GLOSSARY OF TERMS:

1. Voltage: Voltage, measured in volts (V), is the electrical potential difference between
two points in a circuit. It represents the force that pushes electric charges through a
conductor. Higher voltage usually indicates more power in an electrical system.
2. Amperage: Amperage, also known as current, is the rate of flow of electric charge past
a point in an electric circuit. It's measured in amperes (A). Higher amperage indicates a
greater flow of electricity.
3. Wattage: Wattage is the measure of electrical power, representing the rate of energy
conversion or consumption in an electrical circuit. It's measured in watts (W). Wattage
is calculated by multiplying voltage by amperage (P = V * I), or in AC circuits, it's
calculated using the formula P = V * I * cos(θ) where θ is the phase angle.
4. Generation of Power: Generation of power refers to the process of producing
electricity, usually through various methods such as burning fossil fuels (like coal,
natural gas), nuclear reactions, hydroelectric dams, wind turbines, solar panels, etc.
5. Transmission of Power: Transmission of power involves the movement of electricity
over long distances from power plants to substations or distribution centers. This is
typically done at high voltages to reduce energy losses during transmission.
6. Distribution in Cities: Distribution in cities involves the delivery of electricity from
substations or distribution centers to homes, businesses, and other consumers within
urban areas. This process includes the network of power lines, transformers, and
distribution systems.
7. HT and LT Consumers: HT (High Tension) and LT (Low Tension) consumers are
categories based on the voltage levels at which electricity is supplied to them. HT
consumers typically receive electricity at higher voltages, while LT consumers receive it
at lower voltages.
8. Transformers and Load Calculations: Transformers are devices used to change the
voltage levels of electricity for transmission or distribution purposes. Load calculations
involve determining the electrical load or power demand of a particular system or
consumer, which helps in sizing transformers and other equipment.
9. Single and Three Phase Connections: Single-phase and three-phase connections
refer to different types of electrical systems. Single-phase systems have two conductors
(live and neutral), while three-phase systems have three conductors (phase A, phase B,
and phase C), and are commonly used in industrial and commercial applications.
10. Types of Generators: Generators are devices that convert mechanical energy into
electrical energy. There are various types of generators including diesel generators, gas
generators, steam turbines, wind turbines, and hydroelectric generators, each with its
own method of power generation.
11. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): A UPS is a backup power supply system that
provides emergency power to a load when the main power source fails. It typically
consists of a battery or flywheel energy storage, an inverter, and associated electronics
to ensure seamless power supply during outages.
12. Service Wires: Service wires are the conductors that connect an electrical service
entrance to a building or structure, delivering electricity from the utility's distribution
system to the premises.
13. Metering: Metering refers to the process of measuring and recording electricity
consumption. Electric meters are devices installed by utilities to track the amount of
electricity used by a consumer.
14. Light and Power Circuits: Light circuits are electrical circuits designed to power
lighting fixtures, while power circuits are circuits intended for powering electrical outlets
and appliances with higher power requirements.
15. Electrical Safety Devices: Electrical safety devices are mechanisms installed in
electrical systems to protect against electrical hazards such as electric shock, short
circuits, and overloads. These devices include circuit breakers, fuses, residual-current
devices (RCDs), and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
16. MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker): An MCB is a type of circuit protection device that
automatically switches off electrical circuits in the event of overcurrent, short circuit, or
earth fault. It's commonly used in residential and commercial electrical installations.
17. ELCB (Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker): An ELCB is a safety device that detects stray
currents leaking to earth from an installation and interrupts the circuit to prevent
electric shock. It's also known as a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or residual-
current device (RCD).
18. Distribution Boards: Distribution boards, also known as breaker panels or fuse boxes,
are electrical panels that distribute electrical power to various circuits within a building.
They house circuit breakers, fuses, and other protective devices.
19. Wiring Methods: Wiring methods refer to the techniques and materials used for
installing electrical wiring in buildings. Common methods include surface wiring,
concealed wiring, conduit wiring, and trunking.
20. ISI Codes and Standard Materials: ISI (Indian Standards Institution) codes are
standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to ensure the quality and safety of
materials used in electrical installations. These standards cover materials such as
wires, cables, conduits, switches, and outlets.
21. Conductors: Conductors are materials that allow electric current to flow easily through
them. In electrical wiring, conductors are typically made of copper or aluminum and are
used to carry electricity from a power source to electrical devices.
22. Switchboards: Switchboards are panels containing switches, circuit breakers, and
other control devices used to distribute and control electricity within a building or
facility.
