Which statement is true regarding service conductors and the use of multiple services to a building?

Which statement is true regarding service conductors and the use of multiple services to a building?

• A. There can be multiple services normally
• B. There is normally only one service
• C. There is no limit
• D. Service conductors do not require protection

Answer: (B)

The main point is that a building is normally supplied by a single service. Service conductors are the lines from the utility’s point of connection to the building’s service equipment, including the main disconnect. Having one service keeps the supply under one main point of control, simplifies protection and coordination of overcurrent devices, and makes grounding and metering straightforward. While there are special cases where a building might have more than one service (such as separate occupancies or meters in larger or multi-tenant facilities), that is not the typical setup for most buildings. So the statement reflecting the common, practical arrangement is that there is normally only one service. The other options describe situations that aren’t standard: multiple services aren’t the normal condition, there is a limit to how many service disconnects or services a building can have, and service conductors must be protected against damage, not left unprotected.

The main point is that a building is normally supplied by a single service. Service conductors are the lines from the utility’s point of connection to the building’s service equipment, including the main disconnect. Having one service keeps the supply under one main point of control, simplifies protection and coordination of overcurrent devices, and makes grounding and metering straightforward. While there are special cases where a building might have more than one service (such as separate occupancies or meters in larger or multi-tenant facilities), that is not the typical setup for most buildings.

So the statement reflecting the common, practical arrangement is that there is normally only one service. The other options describe situations that aren’t standard: multiple services aren’t the normal condition, there is a limit to how many service disconnects or services a building can have, and service conductors must be protected against damage, not left unprotected.