This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

67340

Vol. 60, No. 250

Friday, December 29, 1995

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1755

RUS Specification for Aerial Service

Wires

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service

(RUS) proposes to amend its regulations

on Telecommunications Standards and

Specifications for Materials, Equipment

and Construction, by codifying the RUS

Specification for Aerial Service Wires.

The new specification sets forth the

engineering and technical standards that

are required by RUS in outside plant

environments.

DATES: Comments concerning this

proposed rule must be received by RUS

or postmarked no later than January 29,

1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be

mailed to the Orren E. Cameron III,

Director, Telecommunications

Standards Division, Rural Utilities

Service, room 2835, AG Box 1598,

South Building, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250–

1598. RUS requests an original and

three copies of all comments (7 CFR part

1700). All comments received will be

made available for public inspection at

room 2835, South Building, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Washington,

DC 20250–1598 between 8:00 a.m. and

4:00 p.m. (7 CFR 1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Chief, Outside Plant Branch,

Telecommunications Standards

Division, Rural Utilities Service, room

2844, AG Box 1598, South Building,

U.S. Department of Agriculture,

Washington, DC 20250–1598, telephone

number (202) 720–0667.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

This proposed rule has been

determined to be not significant and

therefore has not been reviewed by the

Office of Management and Budget.

Executive Order 12778

This proposed rule has been reviewed

under Executive Order 12778, Civil

Justice Reform. If adopted, this

proposed rule will not:

(1) Preempt any State or local laws,

regulations, or policies;

(2) Have any retroactive effect; and

(3) Require administrative

proceedings before parties may file suit

challenging the provisions of this rule.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

The Administrator of RUS has

determined that this proposed rule will

not have a significant economic impact

on a substantial number of small

entities, as defined by the Regulatory

Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

This proposed rule involves standards

and specifications, which may increase

the direct short-term costs to RUS

borrowers. However, the long-term

direct economic costs are reduced

through greater durability and lower

maintenance cost over time.

Information Collection and

Recordkeeping Requirements

The reporting and recordkeeping

requirements contained in the proposed

rule were approved by the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB)

pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction

Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as

amended) under control number of

0572–0059.

Send questions or comments

regarding this burden or any other

aspect of these collections of

information, including suggestions for

reducing the burden, to F. Lamont

Heppe, Jr., Deputy Director, Program

Support Staff, Rural Utilities Service, Ag

Box 1522, Washington, DC 20250–1522.

National Environmental Policy Act

Certification

The Administrator of RUS has

determined that this proposed rule will

not significantly affect the quality of the

human environment as defined by the

National Environmental Policy Act of

1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) Therefore,

this action does not require an

environmental impact statement or

assessment.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

The program described by this

proposed rule is listed in the Catalog of

Federal Domestic Assistance programs

under No. 10.851, Rural Telephone

Loans and Loan Guarantees; and No.

10.852, Rural Telephone Bank Loans.

This catalog is available on a

subscription basis from the

Superintendent of Documents, the

United States Government Printing

Office, Washington, DC 20402.

Executive Order 12372

This proposed rule is excluded from

the scope of Executive Order 12372,

Intergovernmental Consultation, which

may require consultation with State and

local officials. A Notice of Final rule

titled Department Programs and

Activities Excluded from Executive

Order 12372 (50 FR 47034) exempts

RUS and RTB loans and loan

guarantees, and RTB bank loans, to

governmental and nongovernmental

entities from coverage under this Order.

Background

RUS issues publications titled

‘‘Bulletin’’ which serve to guide

borrowers regarding already codified

policy, procedures, and requirements

needed to manage loans, loan guarantee

programs, and the security instruments

which provide for and secure RUS

financing. RUS issues standards and

specifications for the construction of

telephone facilities financed with RUS

loan funds. RUS Bulletin 345–36, ‘‘RUS

Specification for Parallel Conductor

Drop Wire,’’ PE–7, dated January 25,

1983 presently contains the engineering

and technical requirements for aerial

service wires that are considered

necessary for satisfactory performance

in outside plant environments. Because

of the technological advancements made

in aerial service wire designs over the

past eleven years, RUS proposes to

incorporate and update the information

contained in RUS Bulletin 345–36 into

7 CFR 1755.700 through 7 CFR

1755.704, RUS Specification for Aerial

Service Wires, and to rescind RUS

Bulletin 345–36 upon the effective date

of 7 CFR 1755.700 through 7 CFR

1755.704.