23. Electrical Points in General Building: Electrical points refer to outlets, switches, and
other electrical fixtures installed in buildings for connecting electrical devices and
appliances to the electrical system.
24. Pipe Earthing and Plate Earthing: Pipe earthing and plate earthing are methods of
grounding electrical systems to prevent electric shock and damage from lightning
strikes. Pipe earthing involves burying a metal pipe in the ground, while plate earthing
involves burying a metal plate. These elements are connected to the electrical system's
grounding conductor.
25. Visual Tasks: Visual tasks refer to activities that rely on the human visual system to
perceive and interpret information from the environment. Examples include reading,
driving, working on a computer, and navigating in low-light conditions.
26. Factors Affecting Visual Tasks: Factors affecting visual tasks include lighting
conditions (brightness, colour temperature, glare), visual acuity (ability to see fine
details), contrast (difference in brightness between objects), visual comfort (absence of
flicker or glare), and visual ergonomics (arrangement of visual elements for optimal
performance).
27. Modern Theory of Light and Colour: The modern theory of light and colour is based on
the understanding that light consists of electromagnetic waves with varying
wavelengths, which the human eye perceives as different colours. This theory
 encompasses principles such as additive and subtractive colour mixing, colour
perception, and the properties of light.
28. Synthesis of Light: Synthesis of light refers to the process of combining different
coloured lights to produce new colours. This can be achieved through additive colour
mixing, where coloured lights are superimposed to create new hues.
29. Additive and Subtractive Synthesis of Colour: Additive synthesis of colour involves
combining coloured lights to produce new colours. The primary colours in additive
colour mixing are red, green, and blue (RGB). Subtractive synthesis of colour involves
mixing pigments or dyes, where the primary colours are cyan, magenta, and yellow
(CMY), along with black (K) for better colour reproduction.
30. Luminous Flux: Luminous flux is the measure of the total amount of visible light
emitted by a light source, measured in lumens (lm). It quantifies the brightness of the
light as perceived by the human eye.
31. Candle: Candle is a unit of luminous intensity, historically defined as the light emitted
by a candle burning at a specific rate. It's now superseded by the SI unit, the candela
(cd), which measures the brightness of light in a particular direction.
32. Utilization Factor: Utilization factor, also known as light utilization factor or luminaire
efficiency, is a measure of the efficiency with which a lighting fixture delivers light to the
intended area or surface. It takes into account factors such as luminaire design,
reflectance of surfaces, and light distribution characteristics to determine the
proportion of emitted light effectively used for illumination.
33. Solid Angle: A solid angle is a measure of the amount of space an object or light source
subtends at a point. It's analogous to a two-dimensional angle but in three dimensions.
The unit of solid angle is the steradian (sr), and it's used in calculations involving radiant
intensity and luminous flux.
34. Depreciation Factor: In lighting design, the depreciation factor accounts for the
reduction in the performance of lighting equipment over time due to factors such as
aging, dirt accumulation, and lamp lumen depreciation. It's used to adjust lighting
calculations to account for the decrease in light output of luminaires over their
operational lifespan.
35. Laws of Illumination: The laws of illumination are principles that govern the
distribution of light in a space and its interaction with surfaces. These laws include the
inverse square law, Lambert's cosine law, and other principles related to light
reflection, absorption, and transmission.
36. Inverse Square Law: The inverse square law states that the intensity of illumination
from a point source of light decreases in proportion to the square of the distance from
the source. In mathematical terms, the illuminance (E) at a point is inversely
proportional to the square of the distance (r) from the source: E ∝ 1/r^2.
37. Lambert's Cosine Law: Lambert's cosine law describes the relationship between the
intensity of light falling on a surface and the angle of incidence of the light. It states that
the illuminance (E) on a surface is proportional to the cosine of the angle (θ) between
the direction of the incident light and the normal to the surface: E ∝ cos(θ).
38. Building Lighting System: A building lighting system refers to the integrated set of
lighting fixtures, lamps, controls, and wiring used to illuminate indoor and outdoor
spaces within a building.
39. Artificial Illumination: Artificial illumination refers to the use of electric lighting
sources to provide light in indoor and outdoor environments, as opposed to natural
lighting from the sun or daylight.
40. Various Types of Lamps: Lamps are the light sources used in lighting fixtures. Various
types include:
 a. Incandescent lamps: Produce light by heating a filament wire to incandescence.
Advantages include warm colour rendering, but they are inefficient and have a
short lifespan.
b. Fluorescent lamps: Produce light by exciting phosphor coatings with ultraviolet
radiation emitted by mercury vapor. They are energy-efficient but may produce
flicker and contain hazardous materials.
c. LED lamps: Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps produce light through
electroluminescence in semiconductor materials. They are highly energy-
efficient, long-lasting, and offer a range of colour temperatures.
d. HID lamps: High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps produce light by passing an
electric arc through a gas or vapor. They are used in outdoor and industrial
lighting applications.
