BOMA Instrumentation & Controls Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Which component is essential for monitoring indoor climate conditions in a building?
• What type of thermostat action is characterized by the thermostat operating in reverse?
• What does the turndown ratio measure?
• What is the function of a damper in HVAC systems?
• What is the significance of the setpoint in a control system?
• The temperature-resistance characteristic of a thermistor is described as:
• What is variable frequency drive (VFD) used for?
• What is the term used for the departure of the control point from the set point?
• If a relative humidity transmitter's output pressure is 12 psig and the range is 0-100%, what percentage would this indicate?
• What type of switch is ps-1, as referenced in a control system?
• Which control method is characterized by maintaining temperature with minimal fluctuation around the setpoint?
• How does an electronic actuator function compared to a pneumatic actuator?
• What is the primary function of a pressure regulator in a compressed air system?
• What temperature condition typically triggers a heating system to turn on?
• What is the typical communication protocol used in building automation systems?
• The major difference between a single pipe and a two pipe thermostat is:
• Which pressure range is associated with a hot water valve in a controller setup?
• Which control method is preferred for a plant with a slow reaction rate and high demand capacity?
• A heating thermostat typically closes when there is a:
• How many outlets does a three-way diverting valve typically have?
• Which type of sensor operates with only two positions?
• What is the difference between analog and digital signals?
• Which of the following instruments requires careful filtration of compressed air?
• In a control system, a ratio relay is primarily used to:
• What is the function of a modem in communication systems?
• What are the typical components of a Building Management System (BMS)?
• The control action of a reverse acting thermostat is to:
• What does it mean when an actuated device is described as normally open?
• What does an anemometer measure?
• What type of control strategy might use on/off controls?
• Which of the following components is critical for pneumatic control systems?
• Which type of actuator is commonly used in HVAC systems for controlling valves?
• What is the role of a flow meter in HVAC systems?
• Which of the following devices is a PC component that connects the computer to the network?
• What can be a challenge when calibrating sensors?
• What occurs when you decrease the percentage of proportional band on a receiver controller?
• What is the primary function of instrumentation in building systems?
• What is one of the operational advantages of using a pneumatic actuator?
• In a control system, as the controlled variable decreases in temperature, what occurs to the branch pressure from the temperature controller?
• What is a typical output from a temperature controller?
• What is the purpose of an actuator in an instrumentation system?
• Assuming a standard 3-15 psig range, the sensitivity of a 50 - 100 degrees Fahrenheit transmitter would be:
• Which control method is likely to result in a rapid oscillation around the desired setpoint?
• What is the approximate size of a micron?
• In relation to control systems, what typically happens when a set point is adjusted?
• With a loss of control branch pressure, the system will fail on:
• What type of instrument system corrects changes using feedback from a process?
• What is the primary input for a thermostat?
• Which control loop operates in a narrow band close to the setpoint?
• What component is essential for implementing a variable air volume control strategy?
• What type of action does a hygrostat/humidistat provide with a normally open steam humidifier valve?
• What is the main purpose of alarms in a BMS?
• What does "real-time monitoring" refer to?
• What type of control system is typically used for simple on-off operations?
• A refrigerated air dryer installed downstream of a compressor does what?
• What does HVAC stand for?
• What is the primary purpose of a mixing box in an HVAC system?
• What is the temperature at which airborne moisture begins to condense called?
• In control systems, what does a proportional controller adjust based on?
• What important functions does an air receiver perform in a compressed air system?
• What device is used to modulate digital signals into analog signals for transmission?
• In a receiver controller system, what is the greatest determining factor in using an external restrictor over an internal restrictor?
• What describes the signal distortion produced by current outputs over long distances?
• Where would a safety valve typically be installed in a compressed air system?
• What technology is typically used in a variable air volume system to save energy?
• In which type of control action do high overshoot and undershoot occur?
• If you had a damper motor with a 3-13 psig range, at what pressure would you expect to see the damper at 50% of its stroke?
• A three-way mixing valve is characterized by:
• At what pressure does a steam control valve with a 5 - 10 psig range deliver the maximum amount of steam?
• Which element of a control system is directly responsible for altering output based on input?
• What happens when you decrease the percentage of proportional band in a control system?
• How does an air receiver contribute to the stability of a compressed air system?
• What is the current flowing through a 200-ohm resistor connected across 500 volts?
• Which type of signal is more advantageous for transmission?
• In static pressure control, what is primarily being monitored?
• The most efficient operation of a fan occurs at:
• What type of system is indicated by using terminal reheat for variable volume applications?
• What does the acronym DDC stand for?
• In a system with varying branch pressures, what would be the calibration point of a thermostat with a spring range of 3-8 psig?
• What is the controlled variable in a heating system?
• What is the primary purpose of an instrumentation system?
• What type of action increases branch pressure as the controlled variable increases?
• In a series circuit, which value remains constant throughout?
• The performance stability of an instrument is often assessed by which parameter?
• What component indicates static pressure to a static pressure regulator?
• What is a common unit of measurement for air flow in HVAC systems?
• What technology underpins smart building automation?
• If the hot water control valve is normally open (N/O) instead of normally closed (N/C), what would the control action be?
• What does SCADA stand for?
• Why is redundancy important in critical building control systems?
• What type of component typically acts as an actuator in HVAC systems?
• What role do variable speed drives play in building control systems?
• In a controlled media system, which agent is typically used?
• Which of the following exemplifies a control that allows for a readjusted set point?
• Which system component is essential for monitoring temperature variations?
• What is the role of sensors in a Building Management System?
• Which network device translates data from one format to another?
