Under standard National Electrical Code guidelines and utility engineering specifications, the minimum wire size permitted for an overhead residential service drop is traditionally #8 copper or #6 aluminum conductor for small services, though modern residential installations almost universally require much heavier gauges. For a standard 100-amp or 200-amp residential service drop, utility companies and electrical standards mandate minimum sizes such as #2 aluminum (or larger) for secondary drops, and up to 4/0 aluminum or 2/0 copper for the actual service entrance conductors running through the mast. These sizing rules ensure that the wires can safely carry continuous household electrical loads without experiencing dangerous resistive overheating or excessive voltage drop over the span.
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