The character and form of reflectors have much to do with the effective distribution of the light produced by the lamp. The most efficient form of reflectors are made of glass and designed to project the light in the desired direction. The illustration in Fig. 219, marked open reflector, shows the characteristic features of reflectors designed for special purposes. They are made of prismatic glass fashioned into such form as will produce the desired effect and at the same time transmit and diffuse a part of the light to all parts of the space to be lighted. The greater portion of the light is sent in the direction in which the highest illumination is desired. The reflectors are made to concentrate the light on a small space or to spread it over a large area as is desired. They are, therefore, designated as intensive or extensive reflectors and made in a variety of forms.

Choice Of Reflector

Where the light from a single lamp must spread over a relatively great area, it is advisable to use an extensive form of reflector. This reflector is applicable to general residence lighting, also uniform lighting of large areas where low ceilings or widely spaced outlets demand a wide distribution of light. Where the area to be lighted by one lamp is smaller, the intensive reflector is used. Such cases include brilliant local illumination, as for reading tables, single-unit lighting or rooms with high ceilings as pantries or halls.

Where an intense light on a small area directly below the lamp is desired, a focusing reflector is used. The diameter of the circle thus intensely lighted is about one-half the height of the lamp above the plane considered. Focusing reflectors are used in vestibules or rooms of unusually high ceilings.

The various other fixtures of Fig. 219 that are designated as reflectors are in some cases only a means of diffusion of light. In the use of the high-efficiency gas-filled lamps the light is too bright to be used directly for ordinary illumination. When these lamps are placed in opal screens of the indirect or the semi-indirect form the light produced for general illumination is very satisfactory. Considerable light is lost in passing through the translucent glass but this is compensated by the use of the high-efficiency lamps and the general satisfaction of light distribution.