If you have ever shopped for an LED light bulb or purchased LED strip lights, you have probably heard terms like cool white, warm white, or natural white. These terms are also attached to a scale of numbers calledthe Kelvin Color Temperature. This color temperature scale ranges from 1,700 K to 27,000.
The Kelvin Colour Temperature Scale:
CCT is typically measured in Kelvins (K), where the color of the light changes as the Kelvin value increases:
Correlated Colour Temperature(CCT):
Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) refers to the measurement of the color appearance of light emitted by a bulb, expressed in Kelvin (K). It helps determine whether the light appears warm (yellowish) or cool (bluish), influencing the mood and functionality of a space. In traditional lighting, the color temperature of a bulb is fixed—either warm, neutral, or cool. However, with CCT technology, the fixture can shift between these color temperatures, offering users more flexibility and control over their lighting environment.
- Warm White (2,700K to 3,000K): Emits a soft, amber, or yellowish light, similar to traditional incandescent bulbs. It’s ideal for creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
- Neutral White (3,500K to 4,500K): Provides a clean, balanced light that is neither too warm nor too cool, often used in workspaces and kitchens.
- Cool White (5,000K to 6,500K): Mimics daylight with a bluish tint, creating bright, crisp illumination perfect for offices and task-oriented environments.
- Daylight (6,500K and above): A bright, white light that mimics natural sunlight, often used in settings requiring high visibility and clarity, such as warehouses and outdoor spaces.
How Does CCT Work?
CCT is achieved through the use of advanced lighting technology, most commonly LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). LEDs are highly versatile and energy-efficient, making them the perfect candidate for CCT functionality. There are two main ways in which CCT can be implemented:
Tunable White Lighting
Tunable white lighting systems allow users to adjust the color temperature of the light within a specific range (e.g., from 2,700K to 5,000K). This is typically done using a light switch or mixer that will allow different electric currents to flow in two or more LEDS with fixed temperatures. By allowing mixing the light produced by the different LEDS, any colour temperature between the LEDs can be produced.
CCT vs. CRI: A Key Distinction
It’s important not to confuse CCT with Color Rendering Index (CRI). Please refer to our article on CRI for a better understanding. While both are critical lighting specifications that use the term “color,” they measure different aspects of light:
- CCT (Correlated Color Temperature): Describes the hue or color appearance of the white light itself (e.g., warm white, neutral white, cool white). It’s about what the light looks like.
- CRI (Color Rendering Index): Measures how accurately a light source renders the colors of objects compared to a natural or ideal reference light source of the same CCT. It’s about how well the light reveals true colors. A high CRI (typically 80 or above for general use, 90+ for critical applications) indicates good color accuracy.
A light source can have a high CCT (e.g., 6500K, cool white) but a low CRI, meaning it appears blue-white but makes objects look dull or unnatural. Conversely, a light can have a low CCT (e.g., 2700K, warm white) and a high CRI, rendering warm colors beautifully.
Considerations when selecting color Temperature;
- The Kind of atmosphere you are trying to create: Do you want to invite people to an intimate setting? Welcome people to a cozy lobby? Keep your employees or students alert? Convey an energetic, clean atmosphere? Think about who your audience is and how you want them to feel when they are in your home or facility.
- The kind of colors you want highlighted in your space: This gets further into CRI(Colour Rendering Index), but the color of the light still plays a role. If you have blue, silver, or white colors in your space, you may want to consider cooler color temperatures. If you have wood tones, golds, or reds, you may want to consider warmer color temperatures.
- Where is the light going? Are you looking to place this light in a living room, hallway, kitchen, or bedroom? The lightbulb’s placement may determine what color temperature you choose.
- It’s also helpful to look around your living space and assess the tones of your furnishings and decor items. If you have cooler colors in your space, such as shades of grey, blue, green, and black, cooler lights might complement the area. With warmer earth tones, a lower color temperature will probably provide the look you want.
Below is a brief and simple guide that will help you choose the best color temperature based on your application:
- Warm White (2700K–3000K): This color scheme is perfect for furnishing spaces like dining rooms, living rooms, and bedrooms with a calm and welcoming feel.
- Neutral White (3000K–4000K): This range offers a well-balanced and cozy light that is appropriate for bathrooms, kitchens, and offices.
- Cool White (4000K–5000K): This range works well in places like kitchens, garages, and work areas where visibility and alertness are crucial.
Why Choose Color Changing Temperature Lighting?
CCT technology offers several benefits, making it an increasingly popular choice for both residential and commercial lighting installations. Here’s why it’s a game-changer;
1. Setting the Mood and Ambiance
The warmth or coolness of light greatly influences the atmosphere of a room. For instance:
- Warm white light (2000K-3000K) is perfect for creating a relaxing, inviting environment. It’s often used in living rooms, bedrooms, and restaurants to make people feel comfortable and at ease.
- Neutral white light (4000K-5000K) is best suited for spaces where focus and alertness are needed, such as offices, kitchens, and classrooms.
- Cool white light (5000K-6500K) is best suited for spaces where intense focus and alertness are needed, such as offices, workshops, and retail spaces.
2. Enhancing Productivity and Focus
Cooler light temperatures (higher CCT values) are associated with increased alertness and focus. Research shows that exposure to bright, blue-rich light can boost productivity and help maintain focus, which is why cool white (4000K-6000K) lighting is often used in offices, laboratories, and hospitals. In contrast, warmer lighting (2000K-3000K) is more conducive to relaxation and winding down.
3. Impacting Sleep and Well-being
The CCT of light also plays a crucial role in regulating our circadian rhythm. Exposure to cooler, blue light in the evening can interfere with the body’s natural production of melatonin, the hormone that helps us sleep. On the other hand, warmer lighting in the evening can help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for rest.
This is particularly important when choosing lighting for spaces like bedrooms and living rooms. Warmer light helps in creating a calming environment, whereas cooler light should be used in areas where activity and focus are more important, such as offices or kitchens.
4. Color Accuracy and Aesthetic Appeal
CCT also affects how colors appear under artificial light. For example:
- Under warm light, red and yellow tones tend to appear more vivid, while blues and greens may look duller.
- Under cool light, colors like blue and green appear more saturated and vibrant. This is why cooler temperatures are often used in commercial settings like retail stores to enhance product colors and make items appear more appealing.
5. Versatility with Color Changing Technology
Modern lighting technology has introduced the concept of color-changing temperature lights, allowing users to adjust the light’s CCT depending on the time of day or the intended use of the space. With CCT adjustable lights, you can seamlessly shift between warm and cool lighting to match
Need more information?
If you have LED fixtures to install, a lighting project you’re working on, or questions about lighting in general, we’d love to help. Give us a call on +254 756 44 55 66, email us using contact@lighting.co.ke or use our contact form to start on your incredible journey to a stellar lighting system. We typically respond within 24 hours. We have wholesale prices and accounts for resellers available on request.
