Understanding key terminology is essential for making informed decisions about LED lighting and educating decision-makers who may need to become more familiar with professional lighting definitions.
This glossary provides definitions of fundamental terms used in the industry.
A general lighting layer that provides overall illumination, creating an even brightness across a space without focusing on specific tasks or accents.
Specialized drivers designed to meet architectural lighting applications' aesthetic and functional demands, ensuring performance and flexibility.
A device that regulates the current to fluorescent and HID lamps, ensuring proper operation. Largely obsolete in LED systems, but still relevant for retrofits.
The angle at which light is emitted from a source, determining the spread and focus of illumination in a space.
The process of categorizing LEDs based on color, brightness, and voltage to ensure consistency across lighting applications.
Controllers that use Bluetooth technology to wirelessly manage and adjust LED lighting settings, often through smartphones or other connected devices.
A measure of the perceived intensity of light emitted from a source, typically influenced by the lumens it produces.
The uniformity of color output across LED lights, critical for achieving aesthetic and functional harmony in lighting applications.
A scale from 1 to 100 measuring how accurately a light source reveals the true colors of objects compared to natural sunlight.
A change in the color output of an LED, which may occur over time or due to temperature fluctuations, impacting the visual quality of the light.
A power supply designed to provide a fixed output voltage, regardless of load changes. Commonly available in 12V or 24V options, these drivers are essential for applications like LED strip lighting and signage, where consistent voltage ensures uniform light output and protects LEDs from damage.
Measured in Kelvin (K), it describes the hue of white light emitted, ranging from warm (yellowish) to cool (bluish).
Certification issued by Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (CUL) indicating that a product meets Canadian electrical safety standards.
A digital addressable lighting interface protocol for controlling lighting systems and allowing precise dimming adjustments.
A component used in some LED fixtures that softens light, reduces glare, and creates uniform illumination, enhancing visual comfort and light quality.
A power supply that enables adjustable light output for LEDs, compatible with dimming technologies like TRIAC, PWM, and 0-10V. These drivers enhance ambiance, save energy, and are essential for customizable lighting environments.
The ability to adjust the brightness level of a light source, typically to enhance ambiance or save energy.
A type of lighting where the majority of light is focused downward or onto a specific object/area, as seen in recessed or track lighting.
Devices commonly used in stage lighting that control various lighting fixtures through a digital multiplex (DMX) protocol.
A directional lamp, often with an LED bulb set in a metal cylinder, usually mounted on or recessed into the ceiling so that a beam of light is focused downward.
A measure of how effectively an LED driver converts input power to usable output power for LEDs. High efficiency reduces energy loss and improves system performance.
The ratio of light output (lumens) to energy consumption (watts), often expressed as lumens per watt (Lm/W).
A tool for selecting the appropriate wire gauge based on factors like current load, wire length, and acceptable voltage drop. This ensures safe and efficient electrical installations, preventing overheating and energy loss while maintaining compliance with standards.
A dimming method used with electronic transformers, it is typically found in modern LED fixtures and is known for smooth, silent dimming performance.
Lighting systems designed to provide illumination in pathways or exits during power outages, meeting safety and building code requirements.
A measure used in LED lighting to indicate the amount of light output comparable to a traditional incandescent or halogen bulb of a specific wattage.
The ratio of light exiting a fixture to the total lumens produced by its light source(s), impacting overall system performance.
The rapid and repeated change in brightness of a light source, which can affect comfort and visibility in certain environments.
LED systems that create smooth transitions between colors or brightness levels, used in design and architecture.
Specialized LED lights used for indoor plant growth, popular in horticulture.
The ability of an LED system, often via a heat sink, to efficiently distribute heat generated during operation, preventing degradation and failure.
A component designed to dissipate heat away from LEDs, preventing overheating and ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
LEDs engineered to produce a significantly higher lumen count per unit, suitable for applications requiring intense illumination like high-bay lighting or floodlights.
A lighting fixture where the LED module is built into the luminaire, enhancing efficiency while eliminating the need for replacement bulbs.
A classification that indicates the level of protection an LED fixture offers against solid particles and liquids, critical for ensuring durability in various environments.
A specific level of ingress protection indicating that the fixture is completely protected against dust and low-pressure water jets, commonly used in outdoor lighting.
The temperature at the point where the LED chip is mounted, a critical factor affecting LED performance and lifespan.
A semiconductor device that emits light when an electrical current passes through it, widely used for energy-efficient lighting solutions.
A device that regulates the operation of LED lighting systems, including dimming and color adjustments, ensuring optimal performance.
A device that enables users to control the brightness of an LED light source, providing flexibility in lighting levels.
A device that supplies the appropriate voltage and current to power an LED light source, crucial for maintaining efficiency and longevity.
Standard electrical voltage (typically 120V in the U.S.) used in residential and commercial outlets to power lighting systems.
Electrical voltage typically below 50V, commonly used in LED systems, often requiring a transformer to step down the voltage from line voltage.
Indicates the point at which an LED light source will have degraded to 70% of its original brightness, commonly used as a measure of lifespan.
A unit of measurement for the total amount of visible light emitted by a source, higher lumens indicate brighter light.
A measure of lighting efficiency, indicating how much light output (lumens) is generated for every watt of power consumed.
Quantitative measure of brightness of a light source or an illuminated surface, equal to luminous flux per unit solid angle emitted per unit projected area of the source or surface. The brightness of a surface as perceived by the human eye, measured in candelas per square meter (cd/m²).
A type of LED that uses organic compounds to emit light, offering ultra-thin, flexible, and energy-efficient options for lighting and displays.
A sensor that automatically adjusts or controls lighting based on natural daylight's presence enhances energy efficiency.
The science of measuring visible light based on its perceived brightness to the human eye.
A method for controlling LED brightness by varying the duty cycle of the electrical power supplied.
Drivers that use radio frequency (RF) signals to remotely control dimming functions in LED lighting systems.
A set of components, including LED modules, used to upgrade older lighting fixtures to more efficient LED systems without replacing the entire fixture.
Silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) power supplies are compatible with traditional dimming systems, allowing LED lights to dim smoothly.
Lenses or reflectors added to LED modules to shape or direct light output for specific applications, such as spotlighting or wall washing.
LED systems that can be controlled remotely via apps or voice commands, often integrated into smart home ecosystems for enhanced functionality.
A graphical representation of the power emitted by a light source across different wavelengths, revealing its color characteristics.
Techniques used to regulate the temperature of LED systems, ensuring performance, safety, and longevity.
Smart controllers compatible with WiFi and Bluetooth are used to manage LED lighting systems via mobile apps and smart home devices.
Certification by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) verifying that a product meets U.S. safety standards for use in electrical systems.
A lighting technique where light is evenly cast across a wall to highlight it or create a subtle decorative effect.
Refers to the perceived color tone of light, with lower Kelvin values (e.g., 2700K) giving a warm, yellowish light and higher values (e.g., 5000K) producing cooler, bluish light.
A unit of power measurement indicating the amount of electrical energy consumed by a lighting system.
Controllers that connect to wireless networks, enabling remote control of LED lighting systems through apps or voice assistants.
Controllers using Zigbee, a low-power wireless communication protocol, to enable smart control of LED lighting in connected environments.