Lighting Definitions

Lighting Definitions From Sunlan Lighting Inc

Bits and Pieces: Technical Concepts in Lighting

Here are some helpful lighting definitions from Sunlan Lighting Inc. of Portland, OR. For more information, call us today.

What Is Full-Spectrum Light?

A select group of bulbs and lamps attempt to mimic the qualities of natural sunlight. By closely reproducing the spectral curve of the sun, full-spectrum light achieves color temperatures extremely similar to those naturally radiated through sunlight. Both plants and humans thrive in this type of light, which is highly effective at easing the signs of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), eye strain, and fatigue. At Sunlan Lighting Inc., we call the light source that provides 90CRI or greater in any Kelvin a full spectrum light. This is not a universal definition of full-spectrum light. For more detailed information, see the Full Spectrum page.

What Is SAD?

SAD stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Approximately 10 percent of Americans suffer from serious symptoms of depression and mood swings during the winter months due to decreased exposure to light. This disorder, along with year-round severe depressive disorder, may be treatable with directed exposure to bright light.

In a study at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Raymond Lam found that 30 minutes of the equivalent of early morning light helps. Using the morning light 2 weeks before periods can lessen PMS symptoms by 60 percent. Many people find that cloudy days make them feel tired and/or depressed, but using halogen or other full-spectrum lights helps them feel better.

What Is Lux?

Similar to lumens, lux is a measurement of light at a given distance from the light source. Some studies find that a very high amount of light will help to alleviate SAD. Studies by Michael Terman, director of the Winter Depression Program at Manhattan's Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, and Dr. Raymond Lam, in a study at the University of British Columbia, found that frequent exposures to high concentrations of light are effective at easing symptoms of depression. He found that people are synchronized not by the bright light of high noon but by the subtler light signals of sunrise and sunset. In 1990, he found that patients who woke with as few as 500 lux anthem experienced total relief.

Lux Bulb — Portland, OR — Sunlan Lighting Inc

Lumens, A New Standard to Define the Amount of Light

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Old style incandescent and fluorescent lamps used wattage used to indicate the amount of light or the lumens created by a given bulb or lamp. The amount of lumens created by each 60- watt bulb was influenced by the clear or frost finish, the voltage the lamp was using, 120 or 130 volts, and the style of the cathode, the metal filaments inside the bulb. Bulb wattage was used industry wide to select bulbs.

LED lighting does not have a standard ratio of wattage used to equal a given lumen. The lumens listed on a package is for the bulb in that package. Often, the package lists an equivalent wattage to the old standard incandescent bulbs. A package may list the equivalent wattage of 60 watts but may use anywhere from 5 to 10 watts of power used. The difference is determined by many factors from the diodes used, the kelvin listed, to the shape and size of the LED bulb from each manufacturer.

Use the lumens listed on the package to select the brightest bulb. Your selection will be influenced by the shape, size, Kelvin preference, and other personal factors of each bulb.

- The Lightbulb Lady (Owner Kay Newell)

What Is LED?

A light-emitting diode (LED) is the energy-saving light of tomorrow. LEDs are available in many incandescent bulb shapes, fluorescent and tube styles, and as replacements for halogen and HID lighting. LED lighting saves energy by reducing 120-volt power to 12 volts using a driver. LED light can be created in Kelvin colors and RGB color-changing styles. Long-lasting diodes have many applications. We have LED replacement bulbs for your standard home and office lighting. LED is a solid-state semiconductor device that converts electrical energy directly into light.

LED Illustration — Portland, OR — Sunlan Lighting Inc

What Is Kelvin?

The term kelvin is used to describe the color of natural sunlight as it falls on the spectral curve. Many factors impact the Kelvin of light on any particular day, including the season, the time of day, the weather, the density of the cloud cover, and the geographical location. Season-simulating light bulbs mimic these kelvin measurements to create different light impacts.

Bulbs with Kelvin's measurements of 2800K to 3600K produce light that mimics the color of spring, and when produced in a high CRI, it helps to improve mood and is an energetic light. Measurements of 5000K simulate the intensity of summer sunlight at high noon and when the light has a high CRI, which is beneficial for clarifying colors and improving visual sharpness. 5500K to 5900K is the Kelvin of fall; it is relaxing, has balanced moods, and improves growth in plants. Changing the Kelvin (color) and the CRI of bulbs in your home or office can make a dramatic difference in how you feel and your productivity.

People feel better and are able to read more easily under high-quality bulbs or lamps. Full Spectrum bulbs are a real boost to lift the winter blues. Plants grow well under any light color [Kelvin] that has a high CRI. The CRI rating of each Kelvin determines how close the Kelvin (color) is to natural sunlight. A kelvin number is used to describe the light color. In the past, fluorescent lamps had a standard kelvin color rating. Examples are: Cool white is 41K or 4100 kelvin, warm white is 3000K, and daylight is 6500K. LEDs do not have the same constant verbal terms for the same colors. Some companies call it 5000K daylight. Other companies may use such terms as natural light for the same color. Bulbs labeled Full Spectrum may have a kelvin listed as 5000K, 5500K, or 6500K, depending on the manufacturer. The term full-spectrum at Sunland Lighting Inc. is used with a bulb or lamp of any color (Kelvin) and is 90CRI or higher.

What Is CRI?

CRI, or Color Rendering Index, is a measurement of light that determines how the color of an object appears. The higher the CRI number, the greater the vibrancy and accuracy of the colors. A CRI of 90-100 is considered excellent. A score below 70 is regarded as poor.

LED vs. Incandescent vs. CFL

Categories	LED	CFL	Incandescent
Watts	9W	14W	60W
Kilowatts	9.855 - KW/yr.	15.33 KW/yr.	65.7 - KW/yr.
Lumens	800	800	800
Life Span	50,000 hrs.	8,000 hrs.	1,200 hrs.
Annual Cost	$1.08/yr*	$1.69/yr*	$7.23/yr*

*Based on 3 hours a day and $0.11 per kWh

Buy Lumens, Not Watts!

The trend of selecting light bulbs by watts is over. Use this lumens-to-watts conversion chart to get the right LED bulb for you.

Incandescent Bulb	LED Bulb
40W / 450 Lumens	5W / 450 Lumens
60W / 800 Lumens	9W / 800 Lumens
75W / 1100 Lumens	11W / 1100 Lumens
100W / 1600 Lumens	15W / 1600 Lumens
150W / 2600 Lumens	25W / 2600 Lumens

Color Temperature (Kelvin)

Measured in Kelvins (K), light appearance refers to a lamp's emitted color. A 2700K - 3000K of warm-white temperature will emit a more yellow color that creates a relaxed environment, and this is similar to the light emitted by an incandescent bulb.

A 3500K - 4000K range temperature brings out a cooler tone that is suited for kitchens and bathrooms. This range provides a balance between warm and cool colors. A 5000K - 6500K range temperature brings out a bluish tone that mimics daylight and is great for offices, industrial spaces, and other workspaces.