Vertical Clearance Requirements for Service Drop

Clearance requirements for overhead services are outlined in Sec. 230.24(A) through (E).

April 2, 2014

The requirement to maintain a 3 ft vertical clearance from the edge of a roof does not apply to the final conductor span where the service drop is attached to _____.

a) a service pole
b) the side of a building
c) an antenna
d) the base of a building

See answer and applicable Code reference

The correct answer is: b) the side of a building

Article 230 covers the requirements for Services. Clearance requirements for overhead services are outlined in Sec. 230.24(A) through (E). Although it's noted in 230.24(A) that you must maintain the specified vertical clearance above the roof for a distance of 3 ft in all directions from the edge of the roof, there are a few exceptions to this requirement. As noted in Exception No. 4, "The requirement for maintaining the vertical clearance (3 ft) from the edge of the roof shall not apply to the final conductor span where the service drop is attached to the side of the building."