Lighting expert since 1979
60-day money-back guarantee
4.96/5
Log in Shopping bag

Glossary (Wiki)

Our Light Lexicon

Technical terms briefly explained: What is Lux? What does adaptation mean? You can find technical lighting terms, definitions, and units of measurement briefly explained in the alphabetically ordered lexicon of skapetze.com.

D

Dimming flap

A glare shield is an accessory for lighting fixtures that reduces direct visibility of the light source and specifically limits the light beam. It serves to reduce glare, control the beam angle, and promote a more uniform lighting effect.


C

Cut-off angle

The beam angle determines how the light beam spreads and how intensely a lamp illuminates an area. Small angles result in focused light, while large angles result in wide illumination.


S

Shielding angle

The shielding angle refers to the angle between the horizontal plane of a luminaire and the visible light source. It determines the viewing angle at which the light source becomes visible and influences glare control as well as visual comfort.


A

Absorption

Light absorption refers to the fact that every material absorbs light—and thus energy—which it subsequently releases.


D

Directivity

The beam pattern describes how a light source distributes its light throughout a space. It determines whether the light is emitted symmetrically or asymmetrically and influences the light intensity, illumination, and the intended use of a lamp. Typical applications include spotlights, recessed spotlights, and pendant lights, among others.


B

Beam angle

The beam angle describes the angular range within which light emanates from a light source and determines the size and shape of the light cone. It influences the distribution of light in a room and must be clearly distinguished from the cut-off angle, which defines the boundary of glare.


A

Adaptation (Adaption)

Adaptation refers to the human eye's adjustment to changing lighting conditions. It depends on the luminance and the distribution of light in the room and influences how quickly visual performance adapts to different brightness levels.


Adaptive Lighting

Adaptive lighting is based on the natural progression of sunlight and automatically adjusts brightness and light color throughout the day. It is typically implemented via smart-home systems or sensor-based controls and enables dynamic, time-dependent lighting concepts.


Accent lighting

Accent lighting is used to specifically highlight individual objects, surfaces, or architectural elements. A narrow beam angle, high illuminance, and precise light control create deliberate contrasts that complement the general lighting.


G

General-purpose incandescent light bulbs

Standard incandescent light bulbs are classic incandescent bulbs that produce light by heating a tungsten filament. They emit warm white light but are not very energy-efficient and have largely been replaced by modern LED light sources.


General Lighting

General lighting refers to the uniform, basic illumination of a room. It provides sufficient brightness, aids in orientation, and reduces sharp contrasts, while additional light sources can be used to illuminate specific areas as needed.


A

ampere

An ampere is the unit of electric current and describes how much electric current flows through a wire. Electric current also plays an important role in lighting, as it determines how much power a light fixture needs to produce light.


P

Power consumption of the lighting

The connected load of a lighting system refers to the total electrical power of all the lights used within that system. It is measured in watts and determines the total amount of electrical power required to produce the light emitted by a lamp.


W

Workplace Lighting

Workplace lighting refers to the targeted illumination of work areas to provide sufficient light for visual tasks such as reading, writing, or working on a computer. It complements general lighting and ensures an appropriate illuminance level for the workplace.


D

Desk Lamps

Workplace lighting refers to the targeted illumination of a workspace, providing sufficient light for visual tasks. In a home office, lighting is typically provided by a combination of general lighting, a desk lamp, and, if necessary, a floor lamp, to ensure even light distribution and help maintain concentration while working.


W

Workplace Regulations

The Workplace Ordinance sets forth the requirements for occupational safety and health in workplaces. These include provisions regarding lighting to ensure that there is sufficient light and that work areas and traffic routes can be used safely. Among other things, the ordinance includes requirements for general lighting and emergency lighting.


A

Architectural Lighting

Architectural lighting refers to the targeted illumination of buildings, bridges, and architectural elements. It serves to highlight architectural structures, materials, and forms and to make buildings stand out in the dark. Special outdoor fixtures or LED lamps are often used for this purpose to enable controlled illumination of facades and structures.


E

Exhibition Lighting

Exhibition lighting refers to the targeted illumination of objects, display areas, or products within an exhibition. It uses light to make content visible and highlight details. It is used, among other places, in exhibitions as well as in stores and shops, where structured lighting enhances the presentation of objects.


C

Canopy

The lamp canopy, also known as a ceiling rosette, is used to cover the electrical outlet on the ceiling and connect the power cables. It is most commonly used with hanging lamps and pendant lights.