The specification allows aerial service

wire designs consisting of one pair

through six pairs. The specification also

allows aerial service wire designs
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 250 / Friday, December 29, 1995 / Proposed Rules 67341

containing copper coated steel and

nonmetallic reinforcing members.

The specification contains

mechanical, electrical, and

environmental requirements, and test

methods for evaluation of these aerial

service wire designs.

This action establishes RUS

requirements for a wider range of aerial

service wires without affecting current

designs or manufacturing techniques.

This wider selection of aerial service

wires will afford RUS telephone

borrowers the opportunity to increase

subscriber services in an economical

and efficient manner through enhanced

wire designs brought about by

technological advancements made

during the past eleven years.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1755

Loan programs-communications,

Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements, Rural areas, Telephone.

For the reasons set out in the

preamble, RUS proposes to amend

Chapter XVII of title 7 of the Code of

Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 1755—TELECOMMUNICATIONS

STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS

FOR MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND

CONSTRUCTION.

1. The authority citation for part 1755

continues to read as follows:

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

seq., Pub. L. 103–354, 108 Stat. 3178 (7

U.S.C. 6941 et seq.).

2. Section 1755.98 is amended by

adding a new entry to the table in

numerical order to read as follows:

§ 1755.98 List of telephone standards and

specifications included in other 7 CFR

parts.

* * * * *

Section Issue date Title

1755.700 through 1755.704 ................... [Effective date of final rule] .................... RUS Specification for Aerial Service Wires.

* * * * * * *

3. Sections 1755.700 through

1755.704 are added to read as follows:

§ 1755.700 RUS specification for aerial

service wires.

§§ 1755.701 through 1755.704 cover

the requirements for aerial service

wires.

§ 1755.701 Scope.

(a) This section covers the

requirements for aerial service wires

intended for aerial subscriber drops.

(1) The aerial service wires can be

either copper coated steel reinforced or

nonmetallic reinforced designs.

(2) For the copper coated steel

reinforced design, the reinforcing

members are the conductors.

(i) The conductors are solid coppercovered steel wires.

(ii) The wire structure is completed by

insulating the conductors with an

overall extruded plastic insulating

compound.

(3) For the nonmetallic reinforced

design, the conductors are solid copper

individually insulated with an extruded

solid insulating compound.

(i) The insulated conductors are either

layed parallel (two conductor design

only) or twisted into pairs (a star-quad

configuration is permitted for two pair

wires).

(ii) The wire structure is completed by

the application of nonmetallic

reinforcing members and an overall

plastic jacket.

(4) All wires sold to RUS borrowers

for projects involving RUS loan funds

under §§ 1755.700 through 1755.704

must be accepted by RUS Technical

Standards Committee ‘‘A’’

(Telecommunications). For wires

manufactured to the specification of

§§ 1755.700 through 1755.704, all

design changes to an accepted design

must be submitted for acceptance. RUS

will be the sole authority on what

constitutes a design change.

(5) Materials, manufacturing

techniques, or wire designs not

specifically addressed by §§ 1755.700

through 1755.704 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.

(b) The American National Standard

Institute/Insulated Cable Engineers

Association, Inc. (ANSI/ICEA) S–89–

648–1993 Standard For

Telecommunications Aerial Service

Wire, Technical Requirements

referenced throughout §§ 1755.700

through 1755.704 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/ICEA S–89–648–1993

are available for inspection during

normal business hours at RUS, room

2845, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

Washington, DC 20250–1500 or at the

Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,

Washington, DC. Copies are available

from ICEA, P. O. Box 440, South

Yarmouth, MA 02664, telephone

number (508) 394–4424.

§ 1755.702 Copper coated steel reinforced

(CCSR) aerial service wire.

(a) Conductors. (1) Each conductor

shall comply with the requirements

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraphs 2.1 through 2.1.5.

(2) Factory joints in conductors shall

comply with the requirement specified

in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993,

paragraph 2.1.6.

