If you are looking for lighting to help better illuminate a specific area or item, your search has brought you to choose between a spotlight and a floodlight bulbs.
Floodlights and spotlights come in different shapes and sizes, and commonly found in reflector bulbs. Depending on the application requirements and beam angle, Candex floodlight and spotlight bulbs are available in BR, R, PAR, and MR series.
BR stands for “Bulged Reflector” and “R” stands for reflector. The R series uses a mirror-like coating found on the inside of the bulb that increases light output. The BR series bulbs evolved from R bulbs and have become more common than the R series. BR bulbs are similar in shape, but they contain an additional reflector in the neck of the bulb to better catch and cast light. This extra reflector is the slight “bulge” visible between the base and the top of the bulb. Both series are perfect for wall washing or wall grazing.
Wall washing works best on smooth flat surfaces and is a lighting technique that evenly illuminates the entire wall to hide imperfections and remove shadows. Wall grazing aims to do the exact opposite, the goal of this effect is to accentuate textured surfaces by emphasizing the shadows. And giving the wall a more dramatic look.
PAR stands for “Parabolic Aluminized Reflector,” these are perfect for settings needing a narrow-focused beam of light. Most PAR bulbs do not exceed 45° beam angles, so they are great for security, theaters, and spot-lightning signs. Fun fact, PARs are used in modern lighthouses after they did away with open fires and candles.
MR stands for “Multi-Faceted Reflector,” originally designed to be used in slide projectors, they made their way to residential and retail lightning. They are perfectly suited for directional lighting such as track lighting, recessed ceiling lighting, or display lightning.