We describe the Kerr effect in a strong electric field for a polymer chain having only a transverse component of the dipole moment (type B chain). The theory is based on a rotational-isomeric- state model for: a tetrahedral lattice which was applied previously for chains with a longitudinal component of the dipole moment (type A chain). We calculate various conformational properties and orientational parameters as functions of the electric field magnitude. The overall chain behavior in a strong electric field can be described as the orientation of "effective" segments by the applied field. The "effective" segment length increases with the field strength. The field dependence of the electric birefringence for type B chains is shown to be stronger than that for type A chains with the same dipole moment per monomer unit. The initial polymer chain rigidity and conformational rearrangements strongly influence the Kerr effect for any type of dipole moment distribution.