Practice Test Geeks(CAT) Certified Alarm Technician Level I Practice Test
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Material Selection & Properties Flashcards

7 cards from real CAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Material Selection & Properties flashcards as text

  1. Which property of a material describes its ability to return to its original shape after being bent or stretched?

    Answer: Elasticity

    Elasticity is the material property that allows it to recover its original dimensions after deformation.

  2. A technician is installing a glass-break sensor on a framed picture window. Which glass type will produce the most reliable frequency signature for detection?

    Answer: Annealed (float) glass

    Annealed (float) glass shatters into large shards producing the classic high-frequency flex-and-break signature that glass-break sensors are tuned to detect.

  3. What does the 'mil' unit measure when specifying wire insulation thickness?

    Answer: Thousandths of an inch

    One mil equals one thousandth of an inch (0.001"), a standard unit for measuring insulation and jacket thickness.

  4. When splicing alarm wiring in an outdoor junction box, which material should be used to protect splice connections from moisture?

    Answer: Silicone-filled (waterproof) wire nuts or gel-filled connectors

    Silicone or gel-filled connectors seal out moisture at the conductor interface, preventing corrosion and resistance changes outdoors.

  5. A UL-listed alarm system requires end-of-line resistors. Which resistor body material provides the best long-term stability against temperature-induced value drift?

    Answer: Metal film

    Metal film resistors have low temperature coefficients and excellent stability over time compared to carbon composition or carbon film types.

  6. A technician selects a polycarbonate enclosure for an outdoor alarm keypad. What is the key advantage of polycarbonate over ABS plastic in this application?

    Answer: Superior impact resistance and UV stability

    Polycarbonate is significantly more impact-resistant and UV-stable than ABS, making it suitable for demanding outdoor environments.

  7. Which wire gauge has the largest physical diameter?

    Answer: 12 AWG

    In the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system, a lower number indicates a larger diameter wire with greater current-carrying capacity.