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Technical Reference

How to open MYD and HAAS files for lighting photometric tests

If you've worked around LEDs and LED lights for awhile, you've undoubtedly come across lighting photometric reports. If you have any files that end in .MYD or .HAAS, you will need special software to open these files. What is an MYD file? How do I open an MYD file? ...Read More

Black body and reconstituted daylight locus coordinates by CCT (CSV/Excel format)

Below you will find the coordinates in both CIE 1931 xy and CIE 1976 u'v' for both the black body locus and daylight locus, listed by 10K and 1K CCT increments. Alternatively, an interactive calculator is also available here. The d...Read More

What is the difference between the black body and the reconstituted daylight spectrum?

The black body spectrum is a spectral plot of a "theoretical object" that emits radiation (black body radiator) at a particular temperature. The sun is often mentioned as an object that comes close to a true black body radiator, and this makes it relatively straightforward to calculate the solar spectrum based on Planck's l...Read More

How to calculate the daylight spectrum (D illuminant)

Measuring and characterizing the daylight spectrum can be challenging due to the fact that many factors affect it, including time of day, season and weather. That being said, it is oftentimes necessary to standardize the daylight spectrum and this is what the D illuminant attempts to do. The D illuminant can ...Read More

CRI/Ra test color samples (TCS)

The Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a widely used metric to describe color accuracy and fidelity. It is calculated as an average score on 8 color samples (called TCS or test color samples), with an additional 7 supplemental color samples for the extended CRI (e) metric. Each of these scores is called Ri...Read More

What is CRI R9 and Why is it Important?

CRI R9 is one of the test color samples (TCS) used in the calculation of extended CRI. Many manufacturers will only report general CRI, however, which does not include the CRI R9 score. (See here for CRI extended vs...Read More

What is the difference between CRI and Ra?

When comparing lighting products, you will undoubtedly come across the metrics CRI and Ra to describe color quality. You may assume that there is no difference between CRI vs Ra, but read on to find out how this could be a mistake!   CRI defined CRI is an acronym for Color Renderin...Read More

CRI/Ra TCS spectrum data (CSV/Excel format)

We have published the CRI or Ra TCS (test color sample) spectrum data in 1 nm, 2 nm and 5 nm increments. There are a total of 8 regular test color samples, and 7 additional special test color samples. These samp...Read More

Color consistency in lighting products

For white LED lights, color consistency can be a critical but often overlooked quality that can make or break a project. Read on to learn how and why color variation exists, and how to ensure you can attain excellent color consistency for your LED light project! What exactly is color consistency? In g...Read More

Calculate color temperature (CCT) from CIE 1931 xy coordinates

Color temperature can be approximated using just a pair of xy coordinates from CIE 1931. Use the formula below, or simply plug in the x and y values into our online calculator. When performing this conversion, we recommend also including the Duv value as well (more on this below). See our ...Read More

What is CRI? The ultimate guide to the Color Rendering Index

Color Rendering Index (CRI) is an often misunderstood metric of color quality. Yet, for any application where color appearance is important, CRI consideration is critical. We've developed the following guide to help you understand what it is and how it can help you improve your quality of light. ...Read More

Calculate Duv from CIE 1931 xy coordinates

The Duv of a color point in a chromaticity coordinate system can be used to describe its distance from the black body curve. Duv can be approximated using just a pair of xy coordinates from CIE 1931. Use the formula below, or simply plug in the x and y values into our online calculator. See ...Read More

Color matching function (X, Y, Z) values by wavelength (CSV/Excel format)

We have the color matching functions for each X, Y and Z available for download here. Click here to start the download in 1 nm increments.  ...Read More

Color accuracy in lighting: artificial and natural lighting

In our various discussions about color rendering and lighting quality, we oftentimes reference color accuracy. But what does it mean to be "accurate" and why do we care? We discuss this question in detail below.   The transition from natural to artificial lighting Ou...Read More

Calculate Illuminant D SPD and CIE 1931 xy from color temperature

Illuminant D can be calculated from color temperature using our online calculator. Simply input the CCT and you will be able to download the corresponding Illuminant D spectral power distribution and CIE 1931 xy chromaticity point. Color temperature to Illuminant D SPD and CIE 1931 xy...Read More

Calculate CIE 1931 xy coordinates from color temperature (CCT)

CIE 1931 xy coordinates can be approximated using color temperature (CCT). Simply plug in the CCT value into our online calculator. Looking to go the other way? See our CIE XY to CCT calculator. Looking to inp...Read More

Luminosity curve data (CSV/Excel format)

You can find the luminosity curve data in text format from the following link here....Read More

A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing and Installing LED Tube Lights

Replacing your fluorescent tube lights with LED retrofits can be a confusing and daunting process. We've put together this guide to demystify all of the ins and outs of replacing your fluorescent tubes with LED tube lights. Table of contents: ...Read More

Everything You Need to Know About LED Shop Lights

LED shop lights are great lighting options for lighting a small work area or workbench. Before you move forward with a purchase, read our guide to make sure you purchase the right LED shop light! 1) What is an LED shop light? LED shop lights are the new LED version of fluoresce...Read More

How Do Meanwell HLG LED Power Supplies Work?

If you're working on an LED project, you'll undoubtedly require a power supply. Meanwell HLG series products are frequently recommended as a reliable product that feature constant voltage and constant current with useful built in dimming functions. For the first time buyer, a quick look at their spec sheet an...Read More

LED Strip Light Wire Gauge & Voltage Drop Calculator

When powering LED strips, voltage drop is commonly explained by insufficient copper quality or thickness in an LED strip's PCB substrate. But, in many cases, it can ...Read More

Why High CRI is Always Less Efficient

As an industry leader in high CRI LED lighting products, one of our challenges has been explaining to our customers why high CRI LEDs lag behind their 80 CRI (or lower) counterparts in their luminous efficacy (lumens per watt). If you've read some of our other ...Read More

Top 4 Things to Consider Before Buying UV Blacklights

UV blacklights are great devices with a wide range of applications in the arts, industry, and scientific research. Unlike regular white light bulbs, UV blacklights are unique in that they primarily emit ultraviolet radiation as opposed to visible light, and as a result, there are some additional factors you will want to con...Read More

Everything You Need to Know About UV Flashlights

UV flashlights are great tools for seeing and observing things that are normally invisible. But with so many choices and technical terms, it can be a bit confusing and challenging to know if you are making the right purchase. Read our guide to be assured that you're getting the best product! ...Read More

What is the Difference Between 365 nm and 395 nm UV LED Lights?

If you're looking for some UV-A blacklights, you may come across two specifications - 365 nm or 395 nm. What does that mean, and which one is best? Read on to find out more! ...Read More

Understanding UV-A Irradiance, and Requirements for Various Applications

Ultraviolet lights are indispensable tools for various specialty applications, ranging from industrial processes such as UV-curing of inks, adhesives, dies, all the way to UV fluorescence in the arts. It can be a challenge, however, to quantify and understand the amount and direction of UV emitted by a product, and whether ...Read More

How Wildfire Smoke Affects the Daylight Spectrum - A Technical Analysis

In recent months, wildfires have ravaged the western United States, causing widespread devastation and damage. Smoke from the wildfires has affected virtually every town and city along the west coast, obscuring the sun and turning blue skies into an eerie, brownish-orange hue. As lighting experts obsessed wit...Read More

Introducing TriplePlayâ„¢ Fixture Compatibility for T8 LED Tube Lights

T8 LED tube lights continue to be the lamp type of choice for a wide range of commercial and industrial lighting applications. With such a large base of fluorescent tube light fixtures already installed in...Read More