Home Tips: Overhead Electrical Service Issues

Overhead electrical service cables are still one of the most common methods of supplying electricity to homes and businesses throughout the United States. Like all aspects of a home, proper initial installation and maintenance practices should be used to keep your service lines in good condition. Electrician Fayetteville NC has outlined some of the followings below:

Drip Loop

One of the most important parts of overhead service cables, is making sure that water does not enter the service head (area where the wires go into). To prevent water entry, a drip loop should be present. It looks just like it sounds. The service cables have an area with slack next to the service mast and a guild wire attached to the house that keeps the service line taught, creating a loop for water to drip off of. This loop should always be present. If the line has no loop, you need to call your utility company immediately to have them fix the problem.

Service Wire Height
The service cable should be a certain distance off of the ground and from certain areas of your home. This will prevent damage to the service cable and keep your family safe. See the attached diagram, "Service drop clearances" for specific measurements.

Mast Mounting
The service mast should either be attached to the side of the house, or be supported through the roof and down to the meter. A good practice is to have the service cable ran in conduit that is attached to the service cable mast or weather head that is attached to the building. The conduit should be secured with a C-bracket every 4 to 6 feet. Masts should have a water proof roofing boot flashing installed around it, properly water sealed to prevent water infiltration. If the mast is over 5 feet tall, it should be secured by a guild wire on the opposite side of the service cable.
Wire Type
Aluminum or copper service wires are both common. In the case of the actual service cable, it does not matter much what type of wire this is. This is very different from your branch circuits (outlets, lights, switches) that require specific breakers for specific wires.
The electrical service cable is the most important part of your electrical system. Make sure that it is in good condition to not only provide you and your family with electricity, but to keep you safe as well.

If you need electrical services around Fayetteville NC, call us today at (910) 407-5678 for free quote.