The document discusses how electricity is provided to residential and commercial buildings. It describes that electricity typically reaches the building through an overhead service drop wire or underground service lateral connected to a utility pole. It then explains that the service drop/lateral brings two hot wires and one neutral wire and connects to the building's service entrance, at which point the owner is responsible for electrical maintenance. The inspector focuses on ensuring the system is safely operating and in good condition according to the installation requirements at that time.

2. • Methods for electricity provided to a house
• Service Drop
• Service Entrance
• Grounding
• Electrical Bonding

3. As always, our focus will be on the
Safety, Operation, and Condition while
we inspect
• Electrical Systems don’t need to meet today’s
requirements, but
– System needs to meet the requirements at the time of
installation
– Any additional changes or upgrades needs to meet the
requirements at the time of work performed
• Home inspector were not concern when the
installation or changes were performed, but focus
on the if the current system is Safe, Operating as
expected and overall Condition the system is in.

4. How Does Electricity Reach the
Building
• Typically a wire from a utility pole connected
to the building (i.e. Residential or
Commercial).
• The wire reaches the building by:
– Above Ground, called a Service Drop
– Buried Underground , called a Service Lateral

5. • Typically, the service drop and lateral, for a
residential building is made up of three wires,
called a Triplex.
– Two (2) source, ungrounded hot wires
– One (1) grounded neutral wire
• Once the service drop or the service lateral is
connected to the building, responsibility becomes
of the building owner.
• Commercial buildings, depending on the
necessary electrical load may require additional
wires.

6. • Service drop wire (above ground) may be attached to
the side of the building or to a Service Mast.
• Service Mast is an insulated pipe that is angled
downward, which is called Weather-Head or Goose-
Neck.
• For either connection, the Service Drop wire is lower
and loops back up, this is called Service Loop.
• The Weather-head and service loop help prevent water
infiltration into the building’s electrical meter