§  68.215   Installation of other than "fully protected" system premises wiring
that serves more than four subscriber access lines.

   (a) Types of wiring authorized--(1) Between equipment entities.
   Unprotected premises wiring, and protected premises wiring requiring
   acceptance testing for imbalance, may be used to connect
   separately-housed equipment entities to one another.

   (2) Between an equipment entity and the public switched telephone
   network interface(s). Fully-protected premises wiring shall be used to
   connect equipment entities to the public switched telephone network
   interface unless the provider of wireline telecommunications is
   unwilling or unable to locate the interface within 7.6 meters (25 feet)
   of the equipment entity on reasonable request. In any such case, other
   than fully-protected premises wiring may be used if otherwise in
   accordance with these rules.

   (3) Hardware protection as part of the facilities of the provider of
   wireline telecommunications. In any case where the carrier chooses to
   provide (and the customer chooses to accept, except as authorized under
   paragraph (g) of this section), hardware protection on the network side
   of the interface(s), the presence of such hardware protection will
   affect the classification of premises wiring for the purposes of
   § 68.215, as appropriate.

   (b) Installation personnel. Operations associated with the
   installation, connection, reconfiguration and removal (other than final
   removal of the entire premises communications system) of other than
   fully-protected premises wiring shall be performed under the
   supervision and control of a supervisor, as defined in paragraph (c) of
   this section. The supervisor and installer may be the same person.

   (c) Supervision. Operations by installation personnel shall be
   performed under the responsible supervision and control of a person
   who:

   (1) Has had at least six months of on-the-job experience in the
   installation of telephone terminal equipment or of wiring used with
   such equipment;

   (2) Has been trained by the registrant of the equipment to which the
   wiring is to be connected in the proper performance of any operations
   by installation personnel which could affect that equipment's continued
   compliance with these rules;

   (3) Has received written authority from the registrant to assure that
   the operations by installation personnel will be performed in such a
   manner as to comply with these rules.

   (4) Or, in lieu of paragraphs (c) (1) through (3) of this section, is a
   licensed professional engineer in the jurisdiction in which the
   installation is performed.

   (d) Workmanship and material requirements--(1) General. Wiring shall be
   installed so as to assure that there is adequate insulation of
   telephone wiring from commercial power wiring and grounded surfaces.
   Wiring is required to be sheathed in an insulating jacket in addition
   to the insulation enclosing individual conductors (see below) unless
   located in an equipment enclosure or in an equipment room with
   restricted access; it shall be assured that this physical and
   electrical protection is not damaged or abraded during placement of the
   wiring. Any intentional removal of wiring insulation (or a sheath) for
   connections or splices shall be accomplished by removing the minimum
   amount of insulation necessary to make the connection or splice, and
   insulation equivalent to that provided by the wire and its sheath shall
   be suitably restored, either by placement of the splices or connections
   in an appropriate enclosure, or equipment rooms with restricted access,
   or by using adequately-insulated connectors or splicing means.

   (2) Wire. Insulated conductors shall have a jacket or sheath with a
   1500 volt rms minimum breakdown rating, except when located in an
   equipment enclosure or an equipment room with restricted access. This
   rating shall be established by covering the jacket or sheath with at
   least 15 cm (6 in) (measured linearly on the cable) of conductive foil,
   and establishing a potential difference between the foil and all of the
   individual conductors connected together, such potential difference
   gradually increased over a 30 second time period to 1500 volts rms, 60
   Hertz, then applied continuously for one minute. At no time during this
   90 second time interval shall the current between these points exceed
   10 milliamperes peak.

   (3) Places where the jacket or sheath has been removed. Any point where
   the jacket or sheath has been removed (or is not required) shall be
   accessible for inspection. If such points are concealed, they shall be
   accessible without disturbing permanent building finish (e.g., by
   removing a cover).

