Important facts about lighting in your home

What are the basics of light?

The basics of light are that it is electromagnetic radiation that we can perceive with our eyes. It propagates at a specific speed of approximately 299,792,458 meters per second and consists of photons that transport energy in the form of electromagnetic waves . 

Light can have various properties, such as

color, brightness, color temperature, and color rendering index.

The color of the lighting depends on the frequency of the electromagnetic waves, while the brightness depends on the intensity of the light source.

The color temperature describes the color of the light source on a scale of

warm tones (such as yellow or orange) to cooler tones (such as blue or white).

Brightness is measured in lumens (lm) and indicates how much light a light source emits. Luminous intensity is measured in candelas (cd) and indicates how much light is emitted in a specific direction.

The beam angle of the lighting

The art and manner in which light is distributed in a room is determined by the beam angle.

The beam angle describes the spread of light from a light source and can vary depending on the type of light source.

Direct light has a narrow beam angle and creates hard shadows, while indirect light has a wider beam angle and creates softer shadows.

The art and manner in which light is distributed in a room is determined by the beam angle. The beam angle describes the spread of light from a light source

.

href="https://skapetze.com/lexikon/lichtquelle" target="_blank">Light source and may vary depending on the type of light source.

Direct light has a narrow beam angle and creates harsh shadows, while indirect light has a wider beam angle and creates softer shadows.

When choosing a light source, it is important to consider the color rendering index ( CRI). The CRI describes how well a light source can reproduce the colors of an object and is rated on a scale of 0–100. A higher CRI number means better color rendering.

A wide beam angle creates diffuse lighting and is well suited for general lighting of rooms. A narrow beam angle creates a spot and is well suited for accent lighting of objects or areas in a room.

Here we can recommend the article by s.luce Beam, which is available as a recessed spotlight. Typical beam angles for lamps range from 15 to 120 degrees. LED lighting often offers a narrower beam angle than conventional incandescent lamps, as it can emit light in a more targeted and efficient manner.

Quality characteristics

Light has various quality characteristics that influence its effect on the environment and the people who perceive it. One important characteristic is the color temperature, which is measured inKelvin (K). Another characteristic is color rendering, which indicates how true to life colors are represented.

The brightness of light is measured in lumens (lm) and indicates how much electricity is emitted by the light source. In addition to these technical quality characteristics, there are also psychological factors that influence the perception of light, such as the type of light source, the type of control, and the light dynamics. Choosing the right light is therefore very important for a pleasant and productive environment.

The color temperature of lighting

The temperature of a light is measured in Kelvin (K) and indicates how "warm" or "cold" the light appears. For example, an incandescent bulb is described as "warm white" and has a color temperature of around 2700 K, while daylight is described as "cool white" and has a color temperature of around 6500 K.

The

color

rendering

index

This indicates how well a light source renders the colors of objects compared to natural light. A light source with a CRI of 100 would render the colors of objects just as well as natural light. A light source with a CRI of 0 would not render any colors. A CRI of 80 or higher is generally considered good and is recommended for most applications.

This is particularly important for applications that require accurate color rendering, such as photography, lighting for works of art, or the fashion industry. Inaccurate color rendering can lead to color distortion and incorrect color perception.

Other quality features

:

• Glare: Glare is the degree of visual impairment caused by light. It can be reduced by choosing the right light sources and positioning the lighting correctly.
• Light distribution: This indicates how the light intensity is distributed in the room and on the surface. Uniform light distribution can create pleasant lighting and reduce glare.
• The service life of LED light: The service life indicates how long a light source will last until it can be used to a certain degree of brightness loss. LED lamps have a longer service life than conventional light bulbs and can last up to 50,000 hours. LED lights save electricity costs and are more energy-efficient compared to conventional light bulbs.

The different types of

light

Direct light is an art of lighting in which the light from the light source is directed directly onto the illuminated surface . This creates clear and focused lighting that is often perceived as energetic and productive. A typical application of direct light is desk lighting. A table lamp with a directional light source produces a clear, concentrated beam of light that is ideal for working or reading.

A similar application of direct light isaccent lighting forworks of art or decorative objects. The s.luce Book table lamp can be perfectly integrated here, thanks to state-of-the-art LED technology and as a modern, innovative bookend for your nightstand.

Since direct light is often perceived as bright and intense, it is important to consider glare. Glare can be caused by incorrect positioning of the light source or by light sources that are too bright.

One way to reduce the effect of light is to use diffuse reflectors or lampshades to scatter and soften the light. Although direct light produces clear and focused illumination, it can sometimes be perceived as too harsh or unnatural.

One example of this is direct sunlight, which is often perceived as too bright or glaring. In such cases, indirect lighting, where the light is reflected from the wall or ceiling, can create a softer and more natural lighting effect.

Indirect lighting is an art of lighting in which light from the light source is reflected off ceilings,walls, or other surfaces before reaching the room, creating a relaxed and calming atmosphere. TheCloud model or the model from s.luce are suitable for this purpose. A typical application of indirect light is the general lighting of rooms.

Indirect lighting creates even and soft lighting that illuminates the room diffusely. A similar application of indirect light is the backlighting of furniture or decorative objects. Here, you could use thes.luce Cusa to highlight your favorite decorations or photos.

Since indirect light is often perceived as soft and relaxing, it is ideal for rooms where a calming atmosphere is desired, such asliving rooms,bedrooms, or wellness areas. However, it can be difficult to achieve sufficient brightness with indirect light.

One way to improve the efficiency of indirect lighting is to usereflective surfaces to scatter and reflect the light. For example, ceilings painted white or a lighter color can reflect the light and distribute it throughout the room. Another option is to combine indirect lighting with direct lighting to achieve balanced and versatile lighting.