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eTariff Validation Rule Electronic Test Site Guide

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Creating a Test Tariff Filing

Testers may populate the test Tariff Filing data elements with any data, consistent with

the field format and valid values permitted or required by the SOC Implementation Guide

for Electronic Filing through the eTariff Validation Rule Electronic Test Site (ETS or

Sandbox). Zip files that are submitted have no naming restrictions and must have a .zip

as the extension. However, they must abide by eFiling’s requirement that the file name

cannot be longer than 60 characters and cannot include certain characters.

Submitting a Test Tariff Filing to ETS

Zipped Test Tariff Filings should be uploaded to the Commission’s ETS web site located 

at https://etariff.ferc.gov/TariffSandbox.aspx. The Company Identifiers and associated

passwords are not required by the ETS web site, and are not necessary to perform test

XML filings. 

However, if a valid company identifier is used and the filing uses a valid Tariff Identifier 

established in the Production account, then the company can make all categories of Test 

Tariff Filings that are appropriate based on the tariff status in the Production database. 

The Sandbox serves the role of helping companies/vendors ensure they are constructing 

their XML files correctly, with the expected values for specific data elements.

The system does not retain data. There is no limit to the number of tests that may be

submitted to the ETS.

Receipt and Opening a Test Tariff Filing

The ETS, upon receipt of the ZIPped Test Tariff Filings, will attempt to open the file and

parse it.

• If the .zip file cannot be opened, an email is sent to FERC’s ETS monitors noting

the problem. Since the contents could not be examined, there will not be any way to

notify the sending party. If a Test Tariff Filing does not result in a processing response

within several hours, the tester should send an email etariff@ferc.gov stating the name of

the file that was sent and the approximate time it was sent.

• If the zipped Test Tariff Filing could be opened but could not be parsed for

whatever reason, ETS will attempt to find the Validation email (validation_email) by

direct string processing of the Test Tariff Filing. If available, the Validation email

address will receive an email stating the processing problems encountered. If the

Validation email could not be obtained, the results will be similar to when a .zip file

failed (see above).

• If the Test Tariff Filing is parsed and no problems are found, then ETS will

generate an email to the Validation email identified in the Tariff Filing that lists all the

data found in the Test Tariff Filing.

If the Test Tariff Filing is parsed but problems are found, then ETS will generate an
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email to the Validation email listed in the Test Tariff Filing that lists all the data found

Test Tariff Filing Data Checks

ETS currently performs and will continue to perform the same validation checks that are

applied before and after the April 01, 2010 implementation of the eTariff Production

filing process. Two types of tests may be performed.

First, Test Tariff Filings are tested to ensure Element data are valid and are consistent

with the the XML Schema requirements. Testers should pay attention to the Element

error and warning messages. Errors at this level indicate inconsistent data or malformed XML

and must be addressed before additional processing can occur.

Second, Test Tariff Filings will be tested for both the Element and Data values expected

to be present in the Production environment. If the Test Tariff Filing contains the

appropriate metadata for tariff filings in the Production Database, the validation checks

and results will be the same as if the Test Tariff Filing had been filed through FERC

Online. However, the Test Tariff Filing will not be saved by the Commission, nor will

the filing modify the Commission’s data bases in any way.

If a company has a valid Tariff Identifier established in the Production account, then the

company can make all categories of Test Tariff Filings using their established Tariff

Identifier that are appropriate based on the tariff status in the Production database. For

example, if a company has a proposed tariff filing pending, it will be able to test all

filings appropriate to a proposed tariff, such as a withdrawal or an amendment filing. But

if it seeks to test a compliance filing with an Associated Filing Identifier, it will receive

an error message, because compliance filings cannot be made until after Commission

action.

Availability of Test Values: If a company does not have a valid Company Identifier,

Tariff Identifier and Filing Identifier in the Production database, it may use any other

XML filing identifier set in the Production database.

Validation Error Codes: The FERC web site will keep the list of error codes and

descriptions in csv format and make them available for download. The error codes and

descriptions are provided at http://www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/etariff/validation_error_code.csv. It is possible these will be expanded in the

future.