Copper Service Drop Cable 600V

Copper XLPE Service Drop Application

Copper service drop wire is a 600V, weather-resistant conductor (typically quadruplex or triplex) used for overhead power distribution from poles to buildings, offering superior conductivity and durability over aluminum alternatives. It features XLPE/PE insulation, handles up to 90°C, and is often used for street lighting. 

Used to supply power, usually from a pole-mounted transformer, to the user's service head where connection to the service entrance cable is made. Also suitable for installations for street lighting, security lights, and temporary service for construction. To be used at voltages of 600 volts phase-to-phase or less and at conductor temperatures not to exceed 75 ºC for polyethylene insulated conductors and 90 ºC for crosslinked polyethylene (XLP) insulated conductors.

Specifications

Meets or exceeds the following ASTM specifications:

B-1 Hard-Drawn Copper Wire.

B-3 Soft or Annealed Copper Wire.

B-8 Concentric-Lay-Stranded Copper Conductors, Hard, Medium-Hard, or Soft.

Meets or exceeds all applicable requirements of ANSI/ICEA S-76-474 for polyethylene and crosslinked polyethylene insulated conductors.

Construction

Conductor:Conductors are stranded, compressed copper

Insulation:Black polyethylene (PE) or cross-linked polyethylene (XLP) to withstand heat, moisture, and sunlight.

Messenger:Hard Drawn Copper

Common Cable Types

Copper service drops are categorized by the number of conductors twisted together: 

Duplex: One insulated phase conductor twisted with a bare neutral messenger. Used for single-phase 120V applications like street lighting or temporary construction power.

Triplex: Two insulated phase conductors and one bare neutral messenger. Standard for residential 120/240V single-phase service.

Quadruplex: Three insulated phase conductors and one bare neutral messenger. Used for three-phase power distribution. 

Construction Specifications

Phase Conductors: Typically made of soft-annealed or hard-drawn stranded copper.

Neutral Messenger: A bare, hard-drawn copper wire that provides mechanical support for the cable weight in overhead spans.

Insulation: Usually XLPE (Cross-linked Polyethylene), rated for 90°C, or PE (Polyethylene), rated for 75°C. Both are UV and weather-resistant for outdoor use. 

Typical Copper Sizing for Residential Service

The required wire size depends on the total amperage of the service: 

Service Amperage Minimum Copper Wire Size (AWG)

100A 4 AWG

150A 1 AWG

200A 2/0 AWG

Common Code Names

Manufacturers often use specific code names to identify triplex and quadruplex copper cables: 

Triplex: Pica (8 AWG), Gothic (6 AWG), Nonpareil (4 AWG), Corinthian (1/0 AWG).

Quadruplex: Lincoln (2/0 AWG), Raleigh (3/0 AWG), Denver (4/0 AWG). 

Notes:

Code words for XLP insulated products are formed by adding ""XLP"" to the conventional polyethylene code words above (e.g.- Pica/XLP).

Ampacity figures for black insulation only. Based on conductor temperature of 75 ºC for polyethylene insulated conductors, 90 ºC for XLP insulated conductors, ambient temperature of 40 ºC 2 ft./sec. wind in sun.

Features and Applications

Purpose: Transmits power from pole-mounted transformers to a customer's service entrance.

Usage: Commonly used for residential, commercial, and municipal power distribution, as well as temporary construction power and street/security lighting.

Voltage: Designed for 600V or less, phase-to-phase.

Configurations: Available in Duplex (one phase, one neutral), Triplex (two phases, one neutral), and Quadruplex (three phases, one neutral) assemblies.

Material: Concentrically stranded soft-drawn or hard-drawn copper for conductivity and flexibility.

Insulation: Black polyethylene (PE) or cross-linked polyethylene (XLP) to withstand heat, moisture, and sunlight.

Neutral/Messenger: Usually bare hard-drawn copper, acting as both the neutral and the support for overhead installation.