A
parabolic aluminized reflector lamp (also
PAR light or simply
PAR) is a type of lamp that is widely used in commercial, residential, and transportation illumination. Usage includes locomotive headlamps, aircraft landing lights, and residential and commercial downlights ("cans" in the U.S.). They are identical in principle to
sealed beamA sealed beam is a type of lamp that includes a reflector and filament as a single assembly, over which a front cover of clear glass, is permanently attached. Previously, automotive headlamps used a separate small bulb and reflector covered with a ribbed lens to avoid glare from the filament. This...
automobile headlights.
This article covers only their use in
stage lightingModern stage lighting is a flexible tool in the production of theatre, dance, opera and other performance arts. Several different types of stage lighting instruments are used in the pursuit of the various principles or goals of lighting....
.
A
parabolic aluminized reflector lamp (also
PAR light or simply
PAR) is a type of lamp that is widely used in commercial, residential, and transportation illumination. Usage includes locomotive headlamps, aircraft landing lights, and residential and commercial downlights ("cans" in the U.S.). They are identical in principle to
sealed beamA sealed beam is a type of lamp that includes a reflector and filament as a single assembly, over which a front cover of clear glass, is permanently attached. Previously, automotive headlamps used a separate small bulb and reflector covered with a ribbed lens to avoid glare from the filament. This...
automobile headlights.
This article covers only their use in
stage lightingModern stage lighting is a flexible tool in the production of theatre, dance, opera and other performance arts. Several different types of stage lighting instruments are used in the pursuit of the various principles or goals of lighting....
. The lamps and their fixtures are widely used in
theatreTheatre is a branch of the performing arts. While any performance may be considered theatre, as a performing art, it focuses almost exclusively on live performers creating a self contained drama. A performance qualifies as dramatic by creating a representational illusion...
, concerts and motion picture production when a substantial amount of flat lighting is required for a
scene- Music :* Scene , a noise album by Merzbow* Scenes , a music album by Marty Friedman* The Scene , 1970s British Mod Revival band* SCENE Music Festival, an annual festival held in downtown St...
.
They are frequently used in patterns of multiple lights such as 3 by 3 (known as a "nine light") when large areas are to be lit.
In situations where
sunlightSunlight, in the broad sense, is the total spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun. On Earth, sunlight is filtered through the atmosphere, and the solar radiation is obvious as daylight when the Sun is above the horizon. Near the poles in summer, the days are longer and the...
or other specular light is available, a white foam
reflectorA reflector can mean one of several things:Science* Reflector, a device that causes reflection * In luminaires and reflectors are used to intensify light in the desired direction....
is often used to accomplish the same effect as a PAR array.
PAR cans are being replaced in some applications by
LED PAR cansLED stage lighting instruments are stage lighting instruments that use light-emitting diodes as a light source. LED instruments are an alternative to traditional stage lighting instruments which use halogen lamp or high-intensity discharge lamps...
, which use less
electric powerElectric power is defined as the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. The SI unit of power is the watt.When electric current flows in a circuit, it can transfer energy to do mechanical or thermodynamic work...
and produce a wide array of colors without the use of color filters.
Construction
PAR lights possess a
lensA lens is an optical device with perfect or approximate axial symmetry which transmits and refracts light, converging or diverging the beam. A simple lens is a lens consisting of a single optical element...
and reflector that are integral parts of the lamp, the position of which cannot be altered relative to the filament. A notable exception is
ETC'sElectronic Theatre Controls is a privately held corporation with global headquarters in Middleton, Wisconsin, United States. An international manufacturer of entertainment and architectural lighting systems, ETC offers professional lighting fixtures, lighting control consoles, dimming equipment...
Source Four PARThe Electronic Theatre Controls Source Four PAR fixture is an alternative fixture to the traditional Parabolic aluminized reflector light cans. The Source Four PAR uses an HPL lamp , a distinct maintenance advantage for facilities with both Source Four and Source Four PAR fixtures...
, which uses the same
halogen lampA halogen lamp is an incandescent lamp in which a tungsten filament is sealed into a compact transparent envelope filled with an inert gas and a small amount of halogen such as iodine or bromine...
as their Source Four ERS. In this case, the lens is a separate piece from the lamp. The relative position of lamp and lens remains unalterable.