L

Lighting level

The illuminance level describes the brightness produced by light and lighting on a surface or in a room. It indicates how brightly an environment is lit and is influenced, among other factors, by the amount of light, the distribution of lighting, and the reflection from surfaces.


I

Illuminance

Illuminance describes the brightness produced by light on a specific surface. It is measured in lux and indicates how much light strikes a surface. Illuminance is an important parameter in lighting for determining the lighting conditions and the perceived brightness in a room.


Irradiance

Irradiance describes the radiant power that strikes a surface in the form of light or electromagnetic radiation. It is measured in watts per square meter (W/m²) and indicates how much energy per unit area acts on a surface. Irradiance influences the physical processes of illumination as well as the intensity of light and radiation.


M

Motion Detector

A motion detector is a sensor that detects movement in its surroundings and automatically activates lights or other functions. It is used to control indoor and outdoor lighting and typically uses PIR or RF technology.


G

Glare

Glare refers to an optical or visual disturbance caused by excessive brightness.


B

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless standard for connecting and controlling devices over short distances. In the lighting sector, Bluetooth is used in smart homes to control lights and functions directly via mobile devices.


F

Fire Safety Symbols

Fire safety symbols are standardized signs that indicate fire safety facilities and measures. Among other things, they mark emergency exits, escape routes, and emergency lighting, and help people quickly find their way around buildings, especially in emergency situations.


B

Bridge (ZigBee)

A bridge (ZigBee) is a central interface that connects devices within a ZigBee network and enables them to communicate with a smart home system. It is used to control and coordinate components such as lights within a networked lighting system.


Bridge-Arm Lights

Bridge-arm lights, for example, are wall sconces with a movable arm that allows for flexible light direction. The adjustable bridge arm enables the lighting to be precisely adjusted and the light beam to be individually directed.


Brilliance

Brilliance describes the perceived radiance and luminosity of light on a surface. It results from the interplay of light, reflection, and contrast, and, depending on its intensity, can also affect glare.


C

Candela

The candela (cd) is the unit of measurement for the luminous flux emitted by a light source in a specific direction (solid angle). It indicates the luminous intensity and measures the brightness of the light source.


Casambi

Casambi is a high-quality smart lighting system that allows you to control various light sources via an app or the accompanying switches and buttons.


CCT

The abbreviation CCT stands for "Correlated Color Temperature." In lights and light sources with the CCT feature, the light color is adjustable, allowing you to determine how warm or cool the light should be.


CE Mark

The CE mark indicates that the product complies with applicable EU requirements.


Chrome Effect on Smoked Glass

Smoke-colored glass lamps create a metallic look thanks to their slightly mirrored surface and the interplay of light refraction and reflection, which varies depending on the surroundings and light source. When the lamp hangs freely in the air, it reflects light more intensely and appears chrome-like, while it appears darker against a dark background. Cool light enhances the metallic effect, while warm light makes the tone softer and more golden.


Circadian Rhythm

The so-called circadian rhythm is the biological daily rhythm of a living organism and is often referred to as the "internal clock."


ColorSwitch

With Color Switch, the light color can be changed using a small switch on the light fixture, for example, from 3000 Kelvin to 4000.


Connect

Connect is a smart lighting system that enables the intelligent control of recessed and surface-mounted lights, as well as compatible light sources and various indoor and outdoor fixtures from the Connect lineup.


Controller

The controller is a control unit in a Smart Light System that transmits input from a remote control or app to the light fixture or LED strip to control them.


Coolbeam Lamps

Coolbeam lamps are special halogen lamps that offer excellent light quality and a long service life.


CRI / RA

The color rendering index is specified as CRI (Color Rendering Index) or RA value. The higher the CRI value, the better the color rendering and the more natural the colors appear under the light.


T

Twilight Switch

A twilight switch—also known as a twilight sensor—automatically turns one or more lights on or off depending on the amount of daylight.


Twilight vision

Twilight vision refers to the human eye's ability to see in low-light conditions, particularly at twilight or in dimly lit indoor spaces.


D

DALI

DALI is a wired system for controlling and dimming lights. The "Digital Addressable Lighting Interface" is a vendor-neutral, standardized digital interface for controlling electronic ballasts (EB).


Dark Sky

"Dark Sky" are lighting systems that have been specifically designed to protect the night sky and the environment from light pollution.


