 96 hour 

interval shall reveal no failures as defined in ASTM D 1693-70/80. 

4. MATERIAL CHEMICAL STABILITY EVALUATION

4.1 Resistance of the closure materials from both the case and the 

encapsulant to changes in physical properties after exposure to 

chemicals shall be evaluated. 

4.1.1 Prepare encapsulant molds at 20 ± 2°C following the 

manufacturer's instructions provided with each unit. Mix thoroughly 

and pour or press the encapsulant into uniformally flat molds at 

least six millimeters thick. Allow the encapsulant to remain at 20 ± 

2°C for at least 24 hours. 

4.1.2 Size test specimens from the case body and prepare the 

encapsulant for testing as described in the appropriate ASTM test 

procedure. For the weight test, size the discs approximately two 

centimeters in diameter. 

Note: Metallic cases need not be tested for chemical stability. 

4.1.3 Test at 20 ± 2°C. Test for hardness using either ASTM D 217-68/78 

or ASTM D 2240-75 or test for viscosity using ASTM D 2196-74, and 

for weight using an analytical balance which has a ± 0.0001 gram 

accuracy. 

4.1.4 Place three specimens of each material for each physical test in 

separate test containers. Fill the test containers near to the top 

with the reagents totally immersing the samples. Seal the container 

with an aluminum foil wrapped cover. 

4.1.5 The reagents' concentrations are listed below. Use distilled 

water when required. 

CHEMICAL CONCENTRATION

Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4) Three percent (by volume) 

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) 0.2 normal 

Sodium Chloride Five percent (by weight) 

Acetic Acid Five percent (by weight) 

Sodium Carbonate (NaC03) 0.1 normal 
Fuel Oil (#2 commercial) ------ 
REA PE-74 

 Page 5 

4.1.6 Age the specimens in an oven for 36 hours at 40 ± 2°C. 

4.1.7 Upon completion of the oven heat aging, separate the specimens 

from the reagents by draining the reagents from the containers. The 

specimens may be washed with running tap water and dried with a 

cloth. Test the specimens' properties as described in Paragraph 

4.1.3. 

4.1.8 The measurement results from the initial tests shall not differ 

from the results obtained after aging by more than 10 percent. 

NOTE: Only those closure materials from both the case and encapsulant that are 

compatible with fuel oil will be accepted for use in manholes. 

5. CLOSURE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

5.1 Performance of the assembled closure in simulated installation 

environments shall be evaluated. The environmental exposures will be 

temperature cycling, vibration testing, tensile loading and water 

soaking. 

5.2 Assemble and encapsulate seven closures at 20 ± 2°C. Follow the 

recommended procedures in the manufacturer's instructions provided 

with each closure. For closures designed for in-line splices, 

construct six straight-through splices and one branch splice, using 

the largest cable diameter recommended by the manufacturer. For 

closures designed for butt splices only, construct seven 

straight-through butt splices. Use only REA accepted 22 Awg expanded 

insulation filled telephone cable and splice all pairs with REA 

accepted splicing connectors. The cable specimens used for splicing 

should be approximately two meters long. Construct one additional 

in-line or butt closure with a straight-through splice using unfilled 

cable. Remove the sheath from one of the cables to within one-third 

meter of the splice closure. Identify this closure as "Specimen A". 

5.2.1 Remove 2.5 centimeters of adjacent insulation from the tip and 

ring of three pairs of the conductors near the center of the splice 

bundle to use for making insulation resistance (IR) measurements. 

Tape the tip and ring together within one centimeter of the bared 

conductors to insure the usual tip-ring spacing. Choose the three 

test pairs so one pair is in the center of the splice bundle and the 

other two pairs are near opposite outside edges of the bundle. 

5.2.2 Place a thermocouple in the center of the splice bundle of one 

closure to indicate that the entire closure is heated and cooled to 

the desired temperature extremes in the test. 

5.3 Measure the shield resistivity and insulation resistance. 

5.3.1 The insulation resistance (IR) is measured between the tip and 

ring of the three test pairs in each closure applying 500 volts dc. 

The IR must be at least 5000 megohms. 
REA PE-74 

Page 6 

5.3.2 The shield resistivity is measured through the cable shield of 

all closures except "Specimen "A". Begin the procedures of Paragraph 

5.8 for "Specimen A" 

5.4 Expose the seven splice closures to temperatures between -20 ± 2°C and 

+50 ± 2°C for 25 continuous cycles. Use the thermocouple reading from 

the splice center to determine cycle time requirements. 

5.4.1 Extract two of the straight-through closures from the temperature cycles 

 after 12 complete cycles. Reenter the closures, removing that amount 

of encapsulant sufficient to expose the entire splice bundle. Reencapsulate 

the splice following the recommendations from the encapsulant instructions 

included with the closure. Repeat the IR and shield resistivity measurement 

of Paragraph 5.3. 

5.4.2 Reinsert the two reencapsulated closures into the temperature 

cycling test. 

5.4.3 Repeat the IR and shield resistivity measurements of Paragraph 

5.3 following the completion of the 25 temperature cycles. All 

closures must be conditioned for 25 temperature cycles. 

