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Par Can Par stands for Parabolic Aluminum Reflector. That is, the reflector is in the shape of a parabola. Sometimes the light is referred to with a number following its name, PAR 64, PAR 56. The number indicates the number of 1/8th inches in the lens' diameter. That is, a PAR 64 has 64 1/8th inches in the diameter of the light. Thus, the light is 8 inches in diameter. A PAR's lamp and lens is all one unit. So, when you desire to change the lens for a different light spread, you will change a entire lens-lamp assembly, much like an automobile's head light. Lenses are designated as Wide Flood, Medium Flood, Narrow, and Very Narrow. A wide flood lens has the most dimples while the very narrow one will have none or may be slightly rough in texture. The light output of a PAR can has the following characteristics: 1. Oval in shape, (the oval can be rotated to a desired orientation) 2. Moderately controlled light beam; even though the majority of the light is in a somewhat defined area, extraneous light emanates from the instrument in a very broad pattern. 3. Color tends to be towards the red end of the spectrum, especially when dimmed.