LIGHTING TERMINOLOGY
ACCENT LIGHTING: Focal lighting to illuminate specific architecture, artwork, decorative or design features. Designed to be adjustable, and the luminaire may not be visible or decorative.
ACCESSIBLE: designed to be used be people of all ages and a wide range of visual, physical and mental abilities.
AESTHETICS: Related to the final look and effect of the design, may include the mood, drama or pleasing qualities of the visual effect.
AMBIENT LIGHTING: Overall lighting for moving about in a space. May be less bright than task lighting for drama, or have overall brighter effect for cheery mood.
ASHRAE:
BALLAST: a device required for some light sources. May be unattractive or emit a humming noise when operating. Replaceable on some types.
BEAM SPREAD: The shape or width of the cone of light emitted by a light source.
BUDGET: The amount allotted to spend on a project or portion of a project.
CAD DRAWINGS: Computer-aided-drawing or drafting.
CAN LIGHT: A light source recessed into a ceiling has a can-shaped part concealed in the ceiling, with an exposed trim on the surface.
CHANDELIER: a luminaire using many small lights, generally incandescent, designed to look like candles. Generally ceiling fixtures, they are often used in dining rooms, foyers, or other formal spaces. They should be used as decorative lighting and, if incandescent, on a dimmer.
CIRCUITS: should be illustrated with lines on the lighting plan to indicate switching or dimming, and to show control devices.
CODE CRITERIA
COLOR RENDERING INDEX (CRI)
COMMERCIAL LIGHTING: uses many generic and formulaic solutions for economical and flexible office buildings, with hospitality and retail requiring more interesting solutions. Energy use is an important factor in many settings.
COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMPS (CFL): fluorescent lamps that can be made with pin-based or screw based designs; screw bases should be used for replacement in incandescent lamps.
CONSTRAINTS
CONTROLS: devices, such as switches and dimmers, used to operate lights
COVE LIGHTING: up lighting intended to bounce from ceiling ;can be from a shallow architectural element or molding recess; luminaires need to be completely continuous.
DAMP LOCATION
DAYLIGHTING CONTROLS: turn off lights or dim the lights when day light is strong enough without the artificial light.
DETAILS: show how specific luminaires should be installed in unusual mounting conditions.
DIFFUSERS: a lens or shade that allows light to come through, with reduced glare.
DIMMER: a device that restricts the energy flowing to a fixture, causing it to operate at lower light levels, for mood or to save energy. This is routine for incandescent, but is more tricky for fluorescent, and is not available on many light sources.
DIRECT GLARE: caused by a bare lamp shining in the eyes. Good lighting design should prevent direct glare in the normal use of a space.
DIRECTIONAL LAMPS: lamps intended to shine completely or mostly in a single direction.
DOWN-LIGHTING: recessed lighting for a wide range of uses, many lamp applications and either residential or commercial.
DOWN-LIGHTS: can be specified for damp, wet, shower, insulation contact, emergency or insulation contact (IC) for re-modeling.
EFFICACY: the energy efficiency of a light source, measured in lumens per watt.
EMERGENCY LIGHTING: all non-residential buildings must provide lighting for safe exit when normal power service fails. Some use battery packs and some large buildings use a generator for the systems.
ENERGY CODES
EXIT LIGHTING: designed to assist wayfinding in case of emergency; should use high-efficacy, long -lasting light sources
EYE-BALL LIGHTS: resemble down-lights, but can be adjusted to shine the beam onto a wall or art.
FIXTURE: the non-professional term for a luminaire.
FLATTERING: lighting that makes someone look good, or perhaps even better than usual.
FLOOR LAMPS: tall portable luminaires that rest on the floor.
FLUORESCENT LAMPS: High-efficacy lamps that glow when energy excites the gas inside the lamp. Require ballast of some kind.
FLUSH MOUNT: surface mounted fixtures that are close to the ceiling.
FOCAL LAYER: the “light layer” used to describe accent lighting.
FOCAL PLANE: an imaginary horizontal plane 30” above the floor, used for measuring brightness of light.
FOOT-CANDLES (FC): a measuring unit for light brightness described as “lumens per square foot”.
FOUR-WAY SWITCHES: switches for a set of lighting than can be operated from 3 switch locations
FURNITURE PLAN: a floor plan showing the furnishings layout. This should be completed before the lighting plan is designed. Best if shown as grey-scale to highlight the lighting plan details.
HALOGEN LAMPS: are brighter and somewhat whiter than incandescent (although they are in the same category). The lamps last about twice as long, but some types can be dangerously hot. Used for retail and downlights.
HIGH CONTRAST: very dark unlit areas and very bright areas of light.
