Over time, people have become accustomed to measuring the amount of light emitted by a bulb in terms of power input. With traditional incandescent light bulbs this has not been anissue as the amount of light obtained from such bulbs is in direct relation tothe power rating. A 60 watt bulb generally gives off around two-thirds of theamount of light of a 90 watt bulb, for example.
With LED bulbs matters are a little different. You can still gauge the amount of light by ascertaining the bulb’s power rating, but doing so does not give you the whole picture. Itis far more satisfactory to gauge the amount of light given by an LED bulb byunderstanding its lumen rating.
The First Step in Choosing the Right LED Bulb – Understanding Lumens
Lumens are nothing new. They’ve been around for years and are used to measure the amount of lightthat any source gives off, be it an incandescent bulb, an LED bulb or a naturalsource of light. Lumens measure light in terms of the human’s eye sensitivityto visible wavelengths rather than the pure ‘strength’ of the light. As themain purpose of light is to aid vision by providing illumination, it makesperfect sense to use lumens, rather than watts.
The definition of a single lumen is highly complicated and is not really something to get overlyconcerned about. Lumens were originally created as a standard scientificmeasurement. All objects that give off light can have the amount of light theycreate measured in lumens.
Incandescent Watts Versus LED Watts – An Important Difference
You may think that swapping an incandescent bulb for an LED one involves a simple like-for-likeswap in terms of wattage, but you could not be more wrong. LEDs use much lesspower than their incandescent counterparts. If you were to swap a 60 wattincandescent bulb for a 60 watt LED bulb, when you switch the light on youreyes would not be able to cope with the amount of light generated. A 60 wattLED would give off 3,600 lumens – you would need to wear sunglasses just tosee!
Understanding Lumens, and What Power of Bulb You Need
For most applications,LED bulbs with lumen ratings of between 800 and 1,100 lumens are fine. A 60watt incandescent bulb gives off 800 lumens, while a 75 watt incandescent givesoff 1,100 lumens. Anything under 400 lumens would be considered ‘low light’ -you would still be able to see where you are going, but you may find it hard toread or perform tasks that require high levels of vision.
Anything over 1,500 lumens could be considered ‘too bright’. You would use these types of bulbs inareas where high levels of illumination are required, such as security lights.
For all your lightingneeds, or to understand more about how you can choose the correct LED bulbs, please contact us here at Superior Lighting.
You can call us at any time at 1-800-545-7778, or you can use our onlinecontact form.
As an expert in lighting technology, I've delved deep into the intricacies of illuminating spaces efficiently and effectively. My experience in the field has given me an in-depth understanding of the concepts discussed in the article you provided.
The transition from traditional incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs is a significant leap in terms of energy efficiency and lighting quality. The crux of this shift lies in understanding the measurement of light, and that's where lumens come into play.
Lumens, the unit used to quantify the amount of visible light emitted by a source, have been a staple in the field for years. Unlike watts, which measure power input, lumens provide a more accurate representation of the light's actual brightness as perceived by the human eye.
The article rightly emphasizes the importance of gauging LED bulbs based on their lumen rating rather than wattage. This is a critical distinction, especially when making the common mistake of equating watts between incandescent and LED bulbs. LEDs are far more energy-efficient, producing more lumens per watt compared to their incandescent counterparts.
The notion that a like-for-like swap in wattage leads to equivalent brightness is debunked, showcasing the need to understand lumens for accurate lighting choices. For instance, a 60-watt incandescent bulb may be replaced by a 60-watt LED, but the latter would emit significantly more lumens, resulting in a brighter light.
The recommended range of 800 to 1,100 lumens for most applications aligns with practical considerations. It ensures adequate illumination for various settings without causing discomfort or glare. The mention of low-light scenarios below 400 lumens and the caution against bulbs exceeding 1,500 lumens for specific applications demonstrates a nuanced understanding of lighting requirements.
In essence, the article imparts valuable insights into the shift from wattage-centric measurements to the more precise lumen ratings when selecting LED bulbs. This transition not only enhances energy efficiency but also contributes to creating well-lit and visually comfortable spaces. For anyone seeking comprehensive knowledge about LED lighting or assistance in choosing the right bulbs, Superior Lighting stands as a reliable resource, exemplifying expertise in the field.
FAQs
Depending on the bulb and the manufacturer, LED technology typically produces 75-110 lumens/watt. So, LEDs are generally about 7 times more efficient at producing light than incandescent bulbs. Use a 7:1 ratio as a rough guide when selecting an LED bulb to replace an incandescent bulb.
What does 800 lumens equal in wattage? ›
A 60 watt incandescent bulb gives off 800 lumens, while a 75 watt incandescent gives off 1,100 lumens. Anything under 400 lumens would be considered 'low light' - you would still be able to see where you are going, but you may find it hard to read or perform tasks that require high levels of vision.
