[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: 7CFR1755.910]
[Page 729-764]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER XVII--RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
PART 1755--TELECOMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION--Table of Contents
Sec. 1755.910 RUS specification for outside plant housings and serving area interface systems.
(a) Scope. (1) The purpose of this specification is to inform
manufacturers and users of outside plant housings and serving area
interface (SAI) systems of the engineering and technical requirements
that are considered necessary for satisfactory performance in outside
plant environments. Included are the mechanical, electrical, and
environmental requirements, desired design features, and test methods
for evaluation of the product.
(2) The housing and terminal requirements reflect the best
engineering judgment available at the present time and may be subject to
change due to advances in technology, economic conditions, or other
factors.
(3) The test procedures described in this section are required by
RUS to
[[Page 730]]
demonstrate the functional reliability of the product. However, other
standard or unique test procedures may serve the same function. In such
cases, RUS shall evaluate the test procedures and results on an
individual basis.
(4) The test procedures specified herein satisfy the requirements of
housings as well as the requirements of terminals that may be installed
within housings. Some of the requirements are interrelated to several
tests designed to determine the performance aspects of terminals and are
directly affected by testing required for housings. Therefore, the
manufacturer should carefully review all the test requirements in order
to develop a testing schedule that is comprehensive, efficient in terms
of the number of test specimens required and can be accomplished in an
orderly and logical sequence.
(5) The specified tests may require special facilities to comply
with Federal, State, or local regulatory requirements. Some test
procedures are potentially hazardous to personnel because of the high
voltages and mechanical forces involved. Safety precautions are
necessary to prevent injury.
(6) Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) 94, Tests for Flammability
of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances, fourth
edition, dated June 18, 1991, referenced in this section 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. A copy of the UL standard is available for inspection
during normal business hours at RUS, room 2845-S, 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 UL Inc., 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook,
Illinois 60062-2096, telephone number (708) 272-8800.
(7) The American Society for Testing and Materials Specifications
(ASTM) A 109-91, Standard Specification for Steel, Strip, Carbon, Cold-
Rolled; ASTM A 153-82 (Reapproved 1987), Standard Specification for Zinc
Coating (Hot-Dip) on Iron and Steel Hardware; ASTM A 366/A 366M-91,
Standard Specification for Steel, Sheet, Carbon, Cold-Rolled, Commercial
Quality; ASTM A 525-91b, Standard Specification for General Requirements
for Steel Sheet, Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) by the Hot-Dip Process; ASTM A
526/A 526M-90, Standard Specification for Steel Sheet, Zinc-Coated
(Galvanized) by the Hot-Dip Process, Commercial Quality; ASTM A 569/A
569M-91a, Standard Specification for Steel, Carbon (0.15 Maximum,
Percent), Hot-Rolled Sheet and Strip Commercial Quality; ASTM A 621/A
621M-92, Standard Specification for Steel, Sheet and Strip, Carbon, Hot-
Rolled, Drawing Quality; ASTM B 117-90, Standard Test Method of Salt
Spray (Fog) Testing; ASTM B 539-90, Standard Test Methods for Measuring
Contact Resistance of Electrical Connections (Static Contacts); ASTM B
633-85, Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Zinc on
Iron and Steel; ASTM D 523-89, Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss;
ASTM D 610-85 (Reapproved 1989), Standard Test Method for Evaluating
Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces; ASTM D 822-89, Standard
Practice for Conducting Tests on Paint and Related Coatings and
Materials using Filtered Open-Flame Carbon-Arc Light and Water Exposure
Apparatus; ASTM D 1535-89, Standard Test Method for Specifying Color by
the Munsell System; ASTM D 1654-92, Standard Test Method for Evaluation
of Painted or Coated Specimens Subjected to Corrosive Environments; ASTM
D 1693-70 (Reapproved 1988), Standard Test Method for Environmental
Stress-Cracking of Ethylene Plastics; ASTM D 2197-86 (Reapproved 1991),
Standard Test Method for Adhesion of Organic Coatings by Scrape
Adhesion; ASTM D 2247-92, Standard Practice for Testing Water Resistance
of Coatings in 100% Relative Humidity; ASTM D 2565-92, Standard Practice
for Operating Xenon Arc-Type Light-Exposure Apparatus With and Without
Water for Exposure of Plastics; ASTM D 2794-92, Standard Test Method for
Resistance of Organic Coatings to the Effects of Rapid Deformation
(Impact); ASTM D 3928-89, Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Gloss
or Sheen Uniformity; ASTM D 4568-86, Standard
[[Page 731]]
Test Methods for Evaluating Compatibility Between Cable Filling and
Flooding Compounds and Polyolefin Cable Materials; ASTM G 21-90,
Standard Practice for Determining Resistance of Synthetic Polymeric
Materials to Fungi; and ASTM G 23-90, Standard Practice for Operating
Light-Exposure Apparatus (Carbon-Arc Type) With and Without Water for
Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials, referenced in this section are
incorporated by reference by RUS. These incorporations by references
were approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 7 CFR part 51. Copies of the ASTM standards are
available for inspection during normal business hours at RUS, room 2845-
S, 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 ASTM, 1916 Race Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-1187, telephone number (215) 299-5585.
(b) General information. (1) Outside plant housings are fabricated
of either metallic or nonmetallic materials in different sizes and
configurations to suit a variety of applications. The purpose of a
housing is to protect its contents from environmental elements, rodents,
insects, or vandalism and unauthorized access. Housings are designed
with internal brackets for accommodating splicing, bonding and grounding
connections, cable terminals, cross-connect facilities, load coils, and
optical and electronic equipment.
(2) Pedestals are housings primarily intended to house, organize,
and protect cable terminations incorporating terminal blocks, splice
connectors and modules, ground lugs and load coils. Activities typically
performed in a pedestal are cable splicing, shield bonding and
grounding, inductive loading, and connection of subscriber drops.
(3) Serving area interface (SAI) cabinets are housings intended to
perform some of the same functions as pedestals but are primarily
intended to serve as the connecting terminal between feeder cable and
distribution cables.
(4) Outside plant housings shall be manufactured in accordance with
National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements, Underwriters' Laboratories
(UL) requirements, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration Standards (OSHA), and all other applicable Federal,
State, and local requirements including, but not limited to, statutes,
rules, regulations, orders, or ordinances otherwise imposed by law.
(c) General documentation requirements--(1) Installation and
maintenance instructions. (i) Each product shall have available a set of
instructions designed to provide sufficient information for the
successful installation of the housing, cables, auxiliary equipment, and
the associated splice preparation. The instructions shall be of
sufficient size to be easily read and shall be printed using waterproof
ink. Pedestal instruction sheets shall include a list of miscellaneous
replacement parts that may be purchased locally. SAI systems shall be
supplied with complete instructions for installation and use.
(ii) When requested by RUS, or an RUS borrower, the manufacturer
shall prepare a training package for the purpose of training technicians
in the use and installation of the product and its auxiliary equipment.
(iii) The manufacturer shall provide ordering information for repair
parts. Repair parts shall be obtainable through a local distributor or
shall be easily obtainable. Information describing equivalent parts and
their sources should be provided for those parts that may also be
obtained from other sources.
(2) Quality assurance. The manufacturer shall demonstrate the
existence of an ongoing quality assurance program that includes
controls, procedures, and standards used for vendor certification,
source inspection, incoming inspection, manufacture, in process testing,
calibration and maintenance of tools and test equipment, final product
inspection and testing, periodic qualification testing and control of
nonconforming materials and products. The manufacturer shall maintain
quality assurance records for five years.
(3) RUS acceptance applications. (i) The tests described in this
specification are required for acceptance of
[[Page 732]]
product designs and major modifications of accepted designs. All
modifications shall be considered major unless otherwise declared by
RUS. The tests are intended to show the inherent capability of the
manufacturer to produce products which have an expected service life of
30 years.
(ii) For initial acceptance the manufacturer shall:
(A) Submit an original signature certification that the product
complies with each section of the specification;
(B) Provide qualification test data;
(C) Provide OSHA Material Safety Data Sheets for the product;
(D) Provide a detailed explanation concerning the intended use and
capacity of the product;
(E) Provide a complete set of instructions, recommendations for
equipment organization and splicing;
(F) Agree to periodic plant inspections;
(G) Provide a certification that the product does or does not comply
with the domestic origin manufacturing provisions of the ``Buy
American'' requirements of the Rural Electrification Act of 1938 (52
Stat. 818);
(H) Provide user testimonials concerning field performance of the
product;
(I) Provide product samples if requested by RUS; and
(J) Provide any other data required by the Chief, Outside Plant
Branch (Telephone).
(iii) Each requirement of this section must be addressed in
submissions for acceptance. The designation N/A may be entered when the
requirements do not apply.
(iv) Acceptance requests should be addressed to: Chairman, Technical
Standards, Committee ``A'' (Telephone), Telecommunications Standards
Division, Rural Utilities Service, Washington, DC 20250-1500.
(d) Functional design criteria for housings--(1) General
requirements. (i) The functional requirements for housings concern
materials, finishes, environmental factors, and design features that are
applicable to most above ground housings used in the outside plant.
