New York State Master Electrician Practice Exam

Which type of electrical load is specified for control by general use snap switches?

1. Resistive load

2. Inductive load

3. Capacitive load

4. Reactive load

The correct answer is: Inductive load

General use snap switches are specifically designed to control resistive loads. A resistive load is characterized by the consumption of electrical energy primarily for heating purposes, such as incandescent light bulbs or resistive heating elements. These types of loads have a very straightforward relationship with the current and voltage, where the current flowing through the load is directly proportional to the applied voltage. Inductive loads, on the other hand, involve coils or magnetic fields, such as motors or transformers. These loads can create additional challenges for snap switches, such as inrush currents, which lead to additional stresses and potential failure of the switch due to arcing during operation. Capacitive loads involve storing energy in an electric field and are typically found in applications such as capacitive lighting controls or power factor correction devices. Reactive loads combine both inductive and capacitive characteristics, leading to complexities in voltage and current phase relationships, which makes them less suitable for control by general use snap switches. Therefore, the correct answer is that general use snap switches are suited for controlling resistive loads.