A light fixture (US English), light fitting (UK English), or luminaire is an electrical device used to create artificial light by use of an electric lamp. All light fixtures have a fixture body and a light socket to hold the lamp and allow for its replacement. Fixtures may also have a switch to control the light. Fixtures require an electrical connection to a power source; permanent lighting may be directly wired, and moveable lamps have a plug. Light fixtures may also have other features, such as reflectors for directing the light, an aperture(with or without a lens), an outer shell or housing for lamp alignment and protection, and an electrical ballast or power supply. A wide variety of special light fixtures are created for use in the automotive lighting industry, aerospace, marine and medicine.
Portable light fixtures are often called “lamps”, as in table lamp or desk lamp. In technical terminology, the lamp is the light source, what is typically called the light bulb.
Free Standing or Portable
Table lamp fixtures, standard lamp fixtures, and office task light luminaires.
- Balanced-arm lamp is a spot light with an adjustable arm such as anglepoise or Luxo L1.
- Gooseneck lamp
- Nightlight
Fixed
Recessed Light — the protective housing is concealed behind a ceiling or wall, leaving only the fixture itself exposed. The ceiling-mounted version is often called a down light.
- “Cans” with a variety of lamps — this term is jargon for inexpensive down lighting products that are recessed into the ceiling, or sometimes for up lights placed on the floor. The name comes from the shape of the housing. The term “pot lights” is often used in Canada and parts of the US.
- Cove light — recessed into the ceiling in a long box against a wall.
- Torch lamp, torchière, or floor lamp.
- Troffer — recessed fluorescent light fixtures, usually rectangular in shape to fit into a drop ceiling grid.
Surface-mounted light — the finished housing is exposed, not flush with surface
- Chandelier
- Pendant light — suspended from the ceiling with a chain or pipe
- Sconce — provide up or down lights; can be used to illuminate artwork, architectural details; commonly used in hallways or as an alternative to overhead lighting.
- Track lighting fixture — individual fixtures (“track heads”) can be positioned anywhere along the track, which provides electric power.
- Under-cabinet light — mounted below kitchen wall cabinets
- Ceiling fan – May sometimes have a light, often referred to as a light kit mounted to it.
- Emergency lighting or exit sign — connected to a battery backup or to an electric circuit that has emergency power if the mains power fails
- High- and low-bay lighting — typically used for general lighting for industrial buildings and often big-box stores
- Strip lights or Industrial lighting — often long lines of fluorescent lamps used in a warehouse or factory
Outdoor lighting and landscape lighting — used to illuminate walkways, parking lots, roadways, building exteriors and architectural details, gardens, and parks.
- High-mast, usually pole- or stanchion-mounted — for landscape, roadways, and parking lots
- Bollard — A type of architectural outdoor lighting that is a short, upright ground-mounted unit typically used to provide cutoff type illumination for egress lighting, to light walkways, steps, or other pathways.
- Solar lamp
- Street light
- Yard light
Special-purpose lights
- Accent light — Any directional light which highlights an object or attracts attention to a particular area
- Background light — for use in video production
- Black light
- Christmas lights-also called fairy lights or twinkle lights and are often used at Christmas and other holidays for decoration.
- Flood light
- Safelight (for use in a darkroom)
- Safety lamp (for use in coal mines)
- Searchlight (for military and advertising use)
- Security lighting
- Step light
- Strobe light
- Traffic light
- Theatrical
- Stage lighting instrument
- Intelligent lighting
- Follow-spot
- Wall washer