   (4) Building and electrical codes. All building and electrical codes
   applicable in the jurisdiction to telephone wiring shall be complied
   with. If there are no such codes applicable to telephone wiring,
   Article 800 of the 1978 National Electrical Code, entitled
   Communications Systems, and other sections of that Code incorporated
   therein by reference shall be complied with.

   (5) Limitations on electrical signals. Only signal sources that emanate
   from the provider of wireline telecommunications central office, or
   that are generated in equipment at the customer's premises and are
   "non-hazardous voltage sources" as defined in the technical criteria
   published by the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments, may
   be routed in premises telephone wiring, except for voltages for network
   control signaling and supervision that are consistent with standards
   employed by the provider of wireline telecommunications. Current on
   individual wiring conductors shall be limited to values which do not
   cause an excessive temperature rise, with due regard to insulation
   materials and ambient temperatures. The following table assumes a 45 °C
   temperature rise for wire sizes 22 AWG or larger, and a 40 °C rise for
   wire sizes smaller than 22 AWG, for poly-vinyl chloride insulating
   materials, and should be regarded as establishing maximum values to be
   derated accordingly in specific installations where ambient
   temperatures are in excess of 25 °C:

   Maximum Continuous Current Capacity of PVC Insulated Copper Wire,
   Confined
   Wire size, AWG Circular mils Maximum current, amperes
   32                      63.2                     0.32
   30                     100.5                     0.52
   28                     159.8                     0.83
   26                     254.1                      1.3
   24                     404.0                      2.1
   22                     642.4                      5.0
   20                      1022                      7.5
   18                      1624                       10

   Note: The total current in all conductors of multiple conductor cables
   may not exceed 20% of the sum of the individual ratings of all such
   conductors.

   (6) Physical protection. In addition to the general requirements that
   wiring insulation be adequate and not damaged during placement of the
   wiring, wiring shall be protected from adverse effects of weather and
   the environment in which it is used. Where wiring is attached to
   building finish surfaces (surface wiring), it shall be suitably
   supported by means which do not affect the integrity of the wiring
   insulation.

   (e) Documentation requirements. A notarized affidavit and one copy
   thereof shall be prepared by the installation supervisor in advance of
   each operation associated with the installation, connection,
   reconfiguration and removal of other than fully-protected premises
   wiring (except when accomplished functionally using a cross-connect
   panel), except when involved with removal of the entire premises
   communications system using such wiring. This affidavit and its copy
   shall contain the following information:

   (1) The responsible supervisor's full name, business address and
   business telephone number.

   (2) The name of the registrant(s) (or manufacturer(s), if grandfathered
   equipment is involved) of any equipment to be used electrically between
   the wiring and the telephone network interface, which does not contain
   inherent protection against hazardous voltages and longitudinal
   imbalance.

   (3) A statement as to whether the supervisor complies with § 68.215(c).
   Training and authority under § 68.215(c)(2)-(3) is required from the
   registrant (or manufacturer, if grandfathered equipment is involved) of
   the first piece of equipment electrically connected to the telephone
   network interface, other than passive equipments such as extensions,
   cross-connect panels, or adapters. In general, this would be the
   registrant (or manufacturer) of a system's common equipment.

   (4) The date(s) when placement and connection of the wiring will take
   place.

   (5) The business affiliation of the installation personnel.

   (6) Identification of specific national and local codes which will be
   adhered to.

   (7) The manufacturer(s); a brief description of the wire which will be
   used (model number or type); its conformance with recognized standards
   for wire if any (e.g., Underwriters Laboratories listing, Rural
   Electrification Administration listing, "KS-" specification, etc.); and
   a general description of the attachment of the wiring to the structure
   (e.g., run in conduit or ducts exclusively devoted to telephone wiring,
   "fished" through walls, surface attachment, etc.).

   (8) The date when acceptance testing for imbalance will take place.

   (9) The supervisor's signature. The notarized original shall be
   submitted to the provider of wireline telecommunications at least ten
   calendar days in advance of the placement and connection of the wiring.
   This time period may be changed by agreement of the provider of
   wireline telecommunications and the supervisor. The copy shall be
   maintained at the premises, available for inspection, so long as the
   wiring is used for telephone service.

