Glossary

GLOSSARY

A Lamps -	The most common incandescent household lamp; a standard general service lamp.
Accent Lighting -	Localized and directional lighting used to highlight, focus attention and dramatize. Accent lighting fixtures, track, recessed and specialty products.
Aiming Angle -	How you point or direct an adjustable accent light. The aiming angle is calculated from vertical or nadir. An aiming angle of 30 degrees is effective for paintings and/or sculpture.
Alzak -	The trade name used for its method of anodizing, now a generic term for brightened; anodized aluminum.
Ambient Lighting -	Lighting that provides background brightness so you can move around a space and reduces the contrast between sources of local brightness.
Antique Finish -	A finish that simulates aging, often accomplished by wiping dark pigment paint across a metal part.
Aperture -	Opening of a fixture through which light exits.
Average rated life -	The number of hours required for half of a large group of lamps to fail, or burn out. The actual life of any lamp or small group of lamps will typically be different from the average rated life.
Baffle -	Part of the fixture that blocks light to prevent glare and control brightness. Baffles may be integral blades, plates or grooves, or an accessory. Baffles are often painted black to absorb light.
Ballast -	Electrical or electronic component required for fluorescent (and HID) lamps. Ballasts provide enough voltage to start the lamp, and then limit the current for continuing operation.
Beveled glass -	Clear glass, often with high lead content, with edges that are cut on an angle to add depth and glitter.
Bobesche -	The saucer at the base of a candle originally designed to catch the molten wax drippings of the candle. Used on chandeliers, sconces, etc.
Bound glass -	Glass elements held together by metal strips, typically brass or copper; includes Leaded Glass (which looks heavier).
Brushed finish -	Satin or lightly textured finish (usually on metal) produced by brushing with a wire wheel or buffing with a fine abrasive.
Bulb -	The everyday term for an incandescent lamp. Also refers to the outer glass envelope of the lamp.
Cable -	Multiple wires arranged in a common covering of insulating plastic or other materials, used as an electrical conductor.
Canopy -	Fixture part that covers an outlet box.
Cans -	Another term for recessed downlights.
Casting -	Pouring or forcing molten metal or glass into a prepared mold. Also the part manufactured in this manner.
Chain pliers -	Tool with jaws that open as you squeeze the handles together; used to pry open links of a chain to change the suspension height of a chandelier.
Chimney -	A blown glass tube of various shapes placed around flame to protect against wind. In today’s usage, it is for ornamentation and light diffusion.
Cove lighting -	Light built into cove (shelf or ledge at the upper part of the wall) that illuminate the ceiling. Typically fluorescent, cold cathode or low voltage strip.
Damp location -	UL listing for fixtures used in a moist unexposed area, such as a bathroom or under an eave.
Decorative lamp -	Incandescent bulb in flame, globe, chimney or other decorative shape; intended to be used without a shade or diffuser.
Dichroic Coating -	Film that reflects visible light and transmits infrared light. Reflector lamps with dichroic coatings, such as most MR16s, provide a cooler beam because most of the heat goes out the back. Dichroic PAR lamps are often called cool beam.
Die casting -	Casting in a reusable mold (the die). Die-castings are generally precise parts requiring a high initial investment in the die.
Diffuser -	Light control device that spreads light by scattering it. Opal glass and plastic, etched glass, fabric and paper act as diffusers.
Dimmer -	Control that varies the output of the light source by reducing the voltage or current to the lamp.
Direct lighting -	Lighting that casts all (or at least 90%) of the light downward. The term can refer to the distribution of light or the fixtures that produce it.
Eclectic -	Mixed from various sources; style that mixes elements from other defined styles.
ER lamp -	Ellipsoidal reflector lamp is a soft glass lamp that focuses the beam about 2” in front of the bulb. It is designed to improve the efficiency of deep baffle recessed downlights, but is often misused in residential applications, where it may stick down from the fixture.
Etched glass -	Glass treated by an acid bath, producing a satiny, diffused surface or design.
Extended life lamp -	Incandescent lamp with 2500+ hours of rated average life and reduced output; uses stronger filament.
