Eterna Lighting: Glossary

Eterna Lighting Glossary

Incandescent – common source of light, mostly referred to as “the light bulb”

Halogen: A tungsten filament incandescent lamp filled with halogen gas, with a lamp envelope made of quartz to withstand the high temperature. Increased lamp life and enhanced lumen output. This lamp contains a certain proportion of halogens, namely iodine, chlorine, bromine, and fluorine that slows down the evaporation of the tungsten. Also commonly referred to as a quartz lamp.

Xenon: a colorless odorless gas used in certain photographic flash lamps, in high-intensity arc lamps for motion picture projection, and in high-pressure arc lamps to produce ultraviolet light.

L.E.D. (Light Emitting Diode): Small semi-conductor devices that converts electrical energy into intense bright light. An alternative light source that is energy efficient, low maintenance and emits relatively no heat.

Fluorescent: A linear light source consisting of a tube filled with gas. When electrical current is applied, the resulting arc emits ultraviolet light that excites the phosphors on the inside of the lamp wall, causing them to radiate visible light.

Compact Fluorescent: Twin-tube fluorescent lamp used in some Emergency Lighting, Downlighting, and Fluorescent products. The lamp life is about 10 times that of incandescent lamps and uses less power. Also referred to as "PL", "Twin-Tube", or BIAX lamps.

MR-16: Low-voltage quartz lamp, only 2" in diameter, that directs a sharp, precise beam of light

Watt (W): The unit for measuring electrical power. It defines the energy consumed by an electrical device when it is in operation. The energy cost of operating an electrical device is determined by the watts it consumes times the hours of use. It is related to volts and amps by the formula: Volts x Amps = Watts.

Voltage: The potential difference between two points of an electrical circuit

Low Voltage Lamp: A lamp that provides both intensity and good color rendition. Lamp operates at 12V and requires the use of a transformer. Popular lamps are MR16 and PAR36

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