Darklight Reflector

A Darklight reflector refers to a downlight that does not cause glare, which is very important for visual comfort in a room.


R

Recessed and surface-mounted ceiling lights

Ceiling lighting is divided into surface-mounted ceiling lights and recessed ceiling lights. Surface-mounted ceiling lights are often referred to simply as "ceiling lights" and refer to a light fixture that is mounted on the ceiling.


D

Degradation

When LEDs lose their brightness and their luminous flux decreases, this is referred to as degradation. As a result, older LED light sources emit less light than they did initially.


Designer Lighting

Designer lighting fixtures are lighting solutions that are not only a functional source of light but also have special aesthetic value


G

German Society for Lighting Technology

The German Society for Lighting Technology (LITG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting lighting technology.


D

Dichroic Reflectors

Dichroic reflectors are special optical filters consisting of multiple layers of materials.


Diffuse light

Diffused light is light that is evenly scattered in all directions with the help of a diffuser and does not produce sharp shadows or hard edges.


Dim2Warm

Dim2Warm is a dimming method in which a light source changes its color temperature as it is dimmed. The color temperature becomes warmer during the dimming process, for example, from 2700 to 1800 Kelvin.


Dimming

If you want to be able to adjust the brightness of a lamp—or have more or less light at times—lamps that can be dimmed are ideal for this purpose.


Dimmer

To dim a light, you generally need what is called a dimmer. A dimmer is a control unit that regulates the brightness of the light fixture or light source.


DIN 5035

DIN 5035 is a national standard in Germany governing artificial lighting.


DIN 67524

DIN 67524 specifies requirements for the lighting of tunnels and underpasses used by motor vehicles.


DIN EN 12193

DIN EN 12193 is the standard applicable in the European Union for the lighting of indoor and outdoor sports facilities. It covers the sports most commonly practiced in Europe.


DIN EN 12464

DIN EN 12464 is a European standard for lighting at (indoor) workplaces, which all countries are expected to comply with.


DIN EN 13201

DIN EN 13201 is a European standard for street lighting.


DIN EN 1838

DIN EN 1838 is a European standard for emergency lighting in applied lighting technology, which replaced the previously applicable national standard in July 1999.


DIN V VDE V 0108-100

The DIN V VDE V 0108-100 standard covers emergency lighting systems and specifies requirements for electrical emergency lighting in workplaces and buildings with high foot traffic.


DIN VDE 0710-13

DIN VDE 0710-13 is a standard that addresses the impact resistance of lighting fixtures used in sports halls. It stipulates that balls striking a light fixture must not cause damage severe enough to cause entire parts of the fixture to fall out.


Direct glare

Direct glare from light fixtures refers to the unpleasant and blinding light that shines directly into the viewer's eyes from a light fixture.


Direct Lighting

Direct lighting refers to any light that is directed directly into a room or onto a work surface to provide brightness.


S

Spacer

A suspension bracket is a ceiling mount used to align pendant lights.


D

DMX

DMX stands for Digital Multiplex and refers to a standardized digital control protocol that enables communication between control devices and lighting equipment such as spotlights, dimmers, and effects units.


Downlight Wall Floodlight & Downlight Double Wall Floodlight

Downlight wall floodlights and dual downlight wall floodlights are lighting fixtures designed for ceiling mounting and are compatible with both round and square openings.


Downlights

Downlights are compact, usually round ceiling lights that, as the name suggests, direct their light downward, creating a cone of light on the floor or wall.


P

Push-and-Turn Dimmer

The classic type of dimmer is the rotary dimmer with a switch. Pressing the button turns the light on or off, and the brightness can then be adjusted using the rotary knob.


D

Dynamic Lighting

Lighting is described as dynamic if it changes over time with respect to at least one parameter.


E

Easy Lift

It's easy to adjust the height of a pendant or hanging lamp to any desired position—the lighting brand Helestra has its very own term for this mechanism.


Eco-Design Directive

The Ecodesign Directive is a European regulation designed to reduce the environmental impact of energy-using products.


S

Single-seat lighting

Individual workstation lighting, also known as task lighting, is a lighting solution in which each workstation is illuminated individually.


E

Electronic Ballast

An electronic ballast (EB) is an electronic circuit used in lighting technology to power fluorescent lamps and other gas-discharge lamps.


