Keeping up with LED Technology

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This will help you stay current with new terminology in the LED market such as:

SSL - Solid State Lighting
NGL - Next Generation Luminaire
Luminaire - another word for a light fitting or fixture

What is a Multifaceted Reflector Light Bulb?

Multifaceted reflector (MR) is a reflector housing format for halogen as well as some LED bulbs. They are designated as MRXX where the XX represents an eight of an inch - so MR16 means 2 inches, MR8 is one inch. The MR16 was first sold in 1965. GU10 (G=Glass) is a derivative of the MR housing where the U refers to a U-shaped ceramic base mount.

As with all halogen lamps, MR lamps produce significant heat. For GU10 fittings. you can have GU10 halogen as well as GU10 LED.

IP44 and IP65

IP44 is a common designation for lighting.

4 - as the first digit means anything smaller than 1mm in size will not get through the membrane.
4 - as second digit means resistant to water splashes.

IP44 cannot be used when there is exposure to water jets (but not high pressure or high temperature water jets)

IP65 is the recommended minimum requirement when water jets are involved.

Bulbs without IP markings are by default IP20 which means protection from solid objects but no protection from water.