Recent
Popular
- PIXLIP GO
- PIXLIP EXPO
- PIXLIP POP
- PIXLIP FLATPANEL
- PIXLIP POSTER
- TEXTILDRUCK
Around the topic of light, one quickly encounters a multitude of technical terms. PIXLIP provides a brief overview of the most important terms, units and sizes used in lighting technology.
Luminance is the measure of the impression of brightness emanating from an illuminated surface. It describes the ratio of luminous intensity to the size of the illuminated surface: candela / m².
Special case: Similar to matt surfaces, translucent textiles do not reflect light but transmit it. In this case, the luminance is calculated from the illuminance (candela) and the transmittance. The transmittance describes the ratio of the transmitted and incident luminous flux.
Luminous flux is expressed in lumens (lm) and describes the total light output of a light source. In contrast to the energy unit watt, luminous flux also includes the spectral brightness sensitivity of the eye.
Luminous intensity refers to the luminous flux that leaves the light source in a certain direction. It is measured as lumen per solid angle: candela (cd). As the basic unit of lighting technology, all other lighting parameters are derived from it.
Luminous efficacy describes the amount of light (lumens) produced per amount of energy (watts) expended. It therefore measures the economy and efficiency of the light source. The higher the luminous efficacy, the more energy- and cost-efficient the light source.
The average service life of a light source is defined as the time when only 50% of the components are still functional. A long service life saves investment and maintenance costs. It is expressed in hours (h).
The illuminance (lux) describes the so-called luminous flux density on a surface and refers to the ratio between the luminous flux (lumen) and the size of the illuminated surface in m² (lm / m²). It can be measured at any point in the room, but decreases with distance from the light source.
Once considered cold, dark and expensive, LEDs are now regarded as the future of lighting technology. We show why this is so, what advantages LEDs bring and what you should know about the inconspicuous light-emitting diodes.
As a semiconductor diode, the LED (Light Emitting Diode) belongs to the electroluminescent emitters. It converts electrical energy into light. As soon as electric current flows through the diode, it emits light.
In the past, only blue, green, yellow and red light could be produced by this technology. LEDs were therefore mainly used as signal light in switches or displays. It was only at the end of the 1990s that it became possible to produce white light with the help of an additional fluorescent layer in the semiconductor crystal. In addition, it is now common to bundle red, blue and green light-emitting diodes to obtain the mixed colour white. These RGB LEDs enable more than 16 million different light colours.
The development of high-performance LED lighting technologies is progressing as fast as that of computer technology. Compared to conventional lighting solutions, LEDs already offer many decisive advantages in the areas of lighting design, economy and sustainability. Architects and lighting designers have also recognised this trend. For new buildings and renovations, the new LED technology is being used more and more frequently.
While the incandescent bulb was ousted from the market several years ago, the LED is currently striving for market leadership. Developers are therefore working in particular on "intelligent light management systems" that dynamically adapt to daylight conditions and people's biorythmic needs. In addition, the focus of further development is on more compact designs, better luminous efficacy and cheaper production.
LEDs offer ideal conditions for a comprehensive and multifaceted lighting design:
Light quality: LEDs are available in various performance classes, which differ above all in the desired brightness level. Thanks to their good colour rendering of Ra95 and a high luminous efficacy of up to 150 lumens/watt, they also meet high demands. The point-shaped light source allows precise light control. With the help of optics, the light can be additionally diffused without dazzling. The wide range of colours also offers the possibility of creating atmospheric and effective lighting situations. With light colours from 2500 K to 6000 K, a variety of white light can also be created.
Light control: As an electronic component, the LEDs can be precisely controlled and infinitely dimmed so that they can be easily integrated into light management systems. For example, the lighting can be activated and dimmed by motion detector. The delay-free start of the LEDs and the fast response to control also enable fast and dynamic lighting scenes.
LEDs offer a number of economic advantages over conventional light sources.
Long service life: LEDs are considered very resistant and robust. They withstand not only rough vibrations but also extreme temperature fluctuations. Early failures of the technology are the rare exceptions. With lifetimes of over 50,000 hours, LEDs have a much longer life than other light sources. After this time, they still emit on average about 70% of their original brightness and do not fail immediately. Maintenance costs are thus almost completely eliminated.
Energy efficiency: Compared to the old light bulb, LEDs consume about 90 percent less electricity. Operating costs can be reduced enormously due to the low power consumption. With a luminous efficacy of 110-160 lm/W, they achieve low power consumption.
Rising energy costs and scarce resources are driving more and more users to switch to energy-efficient solutions such as LED technology.
Light emission: The light spectrum of the LED is only in the visible range. There is therefore no dangerous UV and infrared radiation, so that plastics, for example, do not suffer from the illumination and colours do not fade. Night-sensitive animals and insects are also protected by the lack of UV radiation.
Recycling: Unlike energy-saving lamps, LEDs do not contain any toxic or harmful substances such as mercury and can therefore be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner and without much effort.
Conserving resources: The low power consumption of the LEDs ensures low CO2 emissions. The consumption of metals such as copper is also reduced.
The human eye does not only distinguish light and dark. Our perception is also determined by the colour of light: While warm white light is perceived as cosy, neutral white appears rather cool and businesslike.
The eye is our most important sensory organ. We absorb more than 80% of all information through our eyes: And that is through light stimuli.
It is ambient light that enables our daily visual perception. This becomes particularly clear in the dark or with insufficient lighting, when our vision is impaired and our orientation suffers. So while we avoid the dark, we are attracted to light: an effect from which advertising in particular benefits.
The so-called light colour describes the intrinsic colour of the light emitted by a light source. Light colour is measured by the so-called colour temperature in Kelvin (K). The standard for this colour temperature is the "Planckian radiator".
This is an idealised black body that does not reflect light but absorbs it. If it is heated slowly, it runs through a colour scale from red to yellow to white and light blue. The higher the temperature, the whiter the colour.
The colour temperature of white light colours is divided into three main groups:
Warm white with colour temperatures below 4000 K. This light colour is perceived as cosy and relaxing and resembles natural light during a sunset.
Neutral white with colour temperatures between 4000 and 5000 K. This colour creates a rather matter-of-fact cool mood and is therefore suitable for kitchens and bathrooms, for example.
Daylight white with colour temperatures above 5000 K. This light colour corresponds to daylight during midday and positively influences our well-being. It promotes concentration and is ideal for illuminating workplaces.