Master Electrician Practice Exam

When assessing the load of a facility, what is the unit of measure for receptacle load management?

1. Watts

2. Volt-amps

3. Amperes

4. OHMS

The correct answer is: Volt-amps

In the context of receptacle load management, the use of volt-amps as the unit of measure is appropriate because it accounts for both the voltage and the current in the system. Volt-amps represent the apparent power in an electrical circuit, which is important for assessing the total load that receptacles will place on a facility's electrical system. This measurement is especially relevant in alternating current (AC) environments, where electrical loads can be reactive, meaning that not all power used is converted directly into work. While watts also measure power, they specifically refer to real power, which is the portion of electrical power that performs useful work. In many cases involving receptacles and associated equipment, the load can include inductive and capacitive elements, leading to a need for using volt-amps to capture the overall load more accurately. Other options, such as amperes, measure current, but do not provide a complete picture of the load without factoring in the voltage. Ohms are a measure of resistance and do not directly relate to capacity loads in the same context. Therefore, volt-amps is the best choice for understanding and managing receptacle loads in a facility.