Light plays a decisive role in the design and presentation of rooms. It does not only influence the visual task, but also has an impact on human well-being. It is impossible to imagine modern lighting design without LED strips. The light strips give a unique touch to rooms and architecture and allow maximum flexibility in choosing the right light and form factor. As we all know, one of the most important basic lighting parameters of LED strips is the luminous flux, which in the best case is expressed in luminous flux per meter. In our article you will get a selection guide to find the right luminous flux and thus the right product for your application.

            

The significance of luminous flux

Luminous flux indicates how much light is emitted by a light source in all directions. It is measured in lumens [lm]. To put this in perspective, a 100W incandescent lamp emits about 1,521 lm. With LED strips, however, another unit of measurement is added to the luminous flux: the length in meters. This additional limitation makes sense for LED strips, since the products are divisible in length. So that LED strips can be easily compared with each other, the definition luminous flux per meter [lm/m] is used for professional products. This means how much light an LED strip emits per running meter.

When selecting the luminous flux, various factors must be taken into account, including the visual tasks, the desired atmosphere and also the characteristics of the room:

                    

The visual task

What activities will be performed under the light? Consider whether you need a lot of light or just a little light for these activities. Examples of visual tasks that require a lot of light are reading and office work.

   

Luminous flux	Type of lighting	Level of visual task	Example applications
200-500 lm/m	Orientation lighting	Low	Integrated lighting in stairs, steps, furniture or background lighting
800-1300 lm/m	Basic lighting	Medium	Indirect lighting of living spaces
>1500 lm/m	General lighting	High	Offices, stores, trade fairs, hotels

   

The desired atmosphere

Warm, glare-free, dimmed light creates a cozy and relaxing atmosphere, while cool, bright light tends to be modern and activating. Make sure that the selected luminous flux with the appropriate light color matches the desired atmosphere of your room. At the same time, avoid direct glare from light sources.

    

Characteristics of the room

The size, especially the height, of the room plays an important role in choosing the right luminous flux. Especially in very high rooms, the luminous flux must be higher to achieve the desired effect. In smaller rooms, too much luminous flux can look unnatural. A balanced ratio is the key – depending on the desired atmosphere and visual task. Avoid too much deviation in brightness and instead create uniform illumination so your room doesn't have areas that are too dark or too bright.

Two different example applications show what we mean:

1. Shopping center CentrO Oberhausen: High intensity for general lighting is required for the shopping center, yet architectural features are still to be highlighted. The bright, indirect lighting favors the special architecture with high ceilings and large areas and creates a feel-good atmosphere. LED Strips with high luminous fluxes meet the requirements in this case.
   
   
    
2. Bar lighting: To create a cozy atmosphere full of spirit, a bar uses low basic lighting and decorative lighting for accentuation and product presentation. The size of the room is less critical, as the focus is less on illumination and more on accent lighting. Colored, dynamic light can also be used here. 
   
   
    

   

You want to know more about dynamic light and dimmability of LED Strips? Info on this will follow in our article in the next few weeks.

Our high-quality LED Strips allow you to customize the lighting according to your needs and wishes, finding a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics. To help you choose the optimal features of your LED Strips, our team will always be at your disposal. Simply contact us via the contact form.

Would you like to see our products in use? Then feel free to visit our booth at Light + Building 2024 in Frankfurt! Please, find more info here.

           

        

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