How many energized conductors are needed for a 240 volt, 200 amp, single phase electric service?

For a 240 volt, 200 amp, single-phase electric service, two energized conductors are required to deliver the necessary voltage. In a single-phase system, power is supplied using two conductors – one serving as the "hot" conductor and the other as the return path (also known as the "neutral" in some systems).

In this setup, the two energized conductors are typically connected to a transformer that provides the 240 volts. The voltage is derived from the potential difference between the two conductors, which allows equipment that operates on 240 volts to function properly. The configuration facilitates the delivery of sufficient power while ensuring that the system operates effectively within safe parameters.

While other options suggest various numbers of conductors, they do not accurately reflect the requirements for this particular service setup. For instance, one conductor would not provide the necessary voltage for equipment, while three or four conductors are generally not standard for basic single-phase configurations unless additional functionalities, such as grounding or dedicated circuits, are considered. However, for the primary requirement of delivering 240 volts in a typical residential or light commercial context, two energized conductors are essential.