|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Wooska
Presents: |
|
| Glossary |
-
Amperes
-
("Amps.") A measure of electrical current. In incandescent lamps, the current
is related to voltage and power as follows: Current (Amps) = Power (Watts)
/ Voltage (Volts).
-
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
-
A consensus organization which coordinates voluntary standards for the
physical, electrical and performance characteristics of lamps, ballasts,
luminaries and other lighting and electrical equipment.
-
Ballast
-
An auxiliary piece of equipment designed to start and to properly control
the flow of power to gas discharge light sources such as fluorescent and
high intensity discharge lamps.
-
Beam Angle
-
The angular dimension of the cone of light from reflectorized lamps encompassing
the central part of the beam out to the angle where the intensity is 50%
of maximum. The beam angle sometimes called "beam spread", is often part
of the ordering code for reflectorized lamps.
-
Candela (cd)
-
The international unit (SI) of luminous intensity. The term has been retained
from the early days of lighting when a standard candle of a fixed size
and composition was used as a basis for evaluating the intensity of other
light sources. Sometimes the term "candle power" is used to describe the
relative intensity of a source.
-
Candlepower
-
Luminous intensity expressed in candelas. Plots of luminous intensity,
called candlepower distribution curves, are used to indicate the intensity
distribution characteristics of reflector-type lamps. A measure of intensity
mathematically related to lumens. Candlepower is often to measure the intensity
of lamps that project light.
-
Chromaticity
-
Also called Color Temperature.
-
Color Rendering Index (CRI)
-
An international system used to rate a lamp's ability to render object
colors. The higher the CRI (based upon a 0-100 scale), the better colors
appear, CRI ratings of various lamps may be compared, but a numerical comparison
is only valid if the lamps are also rated for the same chromaticity or
color temperature. A measurement of the color shift an object undergoes
when illuminated by the light source, as compared to a reference source
at the same color temperature. Color rendering is measured on an index
from 0-100, with natural daylight equal to 100.
-
Color Temperature
-
Originally, a term used to describe the "whiteness" of incandescent lamp
light. Color temperature is directly related to the physical temperature
of the filament in incandescent lamps so the Kelvin (absolute) temperature
scale is used to describe color temperature. For discharge lamps where
no hot filament is involved, the term "correlated color temperature" is
used to indicate that the light appears as if the discharge lamp is operating
at a given color temperature. More recently, the term "chromaticity" has
been used in place of color temperature. Chromaticity" has been used in
place of color temperature. Typical color temperatures are 2800K (incandescent),
3000K (halogen), 4100K (cool white or SP41 fluorescent), and 5000K (daylight-simulating
fluorescent colors.
-
Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL)
-
The general term applied to families of smaller diameter fluorescent lamps,
some of which have built in ballasts and medium screw bases for easy replacement
of incandescent lamps.
-
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
-
An organization that writes standards and tests lighting equipment for
performance as well as electrical and fire safety. Canadian provincial
laws generally require that all products sold for consumer use in Canada
must have CSA or equivalent approval.
-
Efficacy
-
Efficacy is the rate at which a lamp is able to convert electrical power
(Watts) into light (Lumens), expressed in terms of lumens per watt (LPW).
Put simply, a watt or electricity is the amount of power in and a lumen
or light is the amount of power out.
-
Efficacy is a critical consideration when evaluating a lamp because lighting
represents 30 to 50% of the total operating cost of a typical installation
and can affect related costs such as air conditioning. Secondly, energy
accounts for 86% of the cost of an average lighting investment (maintenance
accounts for 11%; the lighting itself, 3%) and has a major impact on operating
costs. And finally, a lighting system that uses energy efficiently is beneficial
to the environment.
-
Electromagnetic Spectrum
-
A continuum of electric and magnetic radiation that can be characterized
by wavelength or frequency. Visible light encompasses a small part of the
electromagnetic spectrum in the region from about 380 nanometers (violet)
to 770 nanometers (red) by wavelength.
-
Electronic Ballast
-
A short name for a fluorescent high frequency electronic ballast. Electronic
ballasts use solid state electronic components and typically operate fluorescent
lamps at frequencies in the range of 25-35 kHz. The benefits are: increased
lamp efficacy, reduced ballast losses and lighter, smaller ballasts compared
to electromagnetic ballasts. Electronic ballasts may also be used with
HID lamps, but the circuits are quite different, there are few designs
at present and only minor lamp efficacy improvements result.
-
Energy Policy Act (EPACT)
-
Comprehensive energy legislation passed by the U.S. Congress in 1992. The
lighting portion includes lamp labeling and minimum energy efficacy (lumens/watt)
requirements for many commonly used incandescent and fluorescent lamp types.
Similar legislation is being proposed in Canada.
-
Federal Communications Commission
-
A U.S. Federal agency which is charged with regulating emissions in the
radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. For example, a
regulation entitled, "Part 18" deals with electromagnetic interference
(EMI) from all lighting devices operating at frequencies higher than 9
kilohertz (kHz.). Typical electronically-ballasted compact fluorescent
lamps operate in the range of 24-100 kHz.
-
Fluorescent Lamp
-
A high efficiency lamp utilizing an electric discharge through low pressure
mercury vapor to produce ultraviolet (UV) energy. The UV excites phosphor
materials applied as a thin layer on the inside of a glass tube which makes
up the structure of the lamp. The phosphors transform the UV to visible
light.
