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Light fixture

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A few types of light fixtures

A light fixture (US English), light fitting (UK English), or luminaire is an electrical device used to create artificial light by use of an electric lamp. All light fixtures have a fixture body and a light socket to hold the lamp and allow for its replacement. Fixtures may also have a switch to control the light. Fixtures require an electrical connection to a power source; permanent lighting may be directly wired, and moveable lamps have a plug. Light fixtures may also have other features, such as reflectors for directing the light, an aperture (with or without a lens), an outer shell or housing for lamp alignment and protection, and an electrical ballast or power supply.[1] A wide variety of special light fixtures are created for use in the automotive lighting industry, aerospace, marine and medicine.

The use of the word "lamp" to describe light fixtures is common slang for an all-in-one luminary unit, usually portable "fixtures" such as a table lamp or desk lamp (in contrast to a true fixture, which is fixed in place with screws or some other semi-permanent attachment). In technical terminology, a lamp is the light source, what is typically called the light bulb. (See Lamp (electrical component).)

Light fixtures are classified by how the fixture is installed, the light function or lamp type.

Light fixture is US usage; in British English it is called a light fitting. However, luminaire is the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) terminology for technical use.

Fixture types

History

Industrial light fixture, designed by Peter Behrens, around 1915
  • Fixture manufacturing began soon after production of the incandescent light bulb. When practical uses of fluorescent lighting were realized after 1939, the three (3) leading companies to produce various fixtures were Lightolier, Artcraft Fluorescent Lighting Corporation, and Globe Lighting in the United States.[2]

Free-standing or portable

Tiffany dragonfly desk lamp with pigeon sculptures

Fixed

  • Recessed light — the protective housing is concealed behind a ceiling or wall, leaving only the fixture itself exposed. The ceiling-mounted version is often called a downlight.
    • "Cans" with a variety of lamps — this term is jargon for inexpensive downlighting products that are recessed into the ceiling, or sometimes for uplights placed on the floor. The name comes from the shape of the housing. The term "pot lights" is often used in Canada and parts of the US.
    • Troffer — recessed fluorescent light fixtures, usually rectangular in shape to fit into a drop ceiling grid (the word comes from the combination of trough and coffer).
    • Cove light — recessed into the ceiling in a long box against a wall.
    • Torch lamp, torchière, or floor lamp.
A chandelier light fixture
A decorative outdoor lamp at Leeds Town Hall.
A garden solar lamp is an example of landscape lighting

Special-purpose lights

Lamp types

  • Fuel lamps
Betty lamp, butter lamp, carbide lamp, gas lighting, kerosene lamp, oil lamp, rush light, torch, candle, Limelight, gas mantle
Safety lamps: Davy lamp & Geordie lamp
Xenon arc lamp, Yablochkov candle
A-lamp, Parabolic aluminized reflector lamp (PAR), reflector lamp (R), bulged reflector lamp (BR) (refer to lamp shapes)
Mercury-vapor lamp, Metal-halide (HMI, HQI, CDM), Sodium vapor or "high-pressure sodium"
Fluorescent lamp, compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), Induction lamp, blacklight.

Light-fixture controls

See also

References

  1. ^ Sylvania lighting glossary
  2. ^ "Early industry leaders", of fluorescent fixture manufacturing, Paul Levy (1998)