confirmed, developer
1,668
edits
Difference between revisions of "Terminology"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
add electronic switch
(add noctigon) |
(add electronic switch) |
||
| (16 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 48: | Line 48: | ||
;<span id="CPF">CPF</span>: [http://candlepowerforums.com/ CandlePower Forums] A large flashlight discussion board and marketplace. | ;<span id="CPF">CPF</span>: [http://candlepowerforums.com/ CandlePower Forums] A large flashlight discussion board and marketplace. | ||
;Cree: a manufacturer of high-power, high-efficiency LEDs; particularly the | ;Cree: a manufacturer of high-power, high-efficiency LEDs; particularly the XP-E2, XP-G2, XM-L2, and XP-L. See article [[Cree]]. | ||
;crenelated: scalloped bezel at the front of a light, to 1) help prevent accidentally leaving the light on when stood on its head; 2) increase utility as a weapon, especially on larger lights (tail is sometimes crenelated too). Sometimes spelled "crenulated." | ;crenelated: scalloped bezel at the front of a light, to 1) help prevent accidentally leaving the light on when stood on its head; 2) increase utility as a weapon, especially on larger lights (tail is sometimes crenelated too). Sometimes spelled "crenulated." | ||
| Line 58: | Line 58: | ||
:2. Dino Direct, a budget dealer | :2. Dino Direct, a budget dealer | ||
;de-dome: to remove the round plastic dome over the die on an LED; if the beam is properly focused by a reflector, the overall throw can be increased since the reflector sees a smaller die. Domes are not usually meant to be removed and it can be tricky removing one without damaging the LED. | ;de-dome: to remove the round plastic dome over the die on an LED; if the beam is properly focused by a reflector, the overall throw can be increased since the reflector sees a smaller die. Overall output typically goes down and the tint will probably change with good or bad results. Domes are not usually meant to be removed and it can be tricky removing one without damaging the LED. One method is soaking the LED in gasoline for 24 hours which makes the dome fall off. | ||
;die: the part of the LED that actually produces light. It is usually yellow and protected by a clear dome. | ;die: the part of the LED that actually produces light. It is usually yellow and protected by a clear dome. | ||
| Line 81: | Line 81: | ||
;efficacy: the amount of light output divided by the power consumption. Usually measured in lumens per watt (a watt being volts times amps). For an LED, this value varies with power consumption, becoming less efficient as power increases. Although efficacy is a measure of how efficient an LED is, true "efficiency" would be a percentage calculated by dividing the light output energy divided by the energy consumed. | ;efficacy: the amount of light output divided by the power consumption. Usually measured in lumens per watt (a watt being volts times amps). For an LED, this value varies with power consumption, becoming less efficient as power increases. Although efficacy is a measure of how efficient an LED is, true "efficiency" would be a percentage calculated by dividing the light output energy divided by the energy consumed. | ||
;electronic switch: instead of running power through the switch, the electronic switch just tells the driver when to let power through. This setup allows for a more versatile interface by allowing double clicks, click and hold, etc. Also an electronic switch can work better in a high power light since the switch controls the driver instead of all of the current having to flow through the switch itself. Electronic switches also require a small amount of current even when turned off so the driver can monitor the switch. This is called parasitic drain and can eventually deplete the battery when not in use. | |||
;<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 article [[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 article [[Light Output Measurements]]. | ||
<span id="F"></span> | <span id="F"></span> | ||
;<span id="FET">FET</span>: field effect transistor. Basically a digitally controlled switch, these are used in high current [[driver|drivers]] offering less resistance to current than other designs and therefore higher output. | |||
;<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]]. | ;<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]]. | ||
| Line 108: | Line 112: | ||
