Which term describes the light intensity that a fixture can emit?

The term that most accurately describes the light intensity that a fixture can emit is luminance. Luminance refers specifically to the amount of light that is emitted from a surface in a particular direction, which is a key characteristic of any light fixture's output. It is measured in units such as candelas per square meter (cd/m²) and provides a direct indication of how much light is perceived by an observer from a specific angle.

Illuminance, on the other hand, deals with the amount of light that falls on a surface, which is more about the distribution of light in a space rather than the inherent intensity of the light source itself. Luminosity is a term that generally refers to the total amount of light emitted by a source, but it does not convey the directional aspect of the light intensity. Brightness is a subjective perception that can vary based on the observer’s sensitivity to light and the surrounding conditions, making it less precise than luminance in defining the emitted light intensity of fixtures.