NALMCO Certified Apprentice Lighting Technician (CALT) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a typical function of a lighting system?

1. Ballast starts and operates the lamp

2. Lamp produces light

3. Ballast records energy consumption on an LCD display

4. Luminaire controls the direction and intensity of the light coming out of the lamp

The correct answer is: Ballast records energy consumption on an LCD display

The choice indicating that a ballast records energy consumption on an LCD display is not a typical function of lighting systems. In standard lighting configurations, the primary role of a ballast is to initiate and regulate the current/voltage supplied to the lamp, enabling it to start and maintain its operation. While many modern lighting systems integrate more advanced technology, including smart features that may provide energy monitoring, the ballast itself traditionally focuses solely on managing the electrical characteristics required for the lamp to function properly. Therefore, it does not include functionalities like data recording or displaying information, which is a feature typically found in separate energy management systems rather than in the ballast component of a lighting system. In contrast, the other options describe essential and standard functions that are inherently part of typical lighting systems. The ballast indeed starts and operates the lamp, the lamp produces light as its primary function, and the luminaire is designed to control the direction and intensity of the emitted light, ensuring optimal illumination for various applications.