Meaning & use
service wire
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountabletechnical
The electrical cable that carries power from a utility's supply lines to a building's main panel.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a service wire' or 'the service wires'. It is usually singular in a specific installation.
Patterns
- run a service wire
- replace the service wire
- service wire to something
The electrician ran a new service wire from the pole to the house.
A damaged service wire can cause the whole building to lose power.
They buried the service wire underground to protect it from storms.
nouncountable
A wire that connects a device or system to a source of power or to a main network.
Grammar: Countable and often used in the plural when talking about several connections.
Patterns
- service wire for something
- connect a service wire
Each unit has its own service wire for the air conditioner.
The technician checked the service wire before turning on the machine.
Word forms
| plural | service wires |
|---|
Common combinations
- run a service wire
- They had to run a service wire across the yard to reach the new shed.
- replace a service wire
- The old service wire was replaced after it started to crack.
- service wire connection
- The service wire connection must be weatherproof.
- overhead service wire
- An overhead service wire is common in older neighborhoods.
- underground service wire
- Underground service wire is safer but more expensive to install.
Synonyms and how they differ
- service cable
- Almost the same meaning, but 'cable' often suggests a thicker or more heavily insulated wire.
- service drop
- Specifically the overhead wires from the utility pole to the building; a service wire can also be underground.
Word family
- service entrance noun
- The point where the service wire enters a building.
- service panel noun
- The main electrical box that the service wire connects to.
Commonly confused: service wire or service line?
service wire vs service line
A service line usually refers to a water or gas pipe, not an electrical wire.
Practice
The electrician ran a new ______ from the utility pole to the house.
Choose one answer.
'Service wire' is the correct term for the electrical cable bringing power to a building. 'Service line' is used for water or gas, not electricity.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “service wire”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.