<span id="I"></span> | <span id="I"></span> | ||
;IMR: [[Rechargeable#Lithium_Manganese_.28LiMn.29_3.7V.2Fcell|Lithium-Manganese]] | |||
;ICR: [[Rechargeable#Lithium_Ion_.28Li-ion.29_-_3.7V.2Fcell|Lithium-Cobalt]], the most common type of lithium ion rechargeable battery. | |||
;IMR: [[Rechargeable#Lithium_Manganese_.28LiMn.29_3.7V.2Fcell|Lithium-Manganese]], a type of lithium ion rechargeable battery able to sustain high power draws without overheating or exploding like a lithium cobalt battery might. | |||
;incan: [[Incandescent]] | ;incan: [[Incandescent]] | ||
| Line 149: | Line 156: | ||
;memory: 1. The memory effect in some cell types, see article [[Rechargeable]]. | ;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 it is switched on. | :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 it is switched on. | ||
;MOSFET: metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor, the most common type of FET. See [[#FET|FET]]. | |||
;MCPCB: Metal Core Printed Circuit Board. This is the type of board on which LEDs are usually mounted. They are metal to help transfer heat and are then attached to a pill or heat sink. Sometimes called a "star" or just a "board." | ;MCPCB: Metal Core Printed Circuit Board. This is the type of board on which LEDs are usually mounted. They are metal to help transfer heat and are then attached to a pill or heat sink. Sometimes called a "star" or just a "board." | ||
| Line 155: | Line 164: | ||
;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. | ||
;Noctigon: name | ;<span id="Noctigon">Noctigon</span>: a brand name of copper LED MCPCB that is designed to conduct heat away from an LED more efficiently than typical aluminum boards, therefore keeping the LED cooler, increasing brightness and LED life. Also see [[#SinkPAD|SinkPAD]]. | ||
;NW: Neutral White, an LED tint. Should be just pure white, but realistically may have a vanilla, or light yellow or orange tint. See article [[ANSI White]]. | ;NW: Neutral White, an LED tint. Should be just pure white, but realistically may have a vanilla, or light yellow or orange tint. See article [[ANSI White]]. | ||
<span id="O"></span> | <span id="O"></span> | ||
;<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. Also sometimes LOP for light orange peel (lighter texturing) or MOP for medium orange peel. | ;<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|SMO]]. Also sometimes LOP for light orange peel (lighter texturing) or MOP for medium orange peel. | ||
:2. on conference posts can refer to "original poster," the person who originally started the thread. | :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. See article [[Lenses]]. | ;optic: usually a total-internal-reflection (see TIR) reflector/refractor, as opposed to a metal-coated reflector. See article [[Lenses]]. | ||
;O-Ring: Usually placed in the assembly parts of the torch on the back and front. Helps to prevent dirt and dust to enter the torch. | |||
;<span id="OTF">OTF</span>: Out-the-front. The amount of light that is actually emitted out of the front of the light, usually measured in lumens. This number is always lower than lumens measured at the emitter (at the LED itself). Some manufacturers quote OTF lumens and others use emitter lumens. Usually the OTF value is around a third less than the rated output of the light-producing device. See [[Light Output Measurements]]. | ;<span id="OTF">OTF</span>: Out-the-front. The amount of light that is actually emitted out of the front of the light, usually measured in lumens. This number is always lower than lumens measured at the emitter (at the LED itself). Some manufacturers quote OTF lumens and others use emitter lumens. Usually the OTF value is around a third less than the rated output of the light-producing device. See [[Light Output Measurements]]. | ||
| Line 186: | Line 197: | ||
<span id="R"></span> | <span id="R"></span> | ||
;R9: When measuring [[#CRI|color rendering index]] of a light source, 8 different colors (R1-R8) are used, but none of those are pure red. R9 is red and therefore is a supplemental measurement to CRI that indicates how well a light source renders red. | |||
;<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. | ;<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. | ||
| Line 207: | Line 220: | ||
