NALMCO Certified Apprentice Lighting Technician (CALT) Practice Exam

Is a standard toggle wall switch considered an automatic lighting control?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Only in some cases

4. It depends on the installation

The correct answer is: No

A standard toggle wall switch is not considered an automatic lighting control because it requires manual intervention to operate. Automatic lighting controls are designed to turn lights on or off based on specific conditions without the need for human action, such as motion sensors, timers, or photocells that respond to sunlight. A toggle wall switch operates through a physical mechanism activated by the user; when the switch is toggled, it either completes or breaks the circuit to control the lighting. The distinction lies in the operational aspect—automatic controls can sense environmental conditions and adjust accordingly, while toggle switches rely entirely on direct human input to function. In practical applications, automatic controls enhance energy efficiency and convenience by eliminating the need for manual interaction, which isn't achievable with a simple toggle switch.