Definition of Service and Premises Wiring

[00crashtest]

In Article 100, titled Definitions, of the 2020 Edition of the National Electric Code, the definition of premises wiring includes "wiring from the service point" to the outlets.
The other definitions are:
service: The conductors and equipment connecting the serving utility to the wiring system of the premises served.
service conductors: The conductors from the service point to the service disconnecting means.
service conductors, overhead: The overhead conductors between the service point and the point of first connection to the service-entrance conductors at the building or other structure.
service point: The point of connection between the facilities of the serving utility and the premises wiring.
service drop: The overhead conductors between the serving utility and the service point.
service equipment: The necessary equipment, consisting of a circuit breaker(s) or switch(es) and fuse(s) and their accessories, connected to the serving utility and intended to constitute the main control and disconnect of the serving utility.

In practice, the service point is never located closer to the home than the connection with the service-entrance conductors and never located further than the connection of the conductors for a public road with the conductors for a private road. All of these questions are regarding NEC definition only.
1. Does this mean that the service conductors are always part of the premises wiring and never part of the service, making the term an oxymoron?
2. Are service-entrance conductors (strictly defined term by the electrical industry globally, so no ambiguity here) a subset of service conductors?
3. The most-common case of older neighbourhoods is where the service point is defined as the point where the utility's overhead wiring meets the service-entrance conductors. In this case:
a. Does this mean that the overhead service conductors do not exist?
b. Does this mean that the service drop is always part of the service and never part of the premises wiring?
c. Does this mean that the utility wiring over the front yard is the service drop?
d. Is the difference between service drop and overhead service conductor distinguished by who owns it?
e. Is (d) why overhead service conductors and service drops are listed under different definitions?
f. Is (a) to (e) the same case with underground utility wiring connecting to the service-entrance conductors in a comparable situation?
4. Since the service equipment is located downstream of the service point, is it part of the premises wiring or is it part of the service?

 

[Fred B]

In practice, the service point is never located closer to the home than the connection with the service-entrance conductors and never located further than the connection of the conductors for a public road with the conductors for a private road. All of these questions are regarding NEC definition only.
1. Does this mean that the service conductors are always part of the premises wiring and never part of the service, making the term an oxymoron?

If question is "Are they always governed by the NEC?" Then yes, no oxymoron.

2. Are service-entrance conductors (strictly defined term by the electrical industry globally, so no ambiguity here) a subset of service conductors?

There is almost nothing interpreted "globally". But generally both are the same.

3. The most-common case of older neighbourhoods is where the service point is defined as the point where the utility's overhead wiring meets the service-entrance conductors. In this case:
a. Does this mean that the overhead service conductors do not exist?

False, a lot of the time dictated by the POCO as to their attachment point. Sometimes they will go one pole in and then you are responsible for the remainder of the service wire. This makes your service point at that splice. Same might be true also for underground feeds.

b. Does this mean that the service drop is always part of the service and never part of the premises wiring?

The generic term "service drop" the wiring is under the NEC. But POCO may have criteria regarding attachment point.

c. Does this mean that the utility wiring over the front yard is the service drop?

Not sure regarding NESC terminology, but sometimes the wire is under control of POCO and sometimes it is under control of the property. (See above)

d. Is the difference between service drop and overhead service conductor distinguished by who owns it?

See above

e. Is (d) why overhead service conductors and service drops are listed under different definitions?

Service drops are simply the point of the service conductors that brings the connection from the service point (POCO connection point) down the side of "structure".

f. Is (a) to (e) the same case with underground utility wiring connecting to the service-entrance conductors in a comparable situation?

Generally yes, service point is dictated by POCO.

4. Since the service equipment is located downstream of the service point, is it part of the premises wiring or is it part of the service?

All parts controlled under NEC. The meter is kind of hybrid. POCO dictates and maintains control of entry into it but it is under NEC rules.