Understanding Macadam Ellipse Color Sorting (3 step, 5 step, 7 step) and LED Color Consistency

Macadam Ellipses LED color sorting (3 step, 5 step, 7 step)

LED color consistency is a crucial factor in determining the quality of lighting in any application. When the color consistency is poor, variations in the shade of white light become visible, as shown in the image below.

 

 

High color consistency ensures all white LEDs have the same hue, while poor color consistency results in visible variations like the ones shown above. This article will help you understand Macadam Ellipse color sorting and its importance in achieving consistent LED colors.

White Light and Its Different Shades

There is no universally accepted definition for warm white, pure white, and cold white light, but generally speaking, warm white light for LEDs falls within 2500K-4000K on the color temperature scale, pure white ranges from 4000K-5000K, and cold white spans 5000K-10,000K.

 

For simplicity, we will focus on warm white LEDs, although the same principles apply to pure and cold white.

Production variations can lead to inconsistencies in the shade of emitted white light. For example, Nichia warm white LEDs straight out of the production line can have a color temperature between 2580K and 4260K. If they were integrated directly into strips or luminaires without sorting, the resulting products would exhibit poor color consistency and would likely be unsuitable for most applications.

Chromaticity Bins and LED Sorting

To address this issue, LEDs are sorted and grouped into batches called "chromaticity bins." Nichia, as an LED manufacturer, groups warm white LEDs into four chromaticity bins, which are perfect for our simple explanation.

Nichia LEDs chromaticity explained with a Bin Deck:

  • SM27 - (2580K-2870K)
  • SM30 - (2870K-3220K)
  • SM35 - (3220K-3710K)
  • SM40 - (3710K-4260K)

Each bin symbol has a number of sub-bins, and for Nichia, the number of sub-bins can be up to 12.

Macadam Ellipses and LED Purchasing

Macadam Ellipses refer to the purchasing options for LEDs with specific manufacturer-sorted chromaticity bins. One might assume that they can choose any bin or sub-bin they like from the Bin Deck. However, that is not the case. A minimum of three bins must be selected from the deck. This is called Macadam Ellipse LED sorting and can be 7-step, 5-step, 3-step, or without sorting.

The Macadam Ellipse LED sorting of LED Chromaticity Bins explained with a deck of cards

The Macadam Ellipse LED sorting of LED Chromaticity explained with a deck of bins:

  1. 7-step MacAdam Ellipse Sorting: Choose the bin symbol and request 7 consecutive bins. For example, if you choose the SM27 bins (2580K-2870K), your 7-step delivery will consist of seven bins of random selection, provided they fall within a subset of seven consecutive bins from the deck.

  2. 5-step MacAdam Ellipse Sorting: Choose the bin symbol and request 5 consecutive bins. Continuing with the SM27 bins example, your 5-step delivery will consist of five bins of random selection, provided they fall within a subset of five consecutive bins from the deck. This sorting is satisfactory for many projects and typically results in a 5-10% price increase.

  3. 3-step MacAdam Ellipse Sorting: Choose the bin symbol and request 3 consecutive bins. If you choose the SM27 bins, your delivery will consist of three bins of random selection, provided they fall within a subset of three consecutive bins from the deck. With this choice, the differences in color temperature will almost be invisible. The 3-step MacAdam Ellipse sorting often comes with a 20-30% higher price, but it ensures better color consistency. You could further refine your choice by requesting bins from the middle of the deck.

  1. No sorting (Bin Only): Choose the bin symbol only. This option is the most basic and has the lowest cost. If you choose the SM27 bins, your delivery will consist of a completely random set of bins within the specified range (2580K-2870K). However, you must be sure that your project can tolerate visible color temperature differences, as this choice does not guarantee color consistency. This option is suitable for street lighting or Christmas lighting.

At Ledrise, we use LEDs with 3-step MacAdam Ellipse sorting in all our products, ensuring the best color consistency possible, so you won't have to worry about multi-shaded lighting in your project. We also offer various color temperature options, such as our LumiFlex LED strips

The Importance of Macadam Ellipse Sorting in Achieving LED Color Consistency

Macadam Ellipse sorting plays a critical role in achieving LED color consistency. By selecting LEDs with a stricter sorting standard, such as 3-step MacAdam Ellipse sorting, you can minimize color temperature variations and improve the overall quality and appearance of your lighting project.

When choosing LEDs for any application, it's essential to consider the importance of color consistency and understand the different Macadam Ellipse sorting options available. By making an informed decision, you can ensure that your lighting project will not only be energy-efficient and long-lasting but also visually pleasing and consistent in color.

In conclusion, Macadam Ellipse color sorting is a crucial aspect of maintaining LED color consistency. By understanding the various sorting options and their implications, you can make informed decisions when selecting LEDs for your lighting projects. This will help you achieve the desired visual impact and ensure that your lighting solutions are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

 

 

 

 

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