5.5 Vibrate one of the reencapsulated closures and three of the straight 

through closures between 5 and 20 Hz with a peak amplitude of three 

millimeters. 

5.5.1 Obtain the peak amplitude at least five times within 10 minutes. 

5.5.2 Repeat the IR and shield resistivity measurements of Paragraph 

5.3 following the vibration. 

5.6 Begin testing the three remaining splice closures in accordance with the 

procedures of Paragraph 5.8. 

5.7 Tension the cable ends of the splice closures that were vibrated 

except one of the straight-through splice closures. Begin the 

procedures of Paragraph 5.8 for this specimen. 

5.7.1 Load the in-line closures which were spliced straight-through 

with 115 kilograms. . 

5.7.2 Load the in-line branch splice closure with 60 kilograms using 

the cable ends that exit from the same side of the closure. 

5.7.3 Load the butt splice closure with 60 kilograms. 

5.7.4 Maintain the loads for 15 minutes. 

5.7.5 Repeat the IR and shield resistivity measurements of Paragraph 

5.3 following the tension loading. 
REA PE-74 

 Page 7 

5.8 Submerge each of the closures to a minimum depth of one meter in a 

bath of 0.2 grams of sodium fluorscein per liter of water at 20 ± 2°C 

for 48 hours. 

5.8.1 Repeat the IR and shield resistivity measurements of Paragraph 

5.3 following the 48 hours with the closure still submerged. 

5.8.2 Remove the closure from the bath, dry the outside surface 

completely and carefully disassemble the closure examining all 

internal surfaces with an ultraviolet light source for traces of the 

fluorscein water solution. Reenter the splice to examine for water. 

5.9 Failure of a closure design is defined as an IR of less than 5000 

megohms or an increase of resistivity of the cable shield through a 

closure for any specimen following any performance evaluation. Also 

failure is defined as detection of any fluorscein water inside the 

encapsulated splice area. 

5.10 All closures from these performance tests must accompany any 

request for REA acceptance. 

6. IDENTIFICATION

6.1 Each closure shall be permanently identified on the exterior of the 

case with the manufacturer's name or trademark. 

6.2 The method of identification may be printing, indentation or 

embossment. 

7. PACKAGING

7.1 Each closure shall be individually packaged. The package unit may be 

multiple containers designed to prevent deterioration and physical 

damage to the unit during shipment, handling and storage. 

7.2 The closure package shall contain the case with fastener, the cable 

shield bonding hardware and the encapsulant. 

7.3 Detailed instructions for field assembly and installation including 

all restrictions on application shall be provided with each closure. 

The encapsulant shelf life must be clearly identified with 

instructions of warranty for out-of-date materials included in each 

package. 

7.4 The package shall be labeled with the name of the manufacturer or its 

trademark and the closure design nomenclature. 

8. ACCEPTANCE TESTING

8.1 The tests in this specification are intended for acceptance of closure 

designs and major modifications of "accepted" designs. What 

constitutes a "major" modification is at the discretion of REA. These 

tests are intended to show the inherent capability of manufacturers to 

produce closures which have long life and stability. 
REA PE-74 

Page 8 

8.2 The manufacturer must submit a certification that his product meets 

each section of this specification and include the data from the 

required tests, agree to periodic plant inspections and furnish other 

nonproprietary data deemed necessary by the Chief, Outside Plant 

Branch (Telephone). The required data and certifications shall have 

been gathered within 90 days of the submission. 

8.2.1 Each paragraph of this specification must be addressed, in turn, 

in the submission for acceptance. N/A may be entered when the 

paragraph requirements do not apply. 

8.2.2 The request for initial acceptance must also be accompanied by a 

letter describing the intended use, splice capacity and encapsulant 

volumn of the closure, a set of instructions for assembly, detail 

drawings identifying contents and materials, recommendations for 

organizing, splicing and encapsulating, an OSHA Material Safety Data 

Sheet for the case and encapsulant and one complete closure package 

representing the production of each closure design. The closure 

specimens from the performance tests of Paragraph 5 must also be 

sent to REA with the request for acceptance. 

8.2.3 Initial acceptance requests should be addressed to: 

Chairman, Technical Standards Committee "A" 

(Telephone) 

Telecommunications Engineering 

 and Standards Division - 

Rural Electrification Administration 

Washington, D.C. 20250 --. 

8.3 Each manufacturer shall resubmit all product designs manufactured to 

this specification for acceptance every three years, following the 

mandatory initial acceptance date of October 31, 1985. 

8.3.1 A current product drawing and a certification that no changes 

have been made since the last submission must accompany the request. 

If the initial acceptance of a product to this specification was 

within one year of an acceptance year, then no resubmission for that 

product will be required for that time period. 

8.3.2 Resubmission should be addressed to: 

Chief, Outside Plant Branch 

Telecommunications Engineering and Standards Division 

Rural Electrification Administration 

Washington, D.C. 20250 

NOTE: Contingent acceptance of a product to this specification obligates the 

manufacturer to comply with Paragraph IV of REA Bulletin 345-3 (Telephone). 

*U.S. Government Printing Office : 1986 -490-918/40094 ~

r