Kitchen Lighting Glossary of Terms
| Term | Definition |
| Accent Lighting | Accent Lighting refers to a directional lighting to emphasize a particular object or draw attention to an object or to precise area. |
| ADA Light Fixture | The American with Disabilities Act, known as ADA, requires wall sconces used in circulation or egress spaces to be less than 4" deep. |
| A-Lamp | A-lamp describes the common light bulb available clear, frosted and in colors. The "A-Lamp" also is referred to as the "Household Bulb." |
| Alzak | Alzak, a registered trademark of the Aluminum Company of America, is a finish process produced by electro-chemically brightening and anodizing a special high purity aluminum alloy. Alzak is used to provide lighting reflectors with a high permanent reflectivity as well as corrosion and abrasion resistance. Alzak reflectors are available in several colors. |
| Ambient Lighting | Ambient Lighting refers to the general lighting present in an area. Ambient light is designed to provide an uniform level of illumination throughout an area. |
| Anodizing | Anodizing is an electrolytic process for converting an aluminum surface to aluminum oxide. (As in Alzak) Anodized oxide coatings are transparent that become physically part of the metal. They are generally colorless, but they may be dyed in a variety of colors (silver, gold, bronze, copper) and sheens (gloss, semi-gloss, matte) for decorative purposes. Anodized finishes are hard, and highly resistant to corrosion.
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| Aperture | Aperture refers to the ceiling opening size for a recessed lighting fixture. Apertures can be round, square, or rectangular. |
| Baffle | A baffle is a lighting fixture component that serves to shield a light source from direct view at certain angles, or serves to absorb unwanted light. |
| Ballast | A ballast is an electrical device used in fluorescent fixtures to supply and regulate the necessary voltage and current to start and operate the lamp. |
| Barn Doors | Movable shutters that may be added to track head fixtures to control spill light. |
| Beam (Light Beam) | A beam of light is the result of any fixture or bulb that produces most of its light in a clearly defined directions. The beam width or "spread" (beam spread) can be lableled narrow, medium or flood. |
| Breakfast Bar Pendants | Small decorative pendant light fixtures that light downward. Often used over counter eating and sink areas. |
| Brightness | Brightness is a general description for the apparent luminance of a surface of a space. |
| Bulb | A "Bulb" is a common name for referancing a lamp shape and size. "Bulb" refers to the glass outer envelope shape containing the "lamp" or its light source. A bulb's designation consists of a letter(s) to indicate its outline or shape and a numerical to indicate the approximate diameter described in eights of an inch. An "A-19" bulb is what most people refer to as a general "household bulb". The "A" describes the outline of its shape and it measures 19/8ths diameter. |
| Ceiling Beam | Ceiling Beam is a residential construction framing term. Ceiling beams are large wooden members that support floor or ceiling joists mid-span. (Also see "Collar Ties" that are high-span to support roof rafters) (RELEASE #1 NOTE: In a later release to Kitchenlighting.com, we hope to provide readers with an illustrated "anatomy of a house" because knowing a little more about what's behind the walls and over the ceiling come in handy for planning and mounting lighting hardware.) |
| Ceiling Rafter | Ceiling Rafter is a residential construction framing term. Ceiling Rafter(s) are the framing members that slope from a roof's ridge to the eaves to support the roof sheathing and the roofing.
