Gas Fitter Practice Test

How is the heat anticipator setting determined for a thermostat with an adjustable anticipator?

1. By the supply air temperature

2. By measuring the current drawn by the components in the circuit being fed directly by the thermostat

3. By the current rating stamped on the gas valve

4. By the VA rating of the 24 volt control transformer

The correct answer is: By measuring the current drawn by the components in the circuit being fed directly by the thermostat

The determination of the heat anticipator setting for a thermostat with an adjustable anticipator is achieved by measuring the current drawn by the components in the circuit being managed by the thermostat. An anticipator helps the thermostat to avoid overshooting the desired temperature by turning off the heating system just before the thermostat reaches the set point. The setting must correlate to the current draw; this is vital because the thermostat needs to estimate when to turn off the heating based on how much energy is being used. If the anticipator is set too high or too low, it could lead to inefficient heating or frequent cycling of the furnace, resulting in discomfort and increased energy costs. Understanding the actual current draw allows the technician to set the anticipator correctly, ensuring efficient operation of the heating system, while also enhancing user comfort by maintaining the desired temperature more effectively. The other choices do not directly influence the heat anticipator setting. Supply air temperature does not indicate the performance of the anticipator, while the current rating of the gas valve and the VA rating of the control transformer are unrelated to the specific current draw from the thermostat itself. These factors are involved in other aspects of the system's performance but not in setting the anticipator.