Glossary > P to Z

LIGHTING LINGO: P-Z

Pendant
💡 A hanging light fixture that adds style and illumination. Think chic dining rooms and elegant foyers.

Phosphor Conversion
💡 How LEDs turn blue light into white light. It’s all about that phosphor glow, baby!

Photocell
💡 A tiny sensor that detects light levels and adjusts your lighting accordingly. Great for keeping things consistently bright.

PIR
💡 Short for Passive Infrared sensor. Detects motion and turns the light on when someone enters the room—hello, energy savings!

Rated Life
💡 How long a bulb is expected to last. LED bulbs don’t ‘burn out’; they just get dimmer over time. When they hit 70% brightness, it’s time to replace.

Reflector Lamp
💡 A bulb with a shiny inner coating that focuses the light in a specific direction. Think spotlights and floodlights.

Retrofit
💡 hen new tech plays nice with old fixtures. LED retrofits fit into your old-school light fittings without a hitch.

RGB
💡 Red, green, and blue—the magical trio that creates a rainbow of colors. Perfect for mood lighting and party vibes.

SES
💡 Small Edison screw. Tiny, but mighty. Usually found in table lamps and decorative fixtures.

Small Bayonet Cap
💡 Like the standard bayonet cap, but smaller. Ideal for compact fixtures where space is tight.

Small Edison Screw
A petite version of the classic Edison screw. Same twist-in style, just smaller and cuter.

Solid State Lighting
💡 Lights with no moving parts, meaning they’re efficient, durable, and low-maintenance. LEDs are the ultimate solid-state champs.

Starter Switch
💡 Essential for starting up fluorescent lamps. Electronic ballasts often replace these nowadays for a smoother experience.

Transformer
💡 Changes voltage levels to suit different types of bulbs. Crucial when using low-voltage lighting.

Tungsten Halogen Lamps
💡 An old-school light that’s brighter than standard incandescent bulbs but way less efficient than LEDs.

Warm White
💡 Soft, cozy lighting perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, and anywhere you want a relaxing vibe. Think sunsets and warm hugs. X-ref Color Temperature

Watts
💡 Once the go-to measure of brightness, now just a power consumption stat. Remember: more lumens, fewer watts = happy wallet.