• What main principle does a bimetallic strip operate on?
• What is the primary purpose of a primary control?
• What should the branch pressure be leaving the thermostat to control a N/O VAV box when the surrounding temperature and desired set point are both 70 degrees Fahrenheit?
• What is the function of a thermowell in a liquid thermometer system?
• In pneumatic systems, a common application of a reverse acting actuator would be to:
• What is the purpose of a pressure sensor in a HVAC system?
• The degree to which an instrument's calibration curve follows a straight line is referred to as?
• Springless pneumatic actuators use air pressure __________ the diaphragm:
• What term describes the number of positions an actuator will assume when the control signal is varied?
• A common air pressure applied to the supply of a pneumatic controller is:
• This process converts data into a cipher that cannot be easily understood:
• A reasonable consumption of control air for a thermostat is:
• How is humidity controlled in HVAC systems?
• What is one function of the user interface in a BMS?
• Which device forwards data to the destination node based on the MAC address?
• What is the difference between an open-loop and a closed-loop control system?
• What type of sensor measures temperature?
• What type of electrical component consists of two or more conductive surfaces separated by an insulator?
• How does a variable air volume (VAV) system primarily function?
• What is the function of an emergency shut-off valve?
• What does the term 'offset' refer to in control systems?
• What is one goal of energy management in a BMS?
• What is the main objective of system optimization in building controls?
• What type of thermostat is depicted in the scenario where a single pipe is utilized?
• What does a variable air volume system do?
• If control power is lost in an HVAC system, what is the expected outcome for room temperature?
• What does hysteresis describe in control systems?
• When setting up an instrument, which of the following is not typically necessary to know?
• What is the function of a dampener in a compressed air system?
• In the bimetal thermostat scenario, what action occurs when the bimetal warps away from the nozzle due to an increase in temperature?
• What is a common reason for system alarms to trigger false alerts?
• What device is used to measure relative humidity?
• What is the primary function of temperature sensors in a refrigeration system?
• Static pressure in a fan system is usually expressed in:
• What is the primary characteristic measured by a hygrometer?
• What is the main function of a data logger in control systems?
• If a static pressure transmitter has a range of 0-6 inches of water, what would be the expected pneumatic equivalent at 4.5 inches of water?
• What is the purpose of a system integration protocol?
• Which device is primarily used for measuring temperature in a heating system?
• In which type of control action does the controller's movement rate depend on the deviation from the set-point?
• When using a pitot tube to measure total pressure and static pressure in a duct, how do you find the velocity pressure?
• Static pressure controller(s) sense what type of pressure?
• What is the purpose of a control valve?
• How does a potentiometer work?
• What type of valve has flow proportional to the position of the valve stem?
• What are the advantages of using wireless sensors in building automation?
• What role do filter gauges play in a Building Management System (BMS)?
• What does the acronym BMS stand for?
• What does the term "feedback" refer to in control systems?
• Which type of compressors is known for having no pulsations?
• The speed of air through a duct is measured in:
• Cold plenums are generally controlled at:
• What is the importance of regular maintenance for BMS components?
• What does psychrometry refer to?
• In a humidstat, the sensing element is typically made from what type of material?
• What is the typical range of a current sensor output?
• What is the main function of a control panel?
• What does a pressure transducer do?
• How can energy consumption be reduced in building control systems?
• In a control system, what does the term 'resolution' refer to?
• What is the primary advantage of using direct digital controls (DDC) in systems?
• Why is networking important in building automation systems?
• The primary purpose of an actuator in control systems is to:
• What is the proper name for the operator of steam valves?
• What is the primary role of lighting control systems within a BMS?
• What type of device is commonly used to detect smoke in a building?
• What is the main purpose of a diverting switch?
• Which of the following is not considered a pressure measuring device?
• At what branch pressure would maximum heating occur to the damper motor?
• Which term describes a device that protects networks from outside threats?
• In which control action does the thermostat operate in reverse?
• What is PID control?
• Compressors are most efficient when the intake air is:
• What is a common challenge when installing sensors?
• Which instrument is used to measure air pressure in a duct?
• In digital control systems, the term "PID" stands for:
• The intensity of heat is expressed in terms of what unit?
• What type of valve is typically used for precise flow control?
• What type of device can provide feedback for a control loop?
• What are relays used for in instrumentation?
• What is the function of a sequence of operations in a BMS?
• Actuators that modulate from fully open to fully closed as changes occur at the controller represent:
• What type of signals can a PID controller output?
• Which term describes the pressure at which a damper motor operates when a full call for cooling is requested?
• What is a key benefit of integrating BMS with energy management systems?
• Why is it essential to document settings and configurations in a BMS?
• What is typically the main function of temperature sensors in HVAC systems?
• What type of signal is typically associated with the control output in an HVAC system?
• Which device would likely be used to control airflow in a duct system?
• What condition indicates a normally closed pressure electric switch?
• What is an advantage of screw type compressors?
• Which characteristic is typical of a pneumatic control system?
• How does a pneumatic control system operate?
• What is integral control primarily used for in control systems?
• A single pipe thermostat must be used in conjunction with which component?
• An instrument's ability to indicate or record the actual value of a measured quantity is known as?
• What does the use of hysteresis help prevent in control systems?
• What is the typical output range for a Voltage sensor?
• What is a common application for a thermistor?
• What is the principle function of a diverting switch in HVAC systems?
• What is the main purpose of a chiller in an HVAC system?
• What is a minimum code requirement for a compressed air receiver?
• Which type of system is best described as a variable volume/terminal reheat system?
• What is a common application of infrared sensors?