Weatherhead

For other uses, see Weatherhead (disambiguation).

A weatherhead on a residence in Mount Vernon, Washington, USA

A weatherhead, also called a weathercap, service head or service entrance cap, is a weatherproof entry point for above-ground electrical wiring or telephone lines into a home or business. It is used at a service drop, where overhead wires from a utility pole supplying power or telephone service enter a building. At the building the wires enter a conduit, a protective metal pipe, and the weatherhead is a waterproof cap on the end of the conduit that allows the wires to enter without letting in water. It is shaped like a hood, with the surface where the wires enter facing down at an angle of at least 45°, to shield it from precipitation. A rubberized gasket makes for a tight seal against the wires. Before they enter the weatherhead, a drip loop is left in the overhead wires, which permits rain water that collects on the wires to drip off before reaching the weatherhead.

Weatherheads are required by electrical codes or building codes. They are also used on utility poles where overhead power lines enter a conduit to pass underground.