Section 7 Overhead Service
7.1 General Comments
The Department will specify a satisfactory location for the service drop attachment. Ordinarily, only one type of service and one service drop is permitted to the Customer’s premises. Connection to the Customer’s service entrance conductors will normally be made by the Department. Connection shall be made only after the Customer’s wiring has passed inspection and has been approved by the authorities having jurisdiction. From the point where the Department’s overhead service drop terminates, the Customer shall install service entrance wires to the meter socket and service entrance switch or circuit breaker panel in accordance with the requirements of the NEC, NESC, or other authorities having jurisdiction.
Not less than three feet of each conductor of the service entrance cable or wires shall be left extending beyond the weather head for connection to Department’s service drop. For polyphase services, like phases shall be appropriately identified and marked. All neutrals shall be appropriately marked. The connection(s) will be made by the Department. Refer to Drawing S-3 for overhead installations.
It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that like phases are appropriately marked and connected together on the load side of the metering equipment. It is also the customer’s responsibility to install and maintain the meter can and the point of the attachment. The customer owns this equipment.
All conditions covered in Section 6 must also be met in addition to the conditions specified in this section.
7.2 Ownership of Facilities
The point of attachment in the customer’s weatherhead shall be the demarcation point between facilities owned by the Department and facilities owned by the Customer. The only exception to this rule is the meter that is installed on the Customer side of the point of attachment. The meter is owned and serviced by the Department even though it is attached in the meter can that the customer owns. See Drawing S-3.
7.3 Point of Attachment
The point of attachment of the Department’s service drop to the Customer’s premises shall be of sufficient height to permit the Department’s service drop to conform to the requirements of the National Electrical Safety Code and any other controlling codes, ordinances, or orders of authorities having jurisdiction. The Customer may be required to install a service extension or a metal riser pole. When a service extension or metal riser extends above the roof, the point of attachment and clearances above the roof shall conform with the National Electrical Code or other controlling codes. For temporary overhead service refer to Section 5.6, Temporary Service, and DrawingS-2 (bottom). For permanent service, see Drawing S-3.
7.4 Clearances
The point of attachment of the service drop (150 volts line to ground or less) shall be high enough to allow for the service drop conductors to have the following minimum clearances:
- 14 feet over areas of pedestrian traffic, residential driveways, and commercial areas not subject to truck traffic.
- 18 feet over roads, streets, alleys, non-residential driveways, and other areas subject to truck traffic.
Consult the Department concerning all clearances.
7.5 Length of Service Drop
The unsupported length of the service drop from the Department’s facilities to the first point of attachment will in no case be more than 125 feet. The unsupported length of a service drop may be required to be significantly less than 125 feet, depending on wire sizes, other significant factors and conditions at the Customer’s property. Exceptions to this rule can only be made by the Department in the case of difficult terrain or other atypical impediments. Consult the Department for length limitations based on wire size and other factors.
7.6 Method of Attachment
The service drop will be attached to the building or approved extension by suitable means which will be supplied by the Customer. Refer to Drawing. The Customer shall provide suitable reinforcement or backing for secure mounting of attachment fittings and adequate anchorage of the service drop as well as spacing, (according to dimensions which the Department will supply), for mounting the service drop attachment fittings.
7.7 Extension of Overhead Distribution Facilities
A Customer’s service location may require the Department to incur expense greater than normally allowed in providing the service. Extension of primary overhead distribution lines, relocation of Department facilities or removal of Department facilities are examples of situations which occur. When such a situation exists, the Department may require payment from the Customer in addition to the amount normally charged. For complete details, consult the Department’s policy for extension of overhead electric distribution facilities.
7.8 480 Volt Metered Service
A 480 volt service with a self-contained meter shall have a non-fused disconnect switch on the line side of the meter. Refer to Section 12.8.1, Disconnecting Means For Services Less Than 600 Volts.
