| Word | Description |
| ADA Compliance | The Americans with Disabilities Act is commonly referred to as the ADA. The ADA created guidelines for objects projecting from walls and ceilings in virtually all non-residential publicly accessible places. Where applicable, wall luminaires that are positioned between 27” and 80” above the finished floor shall not protrude more than 4” into passageways (aisles, corridors, halls, etc.) Besa wall luminaires that meet this requirement are noted ADA-COMPLIANT. |
| Average Rated Life | An average rating in hours, indicating when 50% of a large sampling of lamps have failed. This lamp life testing procedure does not apply to solid-state lighting sources (e.g., LED). |
| Ballast | Designed to start and operate light sources such as fluorescent lamps. |
| Binning | Process of sorting LEDs into groups according to a given performance measurement, typically lumen output or forward voltage. |
| Chromaticity | The aspect of color that includes consideration of its dominant wavelength and purity. |
| Class 2 Transformers | Besa's low-voltage luminaires utilize 12V transformers that are energy limiting UL Recognized Class 2 type, ensuring that the output cannot cause electrical shock. |
| Color Rendering Index (CRI) | Rating of a lamp’s ability to render colors, the higher the rating, the better colors will appear. Based on a scale of 0-100, CRI differences are generally noticeable to the human eye when they exceed 5 points. |
| Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) | Color temperature defines the color appearance of the lamp, expressed in Kelvins (K). A higher color temperature has a bluer appearance. For example, incandescent light is 2800K and cool white is 4100K. |
| Damp Location | Damp Locations are protected from direct precipitation but subject to moderate degrees of moisture. Partially protected outdoor locations such as under roofed open porches and interior locations such as bathrooms and basements. Important Note: Many Besa luminaires that are marked as suitable for Damp Locations are not recommended for use in exterior Damp Locations. Examples of this are luminaires designed for use as bath/vanity lighting. Such distinctions are noted throughout this catalog. Luminaires marked as suitable for wet locations may be utilized in damp locations. |
| Die | For LEDs, a die is a fragment of semiconductor material cut out of a larger wafer, resulting in a single device. |
| Dimming Ballasts | Dimming ballasts are available in either analog or digital controls. Commonly, the dimming ballast will dim to 5% or 10% of the max output. Within the analog controls exists Phase-Control (2 or 3 wire) and 0-10 VDC (4 wire). The 0-10 VDC is typically used on control systems, daylight harvesting or occupancy sensors. Phase control is typically preferred for retrofit, particularly in the 2 wire versions. The digitally controlled ballasts allow for a higher degree of control, with increased flexibility, and utilizes a shielded twisted pair connection. The industry standard is a digital communication protocol known as DALI (digital addressable lighting interface). |
| Driver | Self-contained power supply that has outputs matched to the LED array. For proper LED operation, matching the electrical characteristics of the LED and driver are critical. |
| Dry Location | A dry location is not normally subject to dampness or wetness. A luminaire marked as suitable for use in a damp or wet location may also be used in a dry location. Location types are clearly marked on every Besa luminaire. Installing a luminaire in an improper location is a safety hazard. If in doubt, contact the Local Authority Having Jurisdiction. |
| Efficacy | The rate at which a lamp or lightsource is able to convert power (watts) into light (lumens), expressed in Lumens Per Watt (LPW). |
| Electronic Ballast | For Besa compact fluorescent lamps (CFL). Ballast equipped with solid-state electronic components to provide the proper starting and operating conditions, and typically operated at frequencies of 25-35 kHz. These offer excellent energy efficiency and cold temperature starting. Electronic ballasts use solid-state electronic circuits to control the voltage to the fluorescent lamp, allowing for efficiency and performance. The solid-state controls allow for flicker-free starting. Besa utilizes three types of electronic ballasts: Instant Start, Programmed Start and Rapid Start. Instant start will cause the lamp to start within 1 second but results in shorter lamp life. Rapid start will start the lamp slightly slower than instant start, but will improve the lamp life in frequent switching situations. Programmed start is similar to Rapid start, with slower startup, but increased on/off capabilities. If you desire a specific ballast type, such as rapid start or instant start, then it is important to consult with customer service prior to ordering. |
| Emergency Ballasts | Emergency ballasts are designed to provide at least 90 minutes of code-required emergency lighting. Typically equipped with a nickel cadmium battery pack, the ballasts will vary in lumen output and number of lamps operated. If you are interested in using an emergency or dimming ballast in a Besa luminaire, please consult customer service. |
| End-of-Life (EOL) Protection | Removes power from the lamp at its end-of-life, preventing the lamp from overheating. |
| Energy Policy Act (EPACT) | Comprehensive energy legislation, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 represents the most significant overhaul of US energy policy since EPACT 1992. |
| GU-24 Lamp Base | “Twist and Lock” style base with pins spaced 24mm apart. Standardized as a high-efficiency line voltage base, resulting in a permanent energy savings per luminaire. |
| Instant Start Ballast | Starts lamps without heating the cathodes at all, by using a high voltage (~600V). It is the most energy-efficient type, but offers the least number of starts from a lamp. |
| Junction Temperature | LED products will typically have an associated maximum junction temperature. It is critical that appropriate heat sinking is employed, so that the LED products are not operated in conditions that violate the maximum junction temperature specified by the LED manufacturer. Overheating can shorten LED life. |
