Q U A RT E R 3
LIGHTING
FIXTURE AND
LAMPS
LESSON 1 Electrical
Lamps and Luminaires
ELECTRICAL LAMPS AND
LUMINAIRES
• One of the greatest inventions of humanity is
electric light. Electric light is the most common
form of artificial lighting and is now a necessity
to modern society, providing interior lighting for
buildings and exterior light for evening and
nighttime activities.
TECHNICAL TERMS
Equipment. A general term including material, fittings, devices, appliances, luminaires
(fixtures), apparatus, and the like used as a part of, or in connection with, an
electrical installation.
Lighting Outlet. An outlet intended for the direct connection of a lamp holder, a
luminaire (lighting fixture), or a pendant cord terminating in a lamp holder.
Live Parts. Conductor or conductive part intended to be energized in normal use.
Location, Damp. Locations protected from weather and not subject to saturation with
water or other liquids but subject to moderate degrees of moisture. Examples of such
locations include partially protected locations under canopies, marquees, roofed open
porches, and like locations, and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of
moisture, such as some basements, some barns, and some cold- storage warehouses.
TECHNICAL TERMS
Location, Dry. A location not normally subject to dampness or wetness. A location classified
as dry may be temporarily subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a building under
construction.
Location, Wet. Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact
with the earth; in locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle
washing areas; and in unprotected locations exposed to weather.
Luminaire. A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps together with the parts
designed to distribute the light, to position and protect the lamps and ballast (where
applicable), and to connect the lamps to the power supply.
Outlet. A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization
equipment.
LUMINAIRES
Luminaires, lighting fixtures, and sometimes, some people call it lamp
when referring to a source of light. But what is the correct term? All
terms are technically correct but according to an article, Luminaire
vs. Light Fixture: What is the Difference? (n.d.) luminaire is the
proper technical term to be used. As explained in the article, the
Illuminating Engineers Society (IES) Lighting Handbook and the 2014
National Electrical Code, Article 100 (which originally the 2004 NEC),
define a luminaire as, “a complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or
lamps together with the parts designed to distribute the light, to
position and protect the lamps, and to connect the lamps to the power
supply.”
I M P O R TA N T P R OV I S I O N S O N I N S TA L L I N G
FIXTURES M O G A D O , J O M A R P ( 2 0 1 5
1. Fixtures must not be installed in wet or damp locations so that water
cannot enter or accumulate in the wiring compartments, lamp holders,
or other electrical parts.
2. In bathtub and shower areas, no part of cord-connected fixtures, or
any suspended fixtures, shall be located within a zone measured 900
mm horizontally and 2 400 mm vertically from the top of the bathtub
rim or shower stall threshold and shall be listed for wet locations.
3. In indoor sports, mixed-used and all-purpose facilities fixtures
installed shall be of the type that protects the lamp with a glass or
plastic lens and shall have additional guard.
I M P O R TA N T P R OV I S I O N S O N
I N S TA L L I N G F I X T U R E S
MOGADO, JOMAR P (2015
4. Fixtures are permitted to be installed in commercial cooking hood provided that (a) the fixture
is identified for use within commercial cooking hoods; (b) it is constructed so that all exhaust
vapors, grease, oil, or cooking vapor are excluded from the lamp and wiring compartment; (c) the
diffuser to be used must be resistant to thermal shock; (d) the exposed parts of the fixture
must be corrosion-resistant or protected against corrosion and must have smooth surface to
facilitate easy cleaning; (e) the wiring method and materials supplying the fixture must not be
exposed within the cooking hood.
5. Fixtures in clothes closets, the following can be installed: (a) a surface-mounted or recessed
incandescent fixture with a completely enclosed lamp; (b) a surface-mounted or recessed
fluorescent lamp fixtures. Fixtures that are not permitted are incandescent fixtures with open
or partially enclosed lamps, and pendant fixtures or lamp holders.
WIRING OF LUMINAIRES
Electrical fixtures cannot be wired in any manner, there are
provisions that should be followed. Mogado, Jomar P. (2015) lifted
this provision from the (PEC Art. 4.10.6, p. 614) and it states that,
“Wiring on or within fixtures shall be neatly arranged and shall not
be exposed to physical damage. Excess wiring shall be avoided.
Conductors shall be arranged so that they are not subjected to
temperature above those for which they are rated. Luminaires shall
be wired with conductors having insulation suitable for the
environment conditions, current, voltage, and temperature to which
the conductors will be subjected”.
