Hudson Light & Power Department

Customers are sometimes surprised when they find our that utilities do not repair every part of their electric service. An electric utility is responsible for bringing electricity to your business and/or home and ensuring that it is metered properly. Do you know the property owner's responsibility?

Overhead Electric Service

Are there overhead wires from the pole in the street to your home or business? If so, then you have overhead electric service, and your system includes:

1. Overhead Electric Cable 2. Weatherhead 3. Service Entrance Cable 4. Meter Socket 5. Electric Meter 6. Main Service Panel

1. The wire that runs from the utility pole to your house is known as the overhead electric cable. Any repairs and maintenance to the overhead service is the responsibility of the Hudson Light & Power Department. Be careful though. If you damage this cable, then you'll be responsible for the cost of repairs.

2. The overhead electric cable connects to the house at the weatherhead, which is the responsibility of the property owner. The Hudson Light and Power Department, however, will maintain the connection of the overhead service wire at the attachment to the building.

3. A service entrance cable is the wire that runs from the weatherhead to the electric meter. It then travels from the electric meter to the main service panel in your home or business. Repair to the service entrance cable is the responsibility of the property owner.

4. The electric meter is mounted onto a meter socket. Sometimes, the meter socket needs to be reattached to the house. The meter socket is the responsibility of the property owner.

5. The Department measures your use of electricity in kilowatt-hours with an electric meter. This device is the responsibility of the Hudson Light and Power Department. Be careful when working around the electric meter, however. If your meter is damaged, then you'll be responsible for the cost of repairs.

6. The fuses and/or circuit breakers which protect the electric service in your home or business are housed in the main service panel. This main service panel is the property owner's responsibility.

Underground Electric Service

If your electric service runs underground from the Department's utility pole or transformer, then you have an underground system which consists of:

2. Meter Socket

3. Electric Meter

4. Main Service Panel

1. The wire that runs underground from the utility pole or transformer to your electric meter, and then from the meter to your main service panel inside your home or business, is known as the underground service. Any repairs and maintenance to the underground service is the responsibility of the property owner.

2. The electric meter is mounted onto a meter socket. Sometimes the meter socket needs to be reattached to the house. The meter socket is the responsibility of the property owner.

3. The Department measures your use of electricity in kilowatt-hours with an electric meter. This device is the responsibility of the Hudson Light and Power Department. Be careful when working around the electric meter, however. If your meter is damaged, then you'll be responsible for the cost of repairs.

4. The fuses and/or circuit breakers which protect the electric service in your home or business are housed in the main service panel. This main service panel is the property owner's responsibility.

Questions?

Unsure about your owner liabilities? Please don't hesitate to give us a call at (978) 568-8736 or drop us a line. Remember, "we're here to serve you!"

Hudson Light and Power Department
49 Forest Avenue
Hudson, MA 01749

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