How is Brightness in LED Light Calculated?
LED Lighting technology has had a significant impact in the world since its inception. The main reason why LED lighting has been widely embraced is its capability to be both brighter and energy-efficient than its predecessors, such as the tungsten and HID bulbs. The level of LED light brightness varies by product and you'll need some information on understanding light and brightness. Fortunately, there are ways of measuring the brightness of LED lights.
They include:
• Checking for Lumens
Usually people think of wattage (a measure of energy consumption) when measuring how much light a bulb emits. Even though wattage matters to some extent, the fundamental factor is lumens. Lumens measure the power of light that our eyes can perceive or a light source’s luminous flux. The Lumen is the SI derived unit of luminous flux, a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source per unit of time. LEDs lights are known to generate more lumens per watt as compared to incandescent bulbs. You will need to know how many Lumens you need for your lighting goals. For example, a 23-watt LED bulb generates 2500 lumens compared to a 60-watt incandescent bulb that may generate only 800 lumens.
• Light Meter
The use of the handheld light meter is among the easiest and simplest ways to measure the brightness of LED lights. The light meter registers light as lux or lumens per square meter. The light meter should be calibrated against a darkened space before use. Afterward, you can use the meter to determine the illuminance of the lighting. This is possible after the lights take full effect. The sun, for example, generally radiates 10,000 lux on a clear day. Illuminance needs vary widely, especially when it comes to indoor applications of LED lights.
• Testing Systems
Users should subject the lighting to a rigorous LED measurement system. This precaution helps to ensure that the lighting is properly calibrated and that the LED lights meet the standards. In addition to measuring the luminous lux, these systems also explore several other characteristics of LED lights. For a versatile and reliable workload, it is essential to confirm the spatial uniformity of your light. You can also have an easy time streamlining white balance issues if you determine your light’s chromaticity or hue and its saturation.
How Does Beam Angle affect Brightness?
Choosing the right kind of lighting entails several things. The most notable ones are brightness, functionality, and efficiency. However, if you desire to maximize your home or office lighting, you also need to consider the beam angle. The beam angle of LED lights is basically the angle of the light through which the light spreads from wherever it is placed. In simple terms, it is a measurement of light’s distribution. It is also referred to as beam spread. It affects ambiance and visibility.
A standard light bulb has a beam of around 360 degrees. The light it radiates will definitely cover the surrounding area but with less intensity. Lights with narrower beam angles generate more intense lighting. One good example is Par 30 style LED lights with a beam of approximately 40 degrees or thereabout. Therefore, opting for a broader beam angle would mean that you will not benefit from a brighter light at farther distance. However, you will surely benefit from a more spread-out and uniform light close by. Intensity is measured in units called candelas, as lumens is for brightness. Generally speaking, narrow angles range from 15 to 40 degrees, medium range from 60-90, while wide angles range from 120 to 360 degrees. Broader beam angle lighting will be more impactful if used in a room. They are usually within 15 feet of the area, but that varies greatly depending on lighting objective.
It is vitally important to note that in addition to the narrowness or wideness of the beams, the distance between lights will also have an impact. For instance, if you decide to have four 40-degree beams and place them two meters apart in a room, you will end up with a dim area in the middle of the room. The best solution for this issue is not to install lights with wider beams but to increase the number of your 40-degree beams lights to around nine to acquire a better light uniformity.
A light with a narrow beam angle like 25 degrees is called a spot, while those with a wider beam angle of around 100 degrees are referred to as flood lighting. Both types of light have different applications. For example, broader beam lights are best suited for places where not so much light is required, such as rooms under 20 feet high or outside LED lighting under 25 feet such as tennis courts or parking lot lights. On the other hand, spot lights are best suited for rooms with higher ceilings, such as libraries and study rooms.
What Are Some Of The Brightest LED Lights?
There are several LED light bulbs and fixtures in the market today. And as earlier stated, some of them are way brighter than others. The following is a list of some of the brightest LED lights in various categories in the market today:
Brightest of the Brightest
#1 - The first light to go over 200,000 lumens - The 1400 watt Stadium Pro 4.
1400 Watt Stadium PRO 4 Series. This LED lighting fixture produces 200,000 lumens and used as sports light in largestadium light projects. UL certification, glare shield, 10KV surge and has over 145 lumens per watt in a fanless design. See the new brightest light here
The DLC report on this one. Even on the DLC strict standards, it exceeds 200k!
Brightest Light Bulbs
Update November2023 - we have a new winner!
450 watt Aries 4 LED Light Bulb; An incredible 68,000 lumens out of a light bulb. E39 base only. Sadly its only available in 277-480vac high voltage, does not appear a standard voltage is coming. The 270 watt is highest in Aries 4 standard voltage, but may be as bright as Aries 3 300watt. Ul & DLC due on Aries 4 by December.
Previous winner;
300 watt Aries 3 E39 LED Light Bulb: This is the brightest Light bulb made. It has almost 40,000 lumens with a high efficiency of 138 lumen/watt. It also provides 360 degree lighting and is ideal for replacement of 1000 watt HID/HPS/Metal halide or CFL fixtures. The E39 Bulb is UL listed and DLC verified for safety and rebate eligibility, guaranteeing quality and reliability.
Brightest per Watt Sports Lights
500 Watt LED StadiumPro IV Ball Field Light: This is one of the brightest LED lights per watt at over 150 lumens per watt. The update to the previous winner Stadium Pro 3, the 15 lumen per watt jump is big. It now generates 78,000 lumens with high efficiency of 153 lumens to watt ratio. onboard dimming if that is too bright. These lights are high mast LED fixtures used for sports lighting. They produce 5000K bright white and come with 30, 40 or 120 degree beam angle. It is also UL listed and DLC verified for safety and rebate eligibility.