ENEC

ENEC is an English acronym that stands for European Norm Electrical Certification and is the European safety certification mark for electrical engineering products, which include lamps.


Energy Efficiency Index (EEI)

Different types of mains-powered ballasts for fluorescent lamps consume varying amounts of energy and are therefore classified into seven different classes based on their energy efficiency index.


Energy Efficiency Classes

Energy efficiency classes are labels assigned to products to rate their energy efficiency.


Energy Label

The energy label, also known as standardized energy consumption labeling, is a label designed uniformly across the EU that informs consumers about the energy efficiency of electrical appliances.


Energy-saving light bulb

Energy-saving light bulbs are a type of light source that consumes less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs and is therefore more energy-efficient.


Enocean

Enocean technology is a standard for battery-free wireless sensors, which is used, among other things, in smart lighting and smart home systems.


D

Discharge lamps

Discharge lamps are lamps that produce light through a gas discharge inside a glass envelope.


E

EMC - Electromagnetic Compatibility

EMC is the abbreviation for electromagnetic compatibility and refers to the absence of interference caused by electromagnetic radiation.


Explosion-proof lights

Explosion-proof lights are often referred to as "Ex lights" and offer a wide range of protective features.


F

Fading/Fading Time

Fading is the gradual dimming and brightening of a light source. This can be achieved through manual or automatic control and is frequently used in lighting technology to alter the lighting mood and atmosphere in a room.


C

Color Mixing

Color mixing is the process of combining different colors to create a new color.


Color Saturation

Color saturation refers to the intensity and purity of the colors produced by a light source.


Color Change

Lights that can change their light color, often using RGB LEDs


Color Rendering Index

A light fixture's color rendering is indicated by the color rendering index, which shows how naturally colors in the surrounding environment are rendered under that lighting.


F

Fiber-Optic Lighting Systems

Fiber-optic lighting systems consist of a single, centrally powered high-pressure discharge lamp, from which light is distributed via a bundle of fiber-optic cables.


V

Version

A lamp holder is a device that holds the light source of a lamp in place; it secures the light source and allows connection only to a base that fits the holder.


R

Remote Control

A remote control is a handheld electronic device used to operate and control an appliance over short to medium distances.


L

Lights for damp locations

So-called damp-proof lights have a high protection rating of at least IP44, as this is the only way to ensure they are adequately protected against moisture and dirt.


F

floodlight

A floodlight is a type of light fixture used to illuminate large areas, both indoors and outdoors.


Floodlight

A floodlight, also known as a spot light or wide-angle floodlight, is a high-powered lighting fixture that produces a wide and intense beam of light.


D

Directional Light

Directional lighting refers to a type of lighting in which light is directed in a specific direction to illuminate a specific area or object.


U

Uniform lighting

Uniform lighting refers to the even distribution of brightness. It is often referred to as basic or general lighting, as it aims to illuminate a room comprehensively and adequately.


D

Direct current

Electricity consists of what are called electrons. In direct current, the electrons all move in one direction, which is exactly the opposite of alternating current.


I

Incandescent light bulbs

The incandescent lamp—also known as a light bulb because of its shape—is the oldest source of electric light and revolutionized the lighting market in its day.


G

General Lighting

Basic lighting is also known as room lighting or general lighting and is used to illuminate a room evenly and sufficiently.


GS Seal of Approval

The abbreviation GS stands for the safety certification mark and confirms compliance with the Equipment Safety Act.


GS mark

The GS mark stands for "Tested Safety" and is a quality seal that certifies that the product complies with the Product Safety Act.


Q

Quality Characteristics for Lighting

There are specific quality criteria that indicate what needs to be considered when it comes to high-quality lighting.


M

Midnight Shift

So-called "half-night operation," often referred to as "half-night mode," is used in street lighting to save energy during periods of low traffic.


S

Semi-scatter angle

The half-angle is the angle at which the light from the fixture is most intense and the illumination of the room is strongest.


H

Halogen lamps

Halogen lamps are radiant heaters and work in a similar way to incandescent bulbs.


S

Stool Lamps

Stool lamps are called that because they are often placed on a stool, such as a pedestal or side table.


H

Human-Centric Lighting (HCL)

Human Centric Lighting is abbreviated as HCL and focuses on the effects of lighting on people.


I

iLight

iLight is another smart lighting system in Skapetze's product portfolio.


ICR Technology

The abbreviation IRC comes from English and stands for "Infrared Coating."