(ii) Housings shall be of sufficient size to permit easily managed
installation, operational, testing, and maintenance operations. The
general shape of outside plant housings is usually comparable to that of
a rectangular column or cylinder, with the shape of any particular
housing being left to the manufacturer's discretion. Each design is
subject to acceptance by RUS.
(2) Housing types and capacities. (i) Housings used in outside plant
are either the smaller housings generally known as pedestals or larger
housings known as equipment or splice cabinets. Both categories may have
designs intended for stake mounting, pole mounting, or pad mounting.
(ii) The classifications of pedestals are the general purpose
channel Type (H) and the dome Type (M). The Type H pedestal has either
front only access or back and front access while the Type M pedestal has
top only access. Pedestals are further designated as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pole mounted
Stake mounted Type Pole mounted (extra high)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BD3 H BD3A
BD4 H BD4A
BD5 H BD5A
BD7 H BD7A
BD14 M BD14A BD14AG
BD15 M BD15A BD15AG
BD16 M BD16A BD16AG
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iii) The minimum volume associated with the pedestal designations
shall be as shown in the following table:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum volume
-----------------------
Pedestal \1\ housing designation Cubic (Cubic
centimeters Inches)
cm \3\ (in.\3\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BD3, BD3A \2\ .................................. 9,000 (550)
BD4, BD4A \2\ .................................. 15,000 (900)
BD5, BD5A \2\ .................................. 35,000 (2,100)
BD7( \2\ )...................................... 72,000 (4,400)
BD14, BD14A, BD14AG \3\ ........................ 9,000 (550)
BD15, BD15A, BD15AG \3\ ........................ 27,000 (1,600)
BD16, BD16A, BD16AG \3\ ........................ 38,000 (2,300)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: Housings designed for unique purposes will be evaluated on a
case-by-case basis.
Note 2: For Type H pedestals, the minimum volume is that space as
measured 5 centimeters (cm) (2 inches (in.)) below the top of the
housing to a point 40 cm (16 in.) above the bottom of the lower cover
plate.
Note 3: The minimum volume of the Type M pedestals shall be the space
within the dome measured from the lower edge of the dome to a point 5
cm (2 in.) from the top.
(iv) Equipment cabinets intended for use as SAI housings shall be
assigned size designations according to their maximum pair termination
capacities. The capacity will vary depending on
[[Page 733]]
the type of terminating equipment used. SAI cabinets shall be suffix
designated with an ``A'' for pole mounting, ``X'' for pad mounting, and
``S'' for stake mounting.
(v) Large pair count splice cabinets are classified according to
their splice capacity. Approximately 48 cm\3\ (3.0 in.\3\) of splice
area per pair straight spliced shall be permitted.
(vi) The minimum volume associated with large pair count splice
cabinets shall be as shown in the following table:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum volume Maximum
----------------------- splice
Splice cabinet \1\ designation capacity
(cm.\3\) (in.\3\) (pairs)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BD6000 295,000 (18,000) 6,000
BD8000 393,000 (24,000) 8,000
BD10000 491,000 (30,000) 10,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: Additional sizes of splice cabinets shall be considered by RUS
on a case-by-case basis.
(3) Design and fabrication requirements for housings. (i) Type H
pedestal housings may consist of an enclosed channel incorporating an
integrally mounted stake that serves as a backplate, or they may be
designed for universal mounting on stakes or poles. The body of the
housing shall have two major components; an upper cover and a base
cover. The upper cover shall have a top, front and back plate with the
front cover removable to permit entry and provide increased work space.
The base cover shall consist of a front plate and back plate. The base
cover back plate may be an extension of the upper back plate cover.
(ii) Type M pedestal housings shall consist of a one piece upper
sleeve designed to fit over the base cover trapping air to prohibit
water from entering the splice area when installed in locations prone to
temporary flooding. Pedestals designed to be mounted extra high on poles
for locations susceptible to deep snow shall have a bottom close-off
option available to prohibit the ingress of birds, rodents and insects.
(iii) The external housing components on all outside plant housings
shall provide reasonable protection against accidental removal or
vandalism. Housings shall be equipped with a cover plate retaining bolt
and cup washer that may be opened only with an industry accepted socket
type can wrench. Housings may be equipped with provisions to allow the
purchaser to install a padlock.
(iv) Installed housings shall resist the disassembling force of
frost heaving applied to the bottom of ground line cover plates. The
base cover must remain stationary to stabilize the contents of the
housing cavity.
(v) In an effort to provide protection against dust penetration,
blowing snow, rain, and ultraviolet light degradation of internal
components, all mechanical gaps shall be restricted. The use of seals,
overlaps, gaskets, and/or dovetailing is required to assure satisfactory
protection of housed equipment.
(vi) Knockouts, cutouts, or notches designed to accommodate aerial
service drops shall not be permitted. A design option for housings
intended to accommodate service drops shall include a separate channel
or equivalent in the base cover to allow future additions of service
drops without the removal of gravel or the moisture barrier in the base
of the housing. Service wire channels must be designed to prevent the
entry of birds, reptiles, rodents and insects.
(vii) Minimal venting of SAI housings may be necessary to relieve
internal pressure and condensation.
(viii) There shall be no aluminum housing components that will
become buried in the soil when the housing is properly installed.
(ix) Housing components may be assembled using rivets, welds, glue,
bolts and nuts, or other techniques suitable for the materials involved.
(x) Housings and their components that require field assembly must
be capable of being assembled with tools normally available to outside
plant technicians.
(xi) Hinged doors on SAI housings and large pair count splice
housings shall be equipped with a device that restrains the doors in the
open position.
(xii) Outside plant housings shall be free of sharp edges, burrs,
etc., that could present a safety hazard to personnel involved in
installation and use of the product or to the general public. Surfaces
inside housings must not
[[Page 734]]
allow pinching of conductors during installation of cover plates or the
opening and closing of doors.
(xiii) A ground line mark shall be provided, approximately 15 cm (6
in.) below the top edge of the housing base cover plate on housings
intended for ground level mounting. Base cover plates shall have a
minimum height of 31 cm (12 in.).
(xiv) Any housing, which weighs in excess of 91 kilograms (kg) (200
pounds (lb)), including its contents, shall be equipped with lifting
brackets for attaching hoisting cables or chains.
(xv) Housing stakes shall be a minimum of 107 cm (42 in.) in length.
If fabricated from steel, they shall have a minimum thickness of No. 13
gauge as measured according to American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) A 525-91b. Stakes shall be formed into a ``U'' channel
with a minimum depth of 2 cm (0.75 in.). The stake shall be a single
part of suitable design strength for driving 91 cm (36 in.) into the
soil with hand tools without damage such as bending or warping. The
stake shall have adequate mounting holes having a minimum separation of
15 cm (6 in.) for mounting the housing baseplate. The stake material
must resist corrosion and deterioration when exposed to soil and
atmospheric conditions.
(xvi) The housing design must permit a logical progression of
installation steps that would normally be encountered in typical field
installations.
(xvii) Provisions for attaching housings to stakes, poles, walls,
other housings, or pads shall be provided for each design intended for
those purposes. Locations of holes for mounting attachments may be
provided by knockouts on above ground components. Mounting hole
locations for below ground components may be predrilled.
(xviii) Pole mounting hardware shall provide at least 1.3 cm (0.5
in.) clearance from the pole to the housing. Pole mounting brackets
shall accommodate the wide range of pole sizes used in the telephone
industry.
(xix) Pad-mounted housings shall have hardware available for
anchoring the housing base to the pad. A template may be provided to
assist in the location of mounting attachment details for pad
preparation.
(xx) Housings equipped with stub cables shall have strain relief
devices to permit shipping and handling of the housing without damage to
the housing or stub cables. Only RUS accepted cable shall be used for
stub cables. The cable manufacturer's recommendations concerning minimum
bend radius shall be observed. The minimum bend radius for most copper
cables is 10 times the cable diameter.
(xxi) Cable supports shall be provided near the top of the ground
line cover and other appropriate locations within the housing to provide
cable stability consistent with the intended use and capacity of the
housing. Cable supports shall be capable of holding a minimum load of 23
kg (50 lb).
(xxii) An adequate supply of nonmetallic retainer clips or tie wraps
capable of supporting a minimum load of 23 kg (50 lb) shall be provided
with the housing. Adequate spaces for installation of the clips or tie
wraps must be provided on the housing backplate and cable supports.
(xxiii) Housing chambers designed for splicing operations shall be
equipped with insulated supporting straps or rods suitable for
supporting splice bundles. The insulation on the straps or rods shall
extend for the entire length of the device and shall have a dielectric
strength of 15 kilovolts (kv) direct current (dc) minimum. Housings
having an ``H'' frame design where both front and rear covers may be
removed may incorporate insulated tie bars to be used as cable supports.
(xxiv) Housings designed to contain equipment in addition to splices
shall be equipped with a device for physically separating the splice
area from the service area of the housing.
(xxv) A dielectric shield rated at 15 kv dc shall be provided to
enclose the cable splice area. The shield shall extend from the lower
cable supports to within 2.5 cm (1 in.) of the top of the housing. The
shield shall be equipped with Velcro or equivalent fastening devices
designed to hold the shield in both the open or closed positions. The
fastening devices shall extend along the entire vertical edge of the
dielectric shield.
[[Page 735]]
(xxvi) Mounting arrangements for a variety of terminal blocks and
other equipment shall be provided by means of good housekeeping panels
or other devices that may enhance the service aspect of the housing.