(b) Conductor insulation. (1) The raw

materials used for the conductor

insulation shall comply with the

requirements specified in ANSI/ICEA

S–89–648–1993, paragraph 3.1.1.

(2) The raw materials shall be

accepted by RUS prior to their use.

(3) The finished conductor insulation

shall be free from holes, splits, blisters,

or other imperfections and shall be as

smooth as is consistent with best

commercial practice.

(4) The finished conductor insulation

shall comply with the requirements

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraphs 3.1.5 through 3.1.5.4.

(5) The insulation shall have a

minimum spot thickness of not less than

0.9 millimeters (mm) (0.03 inches (in.))

at any point.

(c) Wire assembly. (1) The two

conductors shall be insulated in parallel

to form an integral configuration.

(2) The finished wire assembly shall

be either a flat or a notched oval. Other

finished wire assemblies may be used

provided that they are accepted by RUS

prior to their use.

(3) The overall dimensions of the

finished wire assembly shall be in

accordance with the following

requirements:
67342 Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 250 / Friday, December 29, 1995 / Proposed Rules

Diameter

Dimensions

Minimum Maximum

mm in. mm in.

Major . 5.5 0.22 8.0 0.31

Minor . 3.0 0.12 5.0 0.19

(d) Conductor marking. The insulated

conductors of a finished wire shall be

marked in accordance with the

requirements specified in ANSI/ICEA

S–89–648–1993, paragraph 3.1.4.

(e) Electrical requirements. (1)

Conductor resistance. The direct current

(dc) resistance of each conductor in a

completed CCSR aerial service wire

shall comply with the requirement

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 7.1.2.

(2) Wet mutual capacitance. The wet

mutual capacitance of the completed

CCSR aerial service wire shall comply

with the requirement specified in ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph 7.1.3.

(3) Wet attenuation. The wet

attenuation of the completed CCSR

aerial service wire shall comply with

the requirement specified in ANSI/ICEA

S–89–648–1993, paragraph 7.1.4.

(4) Wet insulation resistance. The wet

insulation resistance of the completed

CCSR aerial service wire shall comply

with the requirement specified in ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph 7.1.5.

(5) Dielectric strength. (i) The wet

dielectric strength between conductors

and between each conductor of the

completed CCSR aerial service wire and

the surrounding water shall comply

with the requirement specified in ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph 7.1.6.

(ii) The dry dielectric strength

between conductors of the completed

CCSR aerial service wire shall comply

with the requirement specified in ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph 7.1.7.

(6) Fusing coordination. The

completed CCSR aerial service wire

shall comply with the fusing

coordination requirement specified in

ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph

7.1.8.

(7) Insulation imperfections. Each

length of completed CCSR aerial service

wire shall comply with the requirement

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 7.1.9.

(f) Mechanical requirements. (1)

Impact test. (i) All CCSR aerial service

wires manufactured in accordance with

this section shall comply with the

unaged impact test specified in ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph 8.1.2.

(ii) All CCSR aerial service wires

manufactured in accordance with this

section shall comply with the aged

impact test specified in ANSI/ICEA S–

89–648–1993, paragraph 8.1.3.

(2) Abrasion resistance test. All CCSR

aerial service wires manufactured in

accordance with this section shall

comply with the abrasion resistance test

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 8.1.4.

(3) Static load test. All CCSR aerial

service wires manufactured in

accordance with this section shall

comply with the static load test

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 8.1.5.

(4) Plasticizer compatibility test. All

CCSR aerial service wires manufactured

in accordance with this section shall

comply with the plasticizer

compatibility test specified in ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph 8.1.8.

(g) Environmental requirements. (1)

Cold temperature handling test. (i) All

CCSR aerial service wires manufactured

in accordance with this section shall

comply with the unaged cold

temperature handling test specified in

ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph

8.2.1.

(ii) All CCSR aerial service wires

manufactured in accordance with this

section shall comply with the aged cold

temperature handling test specified in

ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph

8.2.2.

(2) Light absorption test. All CCSR

aerial service wires manufactured in

accordance with this section shall

comply with the light absorption test

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 8.2.3.

