What Are Full Spectrum Light Bulbs?
- Written By: Dan Blacharski
- Edited By: Lucy Oppenheimer
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Copyright Protected:
2003-2013 Conjecture Corporation
Ever since Thomas Edison came up with the idea for the light bulb, people have been trying to improve on the concept. Full spectrum light bulbs represent one of the most significant improvements to date. Light has many different characteristics, and different types of light sources may be more useful or preferable to different situations.
Full spectrum lighting is actually a marketing term. It has no precise scientific definition, but generally describes light bulbs that produce light that has certain desirable qualities that make it similar to natural sunlight. Like natural daylight, full spectrum light bulbs produce light that is seen by the human eye in a bluish-white tint. The brightness value of the light is similar to that of daylight, and the bulbs have excellent color rendering capability.
Full spectrum light bulbs, since they mimic the qualities of natural sunlight, are very appropriate for individuals who suffer from Seasonal Affective Syndrome (SAD). Natural daylight has always had desirable qualities, and is often recommended for improving mood and motivation. Most people will agree that working in an office with no windows can be depressing. The cold winter months and overcast seasons can also be gloomy, but full spectrum light bulbs can make the indoors look like the height of summer. Full spectrum light bulbs are said to not only improve mood, but also energy, learning ability, and behavior.
There are several types of full spectrum light bulbs. A light source's color temperature describes the color of the light that comes from the source. In general, bulbs with color temperatures of 5000 Kelvin (K) or more produce light that is similar to daytime sunlight. Standard incandescent bulbs coated with neodymium are sometimes marketed under this term, although they do not have the 5000K color temperature. They have other desirable qualities, however, and are able to filter out the harsh yellow tint that is common in standard incandescent bulbs.
The Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a measure used by the lighting industry to indicate a bulb's ability to render colors in objects. It's why some objects look brighter in different types of lighting. The natural sun, of course, produces the full spectrum, which is why we see rainbows in the sky. Bulbs with an index rating of 90 to 100 are best at simulating the quality of light produced by the sun.
Inexpensive bulbs marketed as "cool white" bulbs typically have a low CRI and color temperature. This type of bulb can cause eye strain. The cool white bulbs do not have the same desirable qualities as true full spectrum light bulbs that provide more natural colors.
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anon302219
Post 14 |
For several reasons too complicated to go into here, the CRI rating is not a perfect indicator of how complete the light spectrum is, or how well it will render colors. This is not a simple issue, and cannot really be expressed well by a simple numerical rating. Just because it has a CRI of 90 does not mean it will render all your colors well. Especially for artists, subtle colors will still be "off". Just so everyone is aware, most of the light brands that claim to be "full spectrum" are really not. I have done much research into this. There is actually a brand of halogen, and a few limited brands of fluorescent tubes that are indeed full spectrum, but they are not sold in regular stores. So don't go to the store and expect your "full spectrum" bulb to be the same as natural sunlight. It is just deceptive marketing. As far as full spectrum LEDs, it is certainly possible, but so far no brand that I am aware of actually makes them. There are a few types of LEDs that are "enhanced spectrum" (a little more like natural daylight, but not quite perfect), but they are very very expensive right now. |
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anon189400
Post 13 |
There is a difference between reproducing the colours technically correct or commonly appealing. For technical purposes (calibration, image analysis), CRI 100 can be found on 2700K bulbs (incandescent). For common households, where people perceive "natural daylight" as being the "ideal" standard, indeed a 5000K bulb, which actually has a CRI (color rendering index) between 75 and 90, is preferred. |
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tasteoflife
Post 12 |
They really do help! The full spectrum light bulbs are in the real sense a marketing strategy or name and not a scientific description of a thing. |
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anon94981
Post 10 |
Most high quality full spectrum light uses electronic ballast which prevents flickering. |
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anon67868
Post 9 |
I have had many benefits from using full spectrum lights. I have changed back to fluorescent and then back to full spectrum lights. I have better vision, feel more calm and can tell it produces vitamin D.
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anon66047
Post 8 |
How we define full spectrum Light: 1. Must have CRI >= 96 (Sun = 100, normal energy saving lamps = ~80). 2. Must have as close to 5500K (5500 Kelvin is the daytime colour temperature of moderate climate zones). 3. Must have a continuous spectrum as possible (A weakness of most lamps based on fluorescent technology). 4. Must have some UV in non-dangerous but healthy levels. |
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anon55741
Post 7 |
I would like to know if these full spectrum bulbs produce Vitamin D also. I am vitamin D deficient and I am looking for replacement bulbs that will help me with my condition. |
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aleenagk
Post 6 |
I'm using full spectrum lights in my boutique, so that my customer can actually see the natural color of the clothes, without actually getting outdoors. The full spectrum lights serve better in boutiques, as their color rendering index is closest to 100. |
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anon44538
Post 4 |
Research by both US and Canadian government agencies and universities show that full spectrum bulbs do not imitate sunlight and that there is no benefit from their use. In addition, studies show that there is little difference in the light emitted by full spectrum bulbs and standard incandescent bulbs. There are good links to these scientific studies found on the web and they are worth reading. |
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anon27923
Post 3 |
Like the article. Does "Full Spectrum" diminish the effect of fluorescent light flickering at sixty cycles a second? Thank you. |
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anon7569
Post 2 |
Do the full spectrum bulbs do anything to help the body produce Vitamin D like sunshine does? |
