[VIDEO] Which colour lamp for which application?

2700K | Extra Warm White

Typical application: Domestic lighting, Hotels & Restaurants

Common lamps*: Traditional GLS, Halogen, LED

3000K | Warm White

Typical application: Reception areas, Retail clothing

Common lamps*: Fluorescent tubes, Metal Halide, Compact Fluorescent, LED

3500K | White

Typical application: Traditional office colour, Retail food

Common lamps*: Fluorescent tubes, Compact fluorescent, LED

4000-4200K | Cool White

Typical application: Modern offices, Schools, Retail Digital Technology

Common lamps*: Fluorescent tubes, Metal Halide, Compact Fluorescent, LED

5000-6500K | Daylight

Typical application: Latest style offices, Public areas

Common lamps*: Fluorescent tubes, Metal Halide, Compact Fluorescent, LED

A light colour is often described as three numbers such as 830.  The 8 refers to CRI index (score out of 10) which basically means how good the quality of the light is in rendering colour to the human eye.  The 30 refers to the actual light colour.  Add on ‘00’ to get the Kelvin rating, in this case 3000K.