Indirect Lighting

Indirect lighting refers to a situation in which the light from a fixture is reflected off ceilings or walls rather than shining directly into the room.


Infrared radiation

Infrared radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that can be emitted by light sources.


IP Certification

IP certification (short for Ingress Protection or International Protection) indicates a product's protection rating.


C

Cool White

There are warm white, neutral white, and cool white lights, with the latter having a higher proportion of blue and therefore appearing significantly cooler.


G

Gimbal-mounted spotlights

Greater flexibility in mounting and using the lamps—that's exactly what a gimbal-mounted spotlight is designed for.


K

Kelvin

Kelvin (abbreviated as K) is a unit of temperature used to specify the color temperature of a light source.


C

Click-Wagos

Click-Wagos are insulated connection terminals manufactured by Wago that connect two cables using a simple click mechanism.


Constant-light control

Constant light control is used to keep the lighting level or illuminance in a room exactly constant at all times.


Contrast

Contrast refers to the difference in brightness or color between various illuminated elements in a room or on a surface.


Contrast Reproduction

Contrast reproduction is the ability of a light source to reproduce colors and brightness levels accurately and naturally.


Cross Grid

A cross grid is a type of grid that is placed over a lamp to control the light and reduce unwanted glare and reflections.


L

Lamp life

Lamp life is the estimated amount of time a lamp or light source can operate without failing.


Lamp base

A lamp base is the part of a lamp that is used to secure the lamp and supply it with electricity, and which is screwed or inserted into the lamp socket.


LED Strips

An LED strip is a flexible strip studded with many small LED chips.


P

Power Consumption

What is known as power consumption is often referred to as lamp power or wattage (the latter term comes from English).


L

Luminance

Luminance is abbreviated with the symbol L and refers to the impression of brightness that the human eye perceives from a self-luminous or illuminated surface.


Light-Emitting Diode (LED)

LED stands for light-emitting diode. It is a semiconductor that emits light when an electric current flows through it.


Light fixture

A light fixture is a device designed to house one or more light sources and to direct or distribute the light they produce in a specific direction


Light to Look At

Lighting designed for viewing is lighting that highlights and emphasizes the beauty and aesthetics of objects.


Light deflection

Light deflection refers to the process by which light rays are deflected or redirected from their original path when they strike a material with a different optical density.


Luminous efficiency

Luminous efficacy indicates how many lumens a light source produces per watt and is therefore expressed in lumens per watt (abbreviated as lm/W).


Lightfastness

Lightfastness indicates how well a material retains its color and surface properties when exposed to light.


R

Refraction of Light

Refraction is the change in the direction of propagation of light rays.


L

Light emission

Light emission refers to the release or emission of light energy by a light source.


Light energy

Light energy refers to the energy that is transported in the form of electromagnetic radiation, also known as light.


Light Color

Light color describes the appearance of light, which depends on a light fixture's color temperature.


Light Filter

A light filter is an optical element used to modify certain properties of light by filtering out or allowing through specific wavelengths or colors


Luminous flux

Luminous flux, also known as light output, is a unit of measurement in lighting technology that indicates the total light output of a light source in all directions.


Light Pollution

Light emission refers to the process that leads to light pollution or light smog. Lamps emit light and are therefore light-emitting.


Lighting Design

Lighting design is the creative arrangement and strategic placement of lighting elements to create a specific atmosphere, mood, or effect in a room, scene, or event.


B

Beam of light

A light cone is the geometric shape of the light that emanates from a light source and spreads out in a specific direction.


R

Ring of Light

A halo is an atmospheric optical phenomenon in which a circle or ring of light appears around a light source or an object.


S

Skylight

A skylight is a transparent or translucent architectural element installed in the roofs or ceilings of buildings to bring natural daylight into the interior.


O

Optical fiber

An optical fiber is capable of guiding light through total internal reflection within a transparent material.


L

Light Guidance

Light guidance is the targeted alignment and control of light beams to focus them as desired.


Light Modulation

Light modulation refers to the process of changing the intensity, phase, or polarization of light waves in order to transmit information or control certain properties of light.


Light Panel

A light panel, also known as an LED panel or surface-mounted light, is a type of light fixture consisting of a flat, rectangular, or square light-emitting surface equipped with a large number of LED light sources.


Light source, distance, and height

The term "light point" comes from the field of outdoor lighting, where it refers to a single light fixture, such as a streetlight.


