Magnetic: A term used to describe an apparatus that utilizes a magnetic field to function.

Magnetic Ballast: A ballast that uses a magnetic field to limit electrical current. These types of ballasts generally do not prevent flicker.

Magnetic Transformer: A transformer that uses a magnetic field to convert voltage from one value to another. Simple common magnetic transformers consist of two wire coils wrapped around an iron core, each winding having its own pair of leads, one pair for the application of an input voltage, and the other pair for the output voltage.

Male: A term applied to a connector that contains the pins, prongs, blades, or tabs for insertion into the holes or slots of a female connector. The male connector should never be attached to the line side of a circuit.

Mercury Vapour Lamp: An arc lamp whose gas is primarily mercury vapour.

Metal Halide Lamp: An arc lamp that uses mercury vapour combined with metal halides, that when heated, radiates light with a color temperature of approximately 5500°K.

MFL: A lamp designation that means medium flood.

Modeling Light: A continuous burning light in the center of a flash unit used to preview the location of the illumination and shadows from the flash burst.

Mogul Base: A lamp base that falls in the larger range of sizes for the type of base in question, i.e., approximately 1 and 1/2" diameter for screw and pre-focus type bases, approximately 1 and 1/2" post-to-post distance for bipost bases and approximately 1 and 1/6" prong-to-prong distance for end prong and extended end prong bases.

Muslin: A material used for fabric scrims used in the theatre, film and video industries. Also used in the manufacturing of backgrounds.

MR Lamp: Originally, this designation meant a lamp with a small, integral, multi-faceted reflector, but has since come to designate a lamp with a small, integral, mirrored reflector. The reflector could be parabolic or ellipsoidal.

Mylar: A type of plastic that can withstand fairly high temperatures and is used in the manufacture color media.

N: Nanometer (nm). A unit of measurement commonly used for wavelengths of light, equal to 1/1,000,000,000 meters.

Neutral Density Filter: A filter that reduces the intensity of light without affecting its color.

NFL: A lamp designation that means narrow flood.

Noise: Short for Electrical Noise.

Non-Dim: A term used to describe a circuit that does not pass through a dimmer. A term used to describe a load that is not intended to be connected to a dimmer.

NSP: A lamp designation that means narrow spot.

O: Open Face. A term used to describe the light sources that use no lenses.

Operating Pole: A long, lightweight rod with a handle on one end and an attachment on the other for the purpose of adjusting or switching on poleoperated yokes, light sources, pantographs, etc.

Overhead: A large scrim, diffuser, reflector, or opaque fabric panel, used for dimming, softening, bounce lighting and shading, respectively, with the light source being a lamp or sunlight. They are usually 12` to 40` square and mounted on stand-supported frames.

PAR: An abridged version of Par Lamp, Par Can or Par Light.

Parabolic Reflector: A reflector designed to align light rays generally parallel to the axis formed by the point source and the center of the reflector, eventually resulting in a cylindrical-to-wide beam. The reflector has the shape of a parabola.

PAR Can: A generally lightweight light source that uses a PAR lamp, or in some cases, ray light reflector kit. The light beam characteristics depend on the type of lamp used.

PAR Lamp: A designation for a lamp with a parabolic aluminized reflector.

PAR Light: A generally lightweight light source that utilizes a PAR lamp. The beam characteristics depend on the type of PAR lamp used.

Pattern: A very thin, heat-resistant metal plate with a pattern cut out of its surface. When placed into the aperture of an ellipsoidal spotlight or follow spot via the pattern slot, an illuminated representation of the design is projected as the light shines through the cutouts.

Pattern Holder: A metal frame with a knob used to place patterns into the pattern slot of a light source.

Pattern Rotator: A motorized pattern holder that spins the pattern.

Photometric: A term used to describe anything that involves the measurement of light.

Photometric Data: Measurements of light and its properties.

Photo-metrics: Short for Photometric Data.

Photometry: The science of measuring light and its properties.

Pigeon: A small metal plate with nail holes and a 5/8" stud attached.

Pigtail: The relatively short electric cable, power cord, or leads on a light source or piece of power distribution equipment that may or may not have a connector installed.

Pigtail Connector: A connector that is installed on a pigtail.

Pin Spot: A spotlight that has an extremely narrow beam.

Pipe Clamp: A "C" shaped clamp with jaws that attaches onto a pipe and locks with the aid of a bolt, that when tightened, bites into the pipe and locks the clamp in place. It also has a secondary bolt for the attachment of light sources, distribution equipment, etc.

Plano: A term used to describe a lens side that is perfectly flat.

Plano-Convex Lens: A lens that is flat on one side and convex on the other. These lenses focus light rays passing through them into a beam.

Polarizing Filters: Polarizing camera filters can be set to reduce most glare, as well as darken blue skies. Best camera angle: 90° to the source light. Light loss: approximately two stops.

Pole Cat: In the film and video industries, a spring loaded, adjustable cross bar that when placed between a pair of walls or structures, allows for the attachment of lightweight light sources or grip equipment.

Pole-Op: Short for Pole-Operated.

Pole-Operated: A term used to describe a light source, yoke, pantograph, or other apparatus that can be controlled via an operating pole.

Pot: Short for Potentiometer.

Potentiometer (Pot): An electrical component that has the ability to vary the resistance in an electrical circuit. It always has a means for adjustment, such as a knob or handle, to make your light source brighter or dimmer.

Pyrex™: A type of borosilicate glass that can withstand very high temperatures, used for lenses and mirrors. Manufactured by Corning Glass Co., the name Pyrex™ is trademarked.

Quartz: Short for Fused Quartz.

Quartz-Halogen: See Tungsten-Halogen.

Quartz-Iodine: A term used to describe a family of tungsten-halogen lamps that use the halogen gas iodine and an envelope made of quartz in their manufacture.

Reflector: Generally, anything that causes reflection. A metal or glass apparatus, usually curved in some manner, used in most light sources for the purpose of directing light rays from a light source. In the film and video industries, a metallic or reflective fabric panel, used for bounce lighting, or simply to redirect light, with the light source being a light source or sunlight. They are available in a variety of sizes and shapes and materials of varying reflectance.

Reflector Board: A reflector for the film and video industries made out of a solid, lightweight, metallic coated material. One side is usually mirror-like for hard light reflection, and the other side is diffused for bounce lighting.

Refraction: The bending of electromagnetic radiation, such as light or heat, as it passes obliquely from one medium to another of different density.

Reporter Light: A compact, lightweight, handheld floodlight often used in conjunction with video cameras and often powered by batteries for portability.

Rim Light: Back light that usually refers to illuminating objects. A light source that provides such illumination.

Rocky Mountain Leg: A height adjustable leg on a stand, usually a grip stand.