What are PAR Lights? An easy guide for your next event!

PAR lights are cylindrical stage lights that use parabolic reflector technology. Whether it's concerts, theater shows, or weddings, you can often see these lights everywhere. Their main job is to provide strong, focused light beams that are commonly used to light up specific people, objects, or areas, making things stand out better. You can also add colored filters to create different color moods... Want to learn more about PAR lights? This guide has everything ready for you.

What Makes Up a PAR Light?

A PAR light looks like a can outside and has some clever technology inside. The name itself, PAR, stands for Parabolic Aluminized Reflector. Parabolic means curved like a bowl, aluminum is a material that is shiny and reflects light well, and a reflector reveals its mechanism of bouncing light back.

It is mainly composed of three key components:

• The Reflector: Inside the lamp, there is a special bowl-shaped reflector with a mirror-like surface. This shape is called "parabolic," as we said. It collects all the light from the bulb and makes it into one strong, bright beam. This way, nothing gets wasted, because all the light is collected and goes wherever you want.
• The Sealed Unit: In traditional PAR lights, the lamp, reflector, and lens are all sealed together into one piece. This keeps dust out and protects the parts inside, just like a car light, so they don't break easily.
• The "Can": The outer metal tube that holds everything is called the "PAR Can." It's just a tough metal shell that protects the light and gives you spots to hang colored gels or add-ons. Being so simple makes it dependable and affordable.

What Do the PAR Numbers Mean?

You will often see PAR lights with numbers after their name, like PAR38, PAR56, or PAR64. This tells you the size of the light.

The number refers to the diameter (the width across the circle) of the lamp. It's measured in eighths of an inch.

So, for example, for a PAR64:

• You take the number 64.
• You divide it by 8 (since it's measured in eighths of an inch).
• 64 / 8 = 8.
• This means a PAR64 lamp is 8 inches wide.

This numbering system can help you know the size and power of a light quickly, just by looking at its name. Generally speaking, larger PAR lights consume more power:

• PAR16 lights: ~20-50 watts
• PAR38 lights: ~75-150 watts
• PAR56 lights: ~300-500 watts
• PAR64 lights: ~500-1000 watts

(*exact wattage varies by manufacturer and lamp type)

Why Are PAR Lights So Popular?

PAR lights have been a favorite for decades for a few simple reasons:

• They cost you less: Because their design is so simple, PAR cans are one of the most affordable stage lights you can buy. This makes them great for people just starting out or for those on a tight budget.
• They are super tough: Traditional PAR cans have no moving parts. They are just a lamp in a metal tube. This makes them incredibly strong and reliable. You can move them from show to show without worrying about them breaking.
• They are easy to use in many ways: You can easily change the light's color by adding a colored plastic sheet (called a gel) to the front. In older models, you could change how wide or narrow the light beam was by just changing the bulb. This makes them work for many different jobs.

Common PAR Light Sizes and How to Use Them

Different sizes of PAR lights are used for different jobs. Here’s a quick look at the most common ones:

• PAR16: These are very small lights, sometimes called "birdies." They are perfect for small accent lighting, like shining a light on a disco ball or a small object on a stage.
• PAR38: A popular size for lighting up displays in stores or for small stages in coffee shops or bars. They offer a good balance of brightness and size.
• PAR56: A workhorse in the event world. These mid-sized lights are often used for concerts, church stages, and theater shows to wash the stage with color.
• PAR64: The biggest and most powerful of the classic PAR lights. These were the go-to for big rock and roll shows because their intense beams can travel a long distance.

The Big Change: From Halogen to LED

For a long time, PAR lights used hot, power-hungry halogen lamps. These traditional lamps came with a fixed beam spread as part of the sealed unit. You had to choose the right lamp for the job:

• Very Narrow Spot (VNSP): A very tight, focused beam like a laser, used for long distances.
• Narrow Spot (NSP): A slightly wider beam, good for highlighting a single person or object.
• Medium Flood (MFL): A softer, wider beam for lighting up a general area.
• Wide Flood (WFL): A very broad beam, perfect for "washing" an entire stage in light.

However, modern PAR lights now utilize LED technology, which has made a significant difference.

The Power of LED PARs

New LED PAR lights beat old halogen lights in many ways:

• Built-in Color Mixing: Most LED PARs have red, green, blue, and sometimes white LEDs (RGBW). They can mix these colors to create almost any color you can imagine. This means you don't need to use plastic color gels anymore!
• They Use Less Power: LEDs use much less electricity than halogen bulbs. This saves you money on your power bill and is more environmentally friendly. They also don't get nearly as hot, making them much safer to handle.
• They Last a Long Time: An LED lamp can last for tens of thousands of hours. A halogen lamp might only last for a few hundred hours. This means you rarely have to worry about changing a bulb, saving you time and money.
• Total Control with DMX: Modern LED PARs can be connected to a lighting controller using something called DMX. DMX is a special language for lights that allows you to control the color, brightness, and effects of each light individually. This lets you create exciting light shows with chases and changing colors.

If you're looking to create a vibrant and reliable light show, UKING offers a great selection of modern LED PAR lights. Our lights are designed to be easy to use, even for beginners, while providing the powerful colors and control that professionals need to light up any event.

How to Use PAR Lights: Tips and Ideas

Because they can be used in so many ways, PAR lights are a go-to tool for almost any lighting setup.

• Concerts and Live Events: Use them to create high-energy washes of color, dramatic backlighting behind the band, or focused beams that move around the stage.
• Theater and Film: PARs are great for creating a strong backlight to separate actors from the background. They can also add drama and mood to a scene.
• Lighting Up Buildings and Stores: Their strong beams and durable design make them perfect for shining light on buildings or creating a bright, welcoming wash of light in a retail store.

To get even more control, lighting designers use a few key accessories:

• Barn Doors: These are four adjustable metal flaps that attach to the front of the light. You can move them to shape the beam and keep light from spilling where you don't want it.
• Top Hats: A simple cylinder that slides over the front of the light. It helps hide the light source from the audience’s eyes and reduces glare.

Proven, Powerful, "PARfect" for Any Event

From the old-style PAR cans used in rock concerts to today's smart LED lights, PAR lights have always been great for creating awesome shows. They're cheap, strong, and work in many different ways, which makes them perfect for anyone - from DJs who travel around to professional lighting experts. Whether you want soft, gentle lighting or bright, colorful light shows, PAR lights can do it all.

Ready to add some color and energy to your own events? Explore UKING’s range of PAR lights and discover how easy it is to create a professional-looking light show. Light up your world with us!