(3) Low temperature separation test.

All CCSR aerial service wires

manufactured in accordance with this

section shall comply with the low

temperature separation test specified in

ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph

8.2.4.

(4) Flammability test. All CCSR aerial

service wires manufactured in

accordance with this section shall

comply with the flammability test

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 8.3.

(5) Wire listing. All CCSR aerial

service wires manufactured in

accordance with this section shall

comply with the listing requirements

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 8.4.

(h) Identification marker. Each length

of CCSR aerial service wire shall be

identified in accordance with ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph 9.1.4.

When surface marking is employed, the

color of the initial marking shall be

either white or silver.

(i) Length marking (optional). (1)

Sequentially numbered length marking

of the completed CCSR aerial service

wire may be used at the option of the

manufacturer unless specified by the

end user.

(2) When sequentially numbered

length markings are used, the length

markings shall be in accordance with

ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph

9.1.5. The color of the initial marking

shall be either white or silver.

(j) Durability of marking. The

durability of the marking of the CCSR

aerial service wire shall comply with

the requirements specified in ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph 9.1.6.

§ 1755.703 Nonmetallic reinforced (NMR)

aerial service wire.

(a) Conductors. (1) Each conductor

shall comply with the requirements

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraphs 2.2 and 2.2.1.

(2) Factory joints made in the

conductors during the manufacturing

process shall comply with the

requirement specified in ANSI/ICEA S–

89–648–1993, paragraph 2.2.2.

(b) Conductor insulation. (1) The raw

materials used for the conductor

insulation shall comply with the

requirements specified in ANSI/ICEA

S–89–648–1993, paragraphs 3.2 through

3.2.2.

(2) The finished conductor insulation

shall comply with the requirements

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 3.2.3.

(3) The dimensions of the insulated

conductors shall comply with the

requirements specified in ANSI/ICEA

S–89–648–1993, paragraph 3.2.3.1.

(4) The colors of the insulation shall

comply with the requirements specified

in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993,

paragraph 3.2.3.2.

(5) A permissible overall performance

level of faults in conductor insulation

shall comply with the requirement

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 3.2.4.6. The length

count and number of faults shall be

recorded. The information shall be

retained for a period of 6 months and be

available for review by RUS when

requested.

(6) Repairs to the conductor

insulation during manufacture are

permissible. The method of repair shall

be accepted by RUS prior to its use. The

repaired insulation shall comply with

the requirement specified in ANSI/ICEA

S–89–648–1993, paragraph 3.2.3.3.

(7) All repaired sections of insulation

shall be retested in the same manner as

originally tested for compliance with

paragraph (b)(5) of this section.

(8) The colored insulating material

removed from or tested on the

conductor, from a finished wire shall

comply with the requirements specified

in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993,

paragraphs 3.2.4 through 3.2.4.5.
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 250 / Friday, December 29, 1995 / Proposed Rules 67343

(c) Identification of pairs and layup of

pairs. (1) The insulation shall be colored

coded 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 in the pairs

together with the pair numbers shall be

in accordance with the table specified in

ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph

4.1.1.

(3) The insulated conductors shall be

either layed parallel (two conductor

design only) or twisted into pairs.

(4) When using parallel conductors

for the two conductor design, the

parallel conductors shall be designed to

enable the wire to meet the electrical

requirements specified in paragraphs (g)

introductory text through (g)(9)(ii) of

this section.

(5) When twisted pairs are used, the

following requirements shall be met:

(i) The pair twists shall be designed

to enable the wire to meet the electrical

requirements specified in paragraphs (g)

introductory text through (g)(9)(ii) of

this section; and

(ii) The average length of pair twists

in any pair in the finished wire, when

measured on any 3 meter (10 foot)

length, shall not exceed the requirement

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 4.1.

(6) An alternative method of forming

the two-pair wire is the use of a starquad configuration.

(i) The assembly of the star-quad shall

be such as to enable the wire to meet the

electrical requirements specified in

paragraphs (g) introductory text through

(g)(9)(ii) of this section.

(ii) The star-quad configuration shall

be assembled in accordance with ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph 4.1.2.

