A service drop refers to the overhead electrical conductors or wires that connect an electric utility’s distribution system to a customer’s building or property. It is an essential component of the electrical distribution system, providing the connection point for delivering electricity from the utility’s power lines to the customer’s electrical service entrance.
Key characteristics and components of a service drop include:
- Overhead Lines: Service drops are typically composed of overhead electrical lines, which may consist of conductors made of aluminum or copper. These lines are suspended from utility poles or other structures.
- Weatherhead: The weatherhead is a weatherproof fitting mounted on the exterior of a building. It serves as a protective entry point for the service drop conductors into the building. The weatherhead helps prevent water from entering the electrical service entrance.
- Service Entrance: The service entrance is the point where the service drop conductors connect to the customer’s electrical system. It includes components such as a meter socket (for utility meter installation) and a service panel or circuit breaker box.
- Utility Meter: In many cases, a utility meter is installed within the service entrance to measure the amount of electricity consumed by the customer. This meter helps the utility company determine the customer’s electricity usage for billing purposes.
- Point of Attachment: The point of attachment refers to the location where the service drop conductors are secured to the customer’s building or structure. This attachment point must meet safety and code requirements to ensure proper support and clearance.
- Insulation and Protection: Service drop conductors are insulated to prevent electrical contact with other objects and to protect against weather conditions, such as rain or wind.
Service drops are designed to provide a safe and reliable means of delivering electricity to homes, businesses, and other properties. The installation and maintenance of service drops are typically the responsibility of the electric utility company, while the customer is responsible for maintaining their service entrance and internal electrical wiring.
Service drops are a crucial part of the electrical infrastructure, allowing customers to access electrical power from the utility grid. Proper installation and maintenance are essential to ensure the safety and reliability of electrical service to buildings and structures.