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What is the difference between a luminaire, lighting outlet, lampholder, and lamp in the National Electrical Code (NEC)?
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
A luminaire is what most people would call a light fixture, it’s the complete assembly that includes the lampholder and lamp. A portable luminaire is one equipped with a cord and plug so that it can be moved around.
A lighting outlet is an outlet intended for the direct connection of a lampholder or luminaire, such as a electrical ceiling box.
The lampholder is the device that mechanically supports and provides the electrical connections for an electric lamp. An example would be a bulb socket for an incandescant lamp, or the pull-chain lampholder at right. The NEC specifically states that “a lampholder itself is not a luminaire."
A lamp is the device that is attached to create the illumination, such as a lightbulb.
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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about ELECTRICAL WIRING:
• Which house appliances need a dedicated electrical circuit?
• Can a short circuit cause a high electric bill?
• What is the maximum spacing requirement for securing NM-cable (nonmetallic-sheathed cable)?
• Is it alright to just put wire nuts on the end of unused or abandoned NM-cable or wiring?
• What causes copper wires to turn green or black in an electric panel?
• What are typical aluminum service entrance wire/cable sizes for the electrical service to a house?
• Why is it unsafe to bond neutral and ground wiring at subpanels?
• Should I get a lightning rod system to protect my house?
• Why is a strain relief clamp necessary for the cord connection to some electric appliances?
• Does a wire nut connection need to be wrapped with electrical tape?
• What is the minimum clearance of overhead electric service drop wires above a house roof?
• What are the requirements for NM-cables entering an electric panel box?
• What is the color code for NM cable (Romex®) sheathing?
• Why are old electrical components not always "grandfathered" as acceptable by home inspectors?
• How can I find out the size of the electric service to a house?
• Can old electrical wiring go bad inside a wall?
• What is an open electrical splice?
• What are the most common electrical defects found in a home inspection?
• What is the life expectancy of electrical wiring in a house?
• What is an "open junction box"?
• How dangerous is old electrical wiring?
• I heard that aluminum wiring is bad. How do you check for aluminum wiring?
• What is "knob and tube" wiring?
• What is the code requirement for receptacle outlets in a closet?
Visit our “WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN…” and ELECTRICAL pages for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.
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