NALMCO Certified Apprentice Lighting Technician (CALT) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a ballast used to operate HID lamps?

1. F-can

2. Core-and-coil

3. Preheat CFL

4. Post line

The correct answer is: Preheat CFL

The correct answer is the preheat compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). Compact fluorescent lamps typically operate using electronic ballasts or magnetic ballasts designed specifically for fluorescent technology. In contrast to high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, which include specific types of ballasts such as the core-and-coil or F-can, preheat CFLs do not fall into the category of ballasts that operate HID lamps. Understanding the various types of ballasts is crucial for a lighting technician because they serve different functions based on the technology used. HID lamps require a specific type of ballast to regulate the electrical current and provide the necessary starting voltage. The F-can and core-and-coil ballasts are specifically designed for HID applications, enabling the operation of lamps like metal halide or high-pressure sodium. Thus, the preheat CFL does not align with the requirement to operate HID lamps, making it the correct choice for the question.