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| Center beam | "Center beam" is term used to express the light intensity in the center of the beam directed at 0° angle. Household "A" lamps and Fluorescent lamps have 0. PAR and MR lamps have a center beam that can be measured and quatified to compare their intensity. |
| Chandelette | A Chandelette is a type of decorative light fixture that measures 15" - 18" in diameter. (A "chandelier" is greater than 18" in diameter.) |
| Chandelier | A chandelier is a type of decorative or ornamental lighting fixture describing a "branching" arm structure traditionally used to hold candles. |
| Close-to-Ceiling Fixture | A close-to-ceiling fixture is a decorative surface light fixture having a short suspension length from the ceiling. |
| Collar Ties | Collar Ties is a residential construction framing term. Collar Ties are horizontal members fastened between rafters to provide additional support to the roofline. Collar Ties run perpendicular to the roof's ridgeline. Sometimes in high ceiling spaces, collar ties can be used as ceiling joists. Exposed collar ties in a 2-story space sometimes are referred to as ceiling beams. (RELEASE #1 NOTE: In a later release to Kitchenlighting.com, we hope to provide readers with an illustrated "anatomy of a house" because knowing a little more about what's behind the walls and over the ceiling come in handy for planning and mounting lighting hardware.) |
| Color Rendering Index (CRI) | Color Rendering Index (CRI) measures a light source’s effect on color on a scale of 0 to 100. The higher the number, the more “true” the color will look in that light source. |
| Color Temperature | Color Temperature measures the color appearance of a light emitted from a light source. Each lamp (or light bulb) has a color temperature expressed in "Kelvin." The lower the number the warmer the apparent color. The higher the "Kelvin" temperature, the cooler the apparent color. |
| Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) | A Compact Fluorescent Lamp, commonly referred to as an CFL, differ from other types of fluorescent lamps in size, shape, and electrical contact. CFL lamps are small, have parallel tubes and all the electrical contacts are at one end. CFL lamps either are screw or pin based. Screw based CFLs are self ballasted. Pin based CFLs need a ballast to operate. |
| Contrast | Contrast refers the difference in luminance of an object and its immediate background. |
| Cool Colors | Cool paint, fabric and finish colors are based on blues, greens, pinks, purples, blue-greens, magentas, and blue-based reds. |
| Cove Lighting | Cove lighting is a lighting technique used to evenly distribute light within a room or to outline a ceiling’s architectural shape. |
| Cut-off Angle | Cut-off angle describes the angle, measured from vertical, at which a reflector, louver, or other shielding device cuts off direct visibility of a light source. |
| Decorative Light Fixture | Decorative Light Fixture is a term defining a light fixture used to provide ambient light in spaces where their appearance contributes to the overall design of the room. |
| Deep Beam/Strong Beam | Deep Beam/Strong Beam defines a lighting pattern: a distinct bright spot in the middle of a beam. |
| Diffuser | Diffuser is a rough surface or translucent material used to spread, redirect, or scatter light in a rather even manner. |
| Diffusion | Diffusion refers to the scattering of light rays so that they are emitted or reflected in all directions. |
| Dimmer | A "dimmer" is a common name for a lighting control, a device used to control the intensity of light emitted by a luminaire. |
| Direct Illumination | Direct Illumination means illumination resulting from light emitted directly from a lamp, luminary or reflector and not light diffused through a translucent material nor reflected from another surface. |
| Fascia | An architectural term to describe any flat, horizontal or vertical surface or molding with little projection. |
| Fiber Optic Lighting | Fiber Optic Lighting is often referred to as "remote source lighting." A remote source lighting system can be linear or point source. Used as a linear light source, its fiber-optic tubing can bend to define a shape or pathway. In kitchens it could be considered as a source for cove or toe kick or lighting. Used as a point source, the tubing is shielded and all its light is directed out the end of the fiber-optic tubing. Fiber optic light systems are composed of three components: a light source (usually a MR16 or Metal Halide lamp), fiber optic tubing and either a finial (for linear) or end emission aiming fixtures. |
| Fixture (Light Fixture) | A "Fixture" or "Light Fixture" is a common word description of a luminaire permianently wired in place. |