(xxvii) Housings designed for SAI cabinets may be shipped with
terminal blocks installed and stub cables attached. If this option is
exercised, the stub cables and terminal blocks must be RUS accepted. In
all cases, SAI cabinets must be equipped with appropriate mounting
devices for installing the peripheral equipment required for a serving
area interface.
(xxviii) SAI cabinets shall be designed to provide physical
separation between the splicing area and the area provided for running
cross-connect jumpers.
(xxix) SAI cabinets and large splice housings must have an external
feature for attaching a padlock to prevent unauthorized entry.
(xxx) Each housing shall have a tinned or zinc electroplated copper
alloy or equivalent connector plate or bar to be used for terminating
ground and cable shield bond connections. The device shall be equipped
with captive studs and nuts with captive lock washers designed for
attaching 6 American Wire Gauge (AWG) copper bonding harness wire or
braid and a 6 AWG copper ground wire. Connector plates shall be equipped
with enough studs and nuts to provide individual connections equivalent
to the maximum number of cable sheaths recommended for the housing.
Housings shall incorporate design features that enable the field
installation of at least one additional connector plate for service
conditions that require numerous connections. A bonding and grounding
system capable of providing support and strain relief for service wires
shall be provided for housings intended for use as distribution points.
The bonding system shall be designed to provide sheath continuity as
cable and service wires are installed, and prior to any other operation
being performed. The bonding arrangement shall provide electrical
continuity between all bonds and the ground connector plate. The bonding
and grounding arrangement shall permit the lifting of individual cable
ground connections for testing and cable locating activities without
jeopardizing the grounding potential of other cables that may enter the
housing. The bonding and grounding system shall be capable of conducting
a current of 1000 amperes for at least 20 seconds.
(4) Warning sign. (i) A buried cable warning sign shall be securely
attached to the outside of each housing. The lettering information on
the sign shall be permanent.
(ii) For pedestals, the sign shall be centered horizontally on the
front cover and the top of the sign shall be not more than 10 cm (4 in.)
from the top of the housing.
(iii) For SAI cabinets, the sign shall be centered horizontally and
vertically on the door. If there are two doors, the sign shall be
mounted on the left door.
(iv) Deviations from warning sign location requirements are
permitted only for housing design constraints. Alternate sign locations
will be considered by RUS.
(v) The RUS standard sign design is shown in Figure 1.
(5) Housing materials. (i) Materials used in housings shall present
no environmental or safety hazard as defined by industry standards or
Federal, State, or local laws and regulations. Figure 1 is as follows:
[[Page 736]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.000
(ii) All materials are required to have fire resistance ratings
consistent with recognized industry standards. External materials must
be flame resistant.
(iii) All materials used in the manufacture of housings or component
parts must achieve the required strength properties, resist
deterioration when exposed to outdoor conditions, and be
[[Page 737]]
acceptable to RUS for the specific application. New materials or
materials not familiar to the RUS staff shall be supported by test and
performance data which demonstrates their suitability for the intended
use.
(iv) Nonmetallic housing materials shall have a fungus growth rating
no greater than one according to ASTM G 21-90.
(v) Metallic components shall be either corrosion resistant or
protected against corrosion and must not produce galvanic corrosion in
wet or humid conditions on other metals that may be present in the
housing environment.
(vi) Mill galvanized steel used in the manufacture of housings shall
comply with the appropriate requirements of one of the following
standards:
(A) ASTM A 109-91;
(B) ASTM A 366/A 366M-91;
(C) ASTM A 525-91b; or
(D) ASTM A 526/A 526M-90.
(vii) Hot rolled steel shall comply with the appropriate
requirements of one of the following standards:
(A) ASTM A 569/A 569M-91a; or
(B) ASTM A 621/A 621M-92.
(viii) Cold rolled steel shall comply with the appropriate
requirements of one of the following standards:
(A) ASTM A l09-91; or
(B) ASTM A 366/A 366M-91.
(ix) Steel parts used for internal housing brackets shall be
hexavalent chromate coated or zinc plated in accordance with ASTM B 633-
85.
(x) Hardware items used for assembling or fastening housing
components shall be 300 series or passivated 400 series stainless steel
or hot dip galvanized in accordance with ASTM A l53-82 (1987). Other
materials will be considered by RUS on an individual basis.
(xi) Aluminum components shall be fabricated from alloy types 5052
or 6061 or other types that have been recognized as having acceptable
corrosion resistance and formability and weldability features.
(xii) Nonmetallic parts must be resistant to solvents and stress
cracking and shall be compatible with metals and other materials such as
conductor insulations and filling compounds used in the manufacture of
cable. Plastic materials must be noncorrosive to metals and resist
deterioration when exposed to industrial chemical pollutants, ultra-
violet rays, road salts, cleaning agents, insecticides, fertilizers, or
other detrimental elements normally encountered in the outdoor
environment.
(xiii) Housing door seals and gaskets may be manufactured from
rubber or synthetic rubber-like elastomer materials. Seals and gaskets
shall exhibit a high degree of weatherability with an effective life of
at least 30 years in the outdoor environment. The material shall be tear
resistant and have a low compression set.
(6) Housing finish requirements. (i) All interior and exterior
surfaces of housings shall be free from blisters, wrinkles, cracks,
scratches, dents, heat marks, and other defects.
(ii) There shall be inherent design provisions to prevent
objectionable deterioration of the housing such as rusting, exposure of
fiber or delamination. Secondary protection, such as galvanizing over
steel per ASTM A 526/A 526M-90 or anodizing over aluminum, shall be
provided to ensure reliability over the projected 30 year design life of
the housing.
(iii) Painted metal housings shall have a minimum gloss of 60 (60
deg.specular) in accordance with ASTM D 523-89.
(iv) All painted surfaces shall have a uniform color and texture in
accordance with ASTM D 3928-89. Nonmetallic housings shall meet
recognized industry standards concerning optical appearance for gloss
and haze as applicable for the material.
(v) The colors of housings that RUS will consider for acceptance
shall be as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Color Standard
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gray-Green.......................... Munsell 6.5 GY 6.03/1.6
Munsell 4.4 GY 6.74/1.5
Green............................... Munsell 8.8 G 2.65/5.3
Orange.............................. Federal Standard 595A
Color Number l2246
Munsell 0.15YR 5.26/13.15
Chocolate........................... Munsell 5.27YR 2.40/2.60
Color Number 835
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(7) Installation requirements. (i) The design of the housing must
provide for a logical and normal installation sequence, i.e.,
excavation, installation of
[[Page 738]]
a foundation or base and anchoring devices, addition of hardware,
installation and bonding of cables, splicing, addition of service, and
final closing.
(ii) No special tools or equipment other than that usually carried
by outside plant technicians and construction crews must be required for
installation of the housing. Security devices are the exception to this
requirement.
(iii) Installation hardware shall maintain housings in an erect and
stable position when subjected to normal storm loads. Pad-mounted
designs must accommodate precast or cast-in-place reinforced concrete or
other suitable prefabricated material. Brackets, inserts for fastening,
conduit openings, or other items necessary for a pad-mounted
installation must be provided. The manufacturer shall provide detailed
drawings or a template for locating inserts, conduit openings, or slots
for cast-in-place pad construction.
(e) Performance criteria and test procedures for housings--(1)
General information. (i) The housing manufacturer shall perform adequate
inspections and tests to demonstrate that housings and housing
components comply with RUS requirements.
(ii) Testing shall be performed at a room temperature of
243 deg.C (755 deg.C). Temperatures for
testing performed at other than room temperature shall be determined as
near the center of the product under test as practical.
(2) Description of test housing. (i) Each distinctly designed and
configured family of housings intended to perform a particular function
shall be tested.
(ii) The typical test sample shall consist of the exterior housing
components such as covers, backplates, good housekeeping panels, cap
assembly, anchor posts, decals, etc. Interior components must include
the bonding and grounding hardware for cables and service wires and the
dielectric shield. The housing may include terminal blocks or cross-
connect modules, cable splices, or the typical outside plant equipment
the housing is designed to contain and protect.
(3) Environmental requirement for housings--(i) Thermal shock. The
test housing shall be placed in a test chamber and exposed to the
temperature cycle of Figure 2 for five complete cycles. The step
function nature of the temperature changes may be achieved by insertion
and removal of the test housing from the chamber. The soak time at each
temperature shall be four hours. The housing shall be removed from the
test chamber at the conclusion of the five-cycle period. After the test
housing temperature has stabilized to room temperature, the housing must
be inspected for deterioration of materials and satisfactory operation
of mechanical functions. Figure 2 is as follows:
[[Page 739]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.001
(ii) Thermal shock and humidity. The test housing shall be placed in
an environmental test chamber at 95 3 percent (%) relative
humidity (RH) and temperature cycled per Figure 3 for a period of 30
days. At the end of the test there shall be no rust or corrosion of any
closure components. Minor corrosion due to surface scratches, nicks,
etc. is permitted. If the closure is made of a nonmetallic material,
there shall be no signs of degradation. Figure 3 is as follows:
[[Page 740]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.002
(iii) Humidity and condensation. Test panels shall be placed in an
environmental chamber and subjected to 1,008 hours (42 cycles) of
exposure per ASTM D 2247-92. One cycle consists of 24 hours of 100%
humidity (with condensation on the panels) at a cabinet temperature of
381 deg.C (1002 deg.F) and an ambient
temperature of 251 deg.C (772 deg.F) without
heat input. Upon completion of cycling, the test panels shall be
subjected to an 11 newton-meter (N-m) (100 pound-inches (lb-in.)) impact
test using the Gardner-Impact Tester or equivalent. Test panels shall
show no substrate or coating cracking or loss of coating adhesion on
either side.
