Here’s a glossary of Lighting terms and abbreviations, covering indoor, outdoor, architectural, stage, and smart lighting. This is designed as a master reference for consumers, retailers, electricians, and lighting enthusiasts.
💡 LIGHTING GLOSSARY
A
AC (Alternating Current) – Electrical current that reverses direction periodically, powering most lighting systems.
Ambient Light – General illumination providing overall lighting in a space.
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) – Organization setting standards for lighting products.
AR (Aluminized Reflector) – Type of reflector in halogen lamps for focused light.
Auto-Dimming – Lighting system automatically adjusting brightness based on conditions.
Accent Lighting – Lighting that highlights specific objects or areas.
B
Ballast – Device regulating current to fluorescent or HID lamps.
Brightness – Perceived intensity of light.
Beam Angle – Width of the light cone emitted by a lamp or fixture.
Blackbody Temperature – Temperature of an idealized object radiating light; basis for color temperature.
Batten Light – Linear fluorescent or LED light fixture, often ceiling-mounted.
C
CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) – Measures light color in Kelvin (K).
CRI (Color Rendering Index) – Measures light’s ability to show true colors.
Candela (cd) – Unit of luminous intensity in a given direction.
Chandelier – Decorative hanging light fixture.
Color Temperature – Describes warmth or coolness of light; low K = warm, high K = cool.
COB (Chip-On-Board) – LED technology placing multiple chips on one substrate.
Circuit / Driver Circuit – Controls electrical flow to lights, especially LEDs.
D
Dimmable – Ability of a light to vary in brightness.
Diffuser – Material softening or spreading light from a fixture.
Downlight – Ceiling-mounted light directing illumination downward.
Daylight Harvesting – Adjusting artificial light based on available natural light.
E
Edison Base / E27 / E14 – Standard screw-in lamp fittings.
Emergency Lighting – Backup lighting activated during power loss.
Energy Star Rated – Efficient lighting meeting energy-saving standards.
Electrical Load – Power consumed by lighting fixtures.
Elliptical Reflector – Reflector shaping light beam precisely.
F
Flicker / Flicker-Free – Undesired variations in light intensity; flicker-free reduces eye strain.
Floodlight – Broad-beam outdoor or stage light.
Fixture – Complete lighting unit including lamp, housing, and control.
Footcandle (fc) – Illuminance unit measuring light on a surface.
G
Gimbal / Adjustable Fixture – Light with movable head for directing beam.
Glare – Excessive brightness causing visual discomfort.
Glass Lens / Optical Lens – Shapes and focuses light output.
GU10 / GU5.3 / MR16 – Types of LED or halogen lamp bases for track or spotlights.
H
Halogen Lamp – Incandescent lamp with halogen gas for higher efficiency.
Highbay / Lowbay Lighting – Fixtures for industrial or commercial ceilings.
Heat Sink – Component dissipating heat from LED fixtures.
Horsepower (HP) of Lighting Motor – Used in moving or stage lights with motors.
I
Incandescent Lamp – Traditional filament-based light source.
IP Rating (Ingress Protection) – Resistance to dust and water.
Indoor Lighting – Lighting designed for interior spaces.
Integrated LED – Fixture with built-in LED light source.
Intensity / Lumen Output – Total light emitted by a source.
J
Junction Box – Electrical enclosure connecting lighting circuits.
Joy Stick / DMX Controller – Device controlling stage or smart lights.
K
Kelvin (K) – Unit measuring color temperature.
Kitchen Lighting – Task and ambient lighting designed for kitchen areas.
L
LED (Light Emitting Diode) – Efficient, long-life solid-state lighting technology.
Lumens (lm) – Measure of total visible light emitted by a source.
Louver / Baffle – Fixture component controlling glare and beam spread.
Linear Lighting – Strip, batten, or tube-style light fixture.
Low Voltage Lighting – Systems operating below 50V AC/DC, often LED or landscape lighting.
M
MR16 / MR11 – Small halogen or LED spotlight lamps.
Motion Sensor / Occupancy Sensor – Activates lighting based on movement.
Mood Lighting – Lighting used to create ambience.
Multi-Channel DMX / RDM – Control protocols for stage and entertainment lighting.
N
Neon Lighting – Gas-discharge lighting producing colored illumination.
Night Light – Low-level lighting for safety or visibility at night.
Neutral White – LED color temperature around 3500–4500K.
O
Overhead Lighting – Ceiling-mounted lighting providing general illumination.
Outdoor Lighting – Weatherproof fixtures for landscapes, pathways, and architecture.
Optics / Lens System – Shapes and directs emitted light.
P
PAR Lamp (Parabolic Aluminized Reflector) – Directional lamp for spot or flood lighting.
Pendant Light – Hanging light fixture from ceiling.
Photometric / Lighting Layout – Study of light distribution and intensity.
Power Factor (PF) – Efficiency ratio of electrical power usage in lighting.
Philips Hue / Smart Bulbs – Wireless controllable LED lighting system.
Q
Quartz Lamp / Halogen Quartz – Lamp using quartz glass to withstand high temperature.
Quick Connect / Plug & Play – Easy electrical connection system for fixtures.
R
RGB / RGBA / RGBW LEDs – Multi-color LEDs for decorative and stage lighting.
Recessed Light / Can Light – Installed flush with ceiling.
Reflector / Reflective Coating – Enhances beam direction and intensity.
Retrofit LED – Replaces existing traditional lamps with LED modules.
Residential Lighting – Lighting designed for homes.
S
Smart Lighting – Networked lighting controllable via app, voice, or automation.
Spotlight / Track Light – Focused beam for accent or task lighting.
Streetlight / Floodlight – Outdoor fixtures for roads, parking, and landscapes.
Sconce / Wall Light – Mounted fixture providing accent or ambient light.
Silicone Lens / Diffuser – Softens or disperses LED light.
T
Track Lighting – Adjustable lighting mounted on track system.
Tubular Fluorescent Lamp – Linear tube lighting, often T8/T5 size.
Tunable White – Adjustable white color temperature LED lighting.
Transient Voltage / Surge Protection – Protects fixtures from spikes.
U
Under Cabinet Lighting – Lighting beneath cabinets or shelving for task illumination.
Ultraviolet (UV) Light – Wavelengths shorter than visible light, used in sterilization or effects.
Up-lighting – Lighting projecting from floor or ground upward.
V
Voltage (V) – Electrical potential supplied to light fixture.
Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) – Display using fluorescent light technology.
Vintage Lighting / Edison Bulb – Decorative lighting mimicking historical filament lamps.
W
Wall Washer – Fixture evenly lighting a vertical surface.
Warm White – Light color ~2700–3000K, yellowish tone.
Watt (W) – Power consumption of lamp or fixture.
Wireless Lighting – Battery-operated or networked lights not requiring wired power.
Weatherproof / IP65 – Suitable for outdoor installation and water resistance.
X
Xenon Lamp / HID Lamp – High-intensity discharge lamp using xenon gas.
Y
Yoke / Mounting Arm – Adjustable support for stage or flood lighting.
Z
Zoom / Focusable Beam – Adjustable beam angle for spotlights or projectors.
Zigbee / Wireless Protocol – Communication standard for smart lighting networks.
Published 17th Feb 2026