Eyeball -	Recessed adjustable accent light. The spherical lamp holder pivots at the ceiling line for 25 – 40 degree adjustment, but it also protrudes below the ceiling.
Facet -	Side of a prism.
Filament -	The tightly coiled tungsten wire of an incandescent lamp; glows to produce light when electricity flows through it.
Fill gas -	In incandescent lamps, usually argon or krypton with a little nitrogen; in fluorescent lamps, may be argon. Halogen is used in halogen incandescent lamps.
Fitter -	Part of a fixture that accepts a glass or plastic globe. The diameter of the fitter determines the size of the neck or opening in the globe.
Flood -	The wide distribution of a reflectorized lamp, abbreviated FL. Also a fixture with a widespread light beam.
Fluorescent lamps -	Operate by creating an electric arc inside a gas-filled tube. This excites the gas, producing ultra-violet energy, which in turn causes the phosphor coating inside the lamp to glow. The color of the light is determined by the phosphors. Fluorescent lamps require ballasts for proper operation.
Fluorescent troffers -	Recessed fluorescent fixtures for 2’ and 4’ lamps, generally in modular sizes; used commercially.
Footcandle -	Unit of illuminance (light falling on a surface). One lumen falling on one square foot equals one-foot candle.
Frame-In Kit -	Part of a recessed downlight connected to the electrical circuit, and generally installed when the ceiling is open. The electrified mounting form or housing which supports the optical assembly of a recessed fixture. Frame-In Kits are of various types according to the nature of the construction and the lamp.
Framing projector -	Fixture with lens and shutters, creating an adjustable, sharp-edged beam to outline pictures and other objects.
G lamp -	Globe-shaped incandescent, generally for exposed use.
General Lighting -	Ambient lighting for basic tasks throughout the room.
Gimbal light -	An adjustable ring that holds the PAR or MR lamp by its rim. A gimbal ring track fixture has no housing.
Grazing light -	Directional light at an acute angle, which emphasizes texture. The sources of grazing light must be close to the surface.
Grounding -	Connecting electrical components to earth for safety.
Halogen lamp -	Incandescent lamp with halogen gas fill and a quartz glass capsule. The quartz capsule requires a separate glass shield or enclosure. Due to the halogen cycle, halogen lamps operate at higher internal temperatures, producing more lumens per watt and brighter light than ordinary incandescent; lamp life is extended. Halogen lamps include A, MB, T, PAR and MR types.
Halogen cycle -	Tungsten that evaporates (burns) off the filament, combines with the halogen gas, and returns to the filament. In ordinary lamps, the tungsten coats the bulb wall, darkening the lamp over its life.
Hand-blown glass -	Individually produced glass (really mouth-blown) made by artisans who blow molten glass to different shapes.
Hickey -	A threaded pipe coupling with a side opening used in wiring a luminaire and for attaching a fixture to an outlet box.
IC Fixture -	(Insulated Ceiling Fixture) – Recessed downlight suitable for direct burial in thermal insulation, called Type IC.
Incandescence -	Light produced by heating a material so it glows. Incandescent filament lamps, candle flames, and glowing coals are examples.
Incandescent lamp -	Produces light with a wire filament, which incandesces to create light as it is heated by electric current.
Indirect lighting -	Lighting that directs all or most light upward for ambient or general illumination; very comfortable illumination with few shadows but diminishes form and texture.
Inside frosted lamp -	Incandescent A lamp with a light etching, or sprayed on diffusing coating on the inside of the bulb; designated as IF.
IR lamp -	Infrared-Reflecting Halogen Lamp – A special interior coating redirects infrared energy onto the filament, which increases output without added power.
Insulated ceiling fixture -	Recessed downlight suitable for direct burial in thermal insulation, called Type IC.
Junction Box -	Enclosure that protects spliced wires, and supports surface fixtures; also called outlet box.
Kilowatt-Hour (KWH) -	Unit of measure for electrical energy. One kilowatt-hour equals 1000 watts of electricity used for one hour, or 100 watts for 10 hours and so on.