   (f) Acceptance testing for imbalance. Each telephone network interface
   that is connected directly or indirectly to other than fully-protected
   premises wiring shall be subjected to the acceptance test procedures
   specified in this section whenever an operation associated with the
   installation, connection, reconfiguration or removal of this wiring
   (other than final removal) has been performed.

   (1) Test procedure for two-way or outgoing lines or loops. A telephone
   instrument may be associated directly or indirectly with the line or
   loop to perform this test if one is not ordinarily available to it:

   (i) Lift the handset of the telephone instrument to create the off-hook
   state on the line or loop under test.

   (ii) Listen for noise. Confirm that there is neither audible hum nor
   excessive noise.

   (iii) Listen for dial tone. Confirm that dial tone is present.

   (iv) Break dial tone by dialing a digit. Confirm that dial tone is
   broken as a result of dialing.

   (v) With dial tone broken, listen for audible hum or excessive noise.
   Confirm that there is neither audible hum nor excessive noise.

   (2) Test procedure for incoming-only (non-originating) lines or loops.
   A telephone instrument may be associated directly or indirectly with
   the line or loop to perform this test if one is not ordinarily
   available to it:

   (i) Terminate the line or loop under test in a telephone instrument in
   the on-hook state.

   (ii) Dial the number of the line or loop under test from another
   station, blocking as necessary other lines or loops to cause the line
   or loop under test to be reached.

   (iii) On receipt of ringing on the line or loop under test, lift the
   handset of the telephone instrument to create the off-hook state on
   that line or loop.

   (iv) Listen for audible hum or excessive noise. Confirm that there is
   neither audible hum nor excessive noise.

   (3) Failure of acceptance test procedures. Absence of dial tone before
   dialing, inability to break dial tone, or presence of audible hum or
   excessive noise (or any combination of these conditions) during test of
   two-way or outgoing lines or loops indicates failure. Inability to
   receive ringing, inability to break ringing by going off-hook, or
   presence of audible hum or excessive noise (or any combination of these
   conditions) during test of incoming-only lines or loops indicates
   failure. Upon any such failure, the failing equipment or portion of the
   premises communications system shall be disconnected from the network
   interface, and may not be reconnected until the cause of the failure
   has been isolated or removed. Any previously tested lines or loops
   shall be retested if they were in any way involved in the isolation and
   removal of the cause of the failure.

   (4) Monitoring or participation in acceptance testing by the provider
   of wireline telecommunications. The provider of wireline
   telecommunications may monitor or participate in the acceptance testing
   required under this section, in accordance with § 68.215(g) of this
   part, from its central office test desk or otherwise.

   (g) Extraordinary procedures. The provider of wireline communications
   is hereby authorized to limit the subscriber's right of connecting
   approved terminal equipment or protective circuitry with other than
   fully-protected premises wiring, but solely in accordance with this
   paragraph and § 68.108 of these rules.

   (1)(i) Conditions that may invoke these procedures. The extraordinary
   procedures authorized herein may only be invoked where one or more of
   the following conditions is present:

   (A) Information provided in the supervisor's affidavit gives reason to
   believe that a violation of part 68 of the FCC's rules is likely.

   (B) A failure has occurred during acceptance testing for imbalance.

   (C) Harm has occurred, and there is reason to believe that this harm
   was a result of wiring operations performed under this section.

   (ii) The extraordinary procedures authorized in the following
   subsections shall not be used so as to discriminate between
   installations by provider of wireline telecommunications personnel and
   installations by others. In general, this requires that any charges for
   these procedures be levied in accordance with, or analogous to, the
   "maintenance of service" tariff provisions: If the installation proves
   satisfactory, no charge should be levied.

