Yes, for the most part the lighting issue is commonly based upon whether or not there is 'adequate' light to be able to see during everyday activities, and for security purposes. However, there is much more to lighting systems than simply getting-out of the dark. Aside from the amount or intensity of light, the most important and often overlooked issue is the aspect of utilizing the ‘correct type’ of lighting, and/or combination of lighting.

For our serious clients with custom homes, intricate workshops, and especially the vehicle showroom the ‘correct type’ of lighting is most critical... in order to create an environment with the vibrancy of natural sunlight while revealing the fine distinction of home interiors, the quality craftsmanship of workshop/ business products, or showcasing extravagant and classic vehicles.

The same holds true in any retail operation where colors could 'shift' when carried out of the store, such as paint; art work; magazine prints; auto body work; and of course your vehicle display. Have you ever heard the comment; "it looked different in the store"? Well if you have then this comment indicates a sure problem with the present type of lighting in that particular store.

You might think buying a light bulb would be a brainless task. Yet, when it comes to fluorescent lamps, there are dozens of seemingly similar bulbs from which to choose, each with a variation of specifications that affect the look and perception of objects. The effects are caused by our perception that 'cool' colors recede, while 'warm' colors advance.

The color of light sources is a complicated relationship deriving from a number of different factors, including Correlated Color Temperature; Color Rendering Index; and the Light Spectrum Distribution.

The Correlated Color Temperature is what's called a Kelvin rating that describes the color temperature or the description of warmth or coolness of a light source -- the 'warm' (red), or the 'cool' (blue) of the source of light.

Similar to when a piece of metal is heated, the color of light it emits will change. This color begins as red and graduates to orange, yellow, white and then to blue-white, and finally to deeper shades of blue. The temperature of this metal is a physical measurement in Kelvin or absolute temperature. When the sun rises it continues from red to orange to yellow to white and it peaks at noon at over 5,000 Kelvin resulting in the best light source. As it sets, the sun's Kelvin drops accordingly.

So in general, the closer the reproduction of summer noon sunlight the brighter and crisper objects appear. Which leads us to the next factor regarding lighting -- the Color Rendering Index.

The Color Rendering Index is a measurement, which rates how accurately objects are reproduced under a given light source. In other words, it refers to the effect a light source has upon the colors of a given object. A Color Rendering Index of less than 60 is poor, 70-79 is fair, 80-89 is good, and 90+ is excellent since the sunlight index is 100 of which all artificial lighting is rated and based upon.

In general, the higher the Color Rendering Index rating of a lamp, the more contrasting and better different colors will show. Also keep in mind that the Color Rendering Index can only be judged between light sources that have the same Correlated Color Temperature (Kelvin rating).

And lastly, the Light Spectrum Distribution determines the intensity of specific wavelengths of light (colors) in relation to each other, which is known as scotopic energy. In other words, some of the rainbow of colors of the light spectrum is more or less dominant in their output as perceived by your eyes, which can result in less visual acuity. In most fluorescent lamps the scotopic energy is not adequate to compensate for the lack of certain color prominences. However, lamps with an enhanced scotopic formula allows for super visual acuity and accurate color rendition of the rainbow of color.

With the understanding of Correlated Color Temperature; the Color Rendering Index; and the Light Spectrum Distribution, you can see some light on lighting now.

So whether you need basic lighting to simply get-out of the dark; or you desire Cowtown Electric to design and install a special lighting system layout considering the Correlated Color Temperature; the Color Rendering Index; and the Light Spectrum Distribution -- to create an environment with the vibrancy of natural sunlight while revealing the fine distinction of home interiors, the quality craftsmanship of workshop/ business products, or showcasing extravagant and classic vehicles with colors that really 'pop-out' -- Cowtown Electric is truly your premier electrical and technology service company!

Cowtown Electric (metro) 214-533-7622 paul @ cowtownelectric.com (without spaces)