It goes without saying that adequate lighting is crucial in industrial spaces. It not only brightens the workspace but also improves the efficiency and productivity of the employees. Apart from this, proper lighting also ensures the safety and security of the workforce.
However, industrial owners are often confused about “how to choose lighting”. What are the things to consider before selecting industrial light? Is industrial light same as residential light?
Thus, understanding the key lighting terms is essential for making informed decisions about lighting solutions. It lets you purchase the best lights for commercial and industrial purpose that improves efficiency and save energy.
Lighting 101- Basic lighting knowledge
What Are Lumens?
Understanding light output is crucial before purchasing a light. Thus, you should have a clear idea about lumen in lighting.
Lumen refers to the light output or the visible light from a light source. Higher lumens mean brighter light and lower lumens mean dimmer light.
The amount of lumens required for a room depends on its square feet. For example, high-bay lights with a lumen of 24000LM provide super-bright light. You can light up a garage, sports arena, and similar spaces with this type of high-bay light.
Understanding Wattage in Lighting
Wattage of a light refers to the energy required to produce the lumen. It's important to note that the higher the wattage, the greater will be the light output (lumens) and vice versa. This understanding can help you balance the need for brightness with energy efficiency when selecting industrial lighting.
However, higher wattage can translate to greater energy consumption which in turn will increase the operational cost. Thus, it is always better to go for lights with a low wattage that serves the purpose without increasing the energy bill.
LED lights generally consume less energy when compared to incandescent or fluorescent light and thus is the best energy-efficient lighting solution. It is always better to go for an LED high-bay light for industrial purpose as their energy consumption is low. Moreover, the lifespan of LED high-bay lights is also long. Once installed, light lasts for several years.
This not only reduces energy consumption but also minimizes the environmental impact of your lighting system, making it a more sustainable choice.
The Importance of Lighting Efficacy
Lighting efficacy or luminous efficacy measures how much light is produced by a light source for the energy that is used. Lighting efficacy is generally expressed as lumens per watt (LM/W) ie how much lumens is produced per unit of watt. The higher the LM/W, the more efficient the light source is
For eg; the Cinoton LED shop light produces lumens of 13000 and uses 100 watts of energy. Thus, the lighting efficacy of this product is 13000/100= 130 LM/W.
Navigating Color Temperature
Color temperature refers to how the light appears from the lighting source ie how warm or cool the light is. Color temperature is normally denoted as degrees of Kelvin (K).
For residential and commercial lighting, the color temperature ranges from 2000k to 6500k. Lower the color temperature warmer the light. Such lights will have orange to yellow shade. On the other hand, higher the color temperature, cooler the light. Such light will have white to blue shade.
Color temperature is a key factor in creating the right atmosphere for a space. It's not just about the light's hue, but also about the mood and ambiance it sets. Considering the utility of a space while deciding on a color temperature can significantly enhance the environment and productivity.
If the space is used for vibrant activities like in a school or office, a cooler color temperature would work best. This is because cooler light (higher color temperature) can help increase alertness and productivity. On the other hand, in spaces where a warm and cozy feel is required like a restaurant, a warmer color temperature is required.
The Cinoton LED High-bay light has an adjustable color temperature of 3500-5000K. Thus, this light stands in between warm and cool light.
Decoding the Color Rendering Index (CRI)
Color Rendering Index (CRI) refers to how a color would look under the color source with reference to how it would look under natural light ie sunlight. It is crucial for those interested in color accuracy in lighting. CRI is denoted in a range of 0-100.
For lights with a CRI of 0, the light would look totally different under the light source and sunlight. On the other hand, for lights with a CRI of 100, it would look exactly the same under natural light and the light source.
CRI is very important in places like museums and retail stores where there should not be great light fluctuation between indoor light and outdoor light. A light with a high CRI value is ideal for intricate tasks or retail settings where the light color should be close to natural light.
The Cinoton Canopy Light has a CRI of more than 80 which means that the light is very close to natural light. This type of lighting can be used in fashion stores, jewelry stores, medical facilities and offices where the light color should be close to natural light.
Voltage and Your Lighting Choices
Voltage refers to the pressure of the current that comes from a power source that helps a power device to function. The light should have the right amount of voltage for it to function properly. Any fluctuation in voltage can affect the way the light functions.
In an industrial space, fluctuation in voltage can have serious consequences. Thus, it is best to go for light fixtures that is compatible with various voltages.
The Cinoton Shoebox light can work with input voltage ranging from 120-277V. Even if there is a slight fluctuation in voltage, it will not affect the efficiency of the light.
Conclusion
It is very important to understand the above key lighting terms before purchasing the light. This is particuarly important for industrial lighting where the lumens and color temperature should be accurate. Similarly, selecting light with the correct wattage is important to get the desired result without incurring additional energy cost.
Depending on where you are using the lights, the color rendering index should also be accurate. Going for lights with high CRI in industrial setting and low CRI in restaurants and cafes can increase productivity and set the right mood.
To enhance your lighting solutions, check out the products we have suggested. These lights can provide the correct brighness and create the right ambience without incurring any additional energy cost.
