Amperage – The strength of an electric current, measured in amperes.
Ballast – A device used to start and operate Discharge Lamps, such as fluorescent tubes.
Color Temperature – A unit of measure for the color of light, typically expressed in kelvin (K). Color temperatures over 5000K are called “cool colors” (bluish white), while lower color temperatures (2700–3000K) are called “warm colors” (more yellow).
DC (direct current) – An electric current that flows in only one direction without changes, cycling or alterations. DC current is usually supplied by a battery, a DC transformer, or photovoltaic (PV) cells.
Energy Star® – A government-backed program helping businesses and consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR® qualified products can be identified by a label on the packaging.
Floodlight – A high-intensity light fixture or bulb that provides a broad beam of light.
Ground – An electrical connection that is literally connected to “ground” (the earth) directly or indirectly so that any spurious electrical current developing within the circuit or light fixture can pass to the earth harmlessly.
Halogen Lamp – A type of incandescent light bulb that contains halogen gases. Also, sometimes called a tungsten halogen lamp or a quartz lamp. Halogen lamps should not be touched with bare hands — the natural oil from human hands shortens bulb life.
Incandescent Lamp – A lamp in which light is produced by the passage of an electric current through a tungsten filament which is heated to the point of incandescence.
Junction Box – A plastic or metal container inside which all standard electrical wiring connections must be made. A junction box protects and conceals these electrical connections.
Kilowatt (kw) – A measure of electrical power equal to 1000 watts. Also see “Kilowatt Hour (kWh)” – the standard measurement of electrical energy equal to one kilowatt of electricity used over the period of one hour.
Lumens – A unit of measurement of light, indicating the brightness of a lamp.
Monochromatic – A subject or image consisting of only one color in addition to any black, white, and gray tones.
National Electric Code – A set of standards in the U.S. for electrical installation of wires and devices. The code is updated every three years and is published by the National Fire Protection Association.
Occupancy Sensor – An electrical device that detects the presence of humans and turns a light fixture on or off, saving energy when the room is unoccupied. Occupancy sensors can use infrared, ultrasonic, and/or audio technology to detect the presence of people in an area.
PAR Lamp – PAR is an acronym for a parabolic aluminized reflector, a precision pressed-glass reflector lamp that reflects light coming from the filament much like a parabola. PAR lamps (such as PAR20, PAR30, and PAR38) rely on both the internal reflector and prisms in the lens for the control of the light beam.
Quartz Halogen Lamp – Synonymous with halogen lamp
Reflector – An opaque material that controls light into a certain direction. A component of PAR lamps, reflectors can be used to intensify light.
Shield – An opaque or semi-opaque element that serves to shield a light source from direct view at certain angles.
Task Lighting – Lighting that is specifically installed to light an area where a task is performed. Under cabinet lighting used in a kitchen is a good example of task lighting.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) – An independent organization that certifies product safety. When a product passes UL safety, it is marked with a UL label. All Remcraft fixtures are UL labeled. For more information, visit www.ul.com.
Voltage – The difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts; the electric pressure that exists between two points and is capable of producing a flow of current when a closed circuit is connected between the two points; the rate at which energy is drawn from a source that produces a flow of electricity in a circuit; synonyms: electrical potential, electromotive force, EMF; Formulae: volts = amps x ohms, V = I x R, voltage = electrical current x electrical resistance.
Wattage – The amount of electrical power consumed by a lamp or light fixture measured in “watts”. Note: the wattage rating of light bulb does not indicate how much light is produced by that light bulb.
Xenon Lamp – A type of incandescent light bulb that contains xenon gas in the glass envelope. Xenon lamps offer longer life (e.g., 10,000 hours versus 2,000 hours), and operate at cooler temperatures than comparable halogen lamps. Unlike halogen lamps, xenon lamps may be touched with bare hands without affecting the rated life of the lamp.
Yellow Light – Light displaying at lower color temperatures (2700–3000K), often called “warm white” or “natural” (more yellow).
Zip Cord – Another term for basic lamp wire.