Things about "color rendering index"

When purchasing a light source, we often see or hear the term "color rendering index/color rendering (CRI)". It is a commonly used parameter in the field of lighting technology and is used to reflect the quality of the color rendering of the light source. In layman's terms, It is said to be the degree of presentation of the natural primary color of an object.

The higher the color rendering index, the better the true restoration of the object; the lower the color rendering index, the worse the true restoration of the object.

Human eyes have different sensitivities based on innate genes and acquired environment. If they are exposed to a high color rendering environment for a long time, the perception of space will be higher. On the contrary, the ability to distinguish objects and accurately perceive the surrounding environment will be reduced.

The main impacts on home use are as follows:

1. Eyes are more prone to fatigue, which affects the progress of work and study;

2. Decreased color discrimination ability, which may lead to color blindness in severe cases;

3. Reduce lighting quality, causing the environment to be dull and boring; food color distortion during meals affects appetite.

CRI characteristics and corresponding space requirements

The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) defines color rendering as: the effect of a light source on the color appearance of an object compared with a standard reference light source. The general color rendering index is generally called Ra, and the special color rendering index symbol is Ri.

Color rendering index = the color of an object when illuminated by a certain light source ÷ the color of the object itself. Color rendering index has certain limitations

When we see colors, many people have subjective feelings, which are often related to factors such as the observer, the viewing angle, and surrounding objects. Therefore, there is no so-called "real color".

Although the color rendering index has flaws and certain limitations, in general, it is still the evaluation method used by the lighting industry to define the color rendering of light sources. Of course, it is not ruled out that there will be more accurate color quality evaluation standards in the future. The ideal color rendering index is 100

The International Commission on Illumination considers sunlight as the reference light, with a color rendering index of 100 (also the highest value of the color rendering index). Therefore, the closer the value is to 100 and the closer to the continuous spectrum natural light, the higher the true color restoration of the object.

In daily life, because the needs of various spaces and places are different, the minimum requirements for color rendering index are also different.

Index Level · General Application

Ra 90-100 Where precise color contrast is required;

Ra 80-89 Where correct judgment of color is required;

Ra 60-79 Where medium color rendering is required;

Ra 40-59 places with low color rendering requirements and small color difference;

Ra 20-39 Places where there are no specific requirements for color rendering.

Index level · Scope of application

Ra >90 Art galleries, museums, printing and other industries and places;

Ra 80-90 Households, restaurants, high-end textile crafts and similar industries;

Ra 60-80 Office, school, outdoor street lighting;

Ra 40-60 Heavy industrial factories, outdoor street lighting;

Ra 20-40 Outdoor road lighting and some places with low requirements.

Therefore, when we choose a light source for our home, it is recommended that the color rendering index be no less than 80. When used in places for work, study and reading, the color rendering index is recommended to be 90 or above, which can provide a certain eye protection and meet the needs of a better lighting ~
Yikolay's CSP light strips all use Ra 90 high color rendering index, and some customized light strips can reach Ra 95, which can highly restore the original color of objects and make the home space appear more transparent. From the home environment, children can Protect their eyesight as they grow