NALMCO Certified Apprentice Lighting Technician (CALT) Practice Exam

Which type of fluorescent lamp starts quickly and reaches full brightness without flickering?

1. Preheat

2. Rapid start

3. Instant start

4. Cold cathode

The correct answer is: Instant start

The type of fluorescent lamp that starts quickly and reaches full brightness without flickering is the instant start lamp. This kind of lamp utilizes a high-voltage starting technique that allows it to turn on almost immediately, providing full brightness without any noticeable flickering during the startup phase. Instant start technology is particularly advantageous in applications where immediate illumination is required, such as in commercial settings where lighting needs to be both efficient and effective. In contrast, other types of fluorescent lamps have different starting mechanisms. Preheat lamps require a warm-up period where the electrode gets heated before the lamp can start, leading to a delay in achieving full brightness. Rapid start lamps base their operation on preheating the electrodes but can still exhibit some flickering. Cold cathode lamps, while known for their long lifespan and low voltage operation, are not typically used in conventional fluorescent lighting applications and have a different starting method. Thus, the instant start option stands out for its quick and flicker-free performance.