Choosing the right LED lighting for an industrial setting is a critical decision that can impact safety, productivity, and energy efficiency. To make an informed choice, it’s essential to understand some basic light terminology. Here are some key terms that are used frequently and what they really mean:
- Luminous Flux: This is the total amount of light emitted by a source, measured in lumens (lm). Understanding luminous flux can help you choose lighting that provides adequate illumination for your industrial space.
- Luminous Intensity: This is the amount of light emitted in a specific direction, measured in candelas (cd). Luminous intensity is important for task lighting, where a concentrated beam of light is required.
- Lux: This is the amount of light that falls on a surface, measured in lux (lx). A measurement of 1 LUX is equal to the illumination of a 1m2 surface that is one metre away from a single standard candle.
- Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT): This is a measure of the perceived warmth or coolness of a light source, based on it’s colour temperature. The colour temperature of lighting can greatly affect the visibility and the feel of an area, so for safety as well as ambience make sure to choose the right colour temperature based on the visual clarity needed for your area. It is also important to make sure your area has a good blanket of uniform light.
- Color Rendering Index (CRI): This is a measure of how accurately a light source reproduces colours, compared to a natural light source. A high CRI is important for applications where color accuracy is critical, such as quality control in manufacturing.
Gaining a solid understanding of lighting terminology can empower you to make better-informed decisions when choosing lighting for your industrial space. No matter if you’re an engineer, facility manager, or designer, grasping the fundamentals can significantly impact your results. If you are needing advice on your current site lighting, you are needing a complete upgrade, or are looking to change to solar outdoor lights, Earthtrack can provide a comprehensive range of services to help you.