NALMCO Certified Apprentice Lighting Technician (CALT) Practice Exam

____ describes the gradual decline in a lamp's light output as it ages.

1. Light efficacy

2. Lamp consolidation

3. Lumen depreciation

4. Hours per start degradation

The correct answer is: Lumen depreciation

The term that describes the gradual decline in a lamp's light output as it ages is lumen depreciation. This phenomenon refers to the decrease in a light source's lumen output over time, which can occur due to various factors such as loss of efficacy in the light-emitting components, buildup of dirt or dust on the lamp surface, and changes to the lamp's internal components. Lumen depreciation is an important concept in lighting design and maintenance because it impacts how much light is delivered to a space over time and can inform decisions about lamp replacement schedules and overall lighting maintenance strategies. Understanding this concept helps lighting technicians ensure that spaces continue to meet appropriate illumination levels throughout the life of the lamp. The other terms mentioned do not accurately describe this specific decline in light output: light efficacy refers to the ratio of luminous flux to power, lamp consolidation does not describe a decline but rather the combination or simplification of lamp types, and hours per start degradation relates to the operational lifespan affected by the number of times a lamp is turned on and off rather than a gradual loss of output over time.