NEIEP Mechanics Practice Exam

What term describes a voltage configuration associated with a driver circuit that outputs to ground when active?

1. Source

2. Sink

3. Buffer

4. Load

The correct answer is: Sink

The term that describes a voltage configuration associated with a driver circuit that outputs to ground when active is "Sink." In this context, a sink refers to a circuit that can absorb current. When the driver circuit is activated, it provides a path for the current to flow to the ground, effectively pulling the voltage level down towards ground (logic level "0") when it is active. This behavior is crucial in digital circuits, where sinking current is often used to turn on components, such as LEDs, by completing a circuit path to ground. This functionality contrasts with "Source" configurations, which provide a voltage output (high state) instead of taking current away from the component. A "Buffer" typically isolates different stages of a circuit and does not inherently define a voltage configuration related to grounding, while a "Load" generally refers to a component or device that consumes power from the circuit rather than defining how voltage is managed within the driver circuit itself.