ABYC Diesel Practice Exam

What input might be required for conductance battery testing?

1. Voltage rating

2. Current rating

3. Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) or Marine Cranking Amps (MCA)

4. Temperature compensation

The correct answer is: Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) or Marine Cranking Amps (MCA)

Conductance battery testing measures the internal resistance of a battery to help assess its health and capacity. Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) or Marine Cranking Amps (MCA) are critical inputs for this testing because they provide a standard reference for the battery's performance under cold conditions. These ratings are indicative of the battery's ability to deliver high current for a short duration, crucial for starting engines, especially in cold weather. By knowing the CCA or MCA, the conductance tester can compare the actual conductance reading to the expected value for a healthy battery of that rating. If the conductance is lower than expected, it may indicate that the battery is degraded or failing, which has direct implications for the battery's reliability in starting an engine. Other factors like voltage rating, current rating, and temperature compensation do play roles in battery testing but are not primary inputs in conductance measurements. While voltage and current ratings can provide context for overall battery performance, they don't specifically guide the conductance testing process in the same effective manner as CCA or MCA. Temperature compensation is also important as battery performance can vary with temperature, yet it isn't a direct input for the conductance test itself.