PAR 46

Overview

PAR stands for Parabolic Aluminized Reflector. In a PAR lamp, the filament is located at the focal point of a polished parabolic reflector, which projects the light forward in largely parallel beams. The lamp, reflector, and front diffusion lens form a sealed unit, a so-called Sealed Beam.

The number in the name indicates the reflector diameter in eighths of an inch: PAR 46 therefore has 46/8 inches, which corresponds to 5.75 inches or approximately 14.6 cm. This makes PAR 46 one of the smaller PAR sizes – larger than PAR 36/38, but significantly smaller than the standard PAR 64 size (8 inches / approx. 20 cm) widely used in film and stage. Other common sizes include PAR 16, 36, 38, 56, and 64.

Design and Functionality

A characteristic of classic PAR lamps is that the beam angle is permanently built into the lamp: the diffusion pattern is created by the corrugation of the front lens. To change the beam angle, the entire sealed beam lamp must be replaced – post-adjustment, as with a Fresnel spotlight, is not possible.

The lamps are available in several beam characteristics, from narrow to wide:

• VNSP – Very Narrow Spot
• NSP – Narrow Spot
• MFL – Medium Flood
• WFL – Wide Flood

With wider diffusion patterns (MFL/WFL), the beam is typically not round but rather elliptical. Depending on the type, PAR lamps are designed as incandescent or halogen sealed beams; PAR 46 is used not only in film/stage technology but also in areas such as automotive, landing, and signal lights.

Use on Set

PAR spotlights deliver very bright, compact, and directed light for their wattage. In film and television lighting, the larger PAR 64 form dominates as a powerful key light; the direct light is hard and is often softened through reflection or diffusion.

Smaller PAR sizes like PAR 46 (along with PAR 56, 38, 36, and 16) are more often used on set for special tasks: as practicals/set dressing visible in the shot, as venue or mood lighting, or for accentuating objects, artworks, and architecture. Due to its smaller diameter, PAR 46 is more space-saving and suitable for confined positions where a PAR 64 would be too large.