Light fixture

A light fixture is an electrical device designed to provide illumination to an environment.

In technical fields, experts use the term luminaire to describe these devices. Every luminaire consists of a fixture body and one or more lamps. The lamp is the actual light source, though many people call it a light bulb in casual conversation.

These devices are essential for making indoor and outdoor spaces usable and safe.

To function, a fixture must connect to a power source. Most luminaires rely on AC mains power to operate. Some portable models use a plug and cord to connect to a wall socket. Other devices, such as emergency lights or camping lights, run on battery power.

The connection can be permanent through direct wiring or movable via a plug. Some fixtures, like LED models, may have the light source hard-wired directly into the unit.

Fixtures include many components to control how light behaves. A fixture may have a switch to turn the power on or off. This switch might be on the housing, or it might be on the power cable. Some permanent fixtures, like dining room chandeliers, do not have a built-in switch. Instead, they rely on a wall switch to function. Users can also use a dimmer to adjust the brightness of the light.

Many luminaires include specialized parts to shape the light. Reflectors are used to direct light in a specific direction. An aperture, which may include a lens, helps manage the light beam. A shade can diffuse the light to make it softer. Some fixtures also include an electrical ballast or a power supply to manage electricity. An outer shell or housing protects the lamp and keeps it aligned.

Light fixtures are classified by their installation and function. Portable fixtures include table lamps, floor lamps, and office task lights.

Some floor lamps, called torchières, have upward-facing shades for general room lighting. Ceiling-mounted fixtures come in many forms. A pendant light hangs from a chain or pipe. A recessed light, or downlight, is concealed behind a ceiling or wall.

In Canada and parts of the US, inexpensive recessed lights are often called pot lights.

Industrial and outdoor lighting serve very specific purposes. High-bay lighting is used in warehouses with ceiling heights between 6 and 14 meters. Low-bay lighting is used for shorter ceilings between 3.5 and 6 meters.

Outdoor lighting includes street lights and high-mast poles for parking lots. Bollards are short, upright units used to light walkways and steps. Specialized lighting also exists for medicine, aerospace, and marine sectors.

There are many different types of lamps used within these fixtures. Incandescent lamps are a common type, as are halogen lamps. Fluorescent lamps include compact fluorescent lamps, known as CFLs. Other types include gas-discharge lamps, such as mercury-vapor or sodium-vapor lamps. Modern technology often uses LEDs, which are solid-state lighting sources.

Even older technologies like gas lighting or oil lamps were once used to provide light.

Manufacturing for these devices began shortly after the incandescent bulb was produced. The industry grew significantly as new technologies emerged. After 1924, the practical uses of fluorescent lighting were realized. This led to the rise of major companies like Lightolier and Artcraft Fluorescent Lighting Corporation. These developments changed how humans illuminate their world, moving from simple flames to complex electrical systems.