THREE BASIC TYPES OF LIGHTING
Proper lighting can have an impact on space. Each space may require different
kinds of lighting that will suit the need and its purpose for the owner.
1. Ambient/General Lighting
Ambient / General lighting can be indoor or outdoor.
Indoor ambient/general lighting is installed to light up a room or a space in its
entirety. It provides a uniform level of illumination throughout the space independently
of other lighting sources.
• Moreover, its purpose is to ensure safe and easy traffic, as well as to create an
overview of the room. The ambient light ‘bounces’ off the walls to illuminate as much
space as possible.
• To create ambient lighting, we can use overhead fixtures like recessed pot lights,
chandeliers, track lights and other ceiling lamps, or fixtures like table and floor
lamps.
THREE BASIC TYPES OF LIGHTING
Outdoor ambient/general lighting as described in 3 Basic Types of
Lighting. (2020, May 28) is usually installed to ensure visibility and
increase security around a building. It is also recommended to light up
the exterior of the building, entrances, and stairs to reduce and
perhaps eliminate the risk of injury that can occur when entering and
leaving the building.
The types of fixtures that can provide outdoor ambient lighting can
be spotlight, hanging fixtures, lights installed in garages and canopy,
post lanterns and wall lighting.
THREE BASIC TYPES OF LIGHTING
2. Task lighting
Task lighting is created to illuminate the tasks that a person usually does in each space such as
reading, cooking, studying, computer works and the like. Brighter light is required in this area of
the room for these kinds of tasks. Localized type of lighting can be provided by a variety of
different sources, that may give the option to adjust the lighting for a workspace or chosen area
and brighten or darken it to suit the needs.
This type of lighting can be created using a variety of light sources, including desk or task lamps
as well as overhead sources like recessed or track lighting. Task lamps should be adjustable or
angled down to keep the light on the task and out of your eyes. They should also be placed to the
side of your work to reduce glare and limit shadows.
THREE BASIC TYPES OF LIGHTING
Halogen bulbs work well for task lighting because they
produce a white light like daylight and use less energy than
incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs are another good choice
because it will not get hot when you are working for long
periods of time and they produce a direct, bright light.
Another advantage is that it lasts longer than other type of
lamps.
THREE BASIC TYPES OF LIGHTING
3. Accent Lighting
Accent lighting as described in 3 Basic Types of Lighting. (2020, May 28) is
used mainly to focus on a specific point of interest or to achieve a desired
effect. This type of lighting gives the impression of a larger room. It is more
frequently used to highlight an architectural feature, a plant (in outdoor layout),
a sculpture, or a collection of objects.
As a rule, effective accent lighting requires the installation of three times
brighter on the focal point than ambient lighting generally provides.
This is usually accomplished through track and recessed lighting or wall-
mounted fixtures, like picture light, which can be angled and directed to create a
spotlight.
FORMS OF LUMINAIRES
Luminaires or lighting fixtures come in different is forms. Some of
them are as follows:
CHANDELIERS
FORMS OF LUMINAIRES
1. Chandeliers
It is a decorative form of luminaire that is usually
installed in dining rooms, kitchens, hallways, and
sometimes above stairways. It has different
branches that caters lights bulbs. It is also known
as girandole, candelabra lamp, or least
commonly suspended lights
FORMS OF LUMINAIRES
PENDANTS LIGHTS
FORMS OF LUMINAIRES
2. Pendants
This is a form of lighting fixture designed with
shades intended to avoid glare, pendants are
commonly installed over kitchen islands, tables, and
other task areas.
FORMS OF LUMINAIRES
CEILING MOUNTED LIGHTING
FORMS OF LUMINAIRES
3. Ceiling-mounted lighting
Its main purpose of this form of luminaire
is for general lighting. It is suitable in
lighting lobbies and hallways with lower
ceiling.
FORMS OF LUMINAIRES
WALL MOUNTED LIGHTING
FORMS OF LUMINAIRES
4. Wall-mounted lighting
Wall-mounted lighting fixture is generally
installed as an accent but may also serve as
general lighting. It can be installed inside or
outside the building and is often installed at eye
level; thus, it is not subjected to physical
damage.