HIGHLIGHTING: areas that are brightly lit for emphasis.
HOSPITALITY DESIGN: a design specialty including hotel, restaurant and
IECC:
IESNA: Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
INCANDESCENT LAMPS: light is created by electricity flowing through a tungsten filament; while an attractive source of light, they are among the least energy-efficient sources, giving off 80% of their energy as heat.
INDIRECT GLARE: glare as a result of reflection.
INDIRECT LAMPS AND LIGHTING: uses reflection from ceiling or wall surfaces to diffuse and spread light, rather than shining directly on the task or focal plane.
LAMP: is the term used by lighting professionals for the bulbs and other light-creating sources used for electric lighting. NOTE: The term “lamp” is used by the general public to describe an object lighting professionals call a “portable luminaire”.
LED LAMPS: Light-emitting-diodes are used to create high-efficacy long-lasting lamps. Used for decorative lighting so far, they are making great strides in practical applications for lighting design.
LIGHTING LAYERS: Allows greater flexibility, more complete design, and greater aesthetics than a single type or source of light, and can help save energy if used well
LIGHTING LEGENDS: are used to define each symbol used. May be combined with the schedule on simpler drawings.
LIGHTING PLANS
LIGHTING SCHEDULE: provides a specification for each symbol. Should include the general description, lamp to be used, finish, mounting, watts, manufacturer and catalog number. May include ballast or transformer, lenses needed.
LIGHTING SPECIFICATIONS: usually needed for commercial projects, include written specs, usually written by project engineer, or quotes text from CSI.
LINE VOLTAGE: is the standard voltage in a given type of building. When using low voltage lighting, transformers may reduce the power from the standard or “line-voltage” to the required (or lower) level of voltage.
LOW CONTRAST: is when the lighting has an even overall effect, without strong shadows or strong light and dark areas.
LOW-PRESSURE SODIUM LAMPS
LUMINAIRES: are the hardware of the lighting solution. These are often termed “fixtures” by non-professionals
MAGIC TRIANGLE OF LIGHT:
MERCURY VAPOR LAMPS
MODELING: is created by lighting that shows the shape and volume of an object or a space. Objects can only be seen, at night or indoors, if they are lit in some way. For example, f a tall ceiling is not lit, to the viewer, i t may as well not exist.
MONOPOINT ACCENT LIGHT: a display-lighting luminaire, often used in retail settings, available in many styles, designed for illuminating a single object.
MOOD: the effect created by the lighting in a space. Moods can range from cheerful and bright, to contrast-y and mysterious.
MOTION SENSORS: detect the presence of people and automatically turn on the lights. Motion sensors can also save energy by turning off lights when no motion is sensed. Relays and ceiling -mounted units can prevent someone being left in the dark.
NATURAL LIGHT: is sunlight entering a space from windows, skylights or other apertures.
PENDANTS: ceiling-hung fixtures, dropped at least a little from the ceiling, generally less formal than chandeliers, used in commercial and residential lighting.
PHOTO-ELECTRIC SENSORS: are used to automatically turn on lights when light-levels are sufficiently low. They are used in lobbies, malls and outdoor lighting.
PORTABLE LAMP: Please see “portable luminaire”. “Lamp” is the term used by lighting professionals for the bulbs and other light-creating sources used for electric lighting. The term “lamp” is used by the general public to describe objects lighting professionals call a “portable luminaire”.
PORTABLE LUMINAIRE: is a portable lighting source that can be moved and plugged into an outlet without the need to change hard wiring. These are generally called “lamps”.
POWER PLANS: are used to show lighting, fire and emergency items, phone, and all outlets including power, TV and data.
POWER SOURCE: is the location in a room or building where the power for the lighting plan is available.
PROGRAMMING: the process of stating the problems and goals for the design project.
PROTECTIVE LENS: a covering for a luminaire that protects the lamp from damage or moisture, and protects the lighting user from glare. Some health codes require lenses for food safety—to prevent broken glass from falling into food at restaurants, etc.
QUALITY CRITERIA: are the requirements and goals to evaluate the quality of the lighting solution.
QUANTITY CRITERIA: are the requirements and goals to evaluate the lighting solution in terms of light quantity. Quantity goals can be created using general references and experience.
RECESSED LIGHTING: is lighting that is either recessed into a ceiling surface, or has a surface flush with the ceiling--such as office lighting troffers and ceiling tiles forming the ceiling surface..
REFLECTED CEILING PLANS: used as the base for most lighting plans, since most lighting is ceiling -mounted. All elements of the ceiling should be shown, including HVAC, diffusers, sprinkler heads, speakers, vaults or coffers, beams, etc.
RESIDENTIAL LIGHTING: is lighting for single family or multi-family housing.
