[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 11]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1724.52]

[Page 238-239]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
    CHAPTER XVII--RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1724--ELECTRIC ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES AND DESIGN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES--Table of Contents
 
                    Subpart E--Electric System Design
 
Sec. 1724.52  Permitted deviations from RUS construction standards.

    The provisions of this section apply to all borrower electric system 
facilities regardless of the source of financing.
    (a) Structures for raptor protection. (1) RUS standard distribution 
line structures may not have the extra measure of protection needed in 
areas frequented by eagles and other large raptors to protect such birds 
from electric shock due to physical contact with energized wires. Where 
raptor protection in the design of overhead line structures is required 
by RUS; a Federal, State or local authority with permit or license 
authority over the proposed construction; or where the borrower 
voluntarily elects to comply with the recommendations of the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service or State wildlife agency, borrowers are permitted 
to deviate from RUS construction standards, provided:
    (i) Structures are designed and constructed in accordance with 
``Suggested Practices for Raptor Protection on Powerlines: The State of 
the Art in 1996'' (Suggested Practices for Raptor Protection); and,
    (ii) Structures are in accordance with the NESC and applicable State 
and local regulations.
    (2) Any deviation from the RUS construction standards for the 
purpose of raptor protection, which is not in accordance with the 
Suggested Practices for Raptor Protection, must be approved by RUS prior 
to construction. ``Suggested Practices for Raptor Protection on 
Powerlines: The State of the Art in 1996,'' published by the Edison 
Electric Institute/Raptor Research Foundation, is hereby incorporated by 
reference. This incorporation by reference is approved by the Director 
of the Office of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of this publication may be obtained from the 
Raptor Research Foundation, Inc., c/o Jim Fitzpatrick, Treasurer, 
Carpenter Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail South, Hastings, 
Minnesota 55033. It is also available for inspection during normal 
business hours at RUS, Electric Staff Division, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, Room 1246-S, and at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, 
DC.
    (b) Transformer neutral connections. Where it is necessary to 
separate the primary and secondary neutrals to provide the required 
electric service to a consumer, the RUS standard transformer secondary 
neutral connections may be modified in accordance with Rule 97D2 of the 
NESC.
    (c) Lowering of neutral conductor on overhead distribution lines. 
(1) It is permissible to lower the neutral attachment on standard 
construction pole-top assemblies an additional distance not exceeding 
two feet (0.6 m) for the purpose of economically meeting the clearance 
requirements of the NESC.
    (2) It is permissible to lower the transformer and associated 
neutral attachment up to two feet (0.6 m) to provide adequate clearance 
between the cutouts and single-phase, conventional distribution 
transformers.
    (3) It is permissible to lower the neutral attachment on standard 
construction pole-top assemblies an additional distance of up to six 
feet (2 m) for the

[[Page 239]]

purpose of performing construction and future line maintenance on these 
assemblies from bucket trucks designed for such work.