Light Engineering + Design glossary

The scale ranges from 1,000 K to 16,000 K (K = degrees Kelvin)

The spectrum of light emitted from an INCANDESCENT object (= heated to the point of producing light radiation) changes with increasing temperature, from red to orange, and then to yellow, white and blue.

White LEDs generally have a temperature, and therefore a colour, that ranges between 2,200 K and 6,500 K.

An index, on a scale of 0 to 100, which rates the ability of an LED to faithfully reproduce the colours of illuminated objects with respect to natural light. The smaller the difference, the better the quality of light (and therefore the higher the CRI).

A good CRI is considered to be ≥ 90 (LE+D supplies LED with a CRI of 94–96).

As LED lights emit points of light, in order to guarantee uniform diffusion of light in strip fixtures, it is necessary to use an optical diffuser, which can come in different shapes and materials:

• POLYCARBONATE
• METHACRYLATE
• RESIN

Opalescent covers ‘absorb’ some of the light emitted, and therefore reduce its intensity by about 40–50%.
For the best results, the design of strip lighting fixtures must take into account various factors:

• The distance between the LEDs (and therefore between points of light)
• The distance between the light source and diffuser
• The choice of diffuser material and thickness
• The geometry of the diffuser

This is an optical element that has the ability to focus and direct light. It is normally made out of glass or plastic.

Types of lenses used by LE+D:

• Conical, with various degrees of opening
• Elliptical
• Linear

Cables used by LE+D are manufactured to our specifications so that they conform to all applicable electrical safety standards (CE, LSZH, CPR, UL, etc.)

This is a switching electric power adapter which has the task of converting alternating current from the electricity supply to constant direct current, ensuring that an LED lighting appliance meets all performance requirements and standards.

The use of magnets as a fixing system is a characteristic of LE+D products.

MAGNETS: Rigid metallic fixings that have been given a magnetic charge. They come in different shapes, types and magnetic strengths, and can be single pieces or continuous magnetic strips.

The total amount of light emitted by a light source

The relationship between luminous flux and the power required to produce it. This value is also an indicator of the energy efficiency of a light fixture

This is measured in CANDLES = the amount of flow from a point source of light in a specific direction

lm/m² = the relationship between the luminous flux (measured in lumen) emitted by a light source and the surface of an illuminated object

The science of MEASUREMENT OF THE PERCEIVED BRIGHTNESS OF LIGHT = OPTICAL magnitude:

• Luminous flux (lm)
• Light intensity (cd)
• Illuminance (lx)

Spectrophotometry deals with the study of the visible light spectrum, from near ultraviolet to near infrared. It requires the use of a spectrophotometer, a device for measuring light intensity, which is determined as a function of the wavelength of light radiation.