Lacquer -	Clear coating that protects metal from rusting or tarnishing; may be tinted by adding colored dye.
Lamp -	A manufactured light source, including the bulb, base, and internal light-producing structure (filament or arc tube).
Lamp holder -	Socket inside a housing, which holds the lamp in place and connects it to the electrical source. Also refers to a plain track fixture, usually with a stationary socket.
Lamping -	Equipping a fixture with a lamp.
Lead crystal -	Fine quality glass having a high content of lead oxide; usually specified.
Leaded glass -	Small pieces of glass joined at the edges with metal, traditionally lead; also called bound glass.
LED -	Light Emitting Diode – A small, solid state device used to indicate dimmer status’ and in signs.
Light distribution -	Pattern of light produced by a fixture, or created in a room.
Low voltage lamps -	Incandescent lamps that operate at 6, 12 or 24 volts, most commonly 12 volts. Low voltage lamps require a step-down transformer to reduce the voltage from the normal household 120 volts.
Low voltage fixtures -	Recessed, track, task, decorative or landscape fixtures for low voltage lamps. The transformer may be local, integral or remote.
Low voltage housing -	Recessed, track, task, decorative or landscape fixtures for low voltage lamps. The transformer may be local, integral or remote.
Low voltage lighting system -	A type of lighting that operates on 12-volt current rather than the standard 120 volts. Power is supplied by a transformer, which itself is connected to 120-volt power.
Low voltage trim -	(Confusing) Either a reflector trim with an integral transformer, which installs in a standard housing, or the dedicated trim to a low voltage housing.
Low voltage track -	Track powered at low voltage by a step-down transformer, which installs in a standard housing, or the dedicated trim to low voltage housing.
Lumen -	Unit of light output (technically – Luminous flux)
Machine blown glass -	Shaped by mechanically forcing air into molten glass so that it takes the shape of a mold.
Matte finish -	Matte finished surface producing a predominantly diffuse, lightly textured, dull not reflection.
Mogul base -	Base used on high-wattage incandescent and HID lamps.
Motion detector -	(Occupancy Sensor) – Control that uses passive infrared or ultrasonic detection to sense whether someone is present or not, and to turn on or off appropriately. Automatic On sensors turn lights on when presence is sensed; Manual On sensors require you to press a switch. Both types turn lights off automatically when they no longer sense a presence.
MR lamp -	Multi-faceted reflector lamp, of which the most popular is MR16. MR lamps surround a halogen capsule with a computer-designed glass, or metal reflector with many surfaces or facets. These compact lamps require a glass cover, either integral or with the fixture.
Neon lamp -	Low pressure arc discharge lamps that operate at high voltage; similar to cold cathode.
Opal Glass -	Milky, translucent glass produced by adding ingredients to clear glass; used for diffusing light.
Outlet box -	(Junction Box) – Enclosure that protects spliced wires, and supports surface fixtures
PAR Lamp -	Parabolic Aluminized Reflector Lamp – Constructed of hard glass with a separate back reflector and front legs that are fused together. PAR lamps may be line or low voltage, and can be used unprotected outdoors. Their beam patterns often have an uneven field.
Pendant -	Fixture suspended from the ceiling on cable, chain or stem. Pendant is also a term for a stem. Pendant track is suspended on stems.
Photocell -	Light-sensitive device used to operate fixtures according to available daylight. Most often, they are used to turn on outdoor or security lights at dusk and to turn them off at dawn.
Pinhole -	Recessed downlight that includes a faceplate with a small aperture used for inconspicuous accent lights.
Plenum -	The space between the ceiling and the floor or roof above.
Power feed -	Connection point that brings electricity to track and other lighting systems. Power feed may be at the end, floating or at an intersection.
Prism -	Refractor of transparent glass or plastic, with three or more straight sides. Light entering one side of the prism bends and exits another side.
Pull-down fixture -	Recessed downlight with a retractable lamp-holder/housing (usually a round-back cylinder or bullet) that pulls down from the ceiling to aim at angles up to 90 degrees from vertical.