| Flat Beam | Flat Beam is a term that describes a light pattern emitted from a lamp that is very even and without a definitive centerbeam. |
| Fluorescent Lamp | Fluorescent Lamp: A glass tube that is coated on the inside with a fluorescent phosphor and filled with mercury gases. At each end of the lamp are electrodes. Light is emitted when an arc discharge between the electrodes excites the phosphor coating. Phosphors determine the lamp’s color quality. A ballast helps start the bulb and keep it running. |
| Footcandle | A footcandle is a unit of measurement of the illuminance on a surface. One footcandle is equal to an illuminance of one lumen per square foot at a distance of one foot. |
| Framed Cabinet | A type of cabinet construction: Important to know before selecting the type of countertop lighting fixtures. Cabinets constructed with a frame have a small recess top and bottom. (Contrasts with unframed cabinet construction or box cabinets) |
| Galley Kitchen | Galley kitchen refers to type of kitchen cabinet design layout with two rows of facing cabinets arranged in a line with a center walkway. (Other kitchen design layouts are “U” or “L” shaped) |
| Gimbal | A gimbal is a pivoted socket support that allows the light source (light bulb) to rotate left - right and/or up-down for adjustable aiming. Gimbals can be contained within the recessed housing or recessed trim as in a recessed adjustable downlight fixture or be exposed as in a Gimbal track light fixture. |
| Glare | Glare is a sensation that we experience as either discomfort glare or disability glare. Disability glare impairs the vision of objects without necessarily causing discomfort. Discomfort glare causes discomfort without impairing the vision of objects. |
| Halation | Halation is a term to define a light pattern: A bright ring or halo appearing in the light field or beyond it. |
| Halogen Incandescent | Halogen Incandescent: A lamp made to operate (burn its tungsten filament) within a halogen gas-filled envelope encased in a quartz bulb. |
| Hard Edged Beam | Hard Edged Beam describes a light pattern: there is an abrupt difference between the beam and its field. |
| Household Bulb | Household Bulb describes the common light bulb, available clear, frosted and in colors. The "Household Bulb" is referred to also as an A-Lamp." |
| Incandescent Lanp | An incandescent lamp produces light by its filament when heated to incandescence by an electrc current. |
| Indirect Light | Indirect Light is a lighting technique created to generate diffused ambient light. Light, hidden from view is directed against a reflecting surface, more often a ceiling. |
| Intensity (of Light) | The intensity of light describes the amount of light on a particular surface or object. |
| Joist | One of a series of horizontal wood members used to support the floor or roof above. |
| Kelvin | Kelvin Color temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin, which indicate the hue of a specific type of light source. Higher temperatures indicate whiter, "cooler" colors, while lower temperatures indicate yellower, "warmer" colors. |
| Lamp | The lighting term used to refer to the complete light source package, including the inner parts as well a the outer bulb or tube. "Lamp" is also commonly used to describe a type of decorative light fixture with a cord and plug. |
| Light Beam | Light Beam is a term that describes a light pattern: the bright cone of light projected by a directional lamp (bulb). |
| Light Emitting Diode (LED) | A Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that converts electricity into light. LEDs are small in size, but can be grouped together for higher intensity lighting applications. Depending on their manufacturer and phosphors used to coat the bulb shell, white LEDs light sources come in warm white or cool white. They have a Color Rendering Index of 76 +/-. |
| Lighting Plan | A lighting plan is a drawing that shows where the various lighting fixtures are to be located as well as the circuiting for the dimming and switching of the fixtures. A lighting plan is sometimes referred to as a lighting layout. |
| Line Voltage Incandescent | Line Voltage Incandescent: Lamps that operate at standard 120 voltage. |
| Linear Strip Lights | Linear Strip Lights describe a type of light fixture product that has tiny individual lamps spaced at intervals set in either a flexible or rigid extrusion. |
| Low-Voltage Incandescent | Low-Voltage Incandescent: Lamps that operate at lower than standard household voltage through the use of a transformer. Typically, low voltage means 12v, but some low voltage lamps operate on 6v or 24v circuits. |
