inside wiring technical standards

The standards set forth here are subject to change as technology and installation and maintenance methods evolve. FairPoint Communications reserves the right to submit revised standards when a need arises.

Means of Connection To The Network
The physical and electrical demarcation between customer premises inside wiring and the telecommunications network is a telephone company-provided network interface or other telephone company-provided registration program jack.

General Considerations
CAUTION: Telephone connections may have varying amounts of electric current in the bare wires and terminal screws. Therefore, customer premises wiring should not be installed or maintained without first disconnecting inside wiring from the Netwok Interface, or other telephone company provided standard registration program jack, and also from any other power source.

Limitations
In the event any customer premises inside wiring fails to comply with the standards or conditions set forth herein, FairPoint shall not be required to connect to, or maintain, such inside wiring until the customer achieves compliance.

Material Standards
A. Wire

1. Two pair wire shall be twisted in a four conductor spiral or as two-twisted pair. Three or more pair wire shall have the conductors twisted together to form pairs and then grouped together to form the cable core.
2. The wire pairs shall be covered with a jacket or polyvinyl-chloride or a functionally equivalent compound which has a 1500V RMS minimum breakdown rating.
3. Each conductor shall be solid annealed copper inividually insulated with distinctly-colored high density polyethylene or functionally equivalent compound.
4. Wire gauges must be limited to 22-gauge, 24-gauge, and 26-gauge wire.
5. Pairs within cables should not split. Table A sets forth typical wire types and appropriate pair color code matches used to insure pair integrity.

1. All jacks used in conjuction with customer premises inside wire must comply with Subpart F of part 68 of the Federal Communications Commissions's rules (i.e., the Registration Program).

1. Wire shall be installed so as to assure adequate insulation of telephone wiring from commercial power wiring and grounded surfaces. Wiring is required to be sheathed in an insulation jacket in addition to the insulation which encloses individual conductors shall not be damaged or abraded during installation.
2. Telephone wire shall not be placed in the same conduit or raceways with wires that conduct electricity.
3. Judgement should be used inselecting the locations for placement of inside wire. The following are examples of locations which should be avoided:
   
   1. Damp locations
   2. Wire runs which provide support for any objects.
   3. Excessively hot locations, steam pipes, heating ducts, hot water pipes, etc.
   4. Locations where wires will be subjected to abrasion or corrosion.
   5. Between two structural studdings when electrical wiring is present.
   6. Areas above suspended ceilings used for return air plenums.
4. Place wiring where it will be least likely to be broken or detached. Provide protection if necessary. Wiring shall always be suitably supported by means which do not affect the integrity of the wiring insulation.
5. Customer premises wire must be securely fastened to any surface encountered without abrading or puncturing the insulating jacket. Fasteners such as staples should be placed at least every 12 inches.
6. Whenever wire conduit is availabe or is required by applicable codes, it should be used. However, be sure conduit does not contain electrical wires that are not associated with telephone equipment. If it does, do not use the conduit.
7. Leave about an 18-inch loop of wire at each outlet.
8. Telephone company provided prewire will include a 36-inch loop at the network interface location.
9. For multi-units, install only one outlet between the same pair of studs in a common wall.
10. For multi-units, installations, one single sheathed insided wiring cable must serve only one living unit. Do not allow one unit's prewire to pass through another unit's outlet.

1. The prewire brackets or outlet boxes will be located at the same height from the floor as electric outlets. The prewire outlets should not be nailed to the same stud as the electrical outlet, but rather across the bay on the next stud, preferable in the next bay.
2. Outlets for wall telephones should be centered at 54-inches from the floor. When installing an outlet beneath cabinets or over counters, provide a minimum clearance of 6-inches above centerline of the outlet box to the bottom of the cabinet; provide a 6 1/2-inches below the centerline of the outlet box to the top of the counter and 4-inches on each side.
3. Provide a standard single gang electric outlet box or equivalent with two attached holes .138-32 UNC on nominal centerline to centerline dimension of 3.281 inches. The minimum box depth required in 1.0 inch.

1. Minimum separation are required in or on buildings, between telephone wiring and other conductors or metallic objects. The wiring separation specified in Table D are required for crossing and parallel runs. For wire crossings, alternatives to the minimum separation are also shown on Table D.
2. Separations of less than six (6) feet between inside wiring and lightning wire on rods are permissible under the following conditions:
   
   1. Where telephone, power, and lightning rod ground connections are all made to a metallic cold water pipe that is properly grounded.
   2. Where separately driven ground rods are used for telephone, power, and lightning rod installations, and the ground rods are bonded together.

In no case, shall the separation be less than four (4) inches.

Table D - Separation and Physical Protection for Premises Inside Wiring
This table applies only to telephone wiring from Network Interface or other telephone company provided modular jack to telephone equipment. Minimum separations between telephone wiring whether located inside or attached to the outside of buildings, and other types of wiring involved, are as follows.
Separations apply to crossings and to parallel runs (minimum separations).

NOTE: If minimum separations cannot be obtained, additional protection of a plastic tube, wire guard, or two layers of vinyl tape extending 2 inches beyond each side of object being crossed must be provided.