“Deepajyothi Parabrahma Deepajyothi Janardhana Deepo Me Hara Tu Paapam Deepaa Jyothir Namostute”
“Let there be light…” God created light…so the belief goes! There is no life without light!
Light, like our life, is one of the least cared for subject. Just as what is good for our life; we enjoy those nice articles, speeches on enriching lives. And then we slip back into our usual life… we take light, very lightly!!
If a child were to ask as to why you should keep a 40W bulb in its room and you have a 60W bulb in the living room, or ask you the difference between “candle”, “watt”, “lumen” and what’s the link? …can you explain? Leave alone difference between CFL and LED lights!
Lumen (L) is a measure of the total amount of visible light emitted by a light source. Lux is the quantity of light falling on a unit area of a surface i.e., One Lux is equal to one Lumen per square meter. Simply said, think Lumens, not Watts. If a LED bulb can deliver over 100 L per Watt, it is good by all standards! You save on power, and your eyes, of course!
Health Dimension to Right Light
Scientists realised how light affects the body and mind. By influencing our sleep-wake cycles, the right kind of light can have a profound effect on our mood, productivity, health; making us work more effectively, recover more quickly from illness, and feel better. But how do you harness light in the real world? Did you choose the right light for your child who is studying?
Sunlight is the best light, with Color Rendition Index (CRI) of 100 units. True colors are reflected under sunlight. CRI measure indicates nearness to sunlight. Any light with 85% CRI is good. 95% CRI lights are also available in market, used in high-end garment stores, select dressing tables, Operation Theaters…
LED Lighting Ergonomics
For optimal use, LEDs should point down from roof. There beam angle is 110° from center. If wall mounted, half the light illuminates roof. Wall mounted LED tube lights makes no sense!
LED lights are made by 100s of companies today. A Nielsen survey report revealed 76% of manufacturers do not conform to standards. How does one pick the right LED light? Do not go by the ads or brand names. Read the specs. A good LED lamp costs more. A good lamp will emit more than 110L/watt, emits less heat and is glare free with CRI not less than 85%; and be flicker free. Choose LEDs made in India (best suited to Indian weather), from a standard company which conforms to standards and has a minimum 5 year unconditional warranty.
The take home tip for aam aadmi is that, Light does matter! Take informed decision on choosing lights for your home/office. You needn’t be a visionary to buy the right light, but your vision certainly matters, when it comes to choosing the RIGHT LIGHT!