ROTARY DIMMERS: are dimmers with a wheel-like dial for selecting the desired light level.
SCALLOPS: are designs formed by a series of wall-washer light-sources. The luminaires are spaced apart to create a space between the light beams forming a scallop-shaped light beam on the wall.
SCONCES: wall hung luminaires in many styles from very plain to ornate and formal. Sometimes sconces match another fixture in the room
SHADING: can be formed by lighting that is directed at one side of an object. Shading can create dramatic effects, but can also be harsh or unflattering to faces—in the case of harsh down-light.
SHADOWING: see shading above.
SLOT OUTLINING: uses a continuous light source at wall/ceiling joint. Brighter at ceiling, and some general illumination, but doesn’t light entire wall or art work.
SOFFITS: are small areas of lower ceiling. They may be built for effect, as a camouflage for ductwork, to hold lighting, or to fill the space kitchen cabinets and the ceiling.
SPECIFICATIONS: are detailed descriptions, of the products or finishes, for items used in a design.
SURROUNDING AREA: refers to the area around a task or focal area. The surrounding area may use a different light level from the primary area. The issue of contrast—or no contrast--in the light level is the concern.
SWITCHING: refers to the controls used for the lighting. It is part of the lighting design, and should consider convenience and code issues for the plan. Switches should generally be grouped together, and use the best options for saving energy and flexibility.
SYMBOLS: are used on lighting plans to show location and the type of lighting and switching needed. Symbols should be as standard as possible for clarity.
SYSTEM: used for a group of components that work together for reasons of safety, code, or performance. Systems, rather than components, are sometimes required for meeting code.
TASK LIGHTING: designed to illuminate a work or reading area for clear view and safety.
THREE-WAY SWITCHES: are switches for lighting, or groups of lighting, that can be operated from two locations. A residential hallway may need a switch at each end of the hall, and would be a three-way switching plan.
TIMERS: a switch that turns off a circuit after a certain period, for safety or to save energy.
TITLE 24: is a set of laws in California requiring accessible buildings and energy-saving features in buildings in the state. The requirements can be found explained at the UC Davis CLTC, on the website for UCD.
TOGGLE SWITCHES: are standard light switches that rock up and down to turn on or off.
TORCHIERES: floor lamps that are designed for uplighting.
TRACK LIGHTING: a surface mounted system with moveable lamp-holders, which can be directed toward artwork or retail lighting. Very flexible and changeable; can look busy in residential settings.
TRANSFORMERS: are parts of any low-voltage lighting system. They reduce the power from the standard or “line-voltage” to the required (or lower) level of voltage.
TROFFERS: the most common type of fluorescent luminaire, they can be lensed, parabolic, recessed, direct, indirect, and more. They are most often flush with a commercial tile ceiling. Most common sizes are 2 x 4, with 2 x 2, and 4 x 1 readily available.
UNDER-CABINET LIGHTING: task lights designed to be mounted under the front edge of upper kitchen cabinets, and should be as continuous as possible.
UP-LIGHTING: is lighting that is directed up. It may originate at the floor, in a sconce or ceiling fixture, a torchiere, or in cove lighting. It may be used for general illumination, accent lighting and for wall-grazing, among other things.
VALANCE LIGHTING: is lighting originating in a narrow molding on a wall for a cove effect, or may be above a window treatment.
VANITY LIGHTS: are a task light for grooming, near the sink or other mirrored areas in the bathroom, and may either mount above or beside the mirror.
VEILING REFLECTIONS: are reflections that make viewing difficult or impossible, such as a reflection clouding the view on a computer or television screen. Some do not block the view completely, but can cause eye strain and fatigue.
VISUAL TASKS: are tasks where visibility is necessary for the task.
VOLTAGE: the electric power needed to operate a lamp is measured in voltage. The US has a standard voltage of 120 for residential, with 240, 277 and 480 in some commercial and industrial buildings.
WALL SLOTS: are wall grazing fixtures for spaces adjacent to the wall, at the junction where the wall meets the ceiling (or sometimes the floor).
WALL-WASHERS: available in eyelid, angled recessed lenses and down-lights: designed to throw light onto a nearby wall.
WALL-GRAZING: powerful narrow beam luminaires are set close to wall, to reveal rough or smooth texture (also any flaws in wall…).
WALL-WASHING: intended to illuminate entire wall evenly. See p. 61 in Karlen for magic triangle info.
WATTS-PER-SQUARE-FOOT METHOD: is a lighting-calculation method used to meet energy-saving codes. These methods require lower light levels for circulations spaces, and allow higher wattage per square foot for task lighting.
WET LOCATIONS: require fixtures tested and rated for the additional hazard of a wet area.