41. Advantages and Disadvantages: Each type of lamp has its own advantages and
disadvantages in terms of energy efficiency, lifespan, colour rendering, initial cost, and
environmental impact.
42. Method of Lighting: Method of lighting refers to the arrangement and positioning of
lighting fixtures to achieve desired illumination levels, distribution, and aesthetic
effects. Common methods include:
a. Direct lighting: Direct light is emitted downward from fixtures and directly
illuminates the intended area.
b. Semi-direct lighting: Combines direct and indirect lighting by emitting light both
upward and downward.
c. Indirect lighting: Light is directed upward toward the ceiling or walls, then
reflected to provide diffuse, uniform illumination.
d. Concealed lighting: Fixtures are hidden from view, often behind architectural
features or within cavities, to provide subtle illumination without visible light
sources.
e. Spot lighting: Focuses light on specific objects or areas for emphasis or
highlighting.
f. Task lighting: Provides focused, high-intensity illumination for specific tasks
such as reading, cooking, or working at a desk.
g. Decorative lighting: Enhances the aesthetic appeal of a space through
decorative fixtures, accent lighting, or decorative effects.
h. Rope lights, neon lights: Flexible, linear lighting sources used for decorative or
architectural accent lighting.
i. Flood lighting: Provides broad, uniform illumination over a large area, commonly
used for outdoor or security lighting.
j. Yard lighting: Outdoor lighting fixtures designed to illuminate yards, gardens,
pathways, and landscapes.
k. Underwater lighting: Specialized fixtures designed for submersion in water,
commonly used in swimming pools, fountains, and ponds for decorative or
safety lighting.
43. Spectral Energy Distribution: Spectral energy distribution refers to the distribution of
radiant energy emitted by a light source across different wavelengths of the
electromagnetic spectrum. It describes the relative intensity of light at each wavelength
and influences the colour and quality of light produced by the source.
44. Luminous Efficiency: Luminous efficiency is a measure of how efficiently a light source
converts electrical power into visible light. It's expressed as the ratio of luminous flux
(measured in lumens) emitted by the source to the electrical power input (measured in
watts). Higher luminous efficiency indicates more efficient light production.
45. Colour Temperature: Colour temperature is a characteristic of light sources that
quantifies the perceived warmth or coolness of the light. It's measured in Kelvin (K) and
describes the colour appearance of light emitted by a source, with lower values (e.g.,
2700K) indicating warmer, yellowish light and higher values (e.g., 5000K) indicating
cooler, bluish light.
46. Colour Rendering: Colour rendering refers to the ability of a light source to accurately
reproduce the colours of objects as they would appear under natural daylight. It's
measured by the Colour Rendering Index (CRI), which quantifies how well a light source
renders the colours of various objects compared to a reference light source. Higher CRI
values indicate better colour rendering.
47. Design of Modern Lighting: The design of modern lighting involves the selection and
placement of lighting fixtures, lamps, and controls to achieve desired illumination
levels, distribution, energy efficiency, and aesthetic effects in indoor and outdoor
spaces. It considers factors such as visual comfort, glare control, energy efficiency, and
sustainability.
48. Lighting for Stores, Offices, Schools, Hospitals, and House Lighting: Lighting design
for different types of buildings and spaces requires consideration of specific functional
and aesthetic requirements. This includes factors such as:
a. Stores: Emphasis on product visibility, highlighting merchandise, and creating
an inviting atmosphere.
b. Offices: Providing uniform illumination for workspace tasks, minimizing glare,
and promoting a comfortable working environment.
c. Schools: Balancing general illumination with task lighting in classrooms,
corridors, and recreational areas to support learning activities.
d. Hospitals: Ensuring adequate illumination for medical tasks, patient comfort,
and visual communication in healthcare environments.
e. House Lighting: Meeting the lighting needs for various activities and areas within
residential buildings, including ambient, task, and accent lighting.
49. Special Features for Physically Handicapped and Elderly: Lighting design for
physically handicapped and elderly individuals should consider factors such as
contrast, uniformity, glare control, and illumination levels to ensure accessibility,
safety, and comfort.
50. Minimum Level of Illumination: The minimum level of illumination required for
different building types is specified by building codes, standards, and guidelines such
as the National Building Code (NBC). It's measured in lux (lx) and varies depending on
the type of space, its intended use, and the needs of occupants.