Specification Sheet

Appendix | Glossary
198
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Fins Broken (FB)
When ganging dimmers, a portion of the fins (heat
sink) must be removed to install dimmers together in
a standard backbox, using standard size wallplates.
The dimmer's wattage capacity must be derated.
Also see Ganging and Derating. See page 170.
Fluorescent Lamp
A low intensity “discharge” lamp that produces light
when electric current passes through mercury gas.
The resulting arc produces ultraviolet energy, which
causes the phosphor coating on the inside of the
glass envelope to produce light. Fluorescent lamps
require a ballast to start the lamp and maintain
the light output. Fluorescent dimming ballasts are
available for most fluorescent lamps to be dimmed
down to as low as 1% of the lamps maximum
measured light output.
Fully Variable Fan Control
A fully variable fan speed control offers full control of
a fan motor over a continuous range. It can be used
for controlling one or more ceiling paddle fan(s) or
exhaust fan(s). Also see Quiet 3-Speed Fan Control
or Quiet 7-Speed Fan Control.
Ganging
Mounting one or more dimmers, switches,
receptacles or controls side-by-side, in a series of
connected (ganged) backboxes.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
A circuit protection device that monitors current flow,
and quickly de-energizes a circuit when the current
returning on the neutral wire is less than what is going
out on the hot wire (difference ≥ 6 mA). It is intended
to provide protection from potentially dangerous
ground-fault currents.
Halogen Lamp
A higher efficiency incandescent lamp in which
halogen is added to the fill gas, and the lamp has a
quartz glass inner envelope. These additions allow the
lamp to operate more efficiently at a higher physical
temperature and therefore, a higher color temperature
and they have a longer life (also called quartz halogen
or tungsten halogen).
Incandescent Lamp
An electric lamp in which a filament gives off light
when heated by an electric current. Standard light
bulbs are incandescent line voltage (120 Volt).
They offer excellent color rendering, and are
simple to replace. Newer incandescent types
are halogen lamps.
Infrared (IR)
Signals in the frequency range just below visible light.
IR signals are often used for remote control of
televisions and other audio video products. Several
Lutron products use IR signals for on/off control,
selecting presets and providing raise/lower control
of lighting and/or shades. Lutron hand-held remote
controls transmit IR signals to the control device's IR
receiver. Remote controls by other manufacturers can
also be used, allowing one remote to control many
different components, including the lighting
and shades.
Infrared Receiver (IR Receiver)
A component that receives signals from an IR
transmitter. Receivers require line-of-sight for
functionality. Lutron products with IR receivers include
dimmers, control units and shading products.
Infrared Transmitter (IR Transmitter)
A component such as a IR remote control that
transmits signals to an IR receiver.
Lamp Debuzzing Coil
An inductor connected between the control and the
load to minimize lamp or transformer buzz, and radio
frequency interference.
Lamp Life
Average rated time period of the operation of a lamp
before it fails to produce light. For incandescent and
fluorescent lamps, manufacturers define this as the
point in time when 50% of the lamps have failed. LED
lamp life is defined as when the light output from the
LED falls below 70% of it’s maximum lumen output.