(iii) The average length of twist for the

star-quad in the finished wire, when

measured on any 3 meter (10 foot)

length, shall not exceed the requirement

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 4.1.

(iv) The color scheme used to provide

identification of the tip and ring

conductors of each pair in the star-quad

shall comply with the table specified in

ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph

4.1.2.

(d) Strength members. The strength

members shall comply with the

requirements specified in ANSI/ICEA

S–89–648–1993, paragraphs 6.1 and

6.1.1.

(e) Wire jacket. (1) The jacket shall

comply with the requirements specified

in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993,

paragraphs 5.1 and 5.1.1.

(2) The jacket raw materials shall be

accepted by RUS prior to their use.

(f) Wire assembly. The finished wire

assembly shall be in accordance with

ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph

5.1.3 and Figure 5–1.

(g) Electrical requirements. (1)

Conductor resistance. The dc resistance

of each conductor in a completed NMR

aerial service wire shall comply with

the requirement specified in ANSI/ICEA

S–89–648–1993, paragraph 7.2.2.

(2) Resistance unbalance. (i) The dc

resistance unbalance between the two

conductors of any pair in a completed

NMR aerial service wire and the average

resistance unbalance of all pairs in a

Quality Control Lot shall comply with

the requirements specified in ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph 7.2.3.

(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.

(3) Dry mutual capacitance. The dry

mutual capacitance of the completed

NMR aerial service wire shall comply

with the requirements specified in

ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph

7.2.4, Type 1.

(4) Pair-to-pair capacitance

unbalance. The pair-to-pair capacitance

unbalance as measured on the

completed NMR aerial service wire shall

comply with the requirements specified

in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993,

paragraph 7.2.5.

(5) Attenuation. (i) The dry

attenuation of the completed NMR

aerial service wire shall comply with

the requirement specified in ANSI/ICEA

S–89–648–1993, paragraph 7.2.7.

(ii) The wet attenuation of the

completed NMR aerial service wire shall

comply with the requirement specified

in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993,

paragraph 7.2.8.

(6) Insulation resistance. (i) The dry

insulation resistance of the completed

NMR aerial service wire shall comply

with the requirement specified in ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph 7.2.9.

(ii) The wet insulation resistance of

the completed NMR aerial service wire

shall comply with the requirement

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 7.2.10.

(7) Wet Dielectric strength. The wet

dielectric strength between conductors

and between each conductor of the

completed NMR aerial service wire and

the surrounding water shall comply

with the requirement specified in ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph 7.2.11.

(8) Fusing coordination. The

completed NMR aerial service wire shall

comply with the fusing coordination

requirement specified in ANSI/ICEA S–

89–648–1993, paragraph 7.2.13.

(9) Crosstalk loss. (i) The output-tooutput far-end crosstalk loss (FEXT) for

any pair of completed NMR aerial

service wire shall comply with the

requirement specified in ANSI/ICEA S–

89–648–1993, paragraph 7.2.14.

(ii) The input-to-input near-end

crosstalk loss (NEXT) for any pair of

completed NMR aerial service wire shall

comply with the requirement specified

in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993,

paragraph 7.2.14.

(h) Mechanical requirements. (1)

Impact test. (i) All NMR aerial service

wires manufactured in accordance with

this section shall comply with the

unaged impact test specified in

§ 1755.702(f)(1)(i).

(ii) All NMR aerial service wires

manufactured in accordance with this

section shall comply with the aged

impact test specified in § 1755.702

(f)(1)(ii).

(2) Abrasion resistance test. All NMR

aerial service wires manufactured in

accordance with this section shall

comply with the abrasion resistance test

specified in § 1755.702 (f)(2).

(3) Static load test. All NMR aerial

service wires manufactured in

accordance with this section shall

comply with the static load test

specified in § 1755.702(f)(3).

(4) Elongation test. All NMR aerial

service wires manufactured in

accordance with this section shall

comply with the elongation test

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 8.1.7.

(5) Plasticizer compatibility test. All

NMR aerial service wires manufactured

in accordance with this section shall

comply with the plasticizer

compatibility test specified in

§ 1755.702(f)(4).

