How far must open overhead service conductors be from the front, bottom, and sides of windows?

Open overhead service conductors must maintain a minimum distance from the front, bottom, and sides of windows to ensure safety and prevent electrical hazards. The standard requirement is that these conductors be at least 3 feet away from these openings. This distance is established to minimize the risk of electrical contact or arcing, especially considering that windows are often opened, which could lead to a potential safety issue if conductors are too close.

Choosing a distance of 3 feet ensures adequate clearance while still allowing for practical building design and accessibility. Other distances, such as 2, 4, or 5 feet, either do not align with standard regulations or may be unnecessarily restrictive in typical installations, which could complicate building layouts or designs without significantly enhancing safety.