Light Quantity

Luminous flux is the amount of visible light emitted by a light source per unit of time. It is typically measured in lumens.


Light source

A light source is defined as an artificial light source that is either inserted into a light fixture or permanently installed in it.


P

Photoelectric sensor

A photoelectric sensor is a device used to detect objects or people by detecting the interruption of a light beam.


S

Sun Protection

Light protection is intended to reduce the negative effects of light on human health through appropriate measures and technologies.


L

Light Sensor

A light sensor is used to measure the brightness of daylight or artificial lighting, which is why they are often referred to as brightness sensors.


Light Spectrum

The light spectrum refers to the entire range of colors and all wavelengths of visible light.


Luminous intensity

The luminous intensity of a light fixture indicates the strength of the light in a specific direction, since light is never distributed completely uniformly.


Light Column

A light stele is a vertical column or freestanding pillar equipped with lighting elements to illuminate the surrounding area.


Lighting Control

Lighting control uses technology to regulate the brightness, color, and direction of light.


Lighting Control System

A lighting control system is a technology designed to control and regulate lighting in indoor or outdoor areas.


Luminous flux

Luminous flux is measured in lumens (abbreviated as lm). This refers to the radiant flux, or light output, that a light source ultimately emits. This means that the unit “lumen” is used to indicate how bright a light fixture is.


Light Current Preservation

Luminous flux maintenance is a term in lighting technology that refers to the decrease in the luminous flux of a light source over time.


Light Therapy

Light therapy clearly demonstrates just how important light is to humans and what an enormous effect it can have on us.


Light Conversion

Light conversion refers to the process by which light is converted from one form of energy to another.


Light pollution

Light pollution refers to the excessive and unwanted illumination of the nighttime environment by artificial light sources.


Light Distribution

Light distribution refers to the distribution of light from a light source or a luminaire within a specific space or across a surface.


O

Optical fiber

An optical fiber, also known as a light guide or glass fiber, is a flexible, transparent rod that can transmit light along its length.


T

Terminal block

A terminal block is an insulated connector used to connect two electrical cables.


L

Lumen

The word has its origins in Latin and means something like “light” and “lamp.”


Lux

The unit lux, abbreviated as lx, is used to express illuminance, which is one of the key units of measurement in the field of lighting.


P

Pole Lights

"Pole lights" are lights in which at least one light fixture is mounted on or attached to a pole.


M

Mesh

Devices equipped with mesh technology amplify a wireless signal like a repeater. For example, repeaters can be used to amplify the Wi-Fi signal and extend its range.


Modeling

Modeling refers to the interplay of light and shadow—or of direct and indirect lighting—that allows us to recognize and perceive the surface textures of objects in detail.


Multifunctional Lighting

Multifunctional lighting combines several functions or applications into a single device.


Museum Corner

The term “museum angle” refers to an angle of incidence of 30 degrees. This angle is ideal for illuminating exhibits and showcases them perfectly.


R

Rated lighting power

The rated power describes the maximum power that an electrical appliance or lighting fixture can consume or produce.


Rated illuminance

The term "nominal illuminance" refers to the average illuminance in a furnished room, based on the average state of aging of the luminaire.


N

Neon lights

Neon lamps are low-pressure discharge lamps that contain the noble gas neon and large, cold electrodes. When a high voltage of approximately 300 volts per meter is applied, this gas is discharged, thereby producing light. Neon lamps are also commonly referred to as neon tubes; however, neither should be confused with fluorescent lamps, even though they are sometimes called that in colloquial language.


M

Mains voltage

The electrical voltage available in the power grid is referred to as the line voltage.


N

Neutral White

Neutral-white light is perfect for workspaces and home offices because it has a lower yellow component and therefore appears slightly cooler than warm-white light. This helps you concentrate better and prevents you from getting tired as quickly. The color temperature of neutral white light bulbs is 4000K, where K stands for Kelvin. A good rule of thumb is: the higher the Kelvin number, the cooler the light becomes, as it shifts further and further into the blue spectrum.


E

Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting is a special type of lighting designed to activate automatically in the event of a power outage or other emergencies and to ensure a safe lighting environment.


U

Utility Level

The working plane refers to the horizontal and vertical plane that is to be illuminated by a light source—such as a desk.


O

OLED

OLED is the abbreviation for organic light-emitting diode.


