Ampere (Amp) – the basic unit of electric current reflecting the rate of its flow. Current (Amps) = Power (Watts) / Voltage (Volts)
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Bin – this term is used most commonly, although “rank” may be also applied. It describes the systematically divided distribution of performance parameters, such as Color (CCT), Flux and Vf for the purpose of the assembly being aesthetically acceptable.
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Candela, or cd – describes the intensity of lighting in accordance with the internationally accepted standards (SI). This term is used to evaluate the intensity of other light sources based on a regular candle of a standard size.
Color temperature – this term defines the way an object is affected by heating when it becomes incandescent, as well as a number of other parameters, including the degree of change proportional to the temperature, apparent color, and emission of radiation. Color temperature can be imagined through an example of hot metal that with the increase of the temperature turns from red into orange, and then finally becomes white when the temperature keeps going up.
Cool White – describes light with certain temperature correlated to it (usually between 5000K and 7500K); the color of light appears somewhat blue.
Color Rendering Index or CRI – the term used to describe the rendered color characteristic of an object. Generally the color looks more natural if CRI is high. Color Rendering Index is based on a scale from 0 to 100 (one hundred being used to characterize natural outdoor light). Cool white CRI is 62, and there are a number of other lighting sources with a variety of rates.
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Driver or ballast – a circuit whose output provides the input of another circuit, i.e. used to fuel other sources of illumination.
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Luminous Efficacy (or just efficacy) – the quotient of the luminous flux emitted by a source of radiation and the power it consumes, measured in lumens per watt (lm/W).
Epoxy – tough resistant thermosetting synthetic resin often used to prevent optical decay in a dome or lens, but resulting in insufficient lumen maintenance over time. In the power light sources of Luxeon no epoxy is used, which provides for excellent lumen maintenance.
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Flux – defines the total sum of lumens a source emits (also see: lumen)
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InGaN LED – the most commonly used light-emitting diode technology that involves the use of Gallium, Indium and Nitrogen to give LED light sources the following colors: blue, green and white.
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Kelvin Temperature (measured in K) – describes the comparative color appearance of a certain light source as compared with a theoretical blackbody. For instance, incandescent lamps of yellowish color are characterized by the value of 3000, while the range of values for fluorescent light sources can be from 3000K to more than 7500K.
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LED – Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a diode of semiconductor material, such as gallium arsenide, that emits light when a forward bias (a voltage used in the direction that produces the larger current) is applied, the color depending on the semiconductor material. Each semiconductor comprises two regions of the opposite electrical charges. The electrons start moving as soon as voltage is applied, so certain amounts of energy are released as a result. As the energy disperses the wavelengths become visible and we may observe the light of a certain color.
Lumen (lm)– the derived SI unit of luminous flux; describes the amount of light spread over a surface of one square foot by one candle power, on condition that every point of the surface is precisely one foot away from the source of light. An average dinner candle has the value of 12 lumens, while a standard 60-Watt lamp has the value of 840 lm.
Lumen maintenance – the percentage of the remaining flux at the rated life of a source of light.
Lux (lx) – the derived SI unit of illumination equal to a luminous flux of 1 lumen per square meter.
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Solid-state lighting – used to describe light sources that are not likely to rupture, leak, shatter or break, contaminating the environment.
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Thermal management – the process of adjusting the operating temperature of a certain device through its design, e.g. by applying heat sinks and improving airflow.
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Volt – the derived SI unit of electric potential; describes the difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere, when the power dissipated between these points is 1 watt (e.g. 1.5V).
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Warm White – describes light with certain temperature correlated to it (usually between 3000K and 3500K); the color of light appears somewhat yellow.
Watt – the unit of electrical power (based on the International System of Units) equal to 1 joule per second. This rating may be found in the instruction for every lamp or other kinds of light sources. The higher value is indicated – the more efficient the lamp is.
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