Service drop clearance

[Mike Birenbaum]

Does the minimum 3ft clearance rule apply (roof is greater than 4:12 pitch) when the SE passes over other portions of the hip roof? The actual position of the mast is within 4ft of the roof edge. Note: The attached picture does not show the "sag" very well in the SE but it is below 18 inches at the ridge cap.

[Rick Cantrell]

2006 IRC


E3504.2.1 Above roofs. Conductors shall have a vertical
clearance of not less than 8 feet (2438 mm) above the roof
surface. The vertical clearance above the roof level shall be
maintained for a distance of not less than 3 feet (914 mm) in
all directions from the edge of the roof. See Figure
E3504.2.1.

Exceptions:

1. Conductors above a roof surface subject to pedestrian
traffic shall have a vertical clearance from the
roof surface in accordance with Section
E3504.2.2.
2. Where the roof has a slope of 4 inches (102 mm) in
12 inches (305 mm), or greater, the minimum
clearance shall be 3 feet (914 mm).

3. The minimum clearance above only the overhanging
portion of the roof shall not be less than 18
inches (457 mm) where not more than 6 feet (1829
mm) of conductor length passes over 4 feet (1219
mm) or less of roof surface measured horizontally
and such conductors are terminated at a
through-the-roof raceway or approved support.
4. The requirement for maintaining the vertical clearance
for a distance of 3 feet (914 mm) 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.

[Gunnar Alquist]

OK, so in English...

Assuming that the service drop approaches the house at 90 degrees and the roof slope is greater than 4:12, the service mast can be no more than 4 feet in from the edge of the eave, unless the cables are more than 8 feet high.

Did I get that correct?

This one has always confused me and sometimes I cannot digest the code.

[Rick Cantrell]

"Did I get that correct?"

Kinda, sorta.

Must be 8',

Execpt that 3' is allowed but ONLY when
Pitch =>4/12
AND mast is <4' from edge,
AND SE cable over roof is <6'.

Forget the 90deg thing.