Service Point

The point where the service drop ends and the service wires splice together. In layman's terms, this is the point where the wiring from the utility company meets the wiring from your home.

Drip loop

A loop that is intentionally made right before the main wires go into the service mast so water will drip down the loop and fall outside and not enter the service mast.

Service Mast

A support that has adequate strength to secure the service drop. Also the location where the service wire enter a residence.

Masthead

Top of the service mast where the service wires travel into a house. Also known as a service cap, this is where the wires from the service drop enter the service mast.

Branch Circuit

The part of the circuit that starts at the breaker of fuse box and directly supplies electricity to the rest of the house.

Service Panel

The panel where the service wires end and the branch circuits begin. This panel will have a number of circuit breakers or in older homes fuses.

Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter

A type of breaker or receptacle that, when properly wired and functioning, has the ability to stop a circuit from creating an arc fault thereby protecting your home from structure fires.

Circuit breaker

A device located on an electrical panel that breaks a circuit if too much current is detected flowing through it.

Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter

A type of breaker or receptacle that, when properly wired and functioning, has the ability to stop a circuit from creating a ground-fault thereby protecting occupants of a home from electrocution.

Busbar

A metal bar that distributes electricity to the circuits of a service panel.