It is crucial to say that lighting is one of the most critical elements in laboratories and other places.
Besides improving visibility, proper lighting also provides a significant contribution when it comes to the correctness of the job as well as the protection of people at the workplace.
LED lighting has, over the years, been regarded as the most appropriate source of illumination in Laboratories owing to the following merits.
In this blog post, you’ll learn about the key things to look for when choosing LED lights for your laboratory, the main options for LED lighting, and the benefits of the switch.
When choosing LED lights for laboratories, practitioners should consider:
Color Temperature
When it comes to lighting in a laboratory, one of the critical parameters we consider is the color temperature measured in Kelvin (K). I have come to learn that the color temperature of the lighting that is used in a particular area determines the dynamic as well as the performance character of that area. It is much wiser for laboratories to use cooler color temperatures ranging from 4000K to 5000K. This range gives a straightforward and pleasing light that improves task accomplishment and definition, thus making it easier to work with precision.
CRI (Color Rendering Index)
The color rendering index abbreviated as CRI, is a quality of light that defines the capability of a light source. For instance, in a laboratory in which accurate color identification is usually very crucial, a high CRI is required. For normal lab applications, the CRI of a light source should be above 80, and In areas where color discrimination is important, the CRI value should be above 90.
Brightness and Lumens
Another important thing that people ought to know, especially when selecting LED lights, is that there is a difference between lumen and watt. Lumens, on the other hand, is the unit of light, watts, and energy, although the two are proportional. In the case of laboratories, emphasis should be placed on lumens. The degree of illumination will vary according to the tasks conducted, although general lab areas may require approximately 500 lux. More elaborate operating rooms may require higher lumen output, which will likely cost a lot.
Glare Reduction
This glare may result in eye strain, uneasy feeling, and general low productivity in any laboratory. One should consider using natural lighting or LEDs with diffusers or anti-glare glasses to reduce glare. These features assist in diffusing light and lessen the ‘’sting’’ that companioning reflections on shiny surfaces convey, providing a better working environment.
Lab Lighting Solution – Main Categories of LED Lights
Overhead Lighting
General lighting of the overhead kind is used to illuminate the whole of the lab area. LED panels or troffers are suited to this specific application because they provide uniform illumination over vast expanses of surfaces. These lights can be in suspension or surface mount and are designed for industrial applications where shadow-free lighting for enhanced visibility is key in the lab environment.
Task Lighting
Apart from the general illumination of the laboratory, there may be the need to install task-specific lighting in parts where some delicate works are conducted. Such kinds of lights include adjustable LED task lights. These lights will enable one to place the light in certain areas where it is required, say when doing some analysis, reading some print, or conducting experiments that require lots of light and accuracy.
Emergency and Exit Lighting
Emergency and exit lighting: Lighting is essential in each laboratory, and safety is always a priority. LEDs are perfect because of their long lifespan, minimal need for maintenance, and low energy consumption. These lights make it safe to have lighting at the lab even when there is a total blackout to allow personnel to be let out or continue working when there is a power failure.
In laboratories, LED lighting has been described to offer distinct advantages:
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is one of the key advantages that have made LED lighting to become very popular in the recent past. LEDs are more energy efficient than conventional lighting sources, and this goes a long way in reducing bill charges. This translates to considerable savings in energy costs, especially for laboratories that work throughout the night.
Longevity and Durability
Compared to regular incandescent or even fluorescent radiation lamps, LED lamps have a life cycle of longer than ten times. This leads to lesser replacement and low maintenance, saving time and money. Since its availability, there have been no reported cases of it failing during lab operations, making it the best lighting source.
Temperature Control
The most significant advantage of LEDs is that they produce very little heat compared to conventional light sources. This is especially so given that laboratories often require special attention to their environments. From the point of view of lighting, it is necessary to consider that additional heat generation from lighting sources can influence such virtues as labile experiments and the overburden of the cooling plant. In this way, the temperature can be easier to control – for example, this is possible with the help of LEDs.
Eco-friendliness
LED lights also have the advantage of being environmentally friendly compared to other lights. Unlike other light types, they do not contain such poisonous content as mercury in fluorescent light bulbs. Further, the LEDs are one hundred percent recyclable; hence, the environmental effects at the end of the product’s life cycle are eliminated.
Laboratory LED Lighting Installation Guidelines
Lighting Requirements for Your Laboratory
A simple way to evaluate the current situation is to analyze the current lighting system from which one starts. Assess current and required levels of illumination in some areas and define required and typical lighting of different lab zones. This assessment will also guide you in selecting the right type and quantity of LED lights, giving the necessary amount of coverage and efficiency.
Planning the Layout
One of the most important goals is to have adequately located LED lights to avoid any kind of uneven lighting of the product being marketed. Some of the considerations that can be made during layout include the ceiling height and the position of the workstations, as well as checking for any barriers that may cause shadows. Try to increase or decrease the lighting in every area evenly so as not to produce those black spots in considerably lit areas.
Compliance with Safety Standards
It should be borne in mind that the laboratory must conform to specific safety measures, and lighting is not an exception to this rule. It is also important that any installed LEDs must meet the respective labs’ pertinent regulations. This also includes emergency lighting, which should be tested for proper functionality in an emergency.
Future-Proofing
Both indoor and outdoor lighting options are not an exception to this reality where there is advancement in lighting solutions with the advancement of technology. Consider making your lab bright by installing a Smart LED lighting system or Smart controller to control lighting levels, temperature, color, and power consumed conveniently. They can give extra energy conservation and boost your lighting structure’s versatility.
Conclusion
Selecting LED lights for laboratories is more than just getting better environmental lighting. Still, it is more about enhancing safety, ensuring precise analytics, and promoting better efficiency.
Thus, it is advisable to consider such parameters as color temperature, CRI, and brightness, as well as the choice of certain types of LED lights to achieve the proper illumination of a laboratory that would encompass different activities. So, if you’re considering lab lighting replacement, going with LEDs suits your lab.
If you have more questions or want to find out more about your options, it would be helpful to seek the help of an expert in lighting.