;showerhead: a flashlight with a cluster of low-powered LEDs. Generally these are very inexpensive lights (9 LEDs seems common), but some have hundreds of LEDs and actually give off a decent amount of floody light. | ;showerhead: a flashlight with a cluster of low-powered LEDs. Generally these are very inexpensive lights (9 LEDs seems common), but some have hundreds of LEDs and actually give off a decent amount of floody light. | ||
;SinkPAD: a brand name of LED MCPCB that is designed to conduct heat away from an LED more efficiently than typical boards, therefore keeping the LED cooler, increasing brightness and LED life. | ;<span id="SinkPAD">SinkPAD</span>: a brand name of aluminum or copper LED MCPCB that is designed to conduct heat away from an LED more efficiently than typical aluminum boards, therefore keeping the LED cooler, increasing brightness and LED life. Also see [[#Noctigon|Noctigon]]. | ||
;SMD: Surface Mount Device - most high-power LEDs used in flashlights are mounted this way where legs of a component (LED, capacitor, resitor, diodes, etc.) are soldered to pads on the surface of the circuit board (as opposed to through-hole soldering where the legs of the LEDs go into holes on the circuit board which are then soldered on the underside with the excess leg length clipped off). | ;SMD: Surface Mount Device - most high-power LEDs used in flashlights are mounted this way where legs of a component (LED, capacitor, resitor, diodes, etc.) are soldered to pads on the surface of the circuit board (as opposed to through-hole soldering where the legs of the LEDs go into holes on the circuit board which are then soldered on the underside with the excess leg length clipped off). | ||
;<span id="SMO">SMO</span>: a reflector with a smooth finish. Designed for better throw, but also shows imperfections in the LED (e.g. rings). Compare to OP. | ;<span id="SMO">SMO</span>: a reflector with a smooth finish. Designed for better throw, but also shows imperfections in the LED (e.g. rings). Compare to [[#OP|OP]]. | ||
;spill: the area of a flashlight beam outside of the hotspot and corona. Light intensity in the spill area is typically low and even, and comes directly from the light emitting surface with little or no contribution from the reflector. | ;spill: the area of a flashlight beam outside of the hotspot and corona. Light intensity in the spill area is typically low and even, and comes directly from the light emitting surface with little or no contribution from the reflector. | ||
;spot: see hotspot | ;spot: see hotspot | ||
;spring bypass: a modification to the battery springs in a flashlight to reduce resistance and increase current. The typical spring bypass involves soldering braided copper wire from the tip of the spring to the base where the spring attaches to the switch and/or driver. | |||
;SSC: Seoul Semiconductor, a Korean LED manufacturer. See article [[Seoul Semiconductor]]. | ;SSC: Seoul Semiconductor, a Korean LED manufacturer. See article [[Seoul Semiconductor]]. | ||
| Line 230: | Line 245: | ||
;<span id="TIR">TIR</span>: total internal reflection. A glass or plastic "lens" that collimates light rays from the light emitter, both by reflecting them and by refracting them. Theoretically, ALL of the light produced by the emitter is gathered by the TIR optic. See article [[Lenses]]. | ;<span id="TIR">TIR</span>: total internal reflection. A glass or plastic "lens" that collimates light rays from the light emitter, both by reflecting them and by refracting them. Theoretically, ALL of the light produced by the emitter is gathered by the TIR optic. See article [[Lenses]]. | ||
;trit: tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen | ;trit: tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. Packed in small vials or cubes where the emitted electrons will strike phosphor and emit light, a vial can be attached to a flashlight so that you can find it in the dark. The brightness fades over time, reducing fifty percent during a half-life of 12.3 years. Different colors are available depending on the phosphor used. | ||
;twisty: a method of controlling a flashlight - loosening or tightening the head, control ring, or tailcap turns the light on or off or changes its level or mode. Many lights turn on with the head tightened, but some turn on with the head loosened. | ;twisty: a method of controlling a flashlight - loosening or tightening the head, control ring, or tailcap turns the light on or off or changes its level or mode. Many lights turn on with the head tightened, but some turn on with the head loosened. | ||