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Nichia is the world's largest LED manufacturer, leading the supply of innovative LEDs to all markets, including UV and UVC LEDs. Durability, brightness and homogeneity are among the major strengths of the Nichia brand. Furthermore, the fine selection allows greater added value for professional processing.
The UV portfolio of Nichia has new additions:
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.
Series and parallel electrical circuits
To power a string or array of LEDs from one LED driver, the LEDs must be connected into an electrical circuit. This can be a series or a parallel circuit.
We will explain the two types of circuits with examples using our popular LumiBar 56 cm LED strips, with SunLike TRI-R CRI98+ LEDs, Nichia Optisolis CRI99+ LEDs or special Nichia Rsp0a Horticulture LEDs:
Series connection with LumiBar Sunlike CRI98+ LED strips:
One LumiBar 56 cm Toshiba-SSC LED Strip Zhaga Sunlike CRI98 warm white 2700K has the recommended current at 350mA, reached at the voltage of 39.5VDC.
Effective and cost efficient disinfection or sterilizing of surfaces, water and objects has become of huge importance. The current COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic made this extremely clear. It created a extreme buying spree for everything that can be used in fighting it. Never before seen shortages of disinfectants, surgical masks, gloves, ventilators and more, happen all across the globe.
The situation is made worse by the fact that many of the materials used for sterilisation are single use and have to be disposed afterwards. More have to constantly produced, exacerbating supply issues. It is time for a more efficient way of killing virus and bacteria, it is time for disinfection with UV light.
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"UV light annihilates viruses and bacteria by destroying their ability to reproduce. "
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Using ultraviolet (UV) light to disinfect or sterilize1 has actually been embraced by some hospitals since years, by using large, industrial-grade machines to kill microorganisms (including COVID-19) in hospital rooms or on furniture, objects, clothing or instruments. However, such machines are prohibitively expensive for private or business use, as a mobile platform with UV lamps can cost more than 60.000 USD2. They are also dangerous for people and have to be used only in empty rooms.
With the current advance in UV LED lighting technology, smaller versions of safe to use UV disinfection lamps can now be available to consumers and companies looking to clean pretty much everything, from office spaces, elevators and living rooms, to phones, computers and even toilet seats.
Widespread use of UV light to fight virus and bacteria can now happen with the technology of continuous disinfection with low intensity UVA light from lighting emitting diodes (LEDs).
In the modern workplace, lighting transcends its basic function of visibility; it plays a pivotal role in influencing employee well-being, productivity, and overall satisfaction. As organizations strive to create environments that foster efficiency and comfort, understanding the nuances of office lighting becomes essential.
The Science of Light in the Workplace
Light impacts our circadian rhythms, mood, and cognitive functions. Inadequate or improper lighting can lead to eye strain, fatigue, and decreased concentration, while well-designed lighting can enhance alertness and performance. According to the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), appropriate lighting levels vary depending on the task and environment, emphasizing the need for tailored lighting solutions
Recommended Illuminance Levels
Illuminance, measured in lux, quantifies the amount of light falling on a surface. The IES provides the following guidelines for office environments:
Linear light fixtures are the recommended way to light up working spaces. The recommended light levels for different types of work spaces and the corresponding luminous flux of the linear fixture are detailed below:
| Activity | Illuminance (lx, lumen/m2) |
Linear Light in lumens per meter |
|---|---|---|
| Areas with traffic and corridors - stairways, escalators - lifts - storage spaces | 100 | 2000 |
| Working areas where visual tasks are only occasionally performed | 150 | 2000 |
| Warehouses, archives, loading bays | 150 | 2000 |
| Coffee break room, technical facilities, ball-mill areas, pulp plants, waiting rooms | 200 | 2000 |
| Easy office work | 250 | 2000 |
| Normal office work, PC work, show rooms, laboratories, check-out areas, kitchens, auditoriums | 500 |
4000 |
| Mechanical workshops, office landscapes | 750 | 6000 |
| Normal drawing work, detailed mechanical workshops, operation theaters | 1000 | 10000 |
| Detailed drawing work, very detailed mechanical works, electronic workshops, testing and adjustments | 1500 | 10000 |
| Performance of visual tasks of low contrast and minimal size for prolonged periods of time | 2000 | 10000 |
| Performance of very prolonged and exacting visual tasks | 5000 | 10000 |
| Performance of exceptional visual tasks of extremely low contrast and small size | 10000 | 10000 |
Factors Influencing Lighting Needs
Task Complexity: Tasks requiring fine detail or prolonged focus necessitate higher illuminance levels to reduce eye strain and maintain accuracy.
Age of Occupants: As individuals age, their eyes require more light to perform the same tasks. A 60-year-old may need up to twice as much light as a 20-year-old, highlighting the importance of adjustable lighting solutions.
Natural Light Integration: Incorporating daylight can enhance mood and reduce energy consumption. However, it’s crucial to manage glare and ensure consistent lighting levels throughout the workspace.
Office Layout and Surface Reflectance: The arrangement of workstations and the color of walls and furniture affect light distribution. Lighter surfaces reflect more light, potentially reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Strategies for Effective Office Lighting
Use of LED Technology: LEDs offer energy efficiency, longevity, and the ability to fine-tune color temperature and brightness, making them ideal for office settings. LED strips or linear LED fixtures are the recommended lighting systems for effective office lighting.
