To avoid any confusion among customers and suppliers, Leblanc Illumination provides a glossary of terms commonly used in the festive lighting industry.

The festive lighting industry uses fairly specific terminology. Clients and suppliers sometimes have difficulty understanding each other because they are not familiar with or do not fully grasp this terminology. At Leblanc Illumination, we decided to provide a short glossary to help reduce the risk of confusion in discussions about festive lighting. Below is a list of terms commonly used in the industry.

1- SETS

INSTALLATION (AP): This primarily refers to 3D backdrops or freestanding backdrops installed on the ground, on a roof, or on a canopy. The term “structure” is also often used to describe them, but this word can also refer to the aluminum frame of a backdrop.

ARCH: A 2D structure (freestanding) installed on the ground and held upright by a set of brackets.

STREETLAMP: 2D decorations, typically hung on streetlamps.

SPAN: The equivalent of a large pole mounted decoration, but installed horizontally above a street or path.

DECORATIONS: Anything that can be hung on a building facade, under a roof, or in the branches of a tree. These are often balls, snowflakes, stars, or other shapes that are hung using one or more attachment points.

2. LIGHTING EQUIPMENT

BOA: A LED dense and bushy LED string light. Used to highlight the edge of a roof or to hang from a tree.

LIGHT STRING: A flexible, transparent PVC tube containing a series of LED (36 LED 91-cm segment, according to Leblanc). It creates an effect somewhat similar to that of a neon tube. It is used to define the shapes of decorative motifs and to highlight the edges of building facades.

STRING LIGHTS: Same as above, but the LED light up one after another, creating a scrolling effect.

DROPLIGHT: There is no direct equivalent for this term in French. It refers to a 50- or 100-centimeter tube in which LED from top to bottom, creating the effect of falling snow. It is often seen in trees, but also in decorative settings to add a sense of movement and dynamism.

FRISE: A garland consisting of vertical segments of varying lengths that give the impression of hanging icicles. It is used as a roof trim or to create illuminated ceilings.

GUINGUETTE: With its relatively large bulbs (about 5 cm), this is the perfect string of lights for decorating patios in the summer, but it also looks just as good hanging from tree branches all year round.

GARLAND: The term applies to several products (boa garland, festoon garland, etc.), but it is most commonly used to refer to the Maxi garland—a 20-meter garland featuring 200 mini LED 5 mm LED diameter and spaced 10 cm apart.

JABOT: Available in a straight or crescent shape, this is a synthetic garland. It can be hung along the edge of a roof or window, along a handrail, or wrapped around a pole. It can be used as is or decorated with tinsel or sequins.

LIGHT CURTAIN: A set of pre-assembled strands of string lights installed vertically. A curtain can be of any width and is primarily used to decorate buildings.

3- CONNECTION ACCESSORIES (CONNECTORS)

POWER SUPPLY: The good old "power plug" that plugs into an electrical outlet and is used to supply power to the sets and equipment.

T-CONNECTOR: A small connector with one input terminal and two output terminals. It allows the electrical current to be split so that two devices can be powered from the same connection. It is also sometimes referred to as a Y-connector.

EXTENSION CABLE: A section of electrical wire with screw-on connectors. Used to extend the reach of electrical connections or to connect two distant components.

POWER SUPPLY: Often connected between the power source and the equipment or lighting fixture, this is a plug-in device used to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). It significantly improves the brightness and lifespan of the products. In particular, it eliminates the flickering effect that LED to produce.

4. OTHER USEFUL TERMS

MOUNTING: An extruded aluminum bracket that allows pole mounted decorations to be installed pole mounted decorations streetlights without drilling into them.

HEAT-SHRINK TUBING: A PVC tube that shrinks when heated. It is used to seal the connection between the end of a string of lights and another component (the other end of the string, a rectifier, etc.) or to conceal excess string of lights when the tubing is opaque.

HAUBAN: A steel cable, sheathed or unsheathed, used to hang garlands and to stabilize and anchor 3D decorations to the ground.

PROP: A concrete block or weight used to anchor or stabilize a set.

BRACKETS: When installing floor-mounted decor, a bracket is an L-shaped fastener (right angle) used to stabilize and hold an element in place. It is a simple yet essential component for ensuring the safety, stability, and durability of the installation.

BRACKET: A bracket on a mast or streetlight is a horizontal or angled support arm attached to the pole, used to suspend or offset an element from the mast.

Here is a selection of some of the most commonly used terms in the lighting industry.

Are you planning a festive lighting project and still confused by some of the technical terms?
Now that you’re familiar with the key terms used in the industry, you’ll be better equipped to compare products, talk to your suppliers, and clarify your needs.

At Leblanc Illumination, we work with municipalities, businesses, and organizations to create lighting projects tailored to their specific sites, budgets, and objectives.

Do you have a project in mind or want to clarify some details before requesting a quote?
Contact our team to discuss your festive lighting project.

A Glossary of Festive Illuminations

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