Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 07, 1999 09:48pm | #1

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   I have only ever heard the term "drop" used in the context of overhead service to refer to the power company's connection to the building. It may by extension therefore refer to an underground hook up. One connection i.e. one meter is one drop.

2. 
   cliffp | Jan 08, 1999 03:13am | #2

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   Norm--

   betcha he's using the word "drop" to mean a
   b switch leg drop.

   If you run power to the fixture box, you "drop" cable to the switch box to control the light.

   Add one more "drop" to provide power to the fixture box (from a box in an existing circuit).

   Different people even within a trade use different terminology.

   Sounds like this is just a way to estimate job cost. Your sparky figues, based on experience, that installing a box and running cable to it will take (on the average) a certain amount of time, and prices the job accordingly. Some guys don't price or bill residential work on an hourly basis because if the job goes smoothly (ha ha), they wouldn't get the job if they charged a high enough hourly rate to make a living. Probably wouldn't get the job either if they charged portal-to-portal time...

   I agree with Mike that the term "drop" refers to the utility company (or phoneco or cableco) wire from the utility pole to the house.

3. 
   norml | Jan 08, 1999 03:13am | #3

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   I'm getting some ambiguous answers from my electrician on how a "drop" is defined. Since they charge by the "drop" I would like further input on this. Does a light fixture with one switch constitute two drops? If it is controlled by two 3-way switches is it now three drops? Does one 240V circuit mean two drops? HELP.