The color temperature is an important factor that determines the effect and atmosphere of a lamp. It describes the color impression that a light source creates and is measured in the unit Kelvin (K). Depending on the color temperature, the light can appear warm or cold, cozy or activating, natural or artificial.
In this blog post, we explain what the color temperature means, how it is measured and which color temperature is suitable for which rooms and purposes.
What does color temperature mean?
The color temperature is based on the physical phenomenon that a black body, when heated, takes on different colors. At low temperatures, it glows red, at higher temperatures yellow, white and finally blue. The color temperature indicates how warm or cold the light of a lamp is by indicating the temperature of the black body that has the same color. For example, a candle has a color temperature of about 1500 K, an incandescent lamp of about 2800 K, the sun of about 5500 K and the sky of about 10000 K1.
How is the color temperature measured?
The color temperature is measured with a special device, a colorimeter. This device analyzes the spectrum of the light and compares it with the spectrum of an ideal black body. The color temperature is given in Kelvin, where the scale ranges from 1000 K to 25000 K2. The color temperature is not the only parameter that determines the color of the light. Another important factor is the color rendering index (CRI), which indicates how natural the colors appear under a specific light source. The CRI can range from 0 to 100, with 100 being the best color rendering. The higher the CRI, the better the color fidelity.
Which color temperature is suitable for which rooms and purposes?
The color temperature has a great influence on the mood, the perception and the performance of the people. Therefore, one should choose the color temperature according to the room and purpose. Here are some general recommendations:
Warm white light (2700-3300 K): Warm white light has a low color temperature and creates a cozy, relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. It is especially suitable for living and sleeping rooms, where you want to feel comfortable and recover. Warm white light contains more red and yellow components and therefore appears warm and inviting.
Neutral white light (3300-5300 K): Neutral white light has a medium color temperature and creates a factual, clear and neutral atmosphere. It is especially suitable for work and hobby rooms, where you want to concentrate and be creative. Neutral white light contains more green and blue components and therefore appears cool and activating.
Daylight white light (5300-8000 K): Daylight white light has a high color temperature and creates a bright, fresh and natural atmosphere. It is especially suitable for bath and cellar rooms, where you have little or no daylight. Daylight white light contains more blue components and therefore appears cold and stimulating.
As you can see, the color temperature has a great influence on the effect and quality of a lamp. To make it easier for you, we have at Kent Leuchten https://www.kentleuchten.de a large selection of high-quality and stylish lamps for every taste and need. Our lamps are handmade, durable and energy-efficient. They meet the highest standards of lighting technology and offer you an optimal lighting experience. Take a look at our range and let our experts advise you. We look forward to your visit! 😊
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