(iv) Weatherability. Three test panels shall be tested for
weatherability in accordance with the appropriate procedures of either
ASTM D 822-89 or ASTM G 23-90. Total exposure time shall be a minimum of
800 hours. Failure is defined as fading, cracking, blistering, or
delamination on any of the three test panels.
(v) Low temperature durability. Low temperature durability shall be
proven by exposing the three test panels from (e)(3)(iv) of this section
to at least 25 continuous cycles of the following test sequence:
(A) To insure complete saturation of the three test panels, soak
them for 96 hours in a container of distilled water 222
deg.C (71.64 deg.F);
(B) Lower the temperature of the water and the immersed test panels
to -282 deg.C (-18.44 deg.F) and stabilize for
24 hours;
(C) Thaw the water with the samples to 222 deg.C
(71.64 deg.F) and stabilize for 24 hours;
[[Page 741]]
(D) Repeat the procedure 24 times. Any cracking, crazing, deforming,
or delaminating on any of the three test panels shall be considered a
failure; and
(E) Remove the samples from the water and impact test the three
panels by delivering a force of 11.3 N-m (100 lb-in.) using a Gardner-
Impact Tester to each specimen at 71, 22, and -282 deg.C
(159.8, 71.6, and -18.44 deg.F), after stabilizing them at
those temperatures for at least two hours. Visual inspection shall
reveal no deformation or perforations on any of the test panels.
(vi) Corrosion resistance. Corrosivity shall be tested in accordance
with the requirements of ASTM B 117-90. Both scribed and unscribed
panels shall be evaluated following the procedures of ASTM D 1654-92.
Scribed panels shall have a rating of at least six, following 500 hours
of exposure to salt fog, and the unscribed panels shall have a rating no
lower than 10, after 1,000 hours exposure. Visual rust inspection shall
confirm no more than 0.03% rusting (rust grade 9) of the surface area of
the test sample when evaluated in accordance with ASTM D 610-85(1989).
The unscribed samples shall be impacted with an 11.3 N-m (100 lb-in.)
force, using a Gardner-Impact Tester or equivalent. Visual inspection of
the impacted samples shall reveal no loss of adhesion between the base
material and the coating or cracking at the finish on the test panels.
(vii) Fungi resistance. Fungi resistance of nonmetallic housing
materials shall be tested according to the procedures of ASTM G 21-90.
Any rating greater than one shall be considered a failure.
(viii) Stress crack resistance. The stress cracking characteristics
of nonmetallic housing components shall be tested in accordance with
ASTM D 1693-70 (Reapproved 1988). The tests shall be performed at
492\1/2\ C (1204\1/2\ F) for 14 days and exposed
to the following materials:
(A) Industry recognized filling compounds;
(B) Isopar M;
(C) Industry recognized solvents;
(D) Industry recognized encapsulants; and
(E) Commonly used insect, pest, and weed control products and
agricultural fertilizers.
(ix) Chemical resistance. (A) Chemical resistance shall be
determined by immersing representative nonmetallic material samples in
each of the following solutions for 72 hours at 222 deg.C
(71.64 deg.F):
(1) 3% sulfuric acid;
(2) 100 parts per million (ppm) trichloroethane in water;
(3) 0.2 N sodium hydroxide; and
(4) Unleaded high octane gasoline.
(B) There shall be no swelling, deformation, or softening of the
material samples or any discoloration of the solution.
(x) Ultraviolet resistance. Test panels of metallic and nonmetallic
outer housing materials shall be subjected to 700 hours exposure per
ASTM D 2565-92 using the type BH apparatus. The panels shall not exhibit
fading, blistering, checking, or delamination.
(xi) Weathertightness. The housing shall be mounted in its typical
field installation position and sprayed with water. The temperature of
the water shall be adjusted to be equal to or warmer than the
temperature of the cabinet interior to avoid the possibility of
condensation. A water spray head shall be used to direct water at the
housing so that the water stream will strike the assembly at a downward
angle of 45 degrees. The flow of the water shall be 3.8 liters per
minute (one gallon per minute), with 276 kilopascals (40 pounds per
square inch) head of pressure. The spray head shall be held 1.8 meters
(m) (6 feet (ft)) from the test cabinet. The spray head shall be
adjusted so that water impinges uniformly over the housing surface. The
duration of the test shall be five minutes. All vertical cabinet
surfaces shall be tested by this procedure. The exterior of the cabinet
shall be thoroughly dried with towels (no heat drying) prior to
examination of the housing interior. The interior of the housing shall
be checked for presence of water. Wetting of over-lapping surfaces is
permitted. There shall be no presence of water inside the housing.
(xii) Wind Resistance. (A)(1) Stub pole or wall mounted SAI and
large pair
[[Page 742]]
count splice housings shall be subjected to a load (F) as shown in
Figure 4 and the following table to simulate the turning moment
equivalent to a uniform wind load of 161 kilometers per hour (km/h) (100
miles per hour (mi/h)) perpendicular to the largest surface area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load
Maximum area of largest surface square centimeters -------------------
cm 2 (Square inches) (in.2) kg (lb)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,200 (800) or less................................. 18 (40)
5,201 to 9,100 (801 to 1,400)....................... 32 (70)
9,101 to 13,000 (1,401 to 2,000).................... 45 (100)
13,001 to 16,200 (2,001 to 2,500)................... 57 (125)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The procedures for housings with larger surface area will be
evaluated by RUS on a case-by-case basis.
(2) The housing shall remain in its original mounting position
throughout the test and exhibit no mechanical deformation.
(3) Figure 4 is as follows:
[[Page 743]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.003
(B)(1) Pad or ground mounted SAI or splice housings shall be
subjected to a load (F) as shown in Figure 5 and the following table to
simulate the overturning moment equivalent to a uniform wind load of 161
km/h (100 mi/h) perpendicular to the largest surface area.
[[Page 744]]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum area of Load
Height cm (in.) largest surface cm2 ---------------------
(in.2) kg (lb)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
122 (48) or less............ 11,000 (1,700) or 91 (200)
less.
11,001-13,000 (1,701- 104 (230)
2,000).
13,001-14,900 (2,001- 118 (260)
2,300).
123-152 (49-60)............. 11,700 (1,800) or 91 (200)
less.
11,701-14,300 (1,801- 109 (240)
2,200).
14,301-16,200 (2,201- 127 (280)
2,500).
16,201-18,800 (2,501- 145 (320)
2,900).
18,801-20,800 (2,901- 163 (360)
3,200).
20,801-23,400 (3,201- 181 (400)
3,600).
153-183 (61-72)............. 14,300 (2,200) or 109 (240)
less.
14,301-16,900 (2,201- 127 (280)
2,600).
16,901-19,500 (2,601- 150 (330)
3,000).
19,501-22,700 (3,001- 172 (380)
3,500).
22,701-25,300 (3,501- 190 (420)
3,900).
25,301-27,900 (3,901- 213 (470)
4,300).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The procedures for housings with larger surface areas will be
evaluated by RUS on a case-by-case basis
(2) The housing shall remain in its original mounting position
throughout the test and exhibit no mechanical deformation.
(3) Figure 5 is as follows:
[[Page 745]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.004
(xiii) Fire resistance.(A) The test housing shall be installed in a
manner typical of field installation. U.S. No. 1 wheat straw shall be
placed on the ground around the housing base in an one meter (3 ft)
radius at an approximate depth of 10 cm (4 in.). The straw shall be
ignited and permitted to burn fully. After the housing has cooled, its
contents shall be inspected for evidence of ignition, melting, burning,
or structural damage. Damage sufficient to impair service constitutes
failure.
[[Page 746]]
(B) Polymeric materials shall be tested in accordance with the
Underwriters Laboratories Publication (UL) 94, dated June 18, 1991.
Materials used in housing components shall have a rating of 94V-0 or
94V-1 and shall not sustain combustion when an open flame source is
removed.
(4) Mechanical requirements for housings--(i) Impact resistance. The
test housing shall be subjected to the following impacts according to
its minimum volume or minimum width and depth as shown in the following
table:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impact force
Minimum volume cm3 (in.3) Minimum width or ----------------
depth cm (in.) N-m (lb-ft)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 35,000 (2,100)......... Less than 13 (5).... 68 (50)
35,000 (2,100) or greater........ 13 (5) or greater... 136 (100)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) The impact force shall be delivered to the front, back, and top
surfaces. Circular housings shall be impacted on side surfaces 180
deg.apart and on the top. The device used to deliver the force shall be
spherical and approximately 25 to 31 cm (10 to 12 in.) in diameter. A
typical test procedure may include the use of a hard rubber bowling
ball, weighing 6 to 7 kg (13 to 16 lb), enclosed in a mesh bag, attached
to a rope with a metal ring. The load shall be dropped vertically on the
top surface and applied to the sides with a pendulum motion using the
appropriate height and extension arm to achieve the required impact
force. The housing must be impacted at the approximate mid-point of the
surface area.
