Shedding Light on Lighting: A Comprehensive Guide to Luminaire Types

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Introduction: Lighting fixtures come in a multitude of varieties, each imparting a distinct decorative effect. Some radiate an air of grandeur and elegance, while others exude exquisite refinement. So, what exactly are the classifications of lighting fixtures? Let’s delve into the diverse world of luminaires.

General Classification of Lighting Fixtures:

  1. Symmetrical (Asymmetrical) Luminaire:
    • Fixtures with symmetrical (or asymmetrical) light intensity distribution.
    • Symmetry is determined relative to an axis or a plane.
  2. Direct Luminaire:
    • Luminaires that emit 90% to 100% of their light flux directly below the fixture.
  3. Semi-Direct Luminaire:
    • Luminaires that emit 60% to 90% of their light flux directly below the fixture.
  4. Diffused Luminaire:
    • Luminaires that emit 40% to 60% of their light flux directly below the fixture.
  5. Semi-Indirect Luminaire:
    • Luminaires that emit 10% to 40% of their light flux directly below the fixture.
  6. Indirect Luminaire:
    • Luminaires that emit less than 10% of their light flux directly below the fixture.
  7. Wide Angle Luminaire:
    • Luminaires that distribute light over a relatively large solid angle.
  8. Middle Angle Luminaire:
    • Luminaires that distribute light within a medium solid angle.
  9. Narrow Angle Luminaire:
    • Luminaires that distribute light within a small solid angle.
  10. Ordinary Luminaire:
    • Lighting fixtures with no specific requirements for dust or moisture protection.
  11. Protected Luminaire:
    • Fixtures with specialized protective structures to prevent dust, moisture, and water from entering the lampshade.
    • The protection level is indicated by the code, typically consisting of the characters “IP” followed by two numbers.
  12. Dust-Proof Luminaire:
    • Luminaires that cannot entirely prevent dust ingress but where the amount of dust does not hinder normal operation.
  13. Dust-Tight Luminaire:
    • Luminaires that are entirely dust-proof, preventing any dust ingress.
  14. Water-Proof Luminaire:
    • Fixtures with built-in features to prevent water infiltration, including protection against dripping, splashing, spraying, or rain.

Detailed Classification of Lighting Fixtures:

  1. Underwater Luminaire:
    • Luminaires capable of preventing water ingress under specific conditions.
  2. Underwater Luminaire:
    • Luminaires designed for long-term use in water under certain pressure conditions.
  3. Luminaire for Explosive Atmosphere:
    • Luminaires used in explosive environments, equipped with explosion-proof housings complying with safety regulations.
  4. Flame-Proof Luminaire:
    • Fixtures that can withstand the explosion pressure of explosive gas mixtures within the luminaire and prevent the spread of explosions to the surrounding environment.
  5. Increased Safety Luminaire:
    • Luminaires designed with safety measures to prevent the occurrence of sparks or high temperatures that could ignite explosive mixtures under normal operating conditions.
  6. Adjustable Luminaire:
    • Fixtures with components that can be rotated or moved using appropriate devices.
  7. Portable Luminaire:
    • Lighting fixtures that can be easily transported from one location to another after connecting to a power source.
  8. Pendant Luminaire:
    • Fixtures suspended from the ceiling using ropes, chains, or tubes.
  9. Rise and Fall Pendant Luminaire:
    • Pendant luminaires with adjustable suspension height using pulleys, counterweights, etc.
  10. Recessed Luminaire:
    • Fixtures partially or fully embedded into the mounting surface for safety or aesthetic reasons.
  11. Ceiling Luminaire, Surface Mounted Luminaire:
    • Luminaires directly mounted on the ceiling surface.
  12. Downlight:
    • Luminaires typically concealed within the ceiling to concentrate light within a narrow beam angle.
  13. Wall Luminaire:
    • Luminaires directly fixed to walls or pillars.
  14. Floor Lamp:
    • Portable lighting fixtures mounted on tall supports and standing on the ground.
  15. Table Lamp:
    • Portable lighting fixtures placed on tables or other surfaces connected to a power source.
  16. Hand Lamp:
    • Portable lighting fixtures equipped with handles and connected to a power source using flexible cords.
  17. Projector:
    • Luminaires that produce high-intensity light beams within a defined solid angle using reflectors and lenses.
  18. Searchlight:
    • Typically featuring an output aperture with a diameter greater than 0.2m, producing high-intensity light beams approximating parallel rays.
  19. Floodlight:
    • Lighting fixtures with a beam divergence angle (beam width) greater than 10°, usually adjustable and capable of pointing in any direction.
  20. Spotlight:
    • Typically featuring an output aperture with a diameter less than 0.2m, producing focused light beams with a divergence angle generally not exceeding 0.34 radians (20°).
  21. Emergency Luminaire:
    • A collective term for lighting fixtures used for emergency illumination.
  22. Escape Sign Luminaire:
    • Emergency luminaires with signs on the lampshade, including exit sign luminaires or direction sign luminaires.
  23. Exit Sign Luminaire:
    • Luminaires directly installed above or near exits, indicating the exit location.
  24. Direction Sign Luminaire:
    • Luminaires installed on evacuation routes to indicate the direction of exits.
  25. Road Lighting Luminaire:
    • Lighting fixtures commonly used for road illumination, categorized into full cut-off, semi-cut-off, and non-cut-off luminaires based on their light distribution properties.
  26. Full Cut-off Luminaire:
    • Luminaires with the maximum light intensity directed