GSLC · Question #349
What do spikes in a power line indicate?
The correct answer is B. Momentary high voltage. A power spike is a momentary, high-amplitude surge in voltage on a power line, lasting less than one full AC cycle. It differs from other power irregularities by its brief but intense high-voltage nature.
Question
What do spikes in a power line indicate?
Options
- AInterference superimposed onto the power line
- BMomentary high voltage
- CProlonged loss of power
- DMomentary low voltage
How the community answered
(25 responses)- B88% (22)
- C4% (1)
- D8% (2)
Why each option
A power spike is a momentary, high-amplitude surge in voltage on a power line, lasting less than one full AC cycle. It differs from other power irregularities by its brief but intense high-voltage nature.
Interference superimposed onto the power line describes electrical noise or EMI riding on the power signal, not a sudden high-voltage transient event.
A spike is defined as a transient, momentary increase in voltage that is significantly above the nominal line voltage, typically caused by lightning strikes, switching transients, or nearby high-power equipment. Because of their brief duration but high amplitude, spikes can permanently damage sensitive electronic components and are mitigated by surge protectors or UPS devices.
Prolonged loss of power describes a blackout or outage, which is a sustained condition, not a momentary voltage spike.
Momentary low voltage describes a voltage sag or dip, which is the opposite condition of a spike.
Concept tested: Power line anomaly types and definitions
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