PIAA GLOSSARY
Ampere (A or Amp): The unit of measure for electrical current. Basic formula
for finding Amp draw (Amps = watts ÷ volts)
Candela: A unit of measurement for the luminous intensity of a lamp at a specific
spot in the beam. Dichroic A glass reflector and bulb assembly that allows heat
to dissipate through the reflector and away from the bulb thus increasing bulb
life.
Dual Filament Bulb: A bulb having two filaments encased in one glass tube.
In the case of halogen headlight bulbs with dual filaments, one filament for
the low beam and one filament for the high beam. The most common dual filament
halogen headlight bulbs are H4, HB2, 9007, and 9004.
Dual Lamp System: A PIAA innovation that places two types of auxiliary light
systems into one housing, usually a driving light and a fog light.
High Intensity Discharge: A light source in which light is produced by a stabilized
arc that burns at a much higher color temperature which creates a whiter light
output than a standard halogen bulb. This arc is generated with an igniting
system and ballast.
Kelvin Color: Kalvin temperature is a unit of measure for the color of light –
it is not necessarily related to the heat of the light source. A higher color
temperature represents a color closer to actual sunlight.
Lens Fluting: A process in lamp design that molds the lens to control the beam
pattern by deflecting the light to the desired point in the beam. Lens fluting
usually looks like vertical cuts in the lens.
Lumens: A unit of measurement for the amount of light that a bulb puts out.
Example: common light bulbs emit approximately 170 candela per 10 watts of electricity.
Multi Surface Reflector (MSR): A reflector designed to control the beam pattern
with a computer designed surface to project the light precisely to the desired
point in the beam without the use of fluting.
NHTSA, D.O.T.: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of
Transportation. Sets the laws and guidelines for the preservation of safety
on public highways.
Projector Lens: An ellipse shaped lens that concentrates a beam of light coming
from a set back bulb and reflector. The beam is usually controlled with a shield
to give the beam a very sharp cut off point. This makes a great fog light or
headlight low beam.
S.A.E.: Society of Automotive Engineers. Publishes the recommended practices,
design specifications and testing procedures for all automotive systems.
Xenon: The gas used in H.I.D. systems that produce the extreme white color.
Xenon gas is also used in some halogen bulbs to produce a whiter light and to
keep deposits off the glass tube.
XTRA: A PIAA term used to designate high efficiency bulbs that are designed
to produce greater light output than its rated power consumption. (Example 55watts
= 85watts of light output)
Truck Lights – Quick Find Guide
Hella Lights, Hella Truck Lights |
KV Lights, KC Truck Lights |
Recon Lights, Recon Truck Lights |
PIAA Lights, PIAA Truck Lights |
Rampage Lights, Rampage Truck Lights |
Pro Comp Lights, ProComp Truck Lights |
Light Covers and Light Guards |
Light Covers |
Light Guards