Lighting Fundamentals
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Technology in Lighting Systems course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
A-Frame: An accessory used in lighting to position lights a… #
A-Frame: An accessory used in lighting to position lights at a specific angle or direction, often utilized in film and theater productions to achieve a precise illumination effect, the A-Frame can be adjusted to hold lights of varying sizes and weights, allowing for flexibility in lighting design, related terms include lighting grid, truss system, and suspension cable, all of which work together to create a comprehensive lighting setup, for instance, in a theater production, the A-Frame might be used in conjunction with a truss system to suspend lights above the stage, while the lighting grid and suspension cable provide additional support and flexibility, examples of A-Frames can be seen in various lighting applications, including film, television, and live performances, where precise illumination is crucial to the overall effect of the production.
Accent Lighting #
A technique used to draw attention to a specific object or area within a space, often achieved through the use of spotlights or narrow-beam lights, accent lighting can be used to create a sense of drama or emphasis, related terms include ambient lighting, task lighting, and backlighting, all of which work together to create a comprehensive lighting plan, for example, in a retail store, accent lighting might be used to highlight a specific product or display, while ambient lighting provides overall illumination and task lighting is used to facilitate specific tasks such as reading or navigation, challenges in implementing accent lighting include ensuring that the lighting is not too harsh or overpowering, and that it does not create unwanted shadows or glare.
Ambient Lighting #
A type of illumination that provides overall lighting to a space, often achieved through the use of ceiling lights or indirect lighting fixtures, ambient lighting can help to create a sense of comfort and warmth, related terms include task lighting, accent lighting, and backlighting, all of which work together to create a comprehensive lighting plan, for instance, in an office setting, ambient lighting might be used to provide overall illumination, while task lighting is used to facilitate specific tasks such as reading or computer work, and accent lighting is used to highlight specific features or decor, examples of ambient lighting can be seen in various lighting applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where overall illumination is crucial to the functionality and comfort of the space.
Anodizing #
A process used to protect and enhance the appearance of metal fixtures and components, often used in lighting to create a durable and corrosion-resistant finish, anodizing can help to extend the life of lighting fixtures and components, related terms include powder coating, plating, and painting, all of which are used to protect and enhance the appearance of metal fixtures and components, for example, in outdoor lighting applications, anodizing might be used to protect metal fixtures from corrosion and weathering, while powder coating is used to create a durable and colorful finish, challenges in implementing anodizing include ensuring that the process is done correctly and that the finish is even and consistent.
Ballast #
A component used in lighting to regulate the flow of electricity to a lamp or light source, often used in fluorescent and high-intensity discharge lighting applications, ballasts can help to extend the life of lamps and improve their performance, related terms include driver, transformer, and power supply, all of which are used to regulate the flow of electricity to lights and lighting systems, for instance, in a fluorescent lighting system, a ballast might be used to regulate the flow of electricity to the lamps, while a driver is used to control the dimming and brightness of the lights, examples of ballasts can be seen in various lighting applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where efficient and reliable lighting is crucial to the functionality and comfort of the space.
Beam Angle #
The angle at which a light or beam of light is emitted from a light source, often measured in degrees, beam angle can help to determine the spread and coverage of a light or lighting system, related terms include field angle, beam spread, and illumination pattern, all of which are used to describe the behavior and characteristics of lights and lighting systems, for example, in a stage lighting application, the beam angle of a spotlight might be adjusted to focus the light on a specific area or performer, while the field angle and beam spread are used to determine the coverage and illumination pattern of the light, challenges in implementing beam angle include ensuring that the light is focused and directed correctly, and that the beam spread and illumination pattern are even and consistent.
Bollard #
A type of lighting fixture that is mounted on a post or pole, often used in outdoor lighting applications to provide pathway lighting or area lighting, bollards can help to enhance the appearance and safety of outdoor spaces, related terms include post-top lighting, wall-mounted lighting, and in-ground lighting, all of which are used to provide outdoor lighting solutions, for instance, in a park or garden setting, bollards might be used to provide pathway lighting and enhance the appearance of the space, while post-top lighting is used to provide area lighting and wall-mounted lighting is used to provide accent lighting, examples of bollards can be seen in various outdoor lighting applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where safe and attractive outdoor lighting is crucial to the functionality and comfort of the space.
Candela #
A unit of measurement used to express the intensity of light, often used in lighting to specify the brightness of a light or light source, candela can help to compare the intensity of different lights and lighting systems, related terms include lumen, lux, and foot-candle, all of which are used to measure and express the intensity and brightness of lights and lighting systems, for example, in a lighting specification, the candela rating of a light might be used to specify the brightness of the light, while the lumen output is used to specify the total amount of light emitted by the light, challenges in implementing candela include ensuring that the measurement is accurate and consistent, and that the intensity of the light is even and consistent.
Color Temperature #
A characteristic of light that describes its warmth or coolness, often measured in degrees Kelvin, color temperature can help to create a specific atmosphere or mood in a space, related terms include warm white, cool white, and daylight, all of which are used to describe the color temperature of lights and lighting systems, for instance, in a residential setting, a warm white color temperature might be used to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, while a cool white color temperature might be used to create a bright and energizing atmosphere, examples of color temperature can be seen in various lighting applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where the color temperature of the lighting can enhance the appearance and functionality of the space.
