In NEC terminology, what is a service?

• A. The conductors and equipment for delivering utility electrical energy to a building, including the service disconnect
• B. The feeders connecting service to distribution equipment
• C. The branch circuits inside a structure
• D. The main grounding electrode system

Answer: (A)

In NEC terms, a service is the conductors and equipment that deliver utility electrical energy to the building, including the service disconnect. It marks the boundary where the utility’s supply enters the building and where the means to disconnect all ungrounded conductors is located. The service typically includes the service conductors from the point of connection to the building’s interior equipment and the service disconnecting means that can shut off power to the entire structure. This distinguishes it from feeders, which run from the service to distribution equipment, and from branch circuits, which supply individual outlets and loads inside the building. The main grounding electrode system is part of the grounding arrangement connected to the service but does not define the service itself.