How many LED lumens is a 60 watt bulb? ›
Now coming to the main question how much lumen is a 60 watt led light bulb? To replace a 60 wattage traditional bulb with a modern LED bulb you need to divide the 60 watts/ 5, and the result is 12 watt. This is a standardized method. A 60 watt bulb will produce 700 to 800 lumens.
Which is more important lumens or watts? ›
We already know that higher lumens equal a brighter light bulb, and lower Wattage equals less power. It therefore makes sense that a bulb with a high lumens count and a low Wattage rating is going to be more energy-efficient than another bulb with a low lumens count and a higher Wattage.
How do you calculate lumens for LED bulbs? ›
To determine the needed lumens, you will need to multiply your room square footage by your room foot-candle requirement. For example, a 100 square foot living room, which needs 10-20 foot-candles, will need 1,000-2,000 lumens. A 100 square foot dining room, which needs 30-40 foot-candles, will need 3,000-4,000 lumens.
What is a 60-watt bulb equal to in LED? ›
A 60-watt LED equivalent is 7-9 watts. A 100-watt incandescent bulb produces 1600 lumens of light, while a 12-14 watt LED gives off the same. A 150-watt incandescent bulb produces 2600 lumens of light, while an 18-23 watt LED gives off the equivalent.
What LED is equivalent to 100W? ›
LED equivalents to halogen light bulbs
| Halogen Light Bulb Wattage | LED Equivalent Wattage |
|---|
| 100 Watt | 12 Watt |
| 75 Watt | 11 Watt |
| 60 Watt | 8 Watt |
| 50 Watt | 6 Watt |
1 more rowMar 9, 2018
How do I determine the wattage equivalence of my lightbulb?
| Wattage Conversion Chart |
|---|
| Incandescent or Halogen Wattage | Lumens | LED or CFL Wattage |
|---|
| 25 watts | 230-270 | 4-9 watts |
| 40 watts | 440-460 | 9-13 watts |
| 60 watts | 800-850 | 13-15 watts |
4 more rowsThis shows that a 1,000-watt LED bulb would give off around 80,000 lumens. By comparison, a traditional incandescent bulb would only produce around 15,000 lumens while consuming the same amount of power.
How many lumens is a good LED bulb? ›
For a “white light” LED, the theoretical maximum output is about 250 lumens per watt. Since LED bulbs are typically in the range of 100 lumens per watt, that is an electrical to light efficiency of about 40%. That certainly beats an incandescent bulb which has an efficiency of about 6%.
A common question we receive is: "I have a 60-watt equivalent LED bulb, but the socket I want to install it into says [MAX 50 WATTS] - Is it OK to install the LED bulb in this socket?" The answer: generally, yes, it is safe as long as the actual wattage of the LED bulb is within the limits of the socket or fixture.
How many lumens per watt is the most efficient LED? ›
Top Performance LEDs: These LEDs have the highest luminous efficacy, around 220 lm/w. Examples include the Nichia 757G LEDs. High Performance LEDs: These LEDs offer good performance with a luminous efficacy of 150-200 lm/w. Many reputable manufacturers produce LEDs in this category.
How do I choose the right lumens? ›
Multiply your room square footage by the footcandle requirement. For example, a 100-square foot living room, which needs 20 foot candles, will need 2,000 lumens. A 100-square foot dining room, which needs 40 foot-candles, will need 4,000 lumens.
Does more watts mean brighter LED? ›
So a light bulb with a higher wattage will use more power than one with a lower wattage. But does this always correlate to bulb brightness? Spoiler alert: No! Brightness is actually measured by lumens, not watts.
How do you compare lumens to wattage? ›
Until you're more comfortable using lumens to gauge how much light a bulb will produce, use these approximations:
- 40W = 450 lumens.
- 60W = 800 lumens.
- 75W = 1100 lumens.
- 100W = 1600 lumens.
- 150W = 2600 lumens.
LED equivalents to halogen light bulbs
| Halogen Light Bulb Wattage | LED Equivalent Wattage |
|---|
| 100 Watt | 12 Watt |
| 75 Watt | 11 Watt |
| 60 Watt | 8 Watt |
| 50 Watt | 6 Watt |
1 more rowMar 9, 2018
Converting Lumens to Watts
| Lumens | Equivalent Wattage |
|---|
| 250 | 25 |
| 470 | 40 |
| 806 | 60 |
| 1521 | 100 |
Lumens to watts conversion chart
| Lumens | LED | Incandescent |
|---|
| 900 | 15-22 | 80 |
| 1,000 | 16-25 | 90 |
| 1,200 | 18-30 | 100 |
| 1,400 | 20-35 | 115 |
16 more rowsOct 31, 2023
A 100 watt bulb is much brighter and hotter than a 60 watt bulb. Light bulb wattage is a measure of power consumption. The higher the number, the more electricity it uses. Incandescent bulbs create light by heating the filament with electricity just like your toaster only much hotter.
