Originally Posted By: dvalley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Conductors shall have a vertical clearance of not less than 8 feet above the roof surface. The vertical clearance above the roof level shall be maintained for a distance of not less than 3 feet in all directions from the edge of the roof.
Exception:
Where the roof has a slope of 4 in 12 or greater, the minimum clearance shall be three feet.
Originally Posted By: jpeck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
230.24 Clearances.
Service-drop conductors shall not be readily accessible and shall comply with 230.24(A) through (D) for services not over 600 volts, nominal.
(A) Above Roofs. Conductors shall have a vertical clearance of not less than 2.5 m (8 ft) above the roof surface. The vertical clearance above the roof level shall be maintained for a distance of not less than 900 mm (3 ft) in all directions from the edge of the roof.
Exception No. 1: The area above a roof surface subject to pedestrian or vehicular traffic shall have a vertical clearance from the roof surface in accordance with the clearance requirements of 230.24(B).
Exception No. 2: Where the voltage between conductors does not exceed 300 and the roof has a slope of 100 mm (4 in.) in 300 mm (12 in.), or greater, a reduction in clearance to 900 mm (3 ft) shall be permitted.
Exception No. 3: Where the voltage between conductors does not exceed 300, a reduction in clearance above only the overhanging portion of the roof to not less than 450 mm (18 in.) shall be permitted if (1) not more than 1.8 m (6 ft) of service-drop conductors, 1.2 m (4 ft) horizontally, pass above the roof overhang, and (2) they are terminated at a through-the-roof raceway or approved support.
FPN: See 230.28 for mast supports.
Exception No. 4: The requirement for maintaining the vertical clearance 900 mm (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 a building.
Exceptions 1, 3, and 4 do not apply.
Exception No. 2: Where the voltage between conductors does not exceed 300 and the roof has a slope of 4 in. in 12 in., or greater, a reduction in clearance to 3 ft shall be permitted.
Originally Posted By: cmccann This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Where are the Electrical guru’s? I realize that a 3 foot clearance has to be maintained when going over a roof, but what is the clearance when it’s tied into the upper side of a roof? I was under the impression it is 18". Clearly this service drop is at the roof and then bends around down the side of the home. Is there a clearance requirement? Thanks…
Originally Posted By: jpeck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Chuck,
The 18" you are thinking of is Exception 3. However, that does not apply to the photo in question.
It applies ONLY to that portion above the overhang, and only within those strict limits given.
Exception No. 3: Where the voltage between conductors does not exceed 300, a reduction in clearance above only the overhanging portion of the roof to not less than 18 in. shall be permitted if (1) not more than 6 ft of service-drop conductors, 4 ft horizontally, pass above the roof overhang, and (2) they are terminated at a through-the-roof raceway or approved support.
Originally Posted By: cmccann This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
So if I’m understanding this right it must be extended to not less then 3 feet. Don’t bang your head against the desk Jerry, It’s 11:30 and I’m tired as hell. I’m writing the report now. So I will report that the service drop must extend 3 feet above roof. Right? Thanks all
Originally Posted By: jpeck This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Chuck,
As Kevin said, Yup!
You got it. 3 feet to the lowest part of the drip loop.
And, once they get it that high, they need to start thinking about supporting the mast with a guy or some type of support. Just how high is too high to be unsupported depends on many things, type and size of conduit, length of overhead service drop (the longer that is, the more it weighs, and the more wind load it has), and (as just noted) wind load. You can always tell when they are too tall ... after a few years and they are leaning or the mast itself is bending.
Originally Posted By: cmccann This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thanks Jerry you have been very helpful. The seller was at the inspection. It seems he and his partner remodeled the home and are trying to sell it. I think they repositioned the service drop, and hoped no one would catch the defect.
