A yard light or garden lantern is a free standing exterior

light fixture A light fixture (US English), light fitting (UK English), or luminaire is an electrical device containing an electric lamp that provides illumination. All light fixtures have a fixture body and one or more lamps. The lamps may be in sockets fo ...

in gardens and landscaped settings. They are usually illuminated by electricity, but occasionally natural gas, and are usually placed near an outdoor path or driveway to provide visibility in dark areas or areas that become dark at certain times. A

solar lamp A solar lamp, also known as a solar light or solar lantern, is a lighting system composed of an LED lamp, solar panels, battery, charge controller and there may also be an inverter. The lamp operates on electricity from batteries, charged throug ...

is operated by batteries charged by solar panels during the day. Electric garden lanterns are usually controlled from inside a building by a wall switch, or by a

photoelectric sensor A photoelectric sensor is a device used to determine the distance, absence, or presence of an object by using a light transmitter, often infrared, and a photoelectric receiver. They are largely used in industrial manufacturing. There are three ...

attached to the lamp or nearby. Yard lamps intended to provide security lighting may be controlled by a

motion sensor A motion detector is an electrical device that utilizes a sensor to detect nearby motion. Such a device is often integrated as a component of a system that automatically performs a task or alerts a user of motion in an area. They form a vital co ...

. Gas

lantern A lantern is an often portable source of lighting, typically featuring a protective enclosure for the light sourcehistorically usually a candle or a wick in oil, and often a battery-powered light in modern timesto make it easier to carry and h ...

s that burn continually may be prohibited by some jurisdiction's

greenhouse gas A greenhouse gas (GHG or GhG) is a gas that Absorption (electromagnetic radiation), absorbs and Emission (electromagnetic radiation), emits radiant energy within the thermal infrared range, causing the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse ...

environmental regulations. Yard lamps are weather resistant. Water penetration can extinguish the flame, shatter the bulb, or short circuit the wiring.

See also