Quartz lamp -	(Or quartz-halogen-terms for a halogen lamp.) The term derives from the quartz glass capsule that encloses the filament and halogen gas. Quartz glass can withstand the high pressure of the halogen lamp, but it transmits more UV radiation than ordinary hard glass. Touching the quartz glass with bare hands leaves an oily residue that reduces lamp life.
R lamp -	Reflector lamp. Soft-glass reflectorized lamp with a generally smooth distribution.
Recessed fixture -	Fixture mounted above the ceiling. With downlights, only the aperture and trim visible from below. With fluorescent troffers and luminous ceilings, only the light shield is visible. Recessed fixtures provide direct downlighting.
Reflector -	Part of a fixture that redirects light to control brightness, beamspread or intensity. Reflectors are frequently specular but may also be glossy, diffuse or matte.
Remote -	Electronic control mounted separately from the master or individual dimmer, permitting operation from multiple locations. Full-function remotes set the dimming level as well as switching on/off.
Rough-In-	Process of wiring a home, and installing the rough-in sections of the fixtures and the back boxes of electrical devices; precedes the finishing work.
Rust -	Corrosion of metal, particularly iron and steel, from exposure to moist air and other elements; also called oxidation. Rust is a reddish-brown finish that can be produced by a paint or chemical process.
Sand casting -	A process where molten metal is poured into a mold of compacted sand. The molds can be used only once. The process is costly, including finishing the fairly rough casting.
Satin finish -	Slightly textured or brushed surface having a fine grain that reflects light with some diffusion.
Scallops -	The arch or scallop- shaped pattern of light created when you locate a directional source close to a wall.
Scene -	Specific setting for a group of dimmers channels or zone. A multi-scene control allows you to select the different settings by pushing a button.
Sconce -	Wall bracket derived from the form of a candelabra, often with exposed or decorative light sources.
Shade -	An opaque or translucent covering on luminaires and portable lamps to shield the light source. Redirects the light and enhances the decoration.
Silhouetting -	Accent lighting technique that creates a dramatic outline by back lighting; used in landscape lighting.
Soffit -	In architecture, the underside of an overhead component, such as an arch, cornice, beam or balcony. Often used to describe an area of the ceiling that drops below the primary surface.
Soft-White lamp -	Incandescent lamp with a dense, milky-white silica coating on the inside of the bulb – diffuses the light and completely conceals the lamp filament.
Solid brass -	Fixture or parts made entirely of brass; not plated or simulated. Solid brass parts are “solid brass”, not “solid parts”. Often they are hollow castings and tubing.
Solid state -	Electronics that use semi-conductor chips and circuitry, rather than vacuum tubes. (See electronic ballast, electronic dimmer, and electronic transformer).
Specular finish-	Highly polished and mirror-like. Semi-specular finish is generally bright, but without a well-defined mirror image.
Spinning -	The process of shaping a disk of metal by rotating it on a lathe and pushing it with a forming tool. Also, a part made this way.
Spot lamp -	Reflectorized lamp with a narrow distribution.
Stamping -	Inexpensive way to form sheet metal by hitting it with a die.
Strass -	Crystal of the ultimate chemical purity, saturated with more than 30% lead oxide, cut and polished with the ultimate precision by machine. This is the finest crystal available and also the most expensive.
Swag -	Chain draped across the ceiling. (A swagged pendant does not hang directly below its canopy.)
T lamp -	(Tubular lamp) – T lamp; may be incandescent, halogen or fluorescent.
Task lighting -	Localized light for specific visual activities.
Three-Way lamp -	Incandescent lamp with two filaments that provides three levels of light when sequentially switched.
Three-way Switch -	Operates a fixture from two locations. Also called a three-pole switch because it is connected to three wires: “hot” in, “switched” out and a “traveler” to the other three-way switch.
Three-way Dimmer -	Dimmer that works with a three-way switch for control from two locations; turns on/off and dims at the dimmer, but only turns on/off at the switch.
Tinted glass -	Clear glass with color added during manufacture; also clear or opal glass coated with a thin film of colored glass or plastic.
Toggle -	Lever used for control, as in the common toggle switch or a toggle dimmer, which is designed to match.
