Lumen
- Updated:
- By: Kevin van Mierlo
Contents
Definition
Lumen (lm) is the unit for the total amount of visible light emitted by a light source. The abbreviation lm stands for lumen. The higher the number lumen, the more light a light produces. However, the number lumen alone does not tell the whole story about usable light output: the beam pattern, lens optics and light distribution also determine how much benefit you actually derive from it in practice. Below, you can read exactly what lumen mean and what you should look out for when choosing vehicle lighting.
Video explanation: What is Lumen?
Watch the short video Below for an explanation of lumen and why it is important in lighting. Prefer reading? Scroll further down for all the details.
The video is Dutch spoken, with subtitles available in German, English, French and Italian.
What does the amount of lumens mean?
Lumen measures the total amount of light emitted by a particular light source in all directions. It enables you to evaluate the brightness of a light and compare it with other light sources. A higher lumen rating indicates brighter lighting, whilst fewer lumen indicate dimmer lighting. Understanding the lumen output helps you ensure that the lighting meets the requirements of your application. If you want to know how much light falls on a surface, you look at the number of lux.
Visibility and safety: a higher lumen output means the light produces more light. This is particularly important in dark or poorly lit conditions. That is why a driving light usually has a high lumen output.
Which lighting has a high lumen output?
Are you looking for lighting with high light output? Then it is good to know that different types of lights utilise their lumen in their own way. Some focus the light far ahead, whilst others spread it widely. Below, you can read how this works for the three types of work lights with the highest light output.
Driving light: high lumen output, long range
A driving light concentrates its lumen into a focused light beam that reaches far ahead. At TRALERT®, you will find powerful driving lights with a light output of over 15,000 lumen, ideal for maximum visibility and range on truck, 4x4s or tractors.
LED bar: high lumen output, wide light image
An LED bar distributes its lumen evenly across a wide flat area, thereby illuminating a large area uniformly. The most powerful models achieve a light output of up to around 30,000 lumen, making them suitable for wide visibility in off-road, agricultural work and heavy transport.
Work light: clear light all round the vehicle
A work light provides clear, wide illumination in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. With a light output of up to around 5,600 lumen and an even light image, you can work comfortably and without glare when loading, unloading and working in the dark.
What is the best way to pay attention?
When purchasing lighting, it is wise to look at more than just the number lumen. Units such as wattage, Volts and amps also provide valuable insights into a light. It is important not to focus on a single term, but to weigh up all factors together. A light with high lumen but poor lens optics produces a bright spot in the centre with dark edges, whilst a well-designed light distributes that same light effectively across the road or worksite.
Our technical team is on hand to advise you on choosing the most suitable lighting for your situation. Please feel free to contact us for tailored advice.
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Author
Kevin van Mierlo
Lighting expert at TRALERT® - Kevin tests lighting and finds out everything about legislation. He can tell you all about it.
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