AutoQuiz is edited by Joel Don, ISA's community manager.
Today's automation industry quiz question comes from the ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) program. Certified Control System Technicians calibrate, document, troubleshoot, and repair/replace instrumentation for systems that measure and control level, temperature, pressure, flow, and other process variables. Click this link for information about the CCST program. This question comes from the Level I study guide, Domain 2, Loop checking. Level I represents a professional who has a five-year total of education, training, and/or experience.
Which of the following types of actuators responds to a pneumatic signal?
a) solenoid
b) motor
c) diaphragm
d) electromagnetic valve
e) none of the above
An actuator is a hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic device that moves an object or device. Pneumatics (from the Greek pneumatikos, coming from the wind) is the use of pressurized gases to do work in science and technology. The solenoid, the motor, and an electromagnetic valve all use electricity. A diaphragm expands and contracts depending on the amount of air pressure that exerts upon it.
The best answer is C.