Key takeaways:
- Your electrical service line is the wire that brings power from the grid to your home.
- A bad storm can cause damage to this line.
- If this happens, contact your utility to report the damage and call an electrician.
In Eastern Pennsylvania, storms are common between May and August. They often bring high winds and thunder, which can cause damage to your home.
Your home’s electrical service line is often overlooked, but it is likely to get damaged during a severe storm. Read on to learn more about service line issues and when to call an electrician in Eastern Pennsylvania.
What Is an Electrical Service Line?
Your electrical service line is the wire that connects your home to the grid. If you locate the nearest electrical pole to your home, you’ll see a wire that runs from this pole to your home. This is called a service drop.
The service drop is connected to a point on your roof covered by a weatherhead that keeps water and debris out. The wire then runs into a utility mast along the side of your home. Your electric meter is typically located toward the bottom of your utility mast, where your service line enters your home and runs to the main panel.
Who Is Responsible for Damage to Your Electrical Service Line?
If the portion of your service line that connects your home to a nearby pole gets damaged, your utility will usually handle the fixes.
However, if the damage affects the weatherhead, utility mast, or the portion of the service line that runs inside the utility mast, you’re usually responsible for fixing it. You should also know that a damaged service line can cause extensive problems with your home’s electrical systems. Even if your utility is fixing the issue, it’s a good idea to have an electrician in Eastern Pennsylvania do an inspection to see if the bad service line damaged anything inside your house.
What Causes Damage to Your Electrical Service Line?
Different things can affect your service line. A common scenario is for high winds or fallen branches to damage a nearby pole or electric line and for the damage to spread to your service line. A branch could also directly fall on your service line.
If this happens, you should treat any damaged line as a live wire and stay at least 30 feet away. Call 911 immediately.
Service Lines and Power Surges
Another issue you should be aware of is that your service line can deliver power surges to your home.
When lightning strikes, it delivers millions of volts. It can strike a utility or service line directly, causing the line to carry excess voltage into your home. Lightning can also strike the ground near your home, and the voltage spike would be transmitted to your electrical system.
Smaller surges can also enter your home via your service line. During storms or when electrical demand is high, the grid can become unstable, leading to voltage spikes. These small surges don’t cause damage when they’re occasional, but they can lead to worn-out electrical components over time.
What Are the Signs of a Damaged Service Line?
A damaged service line can be tough to spot because its symptoms are similar to those of a bad electrical panel.
You might have no power in your home if the line has been completely taken out. You might have unstable power if the line is still functioning partially, in which case you might see dimming lights or notice that your panel and outlets are running hot. A burning plastic smell is another sign to watch out for.
If you see physical damage to the service line, stay away from it. Call your utility to have them remotely cut power to your home.
When to Call an Electrician in Eastern Pennsylvania
You should report damage to your service line to your electricity provider. They’ll cut off power to your home for safety, and you’ll find out whether your utility is going to cover repairs.
If the damages are your responsibility, JAXSL can help. As a local electrician with years of experience, we know how storms can damage service lines and other components.
Even if your utility is handling the repairs, it’s a good idea to contact JAXSL for an electrical inspection. We’ll determine if the damage to the service line spread to your panel and other components.
Do you have a damaged service line? Give us a call at 844-452-9538 to schedule an electrical service for your home.
FAQ
What is an electrical service line?
Your service line is the set of wires that connect your home to the utility’s power lines, usually via an overhead service drop from the pole to a weatherhead on your roof and down a utility mast to your meter and main panel.
Who is responsible if my service line is damaged in a storm?
In most cases, the utility is responsible for damage to the lines and poles in the street, while you are responsible for equipment attached to your home, such as the weatherhead, utility mast, meter base, and any wiring inside the mast.
What are the signs my service line might be damaged?
Common red flags include:
- Partial or complete loss of power in your home
- Lights dimming or flickering when major appliances start
- Breakers tripping repeatedly without an obvious cause
- A hot or buzzing electrical panel, outlets that feel warm, or a burning plastic smell
