What does the service drop deliver to the customer?

• A. Primary voltage
• B. Secondary voltage
• C. Tertiary voltage
• D. Ground voltage

Answer: (B)

The service drop delivers the voltage that powers a customer’s electrical system after it has been stepped down to useable levels. In most North American homes, the distribution transformer on the pole or pad lowers the high distribution voltage to secondary voltage (such as 120/240 V). The service drop is the set of conductors from that transformer to the customer’s meter and service equipment, so its job is to bring that secondary voltage to the house. It does not carry the high primary voltage, which stays on the distribution system, and it does not provide a separate ground voltage—the grounding path is a separate conductor.