Layered Lighting Approach: Implement a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create a balanced and flexible lighting environment.
Personal Control: Providing employees with control over their immediate lighting conditions can enhance comfort and productivity.
Regular Maintenance: Ensure that lighting fixtures are clean and functioning correctly to maintain optimal light levels.
Optimal office lighting is a blend of science and design, tailored to the specific needs of tasks and occupants. By adhering to recommended illuminance levels and considering factors such as task complexity, occupant age, and natural light integration, organizations can create environments that not only illuminate but also inspire.
Our cutting-edge, high quality, and top-performance LED solutions can be customized online to perfectly match office lighting requirements.
The 3-channel LumiBar can create dynamic lighting effects with white or color Nichia LEDs, suitable for ambient lighting. With the MultiBar LED system, installation is made easy and very affordable, thanks to the plug & play system.
Linear LED Strips & Modules for general lighting, up to 4000 lumens per meter or 1200 lm/foot
Our range of customizable MultiBar or LumiFlex LED strips feature Nichia LEDs that deliver the higher light output required for general lighting.
LED Strips for Commercial Lighting, up to 10000 lumens per meter (3000 lm/foot)
Read more about recommended lighting levels for the home in our blog article.
This article is intended as a guide for those who are considering purchasing UVC disinfection equipment in 2021. These tips should only be considered as suggestions.
Attention buyers! - There are few recognized standards for equipment designed for UVC disinfection of air and/or surfaces. As a result, there are many advertisements and promotions claiming amazing performance with little or no scientific support.
The technical specifications should state the UVC irradiance at a fixed distance from the UV front of the device (e.g. 10 mW/cm2 at 2 cm).
The UV dose (irradiance multiplied by exposure time in seconds) should be at least 20-40 mJ/cm2 to inactivate viruses on perfectly flat and ideal surfaces (details in this article). Thus, if the irradiance at the target surface is 10 mW/cm2, the exposure time should be 2-4 seconds. However, the presence of microscopic gaps on flat surfaces can inhibit disinfection, and disinfection on other materials, such as cloths, may require completely different doses. For example, disinfection of viruses on medical masks may require doses as high as 1000 mJ/cm2. This is a subject that is currently being researched and our current understanding changes almost daily.
With any UV device, you must NOT look at the UV light or expose your hands from the UV side. UV light is a source of skin burns/cancer and can quickly damage the eyes.
Remember that UV disinfection is based on a "line of sight" between the UV lamp and the target surface. If the UV rays are shaded by texture elements on the surface, the shaded areas may receive much less UV light or no light at all. Disinfection effectiveness is therefore determined by the UV dose to which these areas are exposed.
Like any disinfection system, UVC equipment must be used properly to be safe.
They all generate different amounts of UVC light in wavelengths from 200 - 280 nm. UVC light is much more energetic than normal sunlight and can cause a severe, sunburn-like reaction on your skin and could also damage the retina of your eye when exposed.
Some devices also produce ozone as part of their cycle, others produce light and heat like an arc welder, and still others move during their cycles. In general, all disinfection devices must therefore take into account the safety of both man and machine.
These considerations should be taken into account in the operating manual, in user training and in compliance with appropriate safety regulations.
WHAT DOES IP PROTECTION MEAN?
The index of protection – the IP – is an essential characteristic of most of the electrical devices and it shows the protection rate of the device from any external agents such a solid object or liquids. It is expressed of word "IP" followed by 2 numbers, which show:
the first digit describes the degree of protection rate against solid objects, dust, the solid particles and bodies;
the second digit describes the degree of protection offered against liquids.
The IP rating is relevant when the environment conditions are standard; in special cases and hazardous environments special protection is required.
Although there are numerous combinations of IP ratings for LED strips and fixtures, the most common ones are: IP67, IP65, IP44, IP20. For specially IP rated luminaires you will find each product clearly marked with its IP rating PLUS the highest zone in which it can be installed.
In general, all LED strips have IP20, same with many LED fixtures. IP44 you will find for LED strips inside an aluminum profile with closed end caps and in many spotlights and down lights. IP65 or more is usually used for waterproof LED strips and some special fixtures.
The first digit – protection from foreign bodies
0 – no protection from foreign bodies;
1 – protected against solid objects greater than 50mm(e.g. accidental touch by hands);
2 – protected against solid objects up to 12mm(e.g. fingers);
3 – protected against solid objects greater than 2.5mm(e.g. tools and wires);
4 – protected against solid objects greater than 1mm(e.g. small tools and wires);
5 – protected against dust, limited ingress(e.g. no harmful deposit);
6 – totally protected against dust.
The new Vitasolis™ technology from Nichia are LED light sources with spectrum meant to stimulate activity.
This development in based on recent research that has revealed in detail the relationship between light and human behavior. Humans can recognize the brightness and color of light while human circadian rhythms can be affected by different wavelengths, especially the blue-green area. For example, lighting has an effect on the level of activity throughout the day, including wake up in the morning, daytime activities, and nighttime sleep aids.
Vitasolis has a very natural white light and its spectrum contains more energy in the blue-green region, which helps control the human circadian rhythm. The spectral distribution of Vitasolis clearly illuminates the object while maintaining high light efficiency.
