LED Technology
Luminosity, light colour and creating different effects: everything you need to knowabout LED lights
Holger Engelbrecht, product manager, reichelt elektronik explains what to consider when choosing LED lights
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here’s a lot to like about LED light bulbs: they are robust, durable, energy-efficient, powerful, produce low-emissions and are becoming even more affordable. Compared to standard incandescent light bulbs, halogen and energy-saving light bulbs, LED bulbs also provide much better luminosity and last longer, saving money and benefitting wellbeing at the same time. All of these advantages, plus the EU halogen ban which came into force in September, make LEDs the first choice for lighting any space efficiently. However, there are many factors to think about when buying an LED light – here are my top five considerations to help you make the best choice:
1. Lumens instead of watts Luminous flux is one of the most important factors when it comes to light bulbs. The higher the lumen value, the brighter the light bulb will shine. When we compare LEDs to standard lighting values, an incandescent lamp of 25 watts corresponds roughly to an LED with 215 to 230 lm, 40 watts corresponds to 410 to 430 lm, 60 watts would be 700 to 750 lm and 75 watts is 910 to 970 lm.
2. Spotlights vs. large-area illumination
Depending on how you want to use your
lighting and the effect you want to create, the angle and light intensity can be selected according to your needs. This component is measured in candela (cd). So, if you want to light specific areas of the room, we would recommend a beam angle of 30 degrees, so that a narrow cone of light is created. The larger the opening angle, the better for larger rooms. Good illumination can be achieved with an angle of over 100 degrees.
3. Deceptively real colours To achieve a natural colour light, the Ra value is crucial. The higher the Ra the better. You can achieve good colour rendering properties with LED lights with an Ra value of 80 or above. For higher demands, an Ra value of 90 is recommended. This is ideal for shop owners, designers or make-up artists wanting to achieve an illumination that is as close as possible to natural daylight.
4. Kelvin – the right light for every application
Another important factor is the colour temperature, which is measured in Kelvin. The white light of LEDs may have different tints as not all frequencies of natural light are contained in the bulb. The warmness (reddish) or coldness (bluish) of the LED light is determined by the Kelvin value.
Cool white at 5400K and more: LEDs with this value are perceived as stimulating and cool so it’s easier for us to concentrate in this lighting environment. This light colour is perfect for offices, study areas, displays or hospital rooms.
20 November 2018 Components in Electronics
purposes, offering a viable alternative to halogen lights. By taking these five considerations into account, you can choose the most appropriate light for your needs.
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The colours perceived as warm have a low colour temperature, whereas the cool colours have a high temperature. In principle, the cooler the light, the more stimulating it is, while warm white light stimulates the body to produce the sleep hormone melatonin. The Kelvin value is therefore essential to know when choosing the right type of light for different spaces. Remote-controlled RGB lamps and smart LEDs allow you to adjust the light colour according to your mood. You can also choose different variations of white for each LED light bulb to suit your needs. The Kelvin value of the bulbs range from approximately 2700 to 8000 Kelvin. Warm white light, which has yellow and
red tones, can remind us of a sunset, so it would be best used to create a sense of comfort in a living room or bedroom. Neutral white light makes contrasts and details clearer, which is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens or hobby rooms. Daylight lighting is particularly recommended for work environments, as the higher blue content promotes concentration.
This guide shows the different light colours and our application recommendations at a glance:
Cold white at 4000K: This value seems cool to us, like moonlight, yet it has an inviting and largely neutral effect on us which is ideal for corridors, bathrooms, hobby rooms or doctors’ surgeries.
Warm white at 3000K:
The typical value of a halogen lamp. This light looks homely to us; unobtrusive and ideal for brighter home lighting.
Warm white at 2700K: This type of light is produced by old 60- watt lightbulbs, so is quite familiar. LEDs can also produce this colour, giving us a comfortable light for living spaces.
Warm white at 1500K: This light colour can create a candle lighting effect lighting for a subdued ambience. It’s perfect for the living room or bedroom.
LED lighting is not only affordable and
more energy efficient, it also has a positive effect on our wellbeing, our concentration at work and comfort at home. With various colour applications and a longer lifespan, LEDs provide a great solution for a multitude of
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