(B) Housings shall be conditioned for a minimum of eight hours at -
40 deg.C (-40 deg.F) in an environmental chamber prior to testing. If
the chamber is insufficient in size to conduct tests within the chamber,
the housing may be removed and shall be tested within 10 minutes after
removal.
(C) After impact testing, the housing shall not exhibit fractured or
ruptured surfaces sufficient to allow the ingress of moisture or dust.
The housing shall not exhibit mechanical damage that would impair the
functioning of hinges, latches, locks, etc.
(ii) Load deflection. Free standing buried plant housings shall be
tested for load deflection in accordance with Figure 6. The assembled
housing shall be rigidly held in place by a mechanical means to simulate
a normal field installation. A length of wire or cable, or other
suitable material, shall be placed around the top section of the housing
and deadended. The wire or cable shall be initially tensioned to 23 kg
(50 lb). A measurement shall then be taken of the deflection of the
housing at the top as shown in Figure 6. The deflection shall be
recorded at incremental loads of 23 kg (50 lb) until destruction of the
housing occurs. The average load for the three directions shall not be
less than 136 kg (300 lb) and the minimum load in any direction shall be
113 kg (250 lb). Failure is defined as housing component fracture or
crazing of the housing's surface finish. Figure 6 is as follows:
[[Page 747]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.005
(iii) Vibration requirements. The test housing and its contents
shall be subjected to acceleration at a sine wave frequency sweep rate
as shown in Figure 7 for a housing packaged for shipment and Figure 8
for an unpackaged housing. The frequency sweep may be performed
continually or sequentially. The test shall be conducted once along each
of three mutually perpendicular axes of the housing. There shall be no
mechanical or electrical degradation of the housing or its contents.
Noticeable damage to the housing constitutes failure. Figure 7 and
Figure 8 are as follows:
[[Page 748]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.006
[[Page 749]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.007
(iv) Drop test requirements. Housings shall be subjected to
appropriate drop tests according to their weight. The drop tests shall
be performed on housings and their contents as normally packaged as well
as on unpackaged housings. The tests shall be conducted on a smooth
level concrete floor or similar unyielding surface. For corner drops,
the packaged housing and its contents shall be oriented at impact such
that a straight line drawn through the struck corner and package
geometric center is approximately perpendicular to the impact surface.
(A) Packaged housings and their contents weighing 91 kg (200 lb) or
less
[[Page 750]]
shall be capable of enduring a single drop on each face or corner
without damage from a height specified as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drop
Packaged housing including contents weight kg (lb) height cm
(in.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 to 9 (0 to 20)............................................. 76 (30)
10 to 23 (21 to 50).......................................... 61 (24)
24 to 45 (51 to 100)......................................... 53 (21)
46 to 91 (101 to 200)........................................ 46 (18)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) Packaged housings and their contents weighing more than 91 kg
(200 lb) shall be capable of enduring a single drop on each of two
diagonally opposite corners of the package without significant damage
from a height specified as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drop
Packaged housing including contents weight kg (lb) height cm
(in.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
92 to 453 (201 to 1000)...................................... 30 (12)
Over to 453 (1000)........................................... 15 (6)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The packaged housing and contents shall be placed on its normal
shipping base with one corner supported 15 cm (6 in.) above the floor
and the other corner of the same end supported 30 cm (12 in.) above the
floor as shown in Figure 9. The unsupported end of the package shall be
raised so that the lowest corner reaches the height listed above and
then allowed to fall freely. Figure 9 is as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.008
[[Page 751]]
(2) The procedure of paragraph (e)(4)(iv)(B)(1) of this section
shall be repeated for the diagonally opposite corner.
(3) The packaged housing and contents shall be capable of enduring a
single drop on each edge of the base of its normal shipping position
from the required height without damage and shall remain operational
without function impairment. The packaged housing and contents shall be
placed on its base with one edge supported on a sill 15 cm (6 in.) high
and the unsupported edge raised to the required height as shown in
Figure 10 and allowed to fall freely. Figure 10 is as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.009
(4) The procedure of (e)(4)(iv)(B)(3) of this section shall be
repeated for all edges of the base.
(C) Unpackaged housings and their contents weighing 23 kg (50 lb) or
less shall be capable of enduring a single drop on each face and
adjacent corners without significant damage from a height specified as
follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drop
Packaged housing including contents weight kg (lb) height cm
(in.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 to 9 (0 to 20)............................................. 10 (4)
10 to 23 (21 to 50).......................................... 8 (3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D)(1) Unpackaged housings and their contents weighing more than 23
kg (50 lb) shall be capable of enduring a single drop without
significant damage when lifted by its normal hoisting supports as shown
in Figure 11 and with its lowest point at a height specified as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drop
Packaged housing including contents weight kg (lb) height cm
(in.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
23 to 45 (51 to 100)......................................... 5 (2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Figure 11 is as follows:
[[Page 752]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.010
(v) Firearms resistance. All housings shall be tested for resistance
to penetration by direct impact from a 12 gauge shotgun equipped with a
modified choke and the use of a 3\3/4\ dram equivalent powder charge and
35 grams 6 lead shot fired from a distance of 15 m (50 ft). The
12 gauge shotgun shall be fired from a normal standing position at the
front side of the housing. Penetration through the housing wall by the
lead shot shall constitute failure.
(vi) Lifting hardware requirements. The lifting hardware on housings
and their contents that weigh more than 91 kg (200 lb) shall be tested.
The housing shall be fastened to a restraining device such as a concrete
slab and subjected to loading through the lifting attachments to
simulate the lifting
[[Page 753]]
load. For the first test a lifting line equipped with a dynamometer
shall be attached to the housing lifting hardware and a load applied
equal to three times the weight of a fully equipped housing. Deformation
or damage to the housing or lifting hardware constitutes failure. A
second test shall be conducted with the same arrangements as for the
first except that a load shall be applied equal to six times the weight
of a fully equipped housing. There shall be no catastrophic failure of
the lifting hardware or housing.
(vii) Stub cable strain relief tests. Housings equipped with cable
stubs and cable shipping retainer shall be tested by lifting a test
housing, with the maximum length and weight of cable orderable, in a
manner causing the full weight of the cable to be supported by the
cabinet. Examination of the cable sheath after lifting shall reveal no
tearing, rupturing, or other damage. The cable conductors and shield
shall be tested for shorts and opens. Electrical defects to the stub
cable or damage to the housing constitutes failure.
(viii) Door restrainer evaluation. (A) The housing shall be
positioned with the door held in the open position by the door
restraining device. A load, determined in accordance with the following
table, shall be applied to the center of the door, perpendicular to the
door and in each of the opening and closing directions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load kg
Maximum area of door surface cm\2\ (in\2\.) (lb)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,200 (800) or less........................................ 72 (160)
5,201 to 9,100 (801 to 1,400).............................. 127 (280)
9,101 to 13,000 (1,401 to 2,000)........................... 181 (400)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Test procedures for housings with larger doors will be evaluated
by RUS on a case-by-case basis.
(B) There shall be no functional failure of the restraining device
nor mechanical damage to the housing.
(ix) Security evaluation. The security locking device shall be
capable of withstanding a maximum torque of 2.8 N-m (25 lb-in.) without
incurring physical damage to the closure, thereby resulting in a
condition where the closure cannot be either accessed or locked.
(5) Electrical requirements for housings. Each bonding stud and nut
location shall be evaluated by attaching one lead from a dc or
alternating current (ac) power source to a bonding stud with the nut
torqued as specified by its manufacturer and the other power source lead
connected to the closure grounding conductor connector. The current path
thus established must be capable of sustaining a current of 1,000
amperes root-mean-square for at least 20 seconds without fusing or
causing any damage to the closure or its contents.
(6) Finish requirements--(i) Impact resistance. The finish on
painted metal surfaces shall not exhibit radial cracking on the impact
surface (intrusion) when indented at 18 N-m (160 lb-in.) with a 1.6 cm
(0.6 in.) diameter spherical indentor. This test shall be performed in
accordance with ASTM D 2794-92 with the exception that the test panel
shall be of the same material, thickness, and finish as the pedestal
housing being evaluated.
(ii) Finish adhesion. Painted finishes shall be tested for adhesion
of finish in accordance with ASTM D 2197-86 (Reapproved 1991), Method A.
There shall be no gouging in the top coat when tested with an 8 kg (17.7
lb) load. Gouging is defined as removal or separation of paint particles
or breaking of the finish by the scraping loop to the extent of exposing
base metal.
(iii) Color evaluation. The color of the housing finish should be
compared against the Munsell system of color notation, as described in
ASTM D 1535-89 to determine color consistency with that desired.
(iv) Gloss evaluation. The finish on painted housings shall be
tested on two approximately 20 cm x 20 cm (8 in. x 8 in.) samples for
each color used in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D 523-89. The
finish shall have a minimum gloss of 60 (60 deg.Specular).
(v) Secondary finish evaluation. Evidence of secondary protection
shall be required for RUS acceptance. Typical secondary protection is
galvanizing per ASTM A 526/A 526M-90 for steel surfaces.
