Can I Run Two Electric Services Underground Beside Each Other
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The Service D rop
The overhead service drop , or underground service lateral, are the electric conductors that come from the utility pole , pedestal or footing-mounted transformer to the home. Changes to the service drib volition ever be completed by the utility visitor , and the cost for virtually changes are the responsibility of the customer. The major safety effect here is that the service drop conductors accept no fuse , circuit breaker or any kind of overcurrent protection at their supply finish ; they are dir ectly connected to the utility ' s distribution grid and are energized at all times .
There are three conductors coming to the service mast in the overhead service drop , two ungrounded conductors ( hot legs ) and a divide grounded conductor ( neutral ) . The hot legs have black thermoset, polymer or other nonmetallic conductor insulat ion . If all three wires are connected to the service mast that runs through the roof , and/or down the exterior wall of the business firm in a service-entrance conduit , you tin commonly assume at that place is 2 4 0 – volt service for the house since each hot leg measures 120 – volts from each hot leg to the neutral .
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Who Owns What?
Power line regulations and responsibilities will vary from one municipality to another and will depend on whether a power line is public or individual. Public lines are installed and owned by a public utility company. Sometimes they are on public property, but sometimes they are on private holding. Utility companies own everything up to the service indicate, the point of connection between the serving utility and the house premises wiring system , and the service point is frequently on individual property . Different utility companies define where that service point is exactly located , and it can vary greatly depending on whether the electrical service is overhead or cloak-and-dagger, the size of the electrical service rated in amperes, where it originates at the utility equipment, and where it terminates at the client'south equipment . Private ly owned electric distribution lines are sometimes found in gated communities, apartment complexes, mobile home and RV parks, college campuses, large industrial facilities and elsewhere.
So if a tree does fall on a mast or service drop, the chart above volition give you an idea who is responsible for what, but it ultimately depends on where you live and which utility company services you.
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The Mast Has One Purpose
For condom reasons, d o not attach television, telephone, cablevision or other wires to the service mast. Only the electrical util ity conductors are permitted to exist attached to the service mast.
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Avoid Trees
Exist certain the overhead service drop conductors are gratuitous and clear of copse, limbs, droppings and vegetation. T rees that grow up into service conductors can damage the conductors and attract lightning strikes , both of which cause many power outages every year. Think, a 4-f oo t tall, 2 -f oot broad tree might abound to be 60 -feet tall and thirty -feet broad. Some utility companies have instituted tree replacement programs to assistance customers in properly planting the right trees in the right identify to avoid future problems . For information well-nigh growth potential and planting near power lines, c ontact your utility company, your Canton Extension part, State's Department of Agriculture office, District Forester, or local plant nursery.
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C learances for Service Drops
- Except at the baste loop, at due north o fourth dimension less than 12-feet above final course
- Where overhead service drop conductors terminate at a through-the-roof raceway or mast, there is a chiliad aximum of 6 -feet of conductor length over the roof
- A chiliad inimum of xviii – inches of clearance above any part of a sloped roof
- The service mast must exist no more 4 -feet from the border of the roof measuring horizontally
- The service mast should not exist more than 3-f eet vertically above the roof line ; most utilities will require bracing or guy wires for additional support of any mast that is taller than iii-feet.
- Flat roofs demand to take at least 8-feet of clearance and balconies need at least 10 -feet of clearance
- O verhead conductors must take a horizontal clearance of 3-feet from all windows that can exist opened, doors, porches, balconies, ladders, stairs, fire escapes, or similar locations. No 1 should exist able to grab a service conductor from these areas .
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Additional C learances for Overhead Service D rop Conductors
- W hen located near a swimming pool, the overhead service conductors must be at least 10 -feet abroad from the pool horizontally and at to the lowest degree 22 .5 -feet loftier .
- If the home has a flat roof, at that place must be 8 -feet of clearance , and if your home has a pitch roof of 4 – inches in 12-inches , or greater , there must be a minimum of 3 -feet of clearance .
- West hen the voltage to ground does not exceed 150 -volts , there must be 10 -feet of clearance from the lowest point of the drip loop at the electric service archway to buildings and the finished form, westward alkways , decks, patios, etc. The clearance is raised to 12 -anxiety where the voltage does not exceed 300 volts to basis , and raised to15 -feet where the voltage to ground exceed southward 300 volts.
- T here must be an 18 -f oot clearance over public streets, alleys, roads, parking areas that may have truck traffic, driveways other than on residential property, and areas used by farming and structure vehicles .
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Service Driblet Drip Loop
The overhead service drop conductors are spliced to the service-entrance conductors at the home. This connection is chosen the drip loop . The baste loop is required to keep water from traveling along the length of the service-entrance conductors and entering the service-archway conduit at the weatherhead . Overhead service-entrance conductors are fastened to service masts with clamp-on porcelain or similar nonmetallic insulators. Overhead service-archway conductors that terminate at the side of a house, under a roof eave , or on the roof fascia board are fastened to screw-in porcelain or like nonmetallic insulators.
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Flashing
Service masts that penetra te the roof must have a covering kick properly secured at the roof line to prevent water leaks. The roofing boot must be properly sealed, glued and screwed affluent with the roof membrane. If nails are used, they must be sealed properly. Nails tin corrode over time and the membrane tin can separate and so be certain to utilise the right tools for the task and take the time to be certain information technology is properly sealed. Mast brac ing must also be sealed with flashing at the roof line intersection.
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Supporting a mast above the roof
The typical service mast consists of two-inch rigid metallic conduit . Sometimes y'all 'll run into a through -the-roof service mast that appears to be leaning from tension in the overhead service drop conductors . This tin can exist repaired by calculation a caryatid , tie back or guy-wire supports. Masts over 36- inches normally require a mast caryatid or tie – dorsum supports such as a No. 6 Copperweld Shipping Cable ; although some municipalities allow the mast to be as much equally 5 -anxiety above the roof line before needing a guy wire for actress support . The brace must be installed at a minimum 45-deg ree angle.
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Supporting a Mast Beneath the Roof
The service mast must exist p l umb (non leaning) and properly attached to the frame of the home past installing securely fastened metal conduit straps every 3 -feet . Malleable pipe straps and 4-inch lag screws in studs may sometimes be substituted. T here will be a raintight threaded conduit hub where the service mast enters the height of the meter socket enclosure .
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The Meter
Electrical utilities oftentimes require the meter to be mounted four-feet to six-anxiety from the footing , which is a reasonable height for utility workers to do their task in a safe manner . Meter bases for the sockets are furnished at no cost in almost areas .
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Underground ability lines
Utility companies install electric distribution either beneath ground or above ground , and they make the decision on which one will be used in your installation. The long-term overall cost is less for overhead electrical distribution compared to underground distribution , but sometimes the utility will install underground distribution , but it comes with an boosted installation and maintenance toll to the property owner. T he location of the electric meter will be determined past the electric utility based on the size of the service, the blazon of service and the type of distribution equipment, such as a transformer or distribution pedestal .
Safety
Utility companies are very strict when information technology comes to breaking seals or removing meters . In addition to the obvious safety hazards, liability and theft of electricity are major concerns for utility companies. Ever consult with the utility company before accessing the interior of the meter socket enclosure or attempt repairs to a service mast.
Nearly the writer
Lisa Archer, Owner of BPG/Memphis Inspections Service & Nationwide Pest Control
901-826-7500
www.memphisinspections.com
Detect out more about Xcel's requirements here
Can I Run Two Electric Services Underground Beside Each Other,
Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/what-you-need-to-know-about-electrical-service-masts/
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