You probably understand that the homeowner is responsible for fixing electrical malfunctions within the home. And you probably know that the power company is responsible for fixing problems with your home’s electrical meter. But what about the other exterior wiring, electrical service mast, and related infrastructure? Is maintaining and repairing it the homeowner’s or power company’s responsibility?
With decades of tending to Tallahassee-area residents’ electrical installations, repairs, and maintenance, the professional electricians at Meeks Electrical Services can answer these questions. They’ll tell you that the electrical service mast represents the junction between the utility’s power lines and your home’s electronics. If your service mast gets damaged or otherwise causes problems with power delivery, it’s typically your responsibility to repair it unless the problem stems from the electrical meter or wires leading to the mast. Let’s examine what an electrical service mast is and what steps you should take should it become damaged.
Outside Wiring Basics
Your electrical service mast is a cylindrical, hollow conduit typically made of galvanized steel, aluminum, or PVC. The mast is attached to the side of your house or enters internally through the roof. Electrical power from the utility’s power lines is delivered via a service line to your home. This line passes through a service entrance cap and insulator on top of the mast. The service line connects to the service entrance cable, which is fed down the mast to connect with the electrical meter. A conduit line then delivers the electrical current to your home’s distribution panel.
The power company is responsible for fixing service lines damaged by storms or other events, but the homeowner must repair damages to any part of the service mast and its connection with the service line. The utility is responsible for the meter itself, but the homeowner is responsible for fixing damage to the power meter box. Any wiring and supporting infrastructure leading from the meter going into the house is also the homeowner’s responsibility.
Electrical Service Mast Safety
Given that the electrical service mast serves as a conduit to deliver up to 240 volts of electricity into your home, safety should be of paramount concern. You should keep the area around the mast clear of vegetation and avoid attaching anything to it. If using a ladder for roof or eave trough maintenance, stay clear of the mast and connecting service wire. You should also periodically inspect the service mast for deterioration or damage. If you see loose fittings, rust, or any signs of instability, you may need to get a licensed electrician to repair or replace the mast to ensure that it doesn’t cause electrical problems or hazards. Homeowners should never try to repair or replace service masts due to safety risks and potential damage to the meter.
Steps to Take If Your Electrical Service Mast is Damaged
Tallahassee-area electricians tend to receive the most electrical service mast repair calls following severe storms. While wind rarely damages a mast on its own, storm-blown debris and falling trees and limbs can hit the mast and/or service, causing the mast to bend, crack, pull away, or detach from the home. Such damage can also cause breakage between the service line and entrance cable, and to the adjoining insulator. If you suspect that your service mast has been damaged during a storm, take the following steps:
- Visually inspect the service mast without touching or getting too near it.
- If it appears to be atilt, bent, cracked, or partially or fully detached from the house, or if the service entrance cap or insulator looks damaged, you’ll need to call an electrician for repairs. But first,
- Turn off the home’s electrical power at the main breaker to prioritize safety.
- Contact the power company so that they can ensure that there’s no damage to the service line and its connection with the main power line.
- Call a licensed professional electrician, like those at Meeks Electrical, to ensure a safe, code-compliant mast repair job.
- If the damage seems severe, take photographs and contact your home insurance company to consider filing a claim.
Electrical service masts are robust and rarely cause homeowners problems with their power needs. However, if a storm, age-induced deterioration, or other issue damages your mast, you should have it serviced by a professional electrician as soon as possible. For repair or maintenance service of your electrical service mast or any electric service needs in the Tallahassee area, contact Meeks Electrical Services at (850) 575-5241.
