What does a service entrance panel contain?

A service entrance panel is primarily designed to distribute electricity throughout a building and ensure proper electrical safety. It contains fuses or circuit breakers, which are crucial components for protecting the electrical system. These devices serve to interrupt the electrical flow in case of overloads or short circuits, preventing potential fires or damage to the electrical system and appliances. Each circuit breaker or fuse corresponds to different circuits in the building, enabling safe management and control of power distribution.

Other components mentioned, such as grounding devices, transformers, and service drops, play important roles in electrical systems but do not constitute the main features of a service entrance panel. Grounding devices are essential for safety, ensuring that excess electricity from faults can be safely moved to the ground, while transformers modify voltage levels but are not contained within the service entrance panel itself. Service drops refer to the overhead or underground lines that deliver electricity from the power lines to the service entrance but do not describe the panel's internal components. Thus, the correct answer accurately identifies the essential elements included within a service entrance panel.