Utilities companies usually provide residential homes with

• A. 240v, single phase, three wire
• B. 120v, single phase, two wire
• C. 480v, single phase, two wire
• D. 208v, three phase, three wire

Answer: (A)

Residential service is typically split-phase single-phase power: the utility provides two hot conductors that are opposite in phase, with a neutral tied to the center of a transformer. Because of that setup, you get 240 V between the two hot wires and 120 V from each hot to neutral. The service to the home is usually three wires: two hots and a neutral. This lets you run 120 V circuits off either hot to neutral, and 240 V loads (like some appliances) across the two hot legs.

The other options don’t fit typical residential practice. A two-wire 120 V service wouldn’t supply 240 V for larger appliances. A 480 V single-phase service is used in industrial settings, not standard homes. A 208 V three-phase service is common in commercial buildings, delivering 120/208 V loads, not the typical single-family home setup.