Outdoor Lighting: Technology, Techniques, and Fixtures

Outdoor Lighting Technology

各种技术照亮我们的家园的外部。如果你已经花任何时间以室外照明购物，你可能已经注意到，灯具为特定类型的能源生产：电气，太阳能和天然气。

电源

Electrical poweris a conventional energy source that serves standard and low-voltage light fixtures.

• Standard 120V AC Power Systems是硬连接到您家中的电器面板按照当地的建筑法规。布线需要被保护的元素，并要求在安装过程中采取具体措施，以确保安全。合格能源之星标记的灯具provide energy-efficient options that help to keep operating costs lower than traditional lighting. Additionally, accessories such as timers, photocells, and motion detectors automate outdoor lighting.
• 低压照明也是天生的;然而,它使用一个变压器that converts the 120V AC from your home's electrical panel to 12V AC. Low-voltage lighting is reliable, but if a system is not properly planned and correctly installed, it can experience voltage drop (i.e., a decrease in available power over the distance of the wiring). Low-voltage lighting produces less light then standard lighting; however, the lower voltage reduces safety concerns and uses less electricity, keeping down your operating costs.

太阳能

太阳能是一个alternative energy source由太阳能电池或光伏（PV）的利用。虽然阳光普照，肺静脉和收集能量转化成电能。该电能被存储在内部可再充电电池。当太阳下山，内部光敏使灯具的电路内的电阻增大，从而允许电流通过的回路中的流动。由于电力流动，该光导通。太阳能照明是唯一可靠的所在区域的持续时间，可用性和阳光的强度。太阳能照明没有运行成本并且是安全的安装，不需要布线。

燃气发电

Gas power is a conventional energy source that delivers light by means of combustion. Gas-powered light fixtures have internal supply piping that delivers fossil fuel (natural gas or propane) and an automatic ignition that is controlled by an interior, electrical wall switch. When the switch is activated, the igniter sparks, igniting the fossil fuel and creating a flame. Gas lighting was commonly used before electrical lighting became readily available. Gas lighting provides an old-fashioned type of light that is relatively safe and reliable.

户外照明技术

照明,不管是室内还是室外,一般classified as ambient, task, or accent lighting. Ambient, or what is commonly referred to as general, lighting illuminates a large area. Task lighting provides light that is concentrated in a small area for a specific purpose, and accent lighting directs your eye to an element of decoration, highlighting the element and imposing a more dramatic scene. Depending on what you want to achieve with your outdoor lighting, you might incorporate one or all of the above kinds of lighting by using various lighting techniques.

Lighting techniques are methods of applying light, from one fixture or multiple fixtures, to specific elements or areas, to achieve a desired effect. Three basic techniques are used in outdoor lighting: downlighting, uplighting, and transverse lighting. Downlighting uses a fixture installed above the element being lit. Uplighting and transverse lighting use fixtures installed at ground level. Uplighting is installed below an element, directing light up, and transverse lighting is installed in front of an element, directing light across the ground. Other techniques are essentially variations of these three basic techniques.

• Spread Lightinguses fixtures installed within landscaping or at fixed locations on walls, ceilings, or posts. Illumination increases visibility in gardens and flower beds and at entries.
• 道路照明uses multiple fixtures installed along sidewalks or pathways. Downward illumination increases visibility at night, allowing for safe travel along walkways.
• Spot Lightinguses fixtures installed in front of elements and accentuates architectural details or the texture of landscaping.
• Cross Lighting使用安装在元件前面的多个灯具。从两个或更多个角度照亮元件的光线和阴影播放，创建戏剧性焦点。
• Silhouetting or Back Lighting使用安装后面的风景或硬景观元件的固定装置。照明向上突出了该横向或硬景观的形状。
• 阴影或侧光使用安装于元件的侧面的固定件。从侧面突出了照明景观元素的结构，并允许您创建和位置的阴影。
• 放牧或洗涤uses a fixture installed near the base of a vertical surface. Illuminating upward enhances the texture of a building's facade.
• 月亮照明uses a fixture installed in the branches of a tree and illuminating downward; this supplies dramatic light that filters through tree branches.
• Tree Lightinguses a fixture installed at the base of a tree. Illuminating upward accentuates the structure and/or highlights the foliage of a tree.
• Pool Lightinguses submersible fixtures installed in various locations within a pool. Illuminating a pool increases visibility, promoting safe swimming at night, and offers dramatic lighting effects, adding to the ambience of an evening.
• Deck Lightinguses fixtures installed in various locations on a deck. Illuminating areas along a deck provides ambient light that warms social gatherings or quiet evenings after the sun has gone down.
• 楼梯照明uses fixtures installed on the risers. Illuminating the steps increases visibility at night, allowing for safe travel up and down the stairs.
• 安全或泛光灯用途灯具安装在在家庭中的不同位置。附近安装门或窗，入侵者可能获得进入，入侵者可以隐藏反对盗窃和破坏优良的威慑你的家或泛光照明领域的运动检测器。
• 任务照明用途灯具安装在那里执行特定活动在家庭中的不同位置。从篮球架的顶部向下照明，例如，允许太阳已经下降后使用法院。任务照明的另一个受欢迎的地方是在烧烤，增加使用时间。

室外照明灯具

户外照明可在家庭中的几乎任何方式使用。灯具的设计和为特定类型的能量和各种照明技术的制造，他们在各种大小，样式，和完成的。

Outdoor lighting fixtures are either movable or non-movable. Movable outdoor light fixtures are typically solar-powered stake lights that can be easily taken up and repositioned, while non-movable outdoor light fixtures are hardwired and installed in a specific locations. Non-movable outdoor lighting is either fixed (i.e., the fixture emits a constant light) or adjustable and can be dimmed if desired. Common types of fixtures include wall, ceiling, post, pathway, flood, spot, step, bollard, and yard lights. Specialty types of fixtures include submersible, flag pole, basketball hoop, motion sensor, dusk to dawn, and dark sky friendly lights.