(i) Environmental requirements. (1)

Cold temperature handling test. (i) All

NMR aerial service wires manufactured

in accordance with this section shall

comply with the unaged cold

temperature handling test specified in

§ 1755.702(g)(1)(i).

(ii) All NMR aerial service wires

manufactured in accordance with this

section shall comply with the aged cold

temperature handling test specified in

§ 1755.702(g)(1)(ii).

(2) Light absorption test. All NMR

aerial service wires manufactured in

accordance with this section shall

comply with the light absorption test

specified in § 1755.702(g)(2).

(3) Flammability test. All NMR aerial

service wires manufactured in

accordance with this section shall

comply with the flammability test

specified in § 1755.702(g)(4).

(4) Wire listing. All NMR aerial

service wires manufactured in
67344 Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 250 / Friday, December 29, 1995 / Proposed Rules

accordance with this section shall

comply with the listing requirements

specified in § 1755.702(g)(5).

(j) Ripcord (optional). (1) A ripcord

may be used in the NMR aerial service

wire structure at the option of the

manufacturer unless specified by the

end user.

(2) When a ripcord is used it shall

comply with the requirements specified

in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993,

paragraphs 4.2 through 4.2.3.

(k) Identification marker. Each length

of NMR aerial service wire shall be

identified in accordance with ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraphs 9.1

through 9.1.4. When surface marking is

employed, the color of the initial

marking shall be either white or silver.

(1) Length marking (optional). (1)

Sequentially numbered length marking

of the completed NMR aerial service

wire may be used at the option of the

manufacturer unless specified by the

end user.

(2) When sequentially numbered

length markings are used, the length

markings shall be in accordance with

§ 1755.702(i)(2).

(m) Durability of marking. The

durability of the marking of the NMR

aerial service wire shall comply with

the requirements specified in

§ 1755.702(j).

§ 1755.704 Requirements applicable to

both CCSR and NMR aerial service wires.

(a) Acceptance testing. (1) The tests

described in §§ 1755.700 through

1755.704 are intended for acceptance of

wire designs and major modifications of

accepted designs. What constitutes a

major modification is at the discretion

of RUS. 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 shall:

(i) Certify that the product fully

complies with each paragraph in

§§ 1755.700 through 1755.704;

(ii) Agree to periodic plant

inspections by RUS;

(iii) Certify whether the product

complies with the domestic origin

manufacturing provisions of the ‘‘Buy

American’’ requirements of the Rural

Electrification Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 903

note), as amended (the ‘‘REA BuyAmerican provision’’);

(iv) Submit at least three written user

testimonials concerning field

performance of the product; and

(v) Provide any other nonpropriety

data deemed necessary by the Chief,

Outside Plant Branch

(Telecommunications).

(3) In order for RUS to consider a

manufacturer’s request that a product be

requalified, the manufacturer shall

certify not later than June 30 of the year

in which requalification is required, that

the product:

(i) Fully complies with each

paragraph in 7 CFR §§ 1755.700 through

1755.704; and

(ii) Does or does not comply with the

domestic origin manufacturing

provisions of the REA Buy American

provisions. The required certifications

shall be dated within 90 days of the

submission.

(4) Initial and requalification

acceptance requests should be addresses

to: Chairman, Technical Standards

Committee ‘‘A’’ (Telecommunications),

Telecommunications Standards

Division, Rural Utilities Service, AG

Box 1598, Washington, DC 20250–1598.

(b) Extent of testing. (1) Tests on 100

percent of completed wire. (i) Each

conductor in the completed CCSR and

NMR aerial service wire shall be tested

for continuity in accordance with ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraphs 7.1.1

and 7.2.1, respectively;

(ii) Each conductor in the completed

CCSR and NMR aerial service wire shall

be tested for shorts in accordance with

ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraphs

7.1.1 and 7.2.1, respectively; and

(iii) Each length of completed CCSR

and NMR aerial service wire shall be

tested for insulation imperfections in

accordance with § 1755.702, paragraph

(e)(7) and § 1755.703, paragraph (b)(5),

respectively.

