Historical textIn force on Oct. 1, 1997Source: annual CFR editions 1996–2004

§ 393.27 Wiring specifications.

Wording first on file in the 1996 annual edition, superseded by the 2005 annual edition.

govinfo, 1996 edition ↗

Compare with

Before Jan. 1, 2017 the record is one snapshot per annual CFR edition, revised as of October 1. This is the 1996 edition's wording. An amendment that took effect between Oct. 1, 1997 and Oct. 1, 1997 would not appear until the next edition, so check the citations below and the Federal Register for exact effective dates. govinfo does not publish the 1997 edition of Parts 300–399 in machine-readable form, so the 1996 text is shown for that year.

49 CFR § 393.27 — Wiring specifications.. Text in force on October 1, 1997. This wording effective October 1, 1996 to October 1, 2005. Source: govinfo, 1996 edition, https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-1996-title49-vol4/CFR-1996-title49-vol4-sec393-27. Retrieved from FMCSR.com, https://fmcsr.com/reg/393.27?asof=1997-10-01, on October 26, 2026. Unofficial compilation; verify against the official source.

(a) Wiring for both low voltage (tension) and high voltage (tension) circuits shall be constructed and installed so as to meet design requirements. Wiring shall meet or exceed, both mechanically and electrically, the following SAE Standards as found in the 1985 edition of the SAE Handbook:

(1) Commercial vehicle engine ignition systems-SAE J557-High Tension Ignition Cable.

(2) Commercial vehicle battery cable-SAE J1127-Jan 80-Battery Cable.

(3) Other commercial vehicle wiring-SAE J1128-Low Tension Primary Cable.

(b) The source of power and the electrical wiring shall be of such size and characteristics as to provide the necessary voltage as the design requires to comply with FMVSS 571.108.

Note:

This shall not prohibit the use of the frame or other metal parts of a motor vehicle as a return ground system provided truck-tractor semitrailer/full trailer combinations are electrically connected.

[53 FR 49397, Dec. 7, 1988]

Amendment history

2 distinct wordings on file since Oct. 1, 1996

Oct. 1, 2005 → presentannual editions 2005–2016diff vs. previous
Oct. 1, 1996 → Oct. 1, 2005annual editions 1996–2004viewing
[53 FR 49397, Dec. 7, 1988]

A new entry appears whenever the regulatory words change between government snapshots. Day-precise from the eCFR (2017 onward); before that, one snapshot per annual CFR edition (revised as of October 1). Bracketed citations are the Federal Register history printed with the section.