NALMCO Certified Apprentice Lighting Technician (CALT) Practice Exam

Voltage is the "push" of electricity; what is the resulting rate of flow of electric power down the line called?

1. Ballast starts and operates the lamp

2. Lamp produces light

3. Ballast records energy consumption on an LCD display

4. The current

The correct answer is: The current

The term that denotes the resulting rate of flow of electric power down a line is called "current." In electrical terms, current refers to the movement of electric charge through a conductor, typically measured in amperes (A). As voltage serves as the driving force or "push" that propels this charge, current represents the actual flow of that charged electricity. Understanding current is crucial for anyone working with electrical systems, as it directly affects the performance of devices, the generation of heat in conductors, and the overall efficiency of electrical installations. The other options refer to related but distinct processes or components. For instance, while a ballast is an important device that starts and operates lamps, it doesn’t provide a measure of the flow of electricity; it regulates current within the system. Additionally, the description of a lamp producing light pertains to its function but does not relate to the flow of electricity. Similarly, while a ballast may display energy consumption, this is also a separate function that does not describe the rate of electric flow.