Difference between revisions of "Terminology"

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;<span id="emitter">emitter</span>: the actual light-emitting part of an LED assembly.  e.g. a Luxeon star comprises a Luxeon emitter mounted to a star circuit board. Also can be used to describe where lumens are measured, for instance whether lumen output is measured at the emitter or OTF (out the front). See [[Light Output Measurements]].
;<span id="emitter">emitter</span>: the actual light-emitting part of an LED assembly.  e.g. a Luxeon star comprises a Luxeon emitter mounted to a star circuit board. Also can be used to describe where lumens are measured, for instance whether lumen output is measured at the emitter or OTF (out the front). See [[Light Output Measurements]].


;flood: scattered light emitted from a flashlight. Good for indoor use to light up a room or short-range use outdoors to light up an area. Compare with "throw."
;<span id="flood">flood</span>: scattered light emitted from a flashlight. Good for indoor use to light up a room or short-range use outdoors to light up an area. Compare with [[#throw|throw]].


;flux: light output, measured in lumens
;flux: light output, measured in lumens
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;mcd: millicandela - a measurement of [[Light Output Measurements|light intensity]]
;mcd: millicandela - a measurement of [[Light Output Measurements|light intensity]]


;memory: 1) The memory effect in some cell types, see article [[rechargeable]]; 2) The ability for a flashlight capable of multiple levels of output to remember the last-used level and return to that level the next time turned on.
;memory: 1. The memory effect in some cell types, see article [[rechargeable]]
: 2. The ability for a flashlight capable of multiple levels of output to remember the last-used level and return to that level the next time turned on.


;Nailbender: a CPF member who makes high power P60 and other drop-ins for host lights.
;Nailbender: a CPF member who makes high power P60 and other drop-ins for host lights.


;<span id="OP">OP</span>: 1. orange-peel.  A textured surface, e.g. for a reflector, used to smooth out beam imperfections. Compare to SMO. 2. on conference posts can refer to "original poster," the person who originally started the thread.
;<span id="OP">OP</span>: 1. orange-peel.  A textured surface, e.g. for a reflector, used to smooth out beam imperfections. Compare to SMO.  
:2. on conference posts can refer to "original poster," the person who originally started the thread.


;optic: usually a total-internal-reflection (see TIR) reflector/refractor, as opposed to a metal-coated reflector.
;optic: usually a total-internal-reflection (see TIR) reflector/refractor, as opposed to a metal-coated reflector.
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;<span id="PWM">PWM</span>: Pulse Width Modulation. A technique of varying the brightness of a LED by flashing it on and off very quickly, making it appear to the eye that the LED is dimmer. Good PWM is at such a high rate that you can't notice it. But if you wave your hand in front of the light and get a strobe effect, the PWM is getting too low. Some use current regulation which makes the light dimmer without PWM.
;<span id="PWM">PWM</span>: Pulse Width Modulation. A technique of varying the brightness of a LED by flashing it on and off very quickly, making it appear to the eye that the LED is dimmer. Good PWM is at such a high rate that you can't notice it. But if you wave your hand in front of the light and get a strobe effect, the PWM is getting too low. Some use current regulation which makes the light dimmer without PWM.


;ramping: a mode in some flashlights where the brightness varies (ramps up or ramps down) and you select the brightness level you want. Sometimes this level is then memorized, but in the original Nitecore D10 it is only used until you turn the light off again.
;<span id="ramping">ramping</span>: a mode in some flashlights where the brightness varies (ramps up or ramps down) and you select the brightness level you want. Sometimes this level is then memorized, but in the original Nitecore D10 it is only used until you turn the light off again.


;regulator: in a flashlight, a circuit that takes energy from a battery and converts it to a (usually) constant current or voltage to feed the flashlight's light element (either an LED or bulb).  Using a regulator, the flashlight's brightness usually stays constant for the majority of the lifetime of the battery, and then output drops quickly and significantly as the battery is no longer able to supply the required energy.  Non-regulated flashlights (also called direct-drive) usually start out at a high output, and then the output diminishes gradually over the lifetime of the battery. See article [[Driver]].
;regulator: in a flashlight, a circuit that takes energy from a battery and converts it to a (usually) constant current or voltage to feed the flashlight's light element (either an LED or bulb).  Using a regulator, the flashlight's brightness usually stays constant for the majority of the lifetime of the battery, and then output drops quickly and significantly as the battery is no longer able to supply the required energy.  Non-regulated flashlights (also called direct-drive) usually start out at a high output, and then the output diminishes gradually over the lifetime of the battery. See article [[Driver]].
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;tactical: more of a marketing term than anything. Often refers to a light with fewer modes and a forward clicky, designed to take some abuse and possibly be mounted to a weapon. See [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=147215 CPF discussion].
;tactical: more of a marketing term than anything. Often refers to a light with fewer modes and a forward clicky, designed to take some abuse and possibly be mounted to a weapon. See [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=147215 CPF discussion].


;<span id="throw">throw</span>: the ability of a flashlight to place light onto a distant defined area of surface, i.e how well the light is collimated. The throw of a light source of fixed power will be defined by the surface brightness of the light emitter, and the shape, diameter, depth, smoothness, and reflective efficiency of the reflector surface. A flashlight with good throw characteristics is called a "thrower" and generally has a narrow beam that is best for illuminating objects at a distance (hundreds of feet). Compare with "flood." The [[ANSI-NEMA FL-1|ANSI/NEMA FL-1]] standard states throw two ways: candela and meters.
;<span id="throw">throw</span>: the ability of a flashlight to place light onto a distant defined area of surface, i.e how well the light is collimated. The throw of a light source of fixed power will be defined by the surface brightness of the light emitter, and the shape, diameter, depth, smoothness, and reflective efficiency of the reflector surface. A flashlight with good throw characteristics is called a "thrower" and generally has a narrow beam that is best for illuminating objects at a distance (hundreds of feet). Compare with [[#flood|flood]]. The [[ANSI-NEMA FL-1|ANSI/NEMA FL-1]] standard states throw two ways: candela and meters.


;Ti: Titanium - used to make flashlights that many consider attractive, rugged, and have good wear properties. More expensive and doesn't conduct heat as well as Aluminum. See [[Materials#Titanium|Titanium]]
;Ti: Titanium - used to make flashlights that many consider attractive, rugged, and have good wear properties. More expensive and doesn't conduct heat as well as Aluminum. See [[Materials#Titanium|Titanium]]
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