Serviceledninger

Serviceledninger is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to describe the utility lines that connect a public distribution network to a customer’s property. They can carry water, gas, electricity, district heating, or telecommunications. The serviceledning typically refers to the external portion from the main network to the property boundary or meter, and in many cases the meter itself is included in this scope.

Ownership and responsibility for serviceledninger vary by country and utility. Generally, the utility company owns and maintains the serviceledning up to the meter or property boundary, while the customer is responsible for the installation from the meter into the building and for ongoing internal systems. Regulations often define minimum installation standards, testing requirements, and access rights for maintenance.

Common types include:

- Water serviceledninger: pipes from the water main to the water meter, commonly made of copper, ductile iron, or plastic materials. Components may include shut-off valves and backflow prevention devices.

- Electrical serviceledninger: conductors from the distribution network to the building’s service entrance, including the meter and service disconnect. Materials are typically copper or aluminum, with protective conduits and weatherproof enclosures.

- Gas serviceledninger: pipes from the main to the gas meter, usually steel or polyethylene, with leak detection and shut-off facilities.

- District heating serviceledninger: insulated pipes delivering hot water or steam from the network to a building’s heat exchanger.

- Telecommunications serviceledninger: fiber or copper lines providing the connection from the network to the premises, often housed in conduits.

Safety and maintenance emphasize proper installation, testing, corrosion protection, and timely replacement of aging lines. Modern trends include leak detection, smart meters, and enhanced tracing of service connections.