What is the difference between luminaires and lamps?

The Illuminating Engineers Society (IES) uses luminaire. The United States Congress uses fixture. And it’s not uncommon to hear someone use lamp when pointing out a source of light. While both identifiers are technically correct,luminaire is actually the proper technical term.

Is a lamp a luminaire?

The short answer: A lamp is the illuminant in a luminaire! People often call a lamp a bulb. That is because of the shape of the traditional “light bulb”, but it is not an official term. Lamps – meaning illuminants – are used in all popular technologies.

What is considered a luminaire?

A “luminaire” is the lighting industry’s term for a light fixture, and is defined by §100.1 as a complete lighting unit consisting of a light source such as a lamp or lamps, together with the parts that distribute the light, position and protect the light source and connect it to the power supply (for instance a …

What is the difference between lamp and fixture?

Fixtures can be portable or they can be stationary, like a recessed lighting can or a floodlight attached to the outside of a building. The fixture holds the lamp, which provides the light. So what you thought was a bulb is a lamp, and what you thought was a lamp is a fixture.

What types of lamps are there?

The different types of lamps include:

• Incandescent Lamps.
• Tungsten Halogen Lamps.
• Fluorescent Lamps.
• Compact Fluorescent Lamps.
• Mercury Vapour Lamps.
• Metal Halide Lamps.
• High Pressure Sodium Vapour Lamps.
• Low Pressure Sodium Vapour Lamps.

What do you call a device that holds and protect the lamp?

luminaire – A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps and the parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect the lamp(s), and to connect the lamp(s) to the power supply.

What is a light fitting called?

luminaire. The technical umbrella term for a complete light fitting. The term encompasses wall, ceiling, pendant, floor, desk and table lights.

Is a fluorescent luminaire a device?

Luminaire is any device that includes a lampholder and the means of the electrification and support for that device. Lighting fixture is permanently attached to a building.

What’s the difference between an LED lamp and a luminaire?

With an LED lamp a bulb could be meant but the term could also refer to a light fixture including the bulb. As you can see it is not always clear. To be more precise you should use the following terms. The luminaire or so called light fixture is the entire construction around the light source.

Where can I find the definition of a luminaire?

Unlike lighting fixtur e, the definition of luminaire is easily found in a dictionary, or online. The definition includes the lamp and all components directly associated with the distribution, positioning, and protection of the light unit, so there is no confusion as to exactly what the term covers.

What’s the difference between a lamp and an illuminant?

Until a few years ago, most luminaires were equipped with normal incandescent lamps. Since the spread of new light sources, the term illuminant is more established. Due to the many new lighting techniques, the term lamp is often too general. In contrast, the word illuminant refers very precisely to the actual light source.

What’s the difference between a light bulb and a fixture?

But in consumer field the term light bulb is used most frequently. Usually the term is used in combination with lighting technology such as LED light bulb or halogen light bulb. In combination with the required socket, it is even easier to find the desired illuminant such as an E26 LED bulb.