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NEC Article 230 — Services

Updated Mar 26, 2026
Service entrance requirements: overhead/underground, disconnecting means, overcurrent protection, grounding.

NEC Article 230: 230.23 overhead service drop clearances: 10ft above grade, 12ft above driveways, 18ft above public roads. 230.32 underground service lateral: min 12in cover under building, 24in under driveways. 230.70 service disconnect: max 6 disconnects or single main breaker, readily accessible, outside or nearest point of entrance. 230.79 rating: min 100A for single-family, min 60A for individual dwelling unit. 230.95 ground-fault protection required for services >1,000A, 277/480V. 230.82 service equipment: suitable for service entrance, rated for available fault current. Service entrance conductors: per Table 310.16. Grounding electrode system per Article 250.

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NECservice-entranceoverheadundergrounddisconnectgrounding
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code year
2023
code system
NEC
code section
Article 230
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