Specifications

“Lighting Systems Made Easy” Page 28
SOURCE (LIGHT SOURCE)
A point of origin from which light is emitted. Also a device that generates light. A halogen lamp
and a laser are both light sources.
SPOTLIGHT
An intense, narrow-angle light beam, or a commonly used term for a lighting instrument ca-
pable of producing such a beam.
STRIP LIGHT
A strip of lighting often “flown” at an inclined angle above the front of the stage. May also be
found arranged in rows above the stage ceiling.
STROBE (Abbr. STROBOSCOPE)
Flickering light that visually freezes motion. A higher-powered stage version of the original
engineering instrument developed to study moving parts while they are in motion.
TOUCH SENSITIVE
Control keypads that respond instantly to the touch of a finger.
TRANSFORMER
Device used to change the A.C. input voltage to high or low output voltage. Because it uses
wound coils, it is an inductive load and dimmer packs should be selected with this in mind.
TRUSSING
A structure, usually tubular in construction, typically used to suspend lighting, speakers, etc.
Modern Trussing is modular, made of lightweight aluminum, and comes with prefabricated
corners and straight sections in order that it may be put together quickly.
TRIAC
A solid state A.C. switch mostly used for heavy power handling and dimming of lighting.
VOLT
Describes the amount of electrical potential available from a power source.
WATT
The most commonly used unit of electrical power. AMPS X VOLTS = WATTS. It therefore
follows that WATTS/VOLTS = AMPS.
YOUR GUIDE TO DMX-512: AN OVERVIEW
PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING MAGAZINE
BY BRAD DICKSON