(f) Functional design criteria for binding post terminal blocks used
in SAI cabinets--(1) General description. A conventional binding post
terminal consists of a metallic element or post, one end of which is
configured for the permanent connection of 22, 24, or 26 AWG solid
copper conductors and the opposite end
[[Page 754]]
is configured for recurring connections and disconnections of solid
copper cross-connect wire using a threaded screw or stud and nut
combination for gripping the wire. The terminal is usually housed in a
SAI cabinet. However, the terminal may receive limited use in smaller
pedestal-type housings and pole mounted cabinets in the outside plant
environment.
(2) Design and fabrication requirements. (i) Terminal blocks used in
outside plant housings are expected to perform satisfactorily for a
nominal design life of 30 years.
(ii) All individual terminals or terminal fields must be enclosed
and the terminal enclosure must be totally filled with an encapsulating
grease or gel which prevents connection degradation caused by moisture
and corrosion. The encapsulant must provide complete encapsulation of
terminal metallic connections and surfaces and totally fill all voids
and cavities within individual terminal enclosures or terminal field
enclosures to prevent ingress of moisture. The encapsulant must not
restrict access to the terminal or restrict craft personnel from making
connections. The encapsulant must be compatible with the standard
materials used in cross-connect hardware and wiring.
(iii) Binding post terminals shall not be susceptible to damage
under normal use of standard tools used by outside plant technicians
such as screwdrivers and test set clips. In addition, use of other tools
such as scissors, diagonal cutters and long nose pliers for tightening
and loosening screws shall not result in damage to the terminal.
(iv) Terminals shall be designed so that a typical technician using
customary tools shall be able to terminate cross-connect wire on a pair
of terminals, or to remove it, without causing an electrical short
between any two terminals or any other adjacent terminals.
(v) The terminal count sequence shall be indicated using numerals of
at least 0.25 cm (0.10 in.) in height.
(vi) A means shall be provided to distinguish feeder terminals from
distribution terminals.
(vii) A means shall be provided to identify tip terminals and ring
terminals in a terminal field. The identification convention shall
indicate tip on the left with ring on the right for horizontal spacing
and tip on the top with ring on the bottom for vertical spacing.
(viii) The preferred height of the highest terminal in the connector
field in a ground mounted SAI unit shall be 168 cm (66 in.) or less as
measured from the top surface of the mounting pad. The bottom or lowest
terminals in the connector field shall be at least 46 cm (18 in.) from
the top surface of the pad.
(ix) Pole mounted aerial units shall be 84 cm (33 in.) or less in
width. The maximum allowable height of the highest terminals in a pole
mounted aerial unit is 168 cm (66 in.) as measured from the top surface
of the standard balcony seat used with the interface. For computation
purposes, 15 cm (6 in.) shall be allowed for the distance between the
bottom of the interface and the top of the balcony seat.
(3) Auxiliary features. (i) SAI cabinets with terminal designs which
do not permit direct attachment of common test instrument clips to
terminal pairs without the occurrence of shorts shall be equipped with
single pair auxiliary test contacts. The auxiliary test contacts shall
attach to a terminal pair and provide a set of secondary terminals which
will accept typical test instrument clips without the occurrence of
shorts. Wire used to connect the auxiliary test contacts to the
secondary terminals shall be 20 gauge minimum stranded conductor copper
wire with a minimum dielectric strength between conductors of 15 kv. The
test connector shall be functional on all terminal pairs.
(ii) A 25 or 50 pair test connector shall be available which can be
used to make reliable electrical contact to terminals associated with
discrete 25 pair binder groups. The multi-pair test connector shall be
provided with a minimum of 1.8 m (6 ft) of suitable cabling terminated
to a connector, for interfacing with test sets common to the industry.
The multi-pair test connector shall be functional on all terminal
groups.
(iii) A special service marker shall be available which must attach
to a binding post terminal to identify special circuits and insulate
exposed metal
[[Page 755]]
parts from accidental shorts from tools and wires. A supply of 25
special service markers shall be provided with each SAI cabinet. The
color of special service markers shall be red.
(iv)(A) A supply of twisted pair cross-connect wire shall be
supplied with housings that are equipped with cross-connect terminals or
that have provisions for mounting cross-connect terminals. The minimum
length of cross-connect wire supplied is dependent on the SAI cabinet
terminal capacity as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cabinet termination capacity (pairs) Wire length
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 to 600........................................... 60 m (200 ft)
601 to 1200.......................................... 120 m (400 ft)
Over 1200............................................ 180 m (600 ft)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B) The cabinet shall be equipped to store the length of wire in a
manner designed for convenient dispensing. The cross-connect wire supply
shall be easily replaceable.
(g) Performance criteria and test procedures for binding post
terminal blocks used in SAI cabinets--(1) General. Many of the tests
described in this section require that the terminal block be installed
in an appropriate housing in its typical field configuration.
(2) Environmental requirements--(i) Insulation resistance/high
humidity and salt fog exposure. A test specimen shall consist of a
standard ground or pole mounted housing equipped with a full complement
of binding post terminals equipped with 25 special service markers. The
minimum number of terminals to be tested shall be 100 pair (100 tips and
100 associated rings). The test terminals shall be selected to form a
terminal array of approximate square dimensions. A 1 cm (36 in.) length
of cross-connect wire shall be installed on each test terminal. All tips
shall be joined together and all rings shall be joined together with a
48 volt dc potential applied as shown in Figure 12 during the high
humidity/salt fog and simulated rain exposures. The 48 volt dc may be
temporarily removed from the test samples during the measurement process
and the ring terminal being measured shall be isolated from the
remaining ring terminals. The terminal insulation resistance shall be
measured at a potential of 100 volts dc using suitable instrumentation
with a minimum measurement range of 10\4\ to 10\12\ ohms. Figure 12 is
as follows:
[[Page 756]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.011
(A) High humidity. The test housing shall be placed in an
environmental test chamber at 953% RH and the temperature
cycled as shown in Figure 3 in paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section for
a period of 30 days. The cabinet doors shall remain in the fully open
position. The insulation resistance between the ring terminal of each
sample and all the common tip terminals shall be measured each 24 hours
when the temperature is between 38 and 57 deg.C (100 and 135 deg.F)
and increasing. The minimum insulation resistance when measured in
accordance with paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section shall not be less
than 1x106 ohms.
(B) Salt fog. A test housing with its doors closed shall be placed
in a salt fog 35 deg.C (95 deg.F) test chamber and exposed to a salt
fog spray per ASTM B 117-90 for a period of 30 days. The insulation
resistance should be measured every 24 hours as indicated in paragraph
(g)(2)(i) of the section and shall not be less than 1x106
ohms. The special service markers shall exhibit no sign of fading,
corrosion, swelling, warping, running color, or other signs of
deterioration.
(ii) Insulation resistance/simulated rain exposure. (A) A test
housing as described in paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section shall be
tested for water infiltration. The test shall be conducted using the
method described in paragraph (e)(3)(xi) of this section. The cabinet
doors shall remain closed for the duration of the test. The insulation
resistance between the ring terminals and the common tip terminals shall
be measured during and immediately following the spray application as
indicated in paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section and shall not be less
than 1x10\6\ ohms.
(B) With the cabinet doors open, a spray of tap water at a rate of
3.8 liters per minute (1 gallon per minute) at 276 kilo-pascals (40
pounds per square inch)
[[Page 757]]
shall be directed on the terminal array for a period of 1 minute
saturating all of the terminals. Following the spray application the
doors shall be closed. The cabinet shall be maintained in a temperature
environment of 26 to 28 deg.C (78 to 82 deg.F) at 953% RH
for 6 hours. The insulation resistance shall then be measured as
specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section. The minimum insulation
resistance shall not be less than 1x106 ohms.
(iii) Contact resistance. A minimum of 100 terminals equipped with
cross-connect wire that has been installed in a manner typical of that
used in the industry shall be temperature cycled.
(A) The test shall consist of eight-hour temperature cycles with
one-hour dwells at extreme temperatures of -40 deg.C to +60 deg.C (-40
deg.F to +140 deg.F), and temperature changes at an average rate of 16
deg.C (60 deg.F) per hour between the extremes. The relative humidity
shall be maintained at 953%. The eight-hour test shall be
conducted for 512 cycles. Millivolt drop measurements shall be made
initially and after 2, 8, 16, 32, 64, 256, and 512 cycles with the
samples at room temperature. The resistance measurement technique must
conform to ASTM B 539-90. The measurement method must have an accuracy
of at least 30 microohms for resistances less than 50
milliohms. The change in contact resistance shall not exceed 2
milliohms.
(B) A minimum of 100 terminals equipped with cross-connect wire
installed in a manner typical of the industry shall be maintained at 118
deg.C (245 deg.F) during the test period, except during disturbance
measurement periods where each wire connection to the terminals shall
have a 0.23 kg (0.5 lb) force momentarily applied in a manner to stress
the connection. Initial millivolt measurements shall be made without
disturbing the joints in accordance with paragraph (g)(2)(iii)(A) of
this section with the samples at room temperature. After initial
measurement each sample shall be disturbed followed by a millivolt drop
measurement after 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 33 days. The change in contact
resistance should be less than 2 milliohms when compared to the initial
measurement.