| Lumen (s) | Lumen is the measure of light output from a specific lamp. Lumen(s) are the units of light output, while watts refer to the amount of electricity a bulb uses. Comparing light sources, a higher wattage doesn't necessarily mean a brighter bulb, however higher lumens does mean a brighter light. Example: Compare a 18 Watt Compact Fluorescent Lamp with a 75 Watt Incandescent Lamp. The 18 Watt has 1250 Lumens. The 75 Watt has 1210 Lumens. |
| Luminaire | A luminaire is often referred to as a light fixture. Luminaire describes a complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp (or several lamps together) with the other parts designed to distribute light, to position and protect the lamps and to connect the lamps to the power supply. |
| Mono-Point | A monopoint is a surface mount canopy with one adjustable track head. The canopy can be ceiling or wall mounted. |
| Motion Control | A Motion Control is a type of light sensor mounted on the ceiling or wall that automatically switches the room lights "on" when occupied, and "off" when the room is unoccupied. |
| Mounting Height for a Light Fixture | Mounting height is vertical distance from the ground directly below the centerline of the light source to the lowest direct-light-emitting part of the light source. |
| MR-16 lamp | MR defines a Multi Reflector Lamp used for accent lighting. It's the reflector angles that determine the lamp's beam pattern from wide flood to narrow spot, thus making this lamp an excellent choice for precise beam control. Sometimes the MR is called "mirror reflector." |
| Nadir | Nadir is an aiming term used to describe "straight down" or directly beneath its position. |
| Opaque | Opaque is a material that does not transmit light from an internal illumination source. |
| PAR Lamp | PAR Lamp is short for Parabolic Aluminized Reflector lamps. PAR Lamps are made of heat resistant glass. PAR lamps offer greater beam control and beam patterns than "R" or "BR"reflector lamps. |
| PAR16 Lamp | PAR stands for “parabolic aluminized reflector.” PAR lamps utilize an incandescent halogen filament tube and relies on both the internal reflector and its lens prisms to control the light beam. The “16” means the lamp measures 16 eighths of an inch diameter or 2.” |
| Pendalette | A Pendalette is a type of decorative light fixture that measures 9" - 12" in diameter. (A chandelier measures more than 18" in diameter.) |
| Pendant Fixture | A pendant fixture are decorative light fixtures installed on the ceiling to direct light upward or downward. • Pendant fixtures that light upward are suited to high ceiling spaces because they provide plentiful light with a minimum of glare. • Pendant fixtures that light downward are used over tables, working center islands, and countertops. Note: Smaller decorative downlight pendants frequently used over eating counters and sinks are sometimes called "breakfast bar" pendants. |
| Phosphors | Phosphors are powders used to coat the inside of a fluorescent lamp. |
| Preset Dimmer | Preset dimmers have a built-in on/off switch that allows the user to turn lights on to a pre-selected light level. You can select the light level you prefer in your space and each time you turn on your light switch, the light level will be what you "pre-set." |
| Puck Lighting | Puck lights are miniature decorative surface mounted lighting fixtures that get their name because they have the shape of hockey pucks. They can be used singly or in a series for downlighting. Puck lighting fixtures can be ordered as non-adjustable or adjustable units. They are a low voltage system and need a remote transformer for operation. |
| Recessed Downlight Reflector | A recessed reflector provides the optics and the finished appearance of the downlight on the ceiling. It's the combination of the lamp and the reflector that determines your lighting effect. Your selection of a downlight's reflector determines if your lighting effect is going to be for general, task, accent, or wall wash lighting. |
| Recessed Housing ("Frame In") | A recessed housing mounts into the ceiling cavity, connects the wiring, holds the light source, and retains the reflector trim in place. |
| Recessed Luminaire | A Recessed Luminaire describes a fixture mounted in a ceiling with the opening of the luminaire flush with the ceiling surface. |
| Reflection | Reflection means changing the direction of a ray of light by bouncing it off a surface. The angle at which it leaves the surface is equal to the angle at which it hits the surface. Reflection can be either specular or diffused. Specular reflection (reflectors) are much like mirrors: the rays of light are returned in the same angle as they are emitted. Diffused reflection return light rays in many directions and/or appear blurred or are absent from direct view.
