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who is responsible for service line?

2K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  ddawg16 
#1 ·
Hi All,
Ok this is something I am extremely uneducated about so please bear with me. We moved into a 90 year old house with underground utility lines to the house. Was talking with a neighbor yesterday and this is what I learned. There used to be 5 homes branched off the same underground 75 year old service line. I guess over the years with the addition of air conditioners, newer appliances, etc the load was just too much and power was constantly going out to the homes. So, all the homes but ours tapped into new lines. My house is the only one using this older line. She said something bout being told that an old line could fail underground resulting in extensive repairs. I was under the impression that she had to pay for the new line. What is going on? SHould I be concerned? I really haven't had any issues with service (knock on wood) other than lights briefly flickering when a/c initially kicks on (which also happened in our last home which was a new build townhome).
Really confused
Thanks in advance
 
#2 ·
Generally speaking underground service laterals are the resposibility of the utility. The specifics of your situation could be entirely different. For instance, if there is a service pedestal, the lines pat the pedestal would usually be the owner's responsiblity.
 
#3 ·
brric said:
Generally speaking underground service laterals are the resposibility of the utility. The specifics of your situation could be entirely different. For instance, if there is a service pedestal, the lines pat the pedestal would usually be the owner's responsiblity.
Thanks brric,
What is a service pedestal and how would I know if there is one? Thanks for the reply
 
#4 ·
In my area an underground lateral to the house is the responsibility of the homeowner. Even if coming from a utility pad mount transformer.

Best bet is to call your utility company and ask them. Every area is different.

Bottom line is why worry about it now? It is what it is and if something goes wrong you deal with it appropriately.
There is nothing preemptive that you can or should to.
 
#5 · (Edited)
It's hard to say when or if an old service line would fail. But some have, including primary (medium voltage) lines, sometimes spectacularly (explosively).

Water could get in, corroding the line particularly if it is aluminum. Chipmunks or other underground animals could chew the outside of the line to allow water to get in or even cause a short circuit.

But if the same line used to serve several homes and now has served just yours for awhile, then overload is very unlikely as a cause of failure.

Of course, if the line failed, it would have to be dug up (or a new trench dug elsewhere for a new line).

A pedestal is a post or box raised off the ground (or is sometimes an underground box with the lid at ground level) where for example connections are made from a (n underground) 120/240 volt line serving several homes to the service lines for your home.
 
#11 ·
They would usually be in the back, or on the front, it depends on where your conduit for your breaker panel exits out of the home. Around here, they are usually placed every other or every third home, and people put stuff like tall grass, etc to hide them. They will not be next to the telephone & catv pedestals.

How long have you been there? Talk to your neighbors, they could probably tell you were the one is that serves your home. Better yet, call your utility locator service and tell them you are planning on a project, and need utilities mapped out. No cost, and they are not going to hit you if you do not do the project, but it will tell you how everything runs from the home.
 
#15 ·
One thought.....it could be that the service as a whole was not up to serving all 5 houses.....maybe your wiring is ok....

BUT....welll worth the time to look at what you have coming in. A good indication of what you have is the main breaker. Your underground wiring should be at least big enough for the main breaker.....
 
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