   (2) Monitoring or participation in acceptance testing for imbalance.
   Notwithstanding the previous sub-section, the provider of wireline
   telecommunications may monitor or participate in acceptance testing for
   imbalance at the time of the initial installation of wiring in the
   absence of the conditions listed therein; at any other time, on or more
   of the listed conditions shall be present. Such monitoring or
   participation in acceptance testing should be performed from the
   central office test desk where possible to minimize costs.

   (3) Inspection. Subject to paragraph (g)(1) of this section, the
   provider of wireline telecommunications may inspect wiring installed
   pursuant to this section, and all of the splicing and connection points
   required to be accessible by § 68.215(d)(3) to determine compliance with
   this section. The user or installation supervisor shall either
   authorize the provider of wireline telecommunications to render the
   splicing and inspection points visible (e.g., by removing covers), or
   perform this action prior to the inspection. To minimize disruption of
   the premises communications system, the right of inspecting is limited
   as follows:

   (i) During initial installation of wiring:

   (A) The provider of wireline telecommunications may require withdrawal
   of up to 5 percent (measured linearly) of wiring run concealed in
   ducts, conduit or wall spaces, to determine conformance of the wiring
   to the information furnished in the affidavit.

   (B) In the course of any such inspection, the provider of wireline
   telecommunications shall have the right to inspect documentation
   required to be maintained at the premises under § 68.215(e).

   (ii) After failure of acceptance testing or after harm has resulted
   from installed wiring: The provider of wireline telecommunications may
   require withdrawal of all wiring run concealed in ducts, conduit or
   wall spaces which reasonably could have caused the failure or harm, to
   determine conformance of the wiring to the information furnished in the
   affidavit.

   (iii) In the course of any such inspection, the provider of wireline
   telecommunications shall have the right to inspect documentation
   required to be maintained at the premises under § 68.215(e).

   (4) Requiring the use of protective apparatus. In the event that any of
   the conditions listed in paragraph (g)(1) of this section, arises, and
   is not permanently remedied within a reasonable time period, the
   provider of wireline telecommunications may require the use of
   protective apparatus that either protects solely against hazardous
   voltages, or that protects both against hazardous voltages and
   imbalance. Such apparatus may be furnished either by the provider of
   wireline telecommunications or by the customer. This right is in
   addition to the rights of the provider of wireline telecommunications
   under § 68.108.

   (5) Notice of the right to bring a complaint. In any case where the
   provider of wireline telecommunications invokes the extraordinary
   procedures of § 68.215(g), it shall afford the customer the opportunity
   to correct the situation that gave rise to invoking these procedures,
   and inform the customer of the right to bring a complaint to the
   Commission pursuant to the procedures set forth in subpart E of this
   part. On complaint, the Commission reserves the right to perform any of
   the inspections authorized under this section, and to require the
   performance of acceptance tests.

   (h) Limitations on the foregoing if protected wiring requiring
   acceptance testing is used. If protected wiring is used which required
   acceptance testing, the requirements in the foregoing paragraphs of
   § 68.215 are hereby limited, as follows:

   (1) Supervision. Section 68.215(c)(2)-(3) are hereby waived. The
   supervisor is only required to have had at least six months of
   on-the-job experience in the installation of telephone terminal
   equipment or of wiring used with such equipment.

   (2) Extraordinary procedures. Section 68.215(g)(3) is hereby limited to
   allow for inspection of exposed wiring and connection and splicing
   points, but not for requiring the withdrawal of wiring from wiring run
   concealed in ducts, conduit or wall spaces unless actual harm has
   occurred, or a failure of acceptance testing has not been corrected
   within a reasonable time. In addition, § 68.215(g)(4) is hereby waived.

   [ 43 FR 16499 , Apr. 19, 1978, as amended at  44 FR 7958 , Feb. 8, 1979;  47 FR 37896 , Aug. 27, 1982;  49 FR 21735 , May 23, 1984;  58 FR 44907 , Aug.
   25, 1993;  66 FR 7584 , Jan. 24, 2001]