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| Reflector Lamp | A Reflector Lamp, also known as "R" Lamp," is a reflectorized incandescent lamp available in sopt or flood beam spreads. Common sizes for the "R lamp" are R20, R30. In the mid 1990s, the R30s were eclipsed by the BR30 lamp which is considered to be more energy efficient. |
| Reflector: | A reflector is shaped metal insert used in a luminaire to direct light from a light source. Reflectors can distribute light in asymmetrical, symmetrical (one or two sided elliptical oval) or circle patterns. |
| Scene Pre-set Effect | Scene Pre-set Effect describes a lighting experience created by pre-setting light levels on each lighting circuit within a space to a level of intensity that can be recallable with a touch of one button lighting control. |
| Scollop | A scollop or "light scollop" is a term to describe a light pattern: A scollop is a pattern projected from a light beam. When a light beam intersects a vertical surface such as a wall or cabinet face the geometric shape of light looks like a scallop. |
| Seedy Glass | Seedy Glass describes a type of light obscuring glass used in interior and exterior decorative lighting fixtures. It is characterized (from other types of light obscuring glass) by its tiny bubbles created with air or gas injected into the molten glass, prior to forming the sheet. The sheets are later cut and used as inserts in decorative lighting fixtures. |
| Single Circuit Track | Single Circuit Track is a 1-conductor power feed system. Single Circuit Track Systems are used when you need a versatile, simple to install lighting system capable of directing many points of light within a space on one circuit using one lighting control. |
| Standard Incandescent | Standard Incandescent: A lamp made to operate (burn its tungsten filament) within a vacuum or a gas-filled envelope encased in a glass bulb. |
| Striation | A striation describes a light pattern: an unevenness to the light beam caused by streaks of brightness in a beam or field of light. |
| Task Lighting | Task lighting is light directed to a specific surface or area to provide illumination for a specific activity or visual tasks. |
| Track Lighting | Track Lighting is a common name for a type of lighting system Track Lighting is a conductor system and the sole power source for all the movable lamp holders suspended from it. |
| Transformer | Transformer: A device used to lower or to raise an electrical voltage. |
| Translucent | Translucent describes a surface that obscures or hides the shape of the light bulb but permits its light to pass through.
White, opal, or etched glass, and acrylic and polycarbonate are examples of translucent diffusers. |
| Transparent | Transparent describes a surface material that allows light to pass through it: the light bulb can be distinctly seen. Clear, seedy, antique, and clear, ribbed glass are examples of transparent materials. |
| Unframed Cabinets | A type of cabinet construction. Important to know before selecting the type of countertop lighting fixtures. Cabinets constructed in the unframed method have a flat bottom and top. Sometimes unframed cabinets are referred to as "boxed" style cabinets. (Contrasts with framed cabinet construction) |
| Uplight | Uplight describes a lighting technique when any light source or light fixture is directed in an upward direction. |
| Voltage Drop | “Voltage Drop” is when voltage at the beginning of a length of cable (as the wire leaves the transformer) is greater than the voltage at the end. This results in dim lighting emitting from low voltage light fixtures at the end of the lighting system. |
| Wall Stud | Wall Stud is a framing term used in residential construction. Wall Stud(s) are the main vertical members of walls. Wall studs provide support and backing for attaching interior drywall, and exterior wall surface coverings such as siding. Though typically placed 16" on center, some wall studs in older residential homes have other spacings ratios. (RELEASE #1 NOTE: In a later release to Kitchenlighting.com, we hope to provide readers with an illustrated "anatomy of a house" because knowing a little more about what's behind the walls and over the ceiling come in handy for planning and mounting lighting hardware.) |
| Wallwashing | Wallwashing is a lighting design technique that provides an even “wash” of light from side to side on the wall and from top to bottom. It can be achieved either by installing exposed lighting systems (track and cable lighting) or by concealed lighting systems (recessed lighting). |
| Warm Colors | Warm colors are based on yellows, oranges, browns, yellowish greens, and orange-reds. |
| Wash | A wash of light is a term to describe a light pattern: a very wide, soft edge of light on a surface. There is little or no scollop of light. |
| Watt | Watt: used to express the amount of power needed to operate a source: the total input of energy. A watt is the measure of power consumption, and is the common way incandescent light bulbs are identified -- for example 60-watt, 75-watt and 100-watt. |
| White Step Baffle | A white step baffle describes a recessed fixture aperture type characterized by "circular grooves." Its flange is white also. |
| Xenon Lamp | Xenon Lamp refers to a type of incandescent lamp. Xenon, a filling gas, is used in an incandescent lamp that like halogen provides a white light but has less UV, longer life, and is easier to touch. |
from Kitchenlighting.com