{"id":1551,"date":"2022-09-19T06:41:38","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T06:41:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ledask.com\/?p=1551"},"modified":"2022-09-29T08:15:37","modified_gmt":"2022-09-29T08:15:37","slug":"full-spectrum-lighting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ledask.com\/full-spectrum-lighting\/","title":{"rendered":"Full Spectrum Lighting: White Light, Infrared, and UV Lighting to Mimic Natural Sunlight"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The human race is increasingly trying to reduce its reliance on nature by creating artificial environments that mimic natural aspects. One of the ways we are achieving this fete is by creating full spectrum lighting for indoor grow lights<\/a> and improving wellness. Full spectrum lighting is like simulated sunlight, so making it requires the ingredients found in natural daylight. We have looked at these ingredients in detail below to define what this lighting is all about. Take a look! <\/p>\n\n\n

What is Full Spectrum Lighting?<\/h2>\n\n\n

Artificial light containing a fuller and complete visible light spectrum can substitute natural sunlight and have similar beneficial effects on animal and plant life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, most people define whole spectrum light<\/a> as any light source with a color temperature ranging from 5000K to 6500K and a CRI above 96.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But natural sunlight contains more than just the visible spectrum because plants and animals rely on its non-visible wavelengths, such as UV and infrared light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The visible spectrum<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, natural light from the sun changes during different times of the day. It tends to be a bit blue during the daytime and reddish or yellowish at dusk or dawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, there is no single definition for a full-spectrum light bulb. Depending on your needs, a full spectrum bulb can be one containing the entire visible light spectrum plus UV<\/a> & infrared light (non-visible light spectrum). It could also be a bulb producing a balanced and complete visible light spectrum.<\/p>\n\n\n

What is Visible Light?<\/h2>\n\n\n

Visible light is white light, which consists of all the rainbow colors. This white light radiation has a frequency range of about 380 nm to 700 nm, with the shortest wavelengths (closer to 380 nm) producing a violet\/blue color. Longer wavelengths in this light band emit a red glow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The electromagnetic spectrum (contains visible light and other electromagnetic waves)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visible or white light exists as a narrow band in the middle of the electromagnetic spectrum, with infrared light<\/a> immediately above the 700 nm wavelength. On the other hand, UV radiation sits right under the 380 nm mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal and plant life relies on the visible light spectrum and the non-visible spectra nearest both ends of the white light frequencies. These primarily include blue light and red light wavelengths.<\/p>\n\n\n

Metrics Defining Full Spectrum Lighting<\/h2>\n\n\n

As stated earlier, natural daylight varies at different times of the day. Therefore, you can define the full spectrum using the following metrics.<\/p>\n\n\n

Color Temperature<\/h3>\n\n\n

Also known as Correlated Color Temperature (CCT), the color temperature rating is a measure used to define a light source’s whiteness and visual appearance. The metric indicates the bulb’s warmth or coolness in Kelvin units, with warm color temperatures appearing reddish\/yellowish and having a lower Kelvin value. On the other hand, cooler color temperatures have a higher Kelvin value and appear bluish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The color temperature scale<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Midday sunlight has a color temperature of about 5500K, and this value is the approximate temperature used in full-spectrum light sources.<\/p>\n\n\n

CRI (Color Rendering Index)<\/h3>\n\n\n

CRI<\/a> is a quantitative measure that defines how accurately a light source replicates or compares to natural light. The CRI scale ranges from 1-100, and natural lighting from the sun has a rating of 100. Therefore, the higher the CRI rating, the more the light source attains full spectrum status.<\/p>\n\n\n

Applications of Full Spectrum Lighting<\/h2>\n\n\n

One of the most typical applications of full spectrum lighting is SAD treatment. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder<\/a>) is a condition brought about by the changing seasons, which minimizes exposure to sunlight, especially during fall and winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Light therapy treatment for SAD involves regulated exposure to full spectrum lights from light therapy boxes. These units produce cool or daylight white light that the body perceives as natural daylight. This exposure triggers the body’s circadian rhythm, creating an awakening and uplifting effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other applications include the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n