Page 38 - IEC Insights Mar-April2020

FEATURE

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR

ELECTRICAL SERVICE POINT?

BY JOSEPH WAGES, JR.

t was a typical Sunday in June of 2019 place via the use of a wood-burning sometimes-contentious issue involves
when a thunderstorm produced a stove — the wood collected from the a defined term found in Article 100 of
fierce windstorm that blew through surrounding forest by kids who had not the 2017 National Electric Code (NEC)
the Dallas-Fort Worth area. An yet been introduced to the television, known as the “service point.” Which
Iabove-average number of trees were iPod, iPhone, X-Box or various social begs the question, “How well do you
damaged, making streets unpassable and media platforms. In many ways, life know your electrical service point?”
severing electricity to several thousand was simpler back then, but existence
individuals. Local power company crews was harder with food being grown and
worked 18-hour shifts to restore electricity cultivated in a garden or hunted in the The Electrical Service Point
to their customers. The damage to the vast beauty of natural fields or forest. How many average homeowners own
electrical system was so devastating that a copy of the NEC? Now, how many
electrical utility providers from outside Today, a disturbance in the delivery of homeowners own the latest version of
of the state of Texas were brought in to electricity can be devastating to the the NEC that is enforced for the structure
help with restoration efforts. There was modern-day family. Most individuals grow in which they reside? My guess is, not
massive destruction to trees that had up knowing that if they need light to see, many. With that being the case, one can
existed for 50-plus years and provided all they need to do is flip a switch on the better understand how issues might
needed shade from the hot Texas sun. wall. Countless hours are spent in the arise between the serving electrical
bathroom with a hairdryer or curling iron
Municipal crews worked several getting hair just right to go shopping or to utility and the customer when it comes
to responsibilities for the connection of
weeks removing brush that had work. Numerous hours are spent in front
been placed along public streets of a television watching design shows, electricity to a structure. Photo 1 shows
the connection of the utility service drop
for collection. Needless to say, the movies, sporting events, or the occasional
firewood supply for this coming golf game. When electricity is suddenly to the service entrance conductors at a
typical dwelling unit. The service drop is
winter should be in good shape! lost, many people do not know what to
do to ensure their comfort and safety. defined in Article 100 as “the overhead
conductors between the utility electric
The Utility Worker and In many aspects of life, there is a degree supply system and the service point.”
Service-entrance conductors, Overhead
Homeowner Encounter of separation in what responsibilities
exist between individuals, companies, System, is defined as, “the service
Imagine that you grew up in a time with and government. This is not any different conductors between the terminals of the
no electricity. Your day might start with than the relationship that exists between service equipment and a point usually
opening the drapes that were covering the homeowner and the utility provider. outside the building, clear of building
a window to introduce light into your During a disruption in electrical service, walls, where joined by tap or splice to
home. At night, a candle might be there are various responsibilities the service drop or overhead service
the source of light to read a book or that the utility and homeowner have conductors.” Careful examination of
complete other tasks. Cooking may take regarding safe delivery of electricity. This photo 1 shows the connection point

36 Insights Magazine | March/April 2020 | www.ieci.org