| Lead | For Besa Pendants, this is the socket and glass holder assembly with the cord that comes into it. Usually 10 ft. provided. |
| Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) | Developed by the US Green Building Council, LEED provides owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing green building design, construction and operations solutions. |
| LED Package | Assembly that houses and protects the LED die, containing an optical system to direct the light out of the device. |
| Light Emitting Diodes (LED) | An LED is a semiconductor encapsulated in epoxy, which illuminates when electrically biased in the forward direction. Typically the LEDs are clustered onto a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and then incorporated into a light fixture. |
| Low Pressure Halogen Lamps | Besa 12V Quick-Connect Pendant Elements are provided with a low pressure halogen lamp, suitable for use in Open Fixtures. A halogen lamp shield is not required. Lamps suitable for use in Open Fixtures must be used when relamping. A benefit to eliminating the lamp shield is a reduction in heat and an increase in light output. Please note, if a halogen lamp that is not suitable for use in Open Fixtures is used, then a halogen lamp shield would be required. These may be ordered separately. The marking on the lamp carton indicates the use. |
| Lumen Maintenance (lm) | A measure of light output over time. Every lamp type has a unique lumen maintenance curve depicting the pattern of decreasing light output. |
| Lumens | The international unit of luminous flux, or quantity of light. Not to be confused with footcandles, which is a measure of lumens per square foot. |
| No-Load Transformer | The typical 12V electronic transformer will require up to a 10W load to operate. Our transformers actually require no-load, so they are compatible with our low-wattage LED light sources. |
| Orientation | Some Besa luminaires are offered in both wall mount and ceiling mount versions. Besa wall mount and ceiling mount luminaires are manufactured to different specifications and it is extremely important to order the luminaire based upon it’s intended use. Ceiling mount luminaires require additional safeguards to prevent unsafe operating temperatures (see Supply Wire Ratings). Besa wall luminaires (marked as such) may not be safely installed on ceilings. |
| Product Listing | All Besa luminaires are engineered and manufactured to the highest possible standards. Every Besa luminaire carries the listing mark of a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (either UL, ETL or CSA) thus ensuring that they have been determined to meet the nationally recognized standards for safety. It is the responsibility of the installer of Besa luminaires to understand and follow all national and local electric codes as they pertain to specific installations. Attention must be given to using luminaires in the proper location (see Dry, Damp or Wet Location). If in doubt as to a correct installation or proper location for a luminaire, please consult the Local Authority Having Jurisdiction (LAHJ). Ultimately, the LAHJ has the authority and experience to assure proper and safe luminaire installation and use. Besa assumes NO liability for improperly installed luminaires. |
| Programmed Start Ballast | Applies power to the filaments first, then after a short delay to allow cathodes to preheat, applies voltage to the lamps to strike an arc. Offers the most life and starts from lamps. |
| R9 Value | This is the Red Color Value (CRI #9), and indicates the color representation in the red region of the spectrum. Typically the amount of luminescence in the red region has been deficient in White LEDs, so the R9 value is an important index. |
| Rapid Start Ballast | Applies voltage and heats the cathodes simultaneously. Provides better lamp life, but uses slightly more energy than instant-start ballasts. |
| Self-ballasted CFL | Besa offers a number of luminaires with optional GU-24 lampholder(s). The GU-24 lampholder is designed to accept only high efficacy lamps. The benefits of these self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamps include: • Spiral shape is designed to directly replace A-type incandescent • Quad-style lamps combine the longer but narrower bent-tube style of standard CFL lamps with the self-ballast design, making them suitable for longer, open glass designs • The electronic ballast is built into the lamp • Unique bi-pin socket prevents mis-lamping • Saves energy, less heat • Non-dimmable, 120V only, 2700° K ADVANTAGE: Doesn’t require separate ballast, so it can be utilized in a wider variety of fixtures DISADVANTAGE: Susceptible to heat damage, so wattages must be strictly adhered to with enclosed fixtures For Besa GU-24 CFL lamp options, the wattages indicated are the maximum allowable for that luminaire. |
| Solid-State Lighting (SSL) | Refers to lighting that utilizes semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LED), organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) or polymer light-emitting diodes (PLED) as sources of illumination. |
| Supply Wire Rating | Supply wiring must meet the temperature requirements of the luminaire. Many Besa luminaires require that the supply wire ratings be either 75°C or 90°C. All Besa incandescent (including halogen) flush mount ceiling luminaires require supply wiring rated to 90°C. The installation of a luminaire to supply wiring not rated as required may result in failure of the supply wiring insulation, causing a fire or shock hazard. If in doubt, consult a qualified electrician or the Local Authority Having Jurisdiction. |
| Thermal Protection | Selected Besa halogen ceiling luminaires employ a device that is designed to prevent continuing operation of an overheated luminaire. In an overheating condition, Besa halogen ceiling mount luminaires equipped with thermal protection are designed to shut off if operating temperatures (within the ceiling junction box) exceed the required 90°C temperature rating of the supply wiring. |
| Warranty | Besa Lighting provides a 12 month warranty on all current luminaires. For more information, visit our warranty page. |