Optical Radiation

The term "optical radiation" encompasses ultraviolet radiation, visible light, and infrared radiation.


W

Wayfinding Lights

As the name suggests, wayfinding lights are used to help people find their way inside a building or outdoors.


P

PAR Lights

The term "PAR lights" comes from English and is an abbreviation for "Parabolic Aluminized Reflector."


F

Fun factor

The design factor calculates the optimal illuminance for a specific room or area.


P

Plug & Shine

Plug & Shine is a high-quality garden lighting system from Paulmann.


Presence Sensor

A presence sensor, also known as a presence detector, is a more accurate version of a motion detector.


Projection

Through lighting projection, fixtures are strategically positioned to highlight and emphasize specific objects or areas.


Point Illuminance

Point illuminance describes how brightly a specific point in a room is illuminated by a light source.


Point light source

A point light source is a light source that emits light in all directions from a single point.


G

Grid Lights

Lattice-type lights are lamps with a lattice cover designed to diffuse the light; they are often equipped with fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent lamps, or LEDs as light sources.


R

Room Lighting

Room lighting, also known as general lighting or basic lighting, is used to illuminate a room evenly.


S

Space Efficiency

Room efficiency measures the efficiency of the lighting and the actual luminous flux in a room.


R

Reflector and reflector lamp

A reflector in a light fixture uses reflective surfaces to shield the light source and direct the light.


Reflection

Reflectance is the degree to which a surface reflects or scatters light from a light source. Reflectance depends on the color, texture, and nature of the surface.


Reflectivity

The reflectance indicates the percentage of luminous flux reflected by a surface.


C

Cleanroom Lights

Cleanroom lights are lamps that can be used in rooms with high standards of cleanliness and hygiene—such as operating rooms.


R

RGB

RGB stands for the three primary colors: red, green, and blue.


RGB+CCT

RGB+CCT stands for the three primary colors—red, green, and blue—plus correlated color temperature. With lights that have this feature, the color of the light can be adjusted.


D

Directional speaker

A directional light focuses the light in one direction or onto a specific object.


S

Scallop

The term "scallop" comes from English and refers to a scallop shell or a scallop-shaped object; in the field of lighting, this term primarily alludes to the shape.


Switchable Outlet

A switchable outlet allows you to control lights and other electronic devices remotely.


H

Headlights

Headlights are lamps that concentrate their light very intensely and can thus direct it in a specific direction.


P

Protection Class

Electronic devices can be classified into different protection classes.


Protection Class

The protection class for a light fixture indicates what protective measures are necessary against electric shock.


S

Safety Extra-Low Voltage

The term "safety extra-low voltage" refers to a particularly low electrical voltage, which is also known as low-voltage.


A

Adjustable Light Fixture

An adjustable light fixture is a type of lighting device that allows the light beam to be directed in different directions by swiveling or rotating.


V

Visual Task

In the lighting industry, people often talk about visual tasks and the appropriate lighting level for them, which essentially means lighting conditions tailored to a specific activity.


Visual comfort

Visual comfort refers to a person's sense of well-being that is caused or experienced as a result of lighting.


S

Sensor

In the field of lighting, there are various sensors that perform different tasks.


Simply Dim

SimplyDim is a dimming technology from the Paul Neuhaus Group that allows compatible lights to be dimmed using a standard light switch.


SMD LED

The abbreviation "SMD" before LED comes from English and stands for "Surface Mounted Devices"; such SMD LEDs are very small components designed for surface mounting in industrial manufacturing.


B

Base

The base is the part of a light bulb that is inserted into or screwed into the socket of a light fixture. It holds the light bulb in place and also serves as the connection point for the electrical current.


T

Tension

Electrical voltage is required to make a light bulb glow. Light bulbs usually have a specific rated voltage, which must be specified.


S

Spectral Radiation Distribution

Light is nothing more than wavelengths, with each wavelength having a different spectral color.


Spectral colors

The so-called spectral colors include all visible electromagnetic radiation and, therefore, all light with wavelengths ranging from 380 nm to 780 nm.


M

Mirror Projector Systems

Lights with a mirror-reflector system use a mirror to scatter the concentrated light from a projector into many small points of light, which are then directed in a single direction without causing glare.


S

Steel Cable Holder

A steel cable bracket is used to secure a steel cable to the ceiling. This is often required for pendant or hanging lamps that are attached to such a steel cable.


