Dictionary
Terminology we use in the industry.
UL Listed (UL/Underwrites Laboratories)
A standard in safety. UL is a global independent safety science company with more than a century of expertise innovating safety solutions from the public adoption of electricity to new breakthroughs in sustainability, renewable energy and nanotechnology. Dedicated to promoting safe living and working environments, UL helps safeguard people, products and places in important ways, facilitating trade and providing peace of mind.
ETL Listed
The ETL Mark is proof of product compliance to North American safety standards. Authorities Having Jurisdiction(AHJs) and code officials across the US and Canada accept the ETL Listed Mark as proof of product compliance to published industry standards. Retail buyers accept it on products they're sourcing. And every day, more and more consumers recognize it on products they purchase as a symbol of safety.
DLC Approved (DLC/Design Light Consortium)
Dedicated to accelerating the widespread adoption of high-performing, energy efficient commercial lighting solutions. In collaboration with industry stakeholders, DLC defines high performance through technical requirements, facilitates thought leadership, and provides tools, resources, and technical expertise to members and industry.
Energy Star Certified (ES/Energy Star)
EPA's ENERGY STAR Program was created to help identify the best ways to save energy. The little blue label says this product, this home, this building or factory is doing the right things to save. And energystar.gov offers the most comprehensive resource available for energy efficiency advice and information.
Lumen
Unit of luminous flux, equal to the luminous flux emitted in a unit solid angle by a point source of one candle intensity.
Efficacy
Term used in place of "Lumens per Watt."
Watt (W)
Standard unit of power in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to one joule per second and equal to the power in a circuit in which a current of one ampere flows across a potential difference of one volt.
Volt (V)
Standard unit of potential difference and electromotive force in the International System of Units (SI), formally defined to be the difference of electric potential between two points of a conductor carrying a constant current of one ampere, when the power dissipated between these points is equal to one watt.
Kelvin (k)
The color of a light.
Example:
<2700k-3500k - Warm tone. The lower the number, the more yellow/warmer the color
3600k-4400k - Neutral tone. This range is a whiter/neutral, 4000k being "True neutral."
4500-5000k< - Cold tone. The higher the number, the more blue/colder the color.
Power Factor (PF)
Measurement of power conversion on a scale of 0-1, 1 being perfect power to light output. The standard is over 0.9.
Color Rendering Index (CRI)
Measurement of how closely light reflects "True Color."
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
Percentage of electronic interference caused by fixtures.Typically affecting radio signals.
Return on Investment (ROI)
Time it takes for the investment made to be recouped via the parts or products purchased in savings.