Which term refers to a device used to reduce voltage, current, or power delivered to a load?

• A. Attenuator
• B. Amplifier
• C. Amplitude
• D. Bridge circuit

Answer: (A)

The concept here is using a device to lower the signal that reaches a load. An attenuator does exactly that: it’s a passive two-port network designed to reduce voltage, current, or power in a controlled way, usually with a specified amount of loss in decibels. It’s typically impedance-matched so it won’t reflect signals back toward the source, preserving the integrity of the load as much as possible while lowering the level. This makes it the right choice for dialing down signal levels in RF and audio systems, test setups, or calibration tasks.

The other terms don’t fit as devices for reducing signal. An amplifier increases amplitude instead of reducing it. Amplitude is a measure of the signal’s height, not a device. A bridge circuit is a setup used to compare or balance impedances or voltages, not specifically to reduce the power delivered to a load.

So, the best term for a device used to reduce voltage, current, or power delivered to a load is an attenuator.