Feeling confused by all the lighting options for your event? Overwhelmed by the technical jargon? You're not alone, stage lighting can get very confusing.
PAR lights, short for Parabolic Aluminized Reflector lights, are a type of lighting fixture. They produce a highly directional beam, and LED PAR lights use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as their light source, offering energy efficiency and versatility.
Let's break down all those confusing terms, so you can easily choose the best lighting, I promise, it's easy. let's get start it.
Problem: Choosing stage lighting can be difficult with many options. PAR lights often come up, but what are they really?
Agitate: It's frustrating to research lighting and feel lost. You need to choose quickly, but you don't want to make a bad choice that ruins your event.
Solve: LED PAR lights.
LED PAR lights are lighting fixtures that use LEDs. This provides a bright, focused beam. The "PAR" refers to the reflector inside that shapes the light.
Dive deeper Paragraph: LED PAR lights really changed stage lighting. Before, traditional PAR cans used halogen or incandescent lamps. These older lamps used a lot of energy and produced a lot of heat. They also had a shorter lifespan. This meant more frequent replacements.
LEDs fixed many of these problems. Let’s compare:
| Feature | Traditional PAR (Halogen/Incandescent) | LED PAR |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Use | High | Low |
| Heat Output | High | Low |
| Lifespan | Short | Long |
| Color Options | Limited (often requires gels) | Wide Range (built-in) |
| Dimming | Can be limited | Smooth and precise |
| Environmental Impact | Higher | Lower |
LEDs are much more energy-efficient. They use less electricity to produce the same amount of light. This saves money. It's also better. LEDs also produce very little heat. This makes the stage more comfortable. It also reduces the risk of burns. LEDs have a much longer lifespan, lasting for thousands of hours. You will change them less. This saves time and money. Finally, many LED PAR lights offer built-in color mixing.
Problem: Heard the term "PAR" but not sure what it means?
Agitate: It's another confusing acronym in the world of lighting! You want to understand the basics.
Solve: Let's look at what PAR stands for.
PAR stands for Parabolic Aluminized Reflector. This describes the key part of the light fixture. This is the reflector that shapes the light beam.
Dive deeper Paragraph: The "Parabolic" part of the name is important. It refers to the shape of the reflector. A parabola is a specific curve. Think of a satellite dish. This shape is very good at focusing light. It takes the light from the source. It then directs it into a parallel beam.
The "Aluminized" part means the reflector is coated with aluminum. Aluminum is highly reflective. This makes the reflector very efficient. It bounces most of the light forward. This creates a strong, focused beam.
The "Reflector" is simply the part that does the work. It takes the light from the lamp (or LED). It shapes it into the desired beam.
The size of the PAR can also affects the beam. Larger PAR cans generally produce a wider beam. Smaller PAR cans produce a narrower beam. Common sizes include PAR16, PAR20, PAR30, PAR36, PAR38, PAR56, and PAR64. The number after "PAR" indicates the diameter of the lamp in eighths of an inch.
Problem: Need to choose between an LED bar and a PAR can?
Agitate: They both use LEDs, so what's the difference? You need to know which one is right for your needs.
Solve: We will look at the beam and use.
LED bars produce a wide, even wash of light, like a wall of color. PAR cans create a focused, directional beam, more like a spotlight.
Dive deeper Paragraph: Think of an LED bar as a floodlight. It's designed to spread light over a large area. It creates a general wash of color. This is good for backdrops, walls, or creating a general mood. The light from an LED bar is not very focused. It spreads out quickly.
PAR cans are more like spotlights. They produce a defined beam of light. This beam can be narrow or wide. This depends on the specific PAR can and lens. This focused beam is good for highlighting specific areas. You can light performers, objects, or architectural details.
Here's a quick comparison:
| Feature | LED Bar | PAR Can |
|---|---|---|
| Beam | Wide, even wash | Focused, directional beam |
| Use | General color wash, backdrops, walls | Highlighting specific areas, spotlights |
| Focus | Not very focused | Very focused |
| Throw | Short | Can be short or long, depends on the lens |
The choice depends on what you want to achieve. Need to light a large area with general color? Choose an LED bar. Need to highlight something specific? Choose a PAR can. Sometimes, you'll want to use both!
Problem:PAR 56 keeps appearing in descriptions, but what is it?
Agitate: It seems like an important detail, but it's just a number.
Solve: Let's see what PAR 56 is all about.
PAR 56 refers to the size of the PAR can. The number 56 represents the diameter of the lamp. It is measured in eighths of an inch. So, a PAR 56 is 7 inches in diameter (56 / 8 = 7).
Dive deeper Paragraph: The size of the PAR can affects the beam. Larger PAR cans tend to have wider beams. Smaller PAR cans tend to have narrower beams. But, this is also affected by the lens.
PAR 56 is a common size. It's often used for stage lighting. It's a good mid-range size. It's not too big, and not too small. It offers a good balance.
Here's how to calculate the size of any PAR can:
Take the number after "PAR".
Divide it by 8.
This gives you the diameter in inches.
For example:
PAR 64: 64 / 8 = 8 inches
PAR 38: 38 / 8 = 4.75 inches
PAR 20: 20 / 8 = 2.5 inches
So, PAR 56 is just one of many sizes. The best size depends on your needs. Think about the area you need to light. Also think about the distance from the light to the subject.
LED PAR lights are common and practical for stage lighting. They use LEDs, "PAR" tells you about the reflector, and the number tells you the size. Now you know a bit more.
