§  68.213   Installation of other than “fully protected” non-system simple
customer premises wiring.

   (a) Scope of this rule. Provisions of this rule apply only to
   “unprotected” premises wiring used with simple installations of wiring
   for up to four line residential and business telephone service. More
   complex installations of wiring for multiple line services, for use
   with systems such as PBX and key telephone systems, are controlled by
   §  68.215 of these rules.

   (b) Wiring authorized. Unprotected premises wiring may be used to
   connect units of terminal equipment or protective circuitry to one
   another, and to carrier-installed facilities if installed in accordance
   with these rules. The provider of wireline telecommunications is not
   responsible, except pursuant to agreement between it and the customer
   or undertakings by it, otherwise consistent with Commission
   requirements, for installation and maintenance of wiring on the
   subscriber's side of the demarcation point, including any wire or jacks
   that may have been installed by the carrier. The subscriber and/or
   premises owner may install wiring on the subscriber's side of the
   demarcation point, and may remove, reconfigure, and rearrange wiring on
   that side of the demarcation point including wiring and wiring that may
   have been installed by the carrier. The customer or premises owner may
   not access carrier wiring and facilities on the carrier's side of the
   demarcation point. Customers may not access the protector installed by
   the provider of wireline telecommunications. All plugs and jacks used
   in connection with inside wiring shall conform to the published
   technical criteria of the Administrative Council for Terminal
   Attachments. In multiunit premises with more than one customer, the
   premises owner may adopt a policy restricting a customer's access to
   wiring on the premises to only that wiring located in the customer's
   individual unit wiring that serves only that particular customer. See
   §  68.105 in this part. The customer or premises owner may not access
   carrier wiring and facilities on the carrier's side of the demarcation
   point. Customers may not access the protector installed by the provider
   of wireline telecommunications. All plugs and jacks used in connection
   with inside wiring shall conform to the published technical criteria of
   the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.

   (c) Material requirements. (1) For new installations and modifications
   to existing installations, copper conductors shall be, at a minimum,
   solid, 24 gauge or larger, twisted pairs that comply with the
   electrical specifications for Category 3, as defined in the ANSI
   EIA/TIA Building Wiring Standards.

   (2) Conductors shall have insulation with a 1500 Volt rms minimum
   breakdown rating. This rating shall be established by covering the
   jacket or sheath with at least 15 cm (6 inches) (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) All wire and connectors meeting the requirements set forth in
   paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) shall be marked, in a manner visible to
   the consumer, with the symbol “CAT 3” or a symbol consisting of a “C”
   with a “3” contained within the “C” character, at intervals not to
   exceed one foot (12 inches) along the length of the wire.

   (d) Attestation. Manufacturers (or distributors or retailers, whichever
   name appears on the packaging) of non-system telephone premises wire
   shall attest in a letter to the Commission that the wire conforms with
   part 68, FCC Rules.

   [ 49 FR 21734 , May 23, 1984, as amended at  50 FR 29392 , July 19, 1985;
    50 FR 47548 , Nov. 19, 1985;  51 FR 944 , Jan. 9, 1986;  55 FR 28630 , July
   12, 1990;  58 FR 44907 , Aug. 25, 1993;  62 FR 36464 , July 8, 1997;  65 FR 4140 , Jan. 26, 2000;  66 FR 7583 , Jan. 24, 2001]

   return arrow Back to Top