T

Taxes & Regulations

In modern smart lighting systems—as well as in traditional lighting management—the control and regulation of light are particularly important.


S

Spotlight

Spotlights are lights that typically emit highly directional light and therefore have a relatively narrow light distribution.


R

Radiant power

Radiant power is the amount of energy emitted by a radiation source per unit of time in the form of electromagnetic radiation.


S

Street lighting

Safety is the top priority in street lighting, since people perceive a full 80% of their sensory input through their eyes, and thus traffic hazards increase without adequate lighting.


Scattered light

When light is reflected from a surface or a medium in different directions, it is scattered.


P

Power Outlet

A power outlet is the point where electrical cables come out of the wall or ceiling and a light fixture can be connected.


B

Busbar

A power rail is a power supply line for lights that allows for greater flexibility in mounting the lamps.


C

Current

Current is measured in amperes (A) and is denoted by the symbol I.


D

Daylight

The natural light that comes from the sun is called daylight. It is a combination of direct sunlight and diffuse sky light that reaches the Earth through the atmosphere.


S

Supplemental Daylight Lighting

Daylight-supplementary lighting is artificial lighting designed to supplement or mimic natural daylight indoors.


D

Daylight White

"Daylight white" is a term used to describe the color temperature of artificial light that resembles natural daylight.


T

Touch Dimmer

Light fixtures equipped with a touch dimmer can be turned on, off, and dimmed with a simple touch.


Touch Switch

Touch switches differ from standard switches in that they are operated by touching them with a finger.


Transformer (Trafo)

A transformer is a voltage converter that converts electricity—for example, from alternating current to direct current—or changes the voltage, such as from 230 volts to 24 volts.


D

Driver

The electronic component in an LED light fixture that regulates the current and voltage for the LEDs.


U

UGR

UGR stands for "Unified Glare Rating."


E

Examination Lights

Examination lights, as the name suggests, are used for medical examinations and treatments, such as surgeries.


U

Underwater light

Underwater lights are defined as lights or spotlights that, based on their protection class, are permitted for use in water.


Uplights

Uplights are often referred to by the German term "Deckenfluter"—the former is simply the English and more modern term.


V

VDE

The abbreviation VDE stands for the Association of German Electrical Engineers, which was founded in 1893 and is now known as the Technical and Scientific Association for Electrical Engineering, Electronics, and Information Technology (e. V.).


R

Reduction factor

The attenuation factor is a term used in the field of lighting technology and describes the process of reducing illuminance.


F

Full-spectrum lamps

The light emitted by so-called full-spectrum lamps corresponds to the spectral composition of daylight, which is why they are often referred to as daylight lamps or full-spectrum daylight fluorescent lamps.


V

Volt

Electrical voltage (symbol U) is measured in volts (abbreviated as V).


B

Ballast

Ballasts are abbreviated as "VG" and are required for the operation of discharge lamps.


C

Cove lights

So-called cove lights are used to illuminate the edges of the ceiling—that is, the edge or the curved transition from the wall to the ceiling.


W

Wall floodlight

A wall floodlight is a type of lighting fixture that is installed on a wall to illuminate a large area with bright, direct, or indirect light.


Warm white

Luminous flux is measured in lumens (abbreviated as lm). This refers to the radiant flux, or the amount of light that a light source ultimately emits. This means that the lumen unit is used to indicate how bright a light fixture is.


M

Maintenance factor

The maintenance factor serves as the basis for a lighting system's maintenance schedule and depends on operating conditions, wear and tear, and the types of lamps used.


Maintenance value

European lighting standards define minimum values—such as illuminance—that must not be fallen below; these are also referred to as maintenance levels.


W

Watt

The power (symbol P) of a light fixture is specified in watts (abbreviated as W). This provides information about the energy or electricity consumption of a light source.


A

Alternating current

Electricity consists of what are known as electrons, electrically negative elementary particles.


W

White-White Mix

The term "white-white mixture" refers to the color mixture of lamps that emit white light.


R

Rocker switch

The classic toggle switch is familiar to most people because it is used in most living rooms.


T

Timer

With a timer, you can turn electronic devices, such as lights, on and off at set times.


Z

ZigBee

ZigBee is a wireless standard that is frequently used in smart home systems.


I

Igniter

All lamps that cannot be turned on using the mains voltage from the outlet require a ballast.


S

Strain relief

A strain relief is a technical component that relieves stress on the cable connection points so that there is no tension on the connection.