Cathodic Protection Tester Practice Exam

This law states that the sum of the source voltages in a circuit equals the sum of the voltage drops across each resistor. What is this law called?

1. Current Law

2. Voltage Law

3. Power Law

4. Conductance Law

The correct answer is: Voltage Law

The law in question is known as Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL). This principle is fundamental in electrical engineering and states that the sum of the electromotive forces (source voltages) in any closed circuit is equal to the sum of the potential drops (voltage drops) across all components within that circuit. In essence, KVL emphasizes the conservation of energy, indicating that the energy supplied by the voltage sources is entirely accounted for by the energy consumed across the circuit elements. Understanding this law is crucial for analyzing circuits, as it helps engineers and technicians ensure that their designs and measurements adhere to the principles of electrical conservation. With the awareness of KVL, one can effectively troubleshoot and optimize electrical circuits, knowing that the total voltage provided by sources must always equal the total voltage lost in the resistive components. The incorrect options represent other important concepts in electrical theory: the Current Law pertains to the distribution of current at junctions, the Power Law relates voltage, current, and power calculations, while Conductance Law focuses on the relationship between current and voltage as influenced by resistance. However, none of these correctly describe the relationship between source voltages and voltage drops as articulated by Kirchhoff's Voltage Law.