(iv) Fire resistance. A fully equipped cabinet including a full
complement of cross-connect jumpers shall be installed in the standard
field arrangement and tested for fire resistance in accordance with
paragraphs (e)(3)(xiii) introductory text through (e)(3)(xiii)(B) of
this section. After cooling, the cabinet, terminals, and associated
wiring shall be inspected for signs of ignition, melting, burning, or
structural damage of sufficient consequences such that the results are
service affecting.
(v) Encapsulant material compatibility. The terminal connection
encapsulant compound must be compatible with the standard materials used
in cross-connect hardware and wiring when aged in accordance with ASTM D
4568-86 at a temperature of 801 deg.C (176 2
deg.F). The conductor insulation shall retain a minimum of 85% of its
unaged tensile strength and elongation values. The cross-connect
hardware shall exhibit no visible material degradation.
(vi) Encapsulant flow test. Terminal connection encapsulant must
remain stable at 801 deg.C (1762 deg.F) when
tested in an environmental chamber. Test specimens shall be suspended in
a preheated oven over a glass dish or other drip-catching medium for a
period of 24 hours. At the end of the test period, the glass dish shall
be examined for evidence of flowing or dripping of encapsulant from the
cross-connect terminal. More than 0.5 gram of encapsulant in the dish at
the end of the test constitutes failure.
(3) Mechanical requirements--(i) Vibration. A test housing equipped
with a full complement of cross-connect terminals and jumper wiring
shall be subjected to vibration testing in accordance with paragraph
(e)(4)(iii) of this section.
(ii) Torsional capacity of binding posts. The test specimens shall
consist of the complete binding post terminal consisting of the screw or
nut, washers if required, and threaded post or stud respectively.
(A) Test specimens shall include the terminals along the matrix edge
at mid-span locations as well as centrally located terminals. Tests
shall be conducted using a torque indicating screwdriver, or wrench,
with an accuracy of
[[Page 758]]
0.17 N-m (1.5 lb-in.) or better. The torque
indicating device shall be used to tighten a screw or nut until failure
of the screw or nut is achieved. Tests shall be conducted while the test
specimen is stabilized at temperatures of -40 deg.C, 20 deg.C, and 71
deg.C (-40 deg.F, +68 deg.F, and at +160 deg.F). Record the torques
at terminal failure. At least 10 test specimens shall be tested at each
temperature. The failure torque shall not be less than 2.8 N-m (25.0 lb-
in.) for each temperature.
(B) The post or stud of the binding post terminal shall not fail
before the screw or nut when increasing torque. The faceplate or
receptacle restraining the post or stud shall not fail before the screw
or nut when increasing torque.
(iii) Lateral loading capacity of binding posts. A minimum of three
sets of 25 terminals shall be tested with the test specimens stabilized
at temperatures of -40 deg.C, 20 deg.C and 71 deg.C (-40 deg.F, +68
deg.F, and 100 deg.F). The test arrangement shall include the terminals
along the matrix edge at mid-span locations as well as centrally located
terminals. A force measuring device, such as a dynamometer, shall be
attached to the end of a binding post terminal and a 16 kg (35 lb) force
applied orthogonally to the terminal axis in 4 perpendicular directions
as shown in Figure 13. Permanent deformation in excess of 0.08 cm (0.03
in.) or any structural damage in either the terminal or faceplate
constitutes a failure. Figure 13 is as follows:
[[Page 759]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.012
(iv) Axial pullout resistance. A minimum of three sets of 25
terminals shall be tested with the test specimens stabilized at
temperatures of -40 deg.C, 20 deg.C, and 71 deg.C (-40 deg.F, +68
deg.F, and 100 deg.F). The test arrangement shall include the terminals
along the matrix edge at mid-span locations as well as centrally located
terminals. A force measuring device, such as a dynamometer, shall be
attached to a terminal and a force of 16 kg (35 lb) applied on axis as
shown in Figure 14. There shall be no permanent deformation in excess of
0.08 cm (0.03 in.), any structural damage, or terminal pull-out in
either the terminal or the faceplate. Figure 14 is as follows:
[[Page 760]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC94.013
(v) Test connector reliability. (A) A single pair connector shall be
capable of making a minimum of 100 successive connections to binding
post terminals without the occurrence of an open circuit. The test shall
include terminals along the matrix edge, center, top, and bottom.
(B) A multi-pair test connector shall be attached to the binding
post terminal field and tests for opens between the binding post
terminals and the test
[[Page 761]]
connector shall be conducted. All circuits must prove good. The test
shall be repeated along the terminal matrix edges, center, top, and
bottom.
(vi) Service cycle reliability. A torque indicating device or wrench
with an accuracy of 0.17 N-m (1.5 lb-in.) or
better shall be used to tighten the terminal screw or nut as appropriate
to 1.7 N-m (15.0 lb-in.). The terminal nut or screw is then loosened and
retightened to 1.7 N-m (15 lb-in.). After 50 repeated connections and
disconnections, the terminal shall be placed in an environmental chamber
at 95% RH where the temperature shall be cycled as indicated in Figure 3
in paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section for a duration of 72 hours. The
terminal shall then be momentarily removed from the chamber and the test
procedure repeated. After a total of 250 loosening and retightening
cycles have accumulated, the terminal must be capable of withstanding a
torque of 1.7 N-m (15 lb-in.).
(4) Dielectric strength. All housing components in the vicinity of
unsheathed field cable conductors, unsheathed housing stub cable or
harness conductors, terminals, or cross-connect wire paths shall have a
minimum dielectric strength of 500 volts ac to the cabinet grounding and
bonding bracket. Dielectric strength is tested by connecting one lead
from a 500-volt ac at 0.5 ampere source to the cabinet ground connector
and the other lead is passed along the surfaces of all cabinet
components in the vicinity of unsheathed cable or harness conductors,
cross-connect wire paths, and in the splice area where unsheathed field
cable conductors may be located. Sparkover constitutes failure.
(5) Operational requirements--(i) Durability. In order to verify the
durability requirements while minimizing the number of test housings
required to complete the test program, the binding posts selected for
tests shall be separately identified and then checked to establish
compliance after the various tests have been conducted.
(ii) Twenty-five jumper connections shall be made on each of two
binding post connectors chosen at random from a representative sample in
an assembled interface unit. After exposure to this test, these and
adjacent connectors shall be inspected for damage such as cracks or
chips in metal or plastic parts. Failure consists of structural damage,
open circuits through the connector, or inability to pass the torsional,
lateral loading, or axial pullout tests described in paragraphs
(g)(3)(ii) through (g)(3)(iv) of this section.
(iii) Select six binding posts at random in a representative
interface. On each connector, attach any test cord included with the
unit and then remove the test cord as follows. On binding post sample 1,
remove the cord normally ten times. On binding post sample 2, remove the
cord ten times by jerking the test leads straight out. In these and the
remaining tests, do this without releasing any manual attachment
mechanisms. On sample 3, remove ten times by jerking downward at 45
deg.from horizontal; sample 4, upward at 45 deg.ten times; sample 5,
left 45 deg.ten times; sample 6, right 45 deg.ten times. Check for
opens and damage in the test cord, clips, and connectors. Failure
consists of structural damage, open circuits through the connector, or
inability of the terminal blocks to pass the torsional, lateral loading,
axial pullout, test connector reliability, or dielectric strength tests
described in paragraphs (g)(3)(ii) through (g)(3)(v)(B), and paragraph
(g)(4) of this section.
(iv) Use craft tools such as scissors, diagonal cutters, and long
nose pliers to loosen and tighten screws where the binding post design
does not prohibit the possibility. Failure consists of severe structural
damage.
(h) Functional design criteria for insulation displacement type
cross-connect modules used in SAI cabinets--(1) General description.
Cross-connect modules normally consist of multiple metallic contact
elements that are retained by nonmetallic fixtures. The contact elements
are spliced with permanent wire leads compatible for splicing to 22, 24,
or 26 gauge cable on one side and configured for the acceptance of
recurring connections and disconnections of plastic insulated cross-
connect wire on the other side. Cross-connect modules are usually housed
in a SAI cabinet. However, modules may receive limited usage in smaller
pedestal-type
[[Page 762]]
housings and cabinets in the outside plant environment.
(2) Design and fabrication requirements. (i) All individual
terminals or terminal fields must be enclosed and the terminal
enclosures must be totally filled with an encapsulating grease or gel
which prevents connection degradation caused by moisture and corrosion.
The encapsulant must provide complete encapsulation of terminal metallic
connections and surfaces and totally fill all voids and cavities within
individual terminal enclosures or terminal field enclosures to prevent
ingress of moisture. The encapsulant must not restrict access to the
terminal or restrict craft personnel from making connections. The
encapsulant must be compatible with the standard materials used in
cross-connect hardware and wiring.
(ii) The cross-connect module manufacturer shall make available any
nonstandard tools and test apparatus which are required for splicing,
placing of jumpers, and the performance of maintenance operations.
(iii) The module shall be designed so that a typical outside plant
technician using tools shall be able to terminate cross-connect wire on
terminals, or to remove them without causing electrical shorts between
any other terminals.
(iv) The pair count sequence terminated on a module shall be easily
visible and shall have numerals of at least 0.25 cm (0.10 in.) in
height.
(v) Feeder terminations shall be easily distinguished from
distribution terminations.
(vi) Tip and ring terminations shall be easily visible and shall be
identifiable as described in paragraph (f)(2)(vi) of this section.