Torchiere -	Indirect floor lamp that sends all or most light upward.
Track lighting -	System of electrified channel or track, and movable lighting elements. Track is the most flexible approach to accent lighting.
Transformer -	A device to raise (step up) or lower (step down) the voltage. Step down transformers reduce household voltage (120 volts) to low voltage used for accent and landscape lighting. Larger transformers reduce the high voltage used for efficient power distribution to safe and flexible household voltage. Input voltage is on the primary tap; output voltage is on the secondary tap.
Trim -	(Confusing) – Sometimes the edge or visible part of a recessed downlight, as in “white trim” sometimes the finishing section of the recessed fixture, as in “housing and trim”.
Troffer -	Recessed fluorescent fixture for use in a suspended ceiling; derived from the words “trough” and “coffer”.
U lamp -	Linear, double-ended fluorescent lamp, usually T8 or T12, bent into a “U” shape.
UL -	(Underwriters Laboratories) – A non-profit organization that works with the National Electrical Code to develop standards for electrical devices, wiring and lighting fixtures. UL also tests fixtures and materials for compliance with the standards, and lists fixtures for various applications, such as wet location.
Volt -	Unit of electrical force or pressure. Household voltage in the United States, normally 120 volts, varies between 110-125 volts.
Voltage drop -	Difference in voltage along a circuit. Voltage drop becomes a problem with low voltage wiring and small cable, reducing the intensity of lights at the far end of the cable.
Wall bracket -	Fixture designed to be mounted on a vertical surface, including sconces, urns and valances.
Wall lighting -	Lighting directed on a wall or vertical surface to emphasize that plane, enhance the surface texture, or bounce light back into the room. Increasing wall brightness generally makes a room seem more spacious.
Wall washing -	Lighting a wall smoothly to reduce texture or specular reflection.
Wall washer -	Fixture with special optics that directs light to the top of the wall and de-scallop the distribution on the wall.
Watt -	Unit of electrical power.
Weathered -	Distressed finish that simulates aging.
Wire nut -	Also called a solderless connector. Small plastic device that can be fastened over the bare joined ends of several wires to protect and insulate the connection.
Wrought iron -	Soft iron that is hammered and bent into shape.
GLOSSARY - SHADE TERMINOLOGY
Clip -	Used to clip shade onto a light bulb.
Extensions -	For making height adjustments for the shade on the harp.
Finial -	Screws in top of harp to keep shade secure on lamp and is also decorative.
Harp -	Used to attach the shade onto the lamp.
Hard-Back -	Shade is lined with plastic.
Riser -	Raises shade ½” to 2” instead of using a layer harp.
Shade measurement -	To be measured in this order: Top, bottom and sides.
Soft or lined -	Shade that is fabric lined.
Spider -	The cross frame near the top of the shade.
GLOSSARY - FAN TERMINOLOGY
3 Speed system -	Slow, medium and high
Blades -	Move the airflow; made of plywood (C.B.)
Blade holders -	(Irons) that holds the fan blades.
Blade pitch -	Angle of the blade iron on the fan. Fans with higher degree of angle will circulate more air.
Dual mounting system -	This system enables a customer to mount a fan on a downrod or flush to the ceiling.
Extension Pole -	Used to adapt a fan to high ceilings – lowers fan.
Fan Blade Screws -	Screws that hold the blade irons to the blades.
Flushmount -	Fans that mount directly to a junction box, and do not have a down-rod to maintain maximum clearance from the floor.
Grill -	Lower part of the housing, which has many different designs.
Housing -	Main body of fan that contains the motor and components.
Hub -	Another name for Switch Housing
Hub Cap -	Lower part of the switch housing on hub. On some fans, this part is removable.
Intelli-Touch -	(C.B.) A (2) wire computerized system, with wall control convenience, that gives independent control of lights and fan. It has a silent six-speed operation for fan, and provides variable lighting intensity.
Motor Screw -	Screws that hold blades and flywheel
Reverse switch -	Reverse blade direction and airflow
Vari-flex flywheel -	Rubber wheel that holds blade holders