What is lumen ？
How does it relate to LED lights ？
Lumens: The True Measure of Brightness
Simply put, Lumen is a unit of measurement that expresses the brightness of visible light emitted by a light source. You can think of it as the “brightness score” of a light. The higher the lumen value, the brighter the light. This is different from wattage, which measures the power consumption of a light bulb, not its brightness.
An example:
- A 60-watt incandescent light produces about 800 lumens;
- An LED lamp requires only 8-12 watts to produce the same amount of light.
This efficient light output is one of the major advantages of LED lights, saving energy and reducing your electricity bill, while also reducing your carbon footprint.
Why Lumen Matters for LED Lights
LED lights are popular for their energy efficiency and long life, but understanding the meaning of lumens can help you choose the right brightness for your specific needs. Different scenes have different needs for lumens, and choosing the wrong lumen value may make the space appear too dark or too bright, affecting the experience.
- Home Lighting: Cozy spaces such as bedrooms and living rooms are recommended to choose 400-800 lumens; kitchens or bathrooms require brighter lights, usually at 1,000 lumens or more.
- Outdoor Lighting: Patio trail lights require only 200-400 lumens, while floodlights for security require more than 1,500 lumens.
- Commercial and Industrial Lighting: Large spaces such as factories, warehouses or supermarkets often require higher lumen fixtures, even up to 10,000 lumens or more, to provide plenty of brightness.
How to test lumen level of a lED light？
When purchasing an LED light, you may want to know if the fixture is up to the lumen value indicated on the package. Here are a few common tests to help you confirm that your LED lights are up to snuff:
1. Use of specialized lumen meters
A lumen meter is a specialized instrument for measuring light output and is suitable for home users and industrial testing. The method of use is as follows:
– Light up the LED light and make sure that there is no interference from other light sources in the test environment.
– Aim the probe of the lumen meter at the front of the LED light.
– Read the lumen value displayed on the device to determine the brightness level of the luminaire.
The lumen meter is easy to operate and accurate, making it the most reliable method of testing.
2. Light intensity and distance method
If you do not have a lumen meter, you can indirectly estimate lumens by measuring light intensity:
– Prepare an illuminance meter.
– Prepare an illuminance meter. Light up the LED and measure the light intensity in Lux at a specific distance.
– Use the formula: Lumens = Lux × Area of test area (square meters)
While this method is feasible, it may be slightly less accurate due to environmental conditions.
3. Consult the manufacturer or laboratory testing
Many manufacturers of high quality LED lights will provide detailed test reports containing true lumen values. If you need more specialized verification, you can send the lamps to a third-party lab for testing.
Maximize Lumen Utilization
Lumens are not only a measure of light brightness, but also an important factor in determining lighting quality. Properly understanding and utilizing lumens can help you achieve the best lighting results in different scenarios. Here are some practical suggestions to enhance your lighting experience:
▪ Pay attention to the color temperature and lumen matching
The combination of lumens and color temperature directly affects the overall effect of lighting. For example:
Warm color temperature (2700K-3000K) is more suitable for creating a comfortable atmosphere, usually with low lumen lamps.
Cool white light (4000K-6500K) is suitable for working environments and works best when combined with high lumen fixtures.
▪ Correct installation to achieve the best lumen utilization rate
The mounting height and angle of the fixture will affect the actual effect of lumens:
When installing low lumen luminaires in the home, choose a lower mounting height for more concentrated light distribution.
Industrial fixtures should be mounted on higher ceilings and use reflectors or special accessories to extend light coverage.
▪ Improve efficiency with intelligent control systems
With intelligent dimming or sensor control, the lumen output of a luminaire can be adjusted as needed. For example:
Reduce lumen output to save energy during the day when there is plenty of light.
At night or when accent lighting is required, increase lumens to the appropriate level to ensure safety and visibility.
ShineLong LED Lights: light up your world with real lumens!
As a leading brand in the field of LED lights, ShineLong has always won the trust of customers with high quality and true labeled lumen values. Whether for domestic, commercial or industrial use, ShineLong provides excellent products covering different lumen ranges, bringing you efficient and reliable lighting solutions.
Understanding what lumens are and how to choose the right LED light based on lumens can dramatically improve lighting while enhancing the experience.
ShineLong LED lights have become the lighting brand of choice for countless homes and businesses due to their true lumens, energy efficiency and multi-scenario applicability. Whether you need soft home lighting or powerful industrial lighting, ShineLong can meet your needs and light up your world with true lumens!