-
Foot-candle (fc)
-
A unit of illuminance, or how much total light is reach onto a surface,
such as a wall or table. One lumen falling on one square foot of surface
produces illumination of one foot-candle. One foot-candle is equal to 1
lumen per square foot.
-
Halogen Lamp
-
A short name for the tungsten-halogen lamp. Halogen lamps are high pressure
incandescent lamps containing halogen gases such as iodine or bromine which
allow the filaments to be operated at higher temperatures and higher efficacies.
At high-temperatures, chemical reaction involving tungsten and the halogen
gas recycles evaporated particles of tungsten back onto the filament surface.
-
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamp
-
A general term for mercury, metal halide (GE Multi-Vapor, MXR or Arcstream)
and high-pressure sodium lamps. HID lamps contain compact arc tubes which
enclose various gases and metal salts operating at relatively high pressures
and temperatures.
-
Incadescents
-
Incandescent lamps are the most familiar type of light source, with countless
application in homes, stores and other commercial settings. Light is produced
by passing electric current through a thin wire filament, usually a tungsten.
-
Illuminance
-
The "density" of light (lumens/area) incident on a surface. Illuminance
is measured in foot-candles or lux.
-
Incandescent Lamp
-
A light source which generates light utilizing a thin filament wire (usually
of tungsten) heated to white heat by an electric current passing through
it.
-
Infrared radiation
-
Electromagnetic energy radiated in the wavelength range of about 770 to
1106 nanometers. Energy in this range cannot be seen by the human eye,
but can be sensed as heat by the skin.
-
Instant Start
-
A type of fluorescent lamp-ballast circuit designed to start fluorescent
lamps as soon as the power is applied. Originally, instant-start circuits
were developed to eliminate separate mechanical starter devices. Slimline
fluorescent lamps operate only on instant start circuits.
-
Kilowatt (Kw)
-
A measure of electrical power equal to 1000 watts.
-
Kilowatt Hour (kWh)
-
The standard measure of electrical energy and the typical billing unit
used by electrical utilities for electricity use. A 100-watt lamp operated
for 10 hours consumes 1000 watt-hours (1-- x 10) or 1 kilowatt-hour. If
the utility charge $.08/kWh, then the electricity cost for the 10 hours
of operation would be 8 cents (1 x $.08).
-
Lamp
-
The term used to refer to the complete light source package including the
inner parts as well as the outer bulb or tube. "Lamp", of course, is also
commonly used to refer to a type of small light fixtures such as a table
lamp.
-
Light
-
Radiant energy which can be sensed or seen by the human eye. Visible light
is measured in lumens. The term generally applied to the visible energy
from a source. Light is usually measured in lumens or candlepower. When
light strikes a surface, it is either absorbed, reflected or transmitted.
Light is said to travel in straight lines.
-
Lumen
-
The basic unit of measurement for light. A dinner candle shines at about
12 lumens. A 60-watt Soft White bulb is much more powerful: 855 lumens.
If a uniform point source of 1 candela is at the center of a sphere of
1-foot radius which has an opening of 1 square foot area at its surface,
the quantity of light that passes through is called a lumen. The sphere
has a total surface area of 12.57 square feet. Since, by definition, a
lumen flows to each square foot of surface area, a uniform point of 1 candela
produces 12.57 lumens. The general term applied to families of smaller
diameter fluorescent lamps, some of which have built in ballasts and medium
screw bases for easy replacement of incandescent lamps.
-
Lux
-
The SI (International System) unit of illumination: one lumen uniformly
distributed over an area of one square meter.
-
Specification Series (SP) Colors
-
Energy-efficient, all-purpose tri-phosphor fluorescent lamp colors that
provide good color rendering (as measured by the Color Rendering Index
or CRI). The CRI for SP colors is 70 or above and varies by specific lamp
type. Available chromaticities (or "tones") within the SP group include
SP30 (3000K) - a good match for the old standard "warm white" color and
incandescent or halogen incandescent lamps; SP35 (3500K) - neutral all-purpose
tone; SP41 (4100K) - cool in appearance and designed to match the old standard
"cook white" color; SP50 - still cooler much like the combination of sun-skyclouds;
SP65 - a color with a very cool appearance, much like north skylight, and
designed to match the appearance of the old "daylight" color. SP fluorescent
colors are available in most of the widely-used linear lamp types including
the T8, T12, U-tube, and the high output.
-
Voltage
-
A measurement of the electromotive force in an electrical circuit or device
expressed in volts. Voltage can be thought of as being analogous to the
pressure in a waterline.
-
Watt
-
A unit of electrical power. Lamps are rated in watts to indicate their
power consumption. Power consumed over time equals the electrical energy
used.
-
Underwriter Laboratories (UL)
-
A private organization which tests and lists electrical (and other) equipment
for electrical and fire safety according to recognized UL and other standards.
A UL listing is not an indication of overall performance. Lamps are not
UL listed except for compact fluorescent lamp assemblies - those with screw
bases and built-in ballasts.
-
Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation
-
Radiant energy in the range of about 100-380 nanometer (NM). For practical
applications, the UV band is broken down further as follows:
| Ozone-producing |
180-220nm |
| Bactericidal (germicidal) |
220-300nm |
| erythermal (skin reddening) |
280-320nm |
| "Black" light |
320-400nm |
|
|
|
|
We Accept: 
Purchase Orders |
|