FORMS OF LUMINAIRES
PORTABLE LIGHTING
FORMS OF LUMINAIRES
5. Portable lighting
A portable lighting fixture is a form of luminaire
that can easily be moved from one place to another
and can be plugged into a socket outlet.
Portable lamps shall be wired with flexible cord
and an attachment plug of the polarized or grounding
type (PEC Article 4.10.7.9).
FORMS OF LUMINAIRES
TRACK LIGHTING
FORMS OF LUMINAIRES
6. Track lighting
Mogado, Jomar P. (2015) lifted the meaning of track
lighting from PEC, Art. 4.10.15. p. 628. A track
lighting fixture is a manufactured assembly designed
to support and energize luminaires that are capable
of being readily repositioned on the track. Its length
can be altered by the addition or subtraction of
section or track.
FLUSH AND RECESSED
MOUNTINGLIGHTING
• These forms of lighting fixtures can be utilized for ambient or general
lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Incandescent lamps,
fluorescent lamps, halogen lamps, and LED lamps can be used in flush and
recessive lighting fixture.
• As described in the article of Wallender, L. (n.d.) recessed light fixtures
(often known as canister lights, can lights, or downlights) use a design in
which the bulb and socket assembly is contained within a metal housing
that fits entirely above the plane of the ceiling. Except for a thin trim
piece around the bottom rim and sometimes a small portion of the inner
reflector, no part of the light fixture extends below the ceiling line.
FLUSH AND RECESSED
MOUNTINGLIGHTING
TYPES OF ELECTRIC LAMPS
1. Incandescent Bulb
This bulb type produces light when electric current passes through a coiled tungsten filament.
The filament is enclosed in a glass bulb either in a vacuum or in a mixture of argon or nitrogen
gas to protect the filament from oxidation. Current is supplied to the filament by terminal wires
embedded in the glass.
There are different types of incandescent bulbs readily. Mogado, Jomar P. (2015) discussed
these types. These are the following:
a. General use. This type is the cheapest and the readily available light bulb. This produces
warm, yellow-white light, which is emitted in all directions.
b. Reflectorized. A reflectorized bulb has a reflective coating that causes the light to be
focused to a desired direction.
c. Tungsten-Halogen. Also known as halogen lamp, this bulb produces a brighter and whiter
light than the other types of bulbs. It is available in both high and low voltages.
TYPES OF ELECTRIC LAMPS
2. High-intensity Discharge Lamp
This bulb produces light when an arc passes between cathodes in a pressurized
tube, causing metallic additives to vaporize. This type of lamp is usually used for
outdoor lighting.
Types of high-intensity discharge lamps:
a. Metal Halide
b. High Pressure Sodium
c. Low Pressure Sodium
d. Mercury Vapor
TYPES OF ELECTRIC LAMPS
3. Fluorescent Lamps
Fluorescent lamps generally come in varieties of sizes, colors, shapes, voltages,
and specific applications. It was introduced in the public in 1937 and was
considered the best, and most widely used type of lamp. (Fajardo Jr., Max B. and
Fajardo, Leo R. 2000).
These are available in fluorescent lamp fixtures or in Compact Fluorescent
Lamp (CFL). A fluorescent lamp fixture has different parts such as ballast, lamp
holders, and others installed altogether in a housing called frame. A Compact
Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) has no frame but has a built-in electronic ballast that
automatically starts making it compact or small. CFLs are available in screw-in
type with variations of lamp shapes such as straight, circular, and spiral.
TYPES OF ELECTRIC LAMPS
4. Light Emitting Diode (LED)
LED Stands for "Light-Emitting Diode." It is one of the latest innovations in lighting industry.
As defined by Christensson, P. (2009, July 31), an LED is an electronic device that emits light
when an electrical current is passed through it. Early LEDs produced only red light, but modern
LEDs can produce several different colors, including red, green, and blue (RGB) light. Recent
advances in LED technology have made it possible for LEDs to produce white light as well.
LEDs are commonly used for indicator lights (such as power on/off lights) on electronic
devices. They also have several other applications, including electronic signs, clock displays, and
flashlights. Since LEDs are energy efficient and have a long lifespan (often more than 100,000
hours), they have begun to replace traditional light bulbs in several areas. Some examples
include streetlights, the red lights on cars, and various types of decorative lighting. You can
typically identify LEDs by a series of small lights that make up a larger display. For example, if
you look closely at a streetlight, you can tell it is an LED light if each circle is comprised of a
series of dots.