Control System #
A network of devices and components used to regulate and control lighting systems, often used in commercial and industrial settings to optimize lighting performance and energy efficiency, control systems can help to automate lighting functions and reduce energy consumption, related terms include dimming system, timer, and sensor, all of which are used to regulate and control lighting systems, for example, in a commercial building, a control system might be used to automate the lighting functions and optimize lighting performance, while a dimming system is used to regulate the brightness of the lights and a timer is used to schedule lighting functions, examples of control systems can be seen in various lighting applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where automated and energy-efficient lighting is crucial to the functionality and comfort of the space.
Diffuser #
A component used in lighting to scatter or diffuse light, often used in lighting fixtures to soften the light and reduce glare, diffusers can help to create a more even and consistent illumination pattern, related terms include lens, reflector, and prism, all of which are used to manipulate and control light in lighting applications, for instance, in a lighting fixture, a diffuser might be used to soften the light and reduce glare, while a lens is used to focus the light and a reflector is used to direct the light, examples of diffusers can be seen in various lighting applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where even and consistent illumination is crucial to the functionality and comfort of the space.
Dimming #
A technique used to regulate the brightness of lights, often used in lighting applications to create a specific atmosphere or mood, dimming can help to enhance the appearance and functionality of a space, related terms include dimmer, switch, and control system, all of which are used to regulate and control lighting systems, for example, in a theater setting, dimming might be used to create a specific atmosphere or mood during a performance, while a dimmer is used to regulate the brightness of the lights and a switch is used to turn the lights on and off, examples of dimming can be seen in various lighting applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where flexible and energy-efficient lighting is crucial to the functionality and comfort of the space.
Driver #
A component used in lighting to regulate the flow of electricity to a light or light source, often used in LED lighting applications to optimize lighting performance and energy efficiency, drivers can help to extend the life of lights and improve their performance, related terms include ballast, transformer, and power supply, all of which are used to regulate the flow of electricity to lights and lighting systems, for instance, in an LED lighting system, a driver might be used to regulate the flow of electricity to the lights, while a ballast is used to regulate the flow of electricity to fluorescent lights and a transformer is used to step-up or step-down the voltage of the electricity, examples of drivers can be seen in various lighting applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where energy-efficient and reliable lighting is crucial to the functionality and comfort of the space.
Efficiency #
A measure of the ability of a lighting system to convert electrical energy into visible light, often expressed as a percentage or ratio, efficiency can help to compare the performance of different lighting systems and identify opportunities for improvement, related terms include lumen-per-watt, efficacy, and energy efficiency, all of which are used to measure and compare the performance of lighting systems, for example, in a lighting specification, the efficiency of a lighting system might be used to compare the performance of different lighting options, while the lumen-per-watt rating is used to specify the efficacy of the lighting system and the energy efficiency rating is used to specify the energy consumption of the lighting system, examples of efficiency can be seen in various lighting applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where energy-efficient lighting is crucial to the functionality and comfort of the space.
Emergency Lighting #
A type of lighting that is designed to provide illumination in the event of a power outage or emergency, often used in commercial and industrial settings to ensure safety and compliance with regulations, emergency lighting can help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, related terms include exit sign, emergency exit, and backup power, all of which are used to provide safety and emergency lighting solutions, for example, in a commercial building, emergency lighting might be used to provide illumination in the event of a power outage, while an exit sign is used to direct occupants to emergency exits and a backup power system is used to provide power to critical systems, examples of emergency lighting can be seen in various lighting applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where safety and compliance with regulations are crucial to the functionality and comfort of the space.
Fluorescent Lighting #
A type of lighting that uses electricity to excite a gas that produces light, often used in commercial and industrial settings to provide energy-efficient lighting, fluorescent lighting can help to reduce energy consumption and minimize maintenance costs, related terms include incandescent lighting, LED lighting, and high-intensity discharge lighting, all of which are used to provide lighting solutions, for instance, in a commercial building, fluorescent lighting might be used to provide energy-efficient lighting, while incandescent lighting is used to provide warm and cozy lighting and LED lighting is used to provide energy-efficient and long-lasting lighting, examples of fluorescent lighting can be seen in various lighting applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where energy-efficient lighting is crucial to the functionality and comfort of the space.
Foot #
Candle: A unit of measurement used to express the intensity of light, often used in lighting to specify the brightness of a light or light source, foot-candle can help to compare the intensity of different lights and lighting systems, related terms include lumen, lux, and candela, all of which are used to measure and express the intensity and brightness of lights and lighting systems, for example, in a lighting specification, the foot-candle rating of a light might be used to specify the brightness of the light, while the lumen output is used to specify the total amount of light emitted by the light, examples of foot-candle can be seen in various lighting applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where accurate and consistent illumination is crucial to the functionality and comfort of the space.
HID Lighting #
A type of lighting that uses an electric arc to produce light, often used in industrial and commercial settings to provide high-intensity lighting, HID lighting can help to improve visibility and safety in areas where high-intensity lighting is required, related terms include fluorescent lighting, LED lighting, and incandescent lighting, all of which are used to provide lighting solutions, for instance, in an industrial setting, HID lighting might be used to provide high-intensity lighting for tasks such as inspection and maintenance, while fluorescent lighting is used to provide energy-efficient lighting and LED lighting is used to provide energy-efficient and long-lasting lighting, examples of HID lighting can be seen in various lighting applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where high-intensity lighting is crucial to the functionality and safety of the space.