Brightest wide Angle Light
500 Watt NextGen III: This LED light generates about 470,000 lumens with high efficiency of 135+ lumen to watt ratio. It is a 5000K bright white light and replaces the 1000W metal halide lights used in the parking lots, roadways, walkways and sport courts among other places. It is also UL listed and DLC premium 5.1 verified for safety and rebate eligibility.
Brightest slip fit light
1000 watt Icon Pro 3 LED Area Light. The slip fit is the most common pole setup and so this is a popular category. Whether used for field lighting or an industrial park, having high output is important. At 140,000 lumens with a standard 90 degree lens, it can cast wide and far. It includes a 40 degree for further throw. While the slip fit will be the draw, it does include a flood mount for side of building, roof or even wood pole mount.
Brightest Warehouse Light
400 watt Titan HO is the brightest hanging light available. At 57000 lumens and a 90 degree lens standard it can do serious work on dark cavernous buildings. The light includes a 120 degree lens if you cave is under 30 feet tall.
Honorable Mentions
Centauri - The rectangle version of the Stadium pro packs a 800w punch in a rectangle version. Same LEDs and driver as the round ones, this is a nice option for those that want this look.
Neptune cranks 400 watts in the slimiest body we have seen.
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Where Are They Commonly Used?
Bright LED lights can be used to illuminate all kinds of spaces. They have both indoor and outdoor lighting applications. However, indoor applications vastly outnumber outdoor ones. For instance, bright LED lights are commonly used to illuminate work areas and warehouses where natural light is insufficient. You will find bright LED lights in most warehouses and workplaces. Bright lighting is always preferred in such settings because it helps motivate the staff hence increasing their productivity.
These lights are also commonly used to provide sufficient light in libraries. They help give enough light to all library users. These lights have several uses at home as well.
At home, bright LED lights are popularly used to light up garages. They are also popularly used in laundry rooms and in study rooms, especially those with high ceilings. If you desire to make your living space more comfy and inviting, then you should consider installing bright LED lights. These lights will help you save money and also add warmth to your living space. However, you should ensure that you pick the right one for you.
Bright LED lights (LED floodlights) are also used to illuminate stadiums. The continued use of these lights has made it easier and sometimes more convenient to have night matches without any visibility problems. This trend shows that bright LED lights are not only suitable for indoor use but also for outdoor use.
References
https://gamma-sci.com/2021/04/01/how-photographers-measure-led-brightness/
https://reactual.com/home-and-garden/brightest-led-light-bulb.html
https://www.jameco.com/Jameco/workshop/TechTip/light-brightness-intensity.html
https://storybox.karmanitalia.it/en/calculate-lumens-watts-illuminate-room
I am Dara Greaney, founder and CEO of LED Light Expert, and I bring a wealth of expertise in the field of LED lighting technology. With a background in LED fixtures and light design, my knowledge spans various aspects of LED lighting, from the intricacies of brightness calculations to the practical applications of LED lights in different settings. I have been involved in the industry, staying up-to-date with the latest developments and standards.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article "How is Brightness in LED Light Calculated?" and provide additional insights:
Lumens and Wattage:
Lumens as a Measure of Brightness:
The article emphasizes the importance of lumens as the fundamental factor in measuring LED light brightness. Lumens quantify the power of light perceived by the human eye or a light source's luminous flux. LED lights are known for generating more lumens per watt compared to traditional bulbs like incandescent ones.
Light Meter:
The use of a light meter is highlighted as an effective method to measure brightness. Calibrated against a darkened space, the light meter registers light in lux or lumens per square meter, providing a practical way to determine illuminance after the LED lights take full effect.
Testing Systems:
To ensure LED lights meet standards, the article recommends subjecting them to a rigorous LED measurement system. This system not only measures luminous lux but also explores other characteristics of LED lights, such as spatial uniformity, chromaticity, hue, and saturation.
Beam Angle and Its Impact:
Definition of Beam Angle:
The article defines beam angle as the angle through which light spreads from the source, affecting the distribution of light. It mentions that a standard light bulb typically has a beam angle of around 360 degrees.
Beam Angle Categories:
The article categorizes beam angles into narrow (15-40 degrees), medium (60-90 degrees), and wide (120-360 degrees). It explains how the choice of beam angle influences the intensity and distribution of light in different spaces.
Impact of Distance:
The article highlights that the distance between lights also affects uniformity. It provides an example of installing lights with wider beams and suggests increasing the number of lights for better light uniformity instead of using broader beam angle lights.
Brightest LED Lights:
The article lists some of the brightest LED lights in various categories, such as:
Brightest Light Bulbs:
- The 1400 watt Stadium Pro 4 Series with over 200,000 lumens.
- The 450 watt Aries 4 LED Light Bulb producing 68,000 lumens.
Brightest per Watt Sports Lights:
- The 500 Watt LED StadiumPro IV Ball Field Light with over 150 lumens per watt.
Brightest wide Angle Light:
- The 500 Watt NextGen III generating about 470,000 lumens.
Brightest slip fit light:
- The 1000 watt Icon Pro 3 LED Area Light producing 140,000 lumens.
Brightest Warehouse Light:
- The 400 watt Titan HO, the brightest hanging light with 57,000 lumens.
Applications of Bright LED Lights:
The article discusses various applications of bright LED lights, both indoor and outdoor, such as illuminating work areas, warehouses, libraries, garages, and stadiums.
In conclusion, understanding LED light brightness involves considering lumens, beam angles, and the specific characteristics of various LED lights, all of which contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of LED lighting in different environments.