(2) Capability tests. Tests on a quality

assurance basis shall be made as

frequently as is required for each

manufacturer to determine and maintain

compliance with:

(i) Performance of the conductors;

(ii) Performance of the conductor

insulation and jacket material;

(iii) Sequential marking and lettering;

(iv) Mutual capacitance, capacitance

unbalance, attenuation, and crosstalk;

(v) Conductor resistance, resistance

unbalance, and insulation resistance;

(vi) Dielectric strength and fusing

coordination;

(vii) Impact, abrasion, static load,

elongation, and plasticizer compatibility

tests; and

(viii) Cold temperature handling, light

absorption, low temperature separation,

and flammability tests.

(c) Summary of records of electrical

and physical tests.

(1) Each manufacturer shall maintain

suitable summary records for a period of

at least 3 years of all electrical and

physical tests required on completed

wire as set forth in paragraphs (b)(1) and

(b)(2) of this section. The test data for a

particular lot of aerial service wire shall

be in a form such that it may be readily

available to the purchaser or to RUS

upon request.

(2) Measurements and computed

values shall be rounded off to the

number of places or figures specified for

the requirement according to ANSI/

ICEA S–89–648–1993, paragraph 1.3.

(d) Manufacturing irregularities. (1)

Repairs to the insulation of CCSR aerial

service wires are not permitted in wires

supplied to end users under §§ 1755.700

through 1755.704.

(2) Repairs to the jacket of NMR aerial

service wires are not permitted in wires

supplied to end users under §§ 1755.700

through 1755.704.

(e) Splicing. Splicing of completed

CCSR and NMR aerial service wires

shall comply with the requirement

specified in ANSI/ICEA S–89–648–

1993, paragraph 8.1.1.

(f) Preparation for shipment. (1) CCSR

and NMR aerial service wire shall be

shipped either in coils or on reels.

(2) When CCSR and NMR aerial

service wires are shipped on reels the

following provisions shall apply:

(i) The diameter of the drum shall be

large enough to prevent damage to the

wire from reeling or unreeling. The reels

shall be substantial and so constructed

as to prevent damage to the wire during

shipment and handling;

(ii) A waterproof corrugated board or

other suitable means of protection

accepted by RUS prior to its use may be

applied to the reel. If the waterproof

corrugated board or other suitable

material is used for protection, it shall

be suitably secured in place to prevent

damage to the wire during storage and

handling. The use of the waterproof

corrugated board or other suitable

means of protection shall be at the

option of the manufacturer unless

specified by the end user;

(iii) The outer end of the wire shall be

securely fastened to the reel head so as

to prevent the wire from becoming loose

in transit. The inner end of the wire

shall 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 conductor insulation of

the CCSR aerial service wire and the

jacket of the NMR aerial service wire

shall not be used. The method of

fastening the wire ends shall be

accepted by RUS prior to their use.

(iv) Each length of wire shall be

wound on a separate reel;

(v) Each reel shall be plainly marked

to indicate the direction in which it

should be rolled to prevent loosening of

the wire on the reel; and

(vi) Each reel shall be stenciled or

labeled on either one or both sides with

the following information:
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 250 / Friday, December 29, 1995 / Proposed Rules 67345

(A) Customer order number;

(B) Manufacturer’s name and product

code;

(C) Factory reel number and year of

manufacture;

(D) Gauge of conductors and pair size

of wire;

(E) Length of wire; and

(F) RUS designation letter ‘‘K.’’

(3) When CCSR and NMR aerial

service wires are shipped in coils the

following provisions shall apply:

(i) The diameter of the coil shall be

large enough to prevent damage to the

wire from coiling or uncoiling;

(ii) The nominal length of the wire in

a coil shall be 305 meters (1,000 feet).

No coil shall be less than 290 meters

(950 feet) long or more than 460 meters

(1,500 feet) long; however, 25 percent of

the total number of coils may be less

than 305 meters (1,000 feet);

(iii) The coils of wire shall be wound

securely with strong tape in four

separate evenly spaced places;

(iv) The coils may be protected from

damage by wrapping the coil with heavy

paper, burlap, or other suitable material

accepted by RUS prior to its use. The

use of the heavy paper, burlap, or other

suitable means of protection shall be at

the option of the manufacturer unless

specified by the end user; and

(v) Each coil shall be tagged with the

following information:

(A) Customer order number;

(B) Manufacturer’s name and product

code;

(C) Year of manufacture;

(D) Gauge of conductors and pair size

of wire;

(E) Length of wire; and

(F) RUS designation letter ‘‘K.’’

