When performing a battery load test using a VAT, the current draw that should be applied is:

• A. 1/2 the CCA rating
• B. Equal to the CCA rating
• C. Twice the CCA rating
• D. 1/4 the CCA rating

Answer: (A)

In a battery load test, you simulate the starting current demands by pulling a controlled amount of current from the battery. The rating called CCA is the maximum current the battery can deliver at freezing temperature for a short time. Using about half of that CCA as the test load provides a meaningful stress that reveals weaknesses without risking damage to a healthy battery. While the test is in progress, you check the voltage; a healthy 12-volt lead-acid battery should hold the voltage above roughly 9.6 V (values can vary slightly by spec). If the voltage falls well below this threshold, the battery is considered faulty. Using half of the CCA is chosen because it adequately challenges the battery to show poor performance, whereas applying the full CCA could overly load and misclassify good batteries, and applying a quarter would not stress the battery enough to detect issues.