(vii) The preferred locations for cross-connect modules to be
mounted inside a housing is the same as those for terminals and are
described in paragraphs (f)(2)(vii) and (f)(2)(viii) of this section.
(3) Auxiliary features. (i) Housings equipped with cross-connect
modules shall be equipped with auxiliary test contacts as described in
paragraphs (f)(3)(i) and (f)(3)(ii) of this section.
(ii) Special service markers shall be available for cross-connect
modules as described in paragraph (f)(3)(iii) of this section.
(iii) Housings equipped with, or designed for, cross-connect modules
shall contain a supply of cross-connect wire as described in paragraph
(f)(3)(iv) of this section.
(i) Performance criteria and test procedures for insulation
displacement type cross-connect modules--(1) General. Many of the tests
described in this section require that the cross-connect module be
installed in an appropriate housing in its typical field configuration
for testing. Resistance measurements should be made with an electrical
device which measures changes in resistance for each test parameter
measured. The tests specified provide an indication of the stability of
the electrical connections under the test conditions encountered.
(2) Environmental requirements. (i) A fully equipped arrangement of
cross-connect modules having approximately 25 special service markers
shall successfully complete environmental testing in accordance with
paragraphs (e)(3) introductory text through (e)(3)(xiii)(B) of this
section.
(ii) Insulation resistance/high humidity and salt fog exposure.
Insulation resistance measurements shall not be less than 1x10\6\ ohms
when cross-connect modules are tested by a procedure similar to that
described in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) introductory text through (g)(2)(i)(B)
of this section.
(iii) Insulation resistance/simulated rain exposure. Insulation
resistance measurements shall not be less than 1x10\6\ ohms when cross-
connect modules are tested by a procedure similar to that described in
and paragraphs (g)(2)(ii) introductory text through (g)(2)(ii)(B) of
this section.
(iv) Contact resistance. The change in contact resistance should not
exceed 2 milliohms when cross-connect modules are tested by a procedure
similar to that described in paragraphs (g)(2)(iii) introductory text
through (g)(2)(iii)(B) of this section.
(v) Fire resistance. A housing fully equipped with cross-connect
modules and jumper wiring shall be tested for fire resistance by a
procedure similar to that described in paragraph (g)(2)(iv) of this
section.
[[Page 763]]
(vi) Encapsulant material compatibility. Cross-connect wire
insulation and cross-connect hardware shall exhibit no visible material
degradation when tested by the procedure described in paragraph
(g)(2)(v) of this section.
(vii) Encapsulant flow test. The cross-connect contact encapsulant
shall drip no more than 0.5 gram when tested by the procedure described
in paragraph (g)(2)(vi) of this section.
(3) Mechanical requirements--(i) Vibration. A housing fully equipped
with cross-connect modules shall be vibration tested in accordance with
paragraph (g)(3)(i) of this section.
(ii) Test connector reliability. The test connectors supplied with
housings intended for cross-connect modules shall successfully complete
100 successive connections as described in paragraphs (g)(3)(v)
introductory text through (g)(3)(v)(B) of this section.
(iii) Service cycle reliability. A combination of multiple
insertions of jumper wires, vibration, and temperature cycling shall be
performed on cross-connect modules. The multiple insertions on
approximately 100 connections shall be accomplished by 300 operations
consisting of insertion, removal and reinsertion of new jumper wire.
Contact resistance shall be measured and the final insertion of jumper
wire shall not be removed from the connectors but must be subjected to
vibration testing in accordance with paragraph (g)(3)(i) of this section
and temperature cycled as indicated in Figure 3 in paragraph (e)(3)(ii)
of this section for a duration of 72 hours. After vibration and
temperature cycling, the average change in contact resistance shall be
no greater than 2 milliohms.
(iv) Jumper wire pull-out resistance. Test modules that have
received no prior conditioning shall be equipped with 100 38 cm (15 in.)
jumper connections of the gauges recommended for use with the module
using the insertion tool recommended by the cross-connect module
manufacturer. With the test samples suitably supported, wires from each
sample shall be pulled, one at a time, by a tensile machine at a cross-
head speed of 6 centimeters per minute (cm/min) (2.4 inches per minute
(in./min)). Wires shall be pulled both perpendicular and parallel to the
plane of the cross-connect field and shall withstand a load of at least
1.1 kg (2.5 lb) before pulling out.
(v) Cable conductor pull-out resistance. Test modules that have
received no prior conditioning shall be equipped with 100 26, 24, and 22
AWG 38 cm (15 in.) cable conductors using the insertion tool recommended
by the cross-connect module manufacturer. With the test samples suitably
supported, conductors from each sample shall be pulled, one at a time,
by a tensile machine at a cross-head speed of 6 cm/min (2.4 in./min).
Wires shall be pulled both perpendicular and parallel to the plane of
the face of the splice module and shall withstand a load of at least 1.1
kg (2.5 lb) before pulling out.
(4) Electrical requirements--(i) Dielectric strength. A housing
fully equipped with cross-connect modules shall be tested for dielectric
strength in accordance with (g)(4) of this section.
(ii) The dielectric strength of a contact within the cross-connect
module to contacts on either side shall be tested. The module shall be
tested in a dry environment with an ac power source capable of supplying
8 kv at a rate of increase of 500 volts per second, a circuit breaker to
open at breakdown, and a voltmeter to record the breakdown potential.
Cross-connect modules shall be prepared in accordance with industry
accepted splicing techniques with leads trimmed to approximately 38 cm
(15 in.). The dielectric strength of each contact to the contacts on
either side shall have an average dielectric strength of approximately
5.0 kv.
(5) Operational requirements--(i) Durability. In order to verify the
durability requirements while minimizing the number of test housings
required to complete the test program, the contacts selected for tests
shall be separately identified and then checked to establish compliance
after the various tests have been conducted.
(ii) Twenty-five jumper connections shall be made on each of two
contacts chosen at random from a representative sample in an assembled
interface unit. After this test, these and surrounding contacts shall be
inspected for damage such as cracks or chips in metal or plastic parts.
Failure consists of structural damage, open circuits
[[Page 764]]
through the connector, or inability to pass the jumper wire pullout
tests described in paragraph (i)(3)(iv) of this section.
(iii) Select six contacts at random in a representative interface.
On each of these contacts attach any test cord included with the unit as
specified under normal use of that cord and then remove the test cord as
follows. On sample 1, remove the cord normally ten times. On sample 2,
remove the clip ten times by jerking the test leads straight out. In
these and the remaining tests, do this without releasing any manual
attachment mechanisms. On sample 3, remove ten times by jerking downward
at 45 deg.from horizontal; sample 4, upward 45 deg.ten times; sample
5, left 45 deg.ten times; sample 6, right 45 deg.ten times. Check for
opens and damage in the test cord, clips, and cross-connect modules.
Failure consists of structural damage, open circuits through the
connector, or inability of module to pass the test connector
reliability, jumper wire pullout, and dielectric strength tests
described in paragraphs (i)(3)(ii), (i)(3)(iv), and (i)(4)(ii) of this
section.
(j) Packaging and identification requirements--(1) Product
identification. (i) Each housing, terminal block, or cross-connect
module shall be permanently marked with the manufacturer's name or trade
mark.
(ii) The date of manufacture, model number, serial number and RUS
assigned designations shall be placed on a decal inside housings. The
product identification nomenclature must correspond with the
nomenclature used in the manufacturer's quality assurance program.
(2) Packaging requirements. (i) Buried plant housings shall be
packaged securely in an environmentally safe container to prevent either
deterioration or physical damage to the unit during shipment, handling
and storage.
(ii) The product with all the necessary parts shall be shipped in
one container unless significant advantages to the user can be obtained
otherwise. Packaging of parts in the carton shall be such that the parts
become available in the order in which they are needed. The package
should be clearly marked as to which end to open. Packages shall be
clearly labeled, and correspond to the names given in the instructions.
(iii) Products packed in shipping containers shall be cushioned,
blocked, braced, and anchored to prevent movement and damage.
(iv) All products shall be secured to pallets with non-metallic
strapping. The strapping and the manner employed shall be of sufficient
quantity, width, and thickness to preclude failure during transit and
handling.
(v) The use of shrink or stretch film to secure the load to the
pallet is permitted. However, such film must be applied over the
required strapping.
(vi) Containers that are too large or heavy to be palletized, such
as crates, shall be shipped in their own containers. When practical,
these containers shall be provided with skids to facilitate fork-lift
handling.
(vii) When packaged, the outer cartons shall meet the requirements
of the Uniform Freight Classification and the National Motor Freight
Classification.
(3) Container marking requirements. (i) The package shall be readily
identifiable as to the manufacturer, model number, date of manufacture,
and serial number.
(ii) The RUS assigned housing designation shall be stamped or marked
on the outside of the package container with letter and number sizes
large enough for easy identification.
(iii) Each package shall be marked with its approximate gross
weight.
(iv) All containers carrying delicate or fragile items shall be
marked to clearly identify this condition.
(v) All marking shall be clear, legible, and as large as space
permits.
(The information and recordkeeping requirements of this section have
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control
number 0572-0059)
[59 FR 53044, Oct. 21, 1994]
PART 1757--TELEPHONE SYSTEMS OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE [RESERVED]
[[Page 765]]