(4) In lieu of wrapping the coil with

heavy paper, burlap, or other suitable

material, the coil may be packaged in a

moisture resistant carton.

(5) When the coils are shipped in

moisture resistant cartons, each carton

shall be marked with the information

specified in paragraphs (f)(3)(v)(A)

through (f)(3)(v)(F) of this section.

(6) Other methods of shipment may be

used if accepted by RUS prior to their

use.

(7) When NMR aerial service wire is

shipped, the ends of the wire shall be

sealed in accordance with ANSI/ICEA

S–89–648–1993, paragraph 9.2.

Dated: December 19, 1995.

Jill Long Thompson,

Under Secretary, Rural Economic and

Community Development.

[FR Doc. 95–31453 Filed 12–28–95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–15–P

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

21 CFR Part 888

[Docket No. 95N–0176]

Orthopedic Devices: Classification,

Reclassification, and Codification of

Pedicle Screw Spinal Systems;

Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration,

HHS.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of

comment period.

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) is extending to

March 4, 1996, the comment period for

the proposed rule that published in the

Federal Register of October 4, 1995 (60

FR 51946). The document proposed to

classify certain unclassified

preamendments pedicle screw spinal

systems into class II (special controls),

and to reclassify certain

postamendments pedicle screw spinal

systems from class III (premarket

approval) to class II. FDA is taking this

action in response to several requests for

an extension to assure adequate time for

preparation of comments.

DATES: Written comments by March 4,

1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments

to the Dockets Management Branch

(HFA–305), Food and Drug

Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr.,

rm. 1–23, Rockville, MD 20857.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mark N. Melkerson, Center for Devices

and Radiological Health (HFZ–410),

Food and Drug Administration, 9200

Corporate Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850,

301–594–2036.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the

Federal Register of October 4, 1995 (60

FR 51946), FDA published a proposed

rule to classify certain unclassified

preamendments pedicle screw spinal

systems into class II (special controls),

and to reclassify certain

postamendments pedicle screw spinal

systems from class III (premarket

approval) to class II. FDA is proposing

to place certain pedicle screw spinal

systems in class II because the agency

believes that sufficient information

exists to establish special controls to

provide reasonable assurance of its

safety and effectiveness.

Interested persons were invited to

comment by January 2, 1996. FDA

received several requests to extend the

comment period, including a request

from a United States District Court

Judge presiding over product liability

actions concerning orthopedic bone

screw products. The court requested

that FDA allow a 60-day extension

because court orders relating to the

disclosure of certain information about

pedicle screws may make it difficult for

parties involved in the litigation to

submit relevant information to FDA by

January 2, 1996.

Because FDA wants to provide

adequate time for the submission of all

relevant information related to these

important public health issues, FDA is

extending the comment period for 60

days. Accordingly, FDA finds under

section 520(d) of the Federal Food,

Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C.

360j(d)) that there is good cause for such

an extension.

Interested persons may, on or before

March 4, 1996, submit to Dockets

Management Branch (address above)

written comments regarding this

proposal. Two copies of any comments

are to be submitted, except that

individuals may submit one copy.

Comments are to be identified with the

docket number found in brackets in the

heading of this document. Received

comments may be seen in the office

above between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,

Monday through Friday.

Dated: December 21, 1995.

Joseph A. Levitt,

Deputy Director for Regulations Policy, Center

for Devices and Radiological Health.

[FR Doc. 95–31460 Filed 12–28–95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160–01–F

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Parts 62 and 66

[CGD 94–091]

RIN 2115–AF14

Conformance of Uniform State

Waterways Marking System and

Western Rivers Marking System with

the United States Aids to Navigation

System and the Maritime Buoyage

System of the International

Association of Lighthouse Authorities

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed

rulemaking and request for comments.

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is

considering changes that would bring

the Uniform State Waterways Marking

System (USWMS) and the Western

Rivers Marking System (WRMS) more

into conformance with the U.S. Aids to

Navigation System (USATONS) and the