In PAR 64s, Raylite reflectors and two pin base lamps are often used as a cheaper alternative as the lamp is replaced but the reflector remains. Lamps such as the 500 watt A1/244 can be as much as half the price of the sealed beam units. Par 64's also often run at 120v, in two-pair series channels, with a "y" Splitter at the dimmer. Narrow, medium and wide Raylite refectors are quite readily available. The two-blade (pin) Mogul lamp connector need not be replaced — this is integral to the Raylite reflector, Although some Raylite reflectors have "tails" which then require connection to the mains flex with the use of a ceramic connector block (ideally fixed to the can's body).
Effects
The sealed beam lamp produces an intense oval pool of light with unfocused edges. The only focus adjustment is a knob that allows the lamp/lens unit to be rotated within its casing, thus changing the orientation of the oval. With some models this control is via the mogul ceramic connector which connects directly to the Mogul prongs of the lamp. With the SourceFour PAR, the interchangeable lens is what is rotated. The type of lamp may be changed, and options include extra-wide flood (XWFL), wide flood (WFL), medium flood (MFL), narrow spot (NSP), and very narrow spot (VNSP).
These types of instruments come in varying diameters, the most common being designated
PAR56 and
PAR64. The number indicates the diameter of the housing in eighths of an inch (so a PAR64 is eight inches (~20 cm) in diameter).
Uses
PAR lights are often used in theatrical or live music shows. Commonly they are used to generate colours by fitting them with colored sheets called
gelsA color gel or color filter , or a lighting gel or simply gel, is a transparent colored material that is used in theatre, event production, photography, videography and cinematography to color light and for color correction...
. The cans are arranged into rows of different colours and identical rows placed on different sides of the stage. Due to their affordability, they are ideal for color washes in several different colours. However, because of the lack of control over the beam diameter, shape and sharpness, PARs are rarely used as
front of houseFront of house is primarily a theatrical term, referring to the portion of the building that is open to the public. In theatre and live music venues, it typically refers to the auditorium and foyer, as opposed to the stage and backstage areas."Front of house" has also come into use in the food...
lights or general wash lights but can be used for
special effectThe illusions used in the film, television, theater, or entertainment industries to simulate the imagined events in a story are traditionally called special effects ....
lighting such as lighting from directly above or from extreme angles. If used cleverly, par cans can provide low budget productions with good effects.
Diameter
- 64 (8" or 20 cm)
- 56 (7" or 17,5 cm)
- 46 (5,75" or 14,5 cm)
- 38 (4,75" or 12 cm)
- 36 (4,6" or 9,2 cm)
- 16 (also known as "birdies" in theatre as they are "below par")
- (Diameter in inches is found by dividing the PAR size by 8)
- (The number represents the diameter in eighths of an inch)
Base
This affects what intensity lamps are compatible.
- Mogul End Prong
- Screw Terminal
- 3 Contact Lugs
Raylite reflector
Raylite reflectors can be added to PAR64 and PAR56 lamp housings to achieve a narrow spot effect. A conventional quartz halogen lamp is used in place of the reflector lamp. A spider or bulb shield may optionally be added, which enhances the parallel nature of the beam and makes it more visible when used with smoke or fog effects.
Finish
PARs are found commonly with either black finish or polished (silver). PARs can occasionally be found in white.
Non-sealed PAR alternatives
The Source Four PAR and similar units create light with a similar quality to that of a PAR can, but have lenses separate from the lamp.
LED
An
LEDA light-emitting diode , is an electronic light source. The first LED was built in the 1920s by Oleg Vladimirovich Losev, a radio technician who noticed that diodes used in radio receivers emitted light when current was passed through them...
version of the PAR is made by some manufacturers.
LED PAR cans usually are based on an
RGB color modelThe RGB color model is an additive color model in which red, green, and blue light are added together in various ways to reproduce a broad array of colors...
.
PARbars
PARbars are PARs that are permanently affixed to and circuited through an aluminum pipe. Four PARs on a bar are called a 4-bar. 6 PARs are called 6-bars.
Daylight PARs
HMIHydrargyrum medium-arc iodide, or HMI®, is a mercury-halide gas discharge medium arc-length lamp with a multi-line emission spectrum. The "H" in HMI stands for hydrargyrum, latin for mercury...
PARs produce light with a color temperature equivalent to that of sunlight.
PAR movers
Intelligent, moving PARs allow for the ability to pan and tilt the instruments through a lighting control console.
Combination instruments
- The Source Four PARnel combines the attributes of the PAR can and the Fresnel
A Fresnel lantern is a spotlight used in theatre, which employs a Fresnel lens to wash light over an area of the stage...
.
- OmniSistem makes a "Profile PAR", combining the attributes of the PAR can and an ellipsoidal reflector spotlight.