Lighting 101 - In efforts to help clear up the whole nnnnK lighting 'beliefs'
10-25-2005, 05:08 PM
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Lighting 101 - In efforts to help clear up the whole nnnnK lighting 'beliefs'
Well, this may not be the correct forum area for this, but it was as close to 'related' as I could find..
After reading alot of current and archived threads concerning lighting, the Kelvin and Lumen 'theories' alot of people seem to have, I did some more research to try and find the real dealio about lighting.. I found a ton of good information on Sylvania's website, and thought I'd share with everyone here. I found it to be very informative.. Sorry, no cliff notes.. If you think this is too long to read, hit the BACK key..
Again, this is from Sylvania's website:
Auto Lighting Technologies:
Incandescent
A lamp in which the light is produced by a filament heated by an electric current. To be incandescent the filament temperature needs to be above 850K (<2600K). [K = Degrees Kelvin which is a teperature scale having an absolute zero terperature. Compared to Celsius, K = °C + 273 or 0°C is equal to 237K.] Kelvin is commonly used for filament temperatures to describe the color temperature of the light. The light source needs to radiate sufficient power in the visible region of the spectrum (380-760 nanometers) to be seen by its own radiation. The pressure of an incandescent bulb is less than one atmosphere (ATM). Incandescent lamps, in general, cost less than most other types of lamps and are extremely versatile. Applications: Signal lighting, such as brake lights, turn signals and parking lights.
Halogen
Halogen bulbs are brighter and have a longer life than incandescent lights. A halogen bulb is filled with inert gases at high pressure, which slows the evaporation of the filament, increasing the bulb’s life. In addition, trace amounts of halogen gases are added to keep the lamp clean.
Applications: forward lighting, such as headlights and fog lights.
HID
High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs produce a very white light that is brighter than standard halogen bulbs. HID bulbs do not have a filament and produce light directly from an arc discharge under high pressure.
Applications: forward lighting, such as headlights and fog lights.
LED
Light Emitting Diode (LED) modules use semiconductors to release electrical energy in the form of light. LEDs are generally smaller and longer lasting than other lighting technologies.
Applications: Interior lighting and signal lighting, such as brake lights, turn signals and parking lights.
Whiteness & Brightness
Whiteness
Whiteness, associated with color temperature, is the color appearance of a light, measured in degrees Kelvin (K). Natural daylight at noon has a color temperature of 4870K. High performance halogen lighting, such as SYLVANIA SilverStar, has a color temperature of approximately 4000K, comparable to high intensity discharge (HID), which is 4100K.
In contrast, standard halogen headlights are only about 3200K and have a more yellow appearance. The two ends to the specific spectrum are yellow and blue, the higher the color temperature, the closer to blue. This is why lights that are high in color, such as HID and SilverStar, are percieved as blue, they are actually just less yellow.
Below you will see the whole spectrum including white for headlights, amber, reb, blue and green. A vehicles signal, a road construction blinker, the yellow (amber) of stop lights are amber. Red is for brake lights, the red in stop lights and emergency vehicle lighting such as police, fire and ambulances. Blue is reserved for police and emergency vehicles. Green is mainly for traffic lights.
Brightness
Brightness, associated with luminance, is the amount of light reflected in a particular direction. High performance halogen headlights, such as SYLVANIA SilverStar® and XtraVision®, have greater luminance than standard halogen headlights and direct more light on the road.
Luminance is different from lumen (the basic measure of light output). The definition of luminance is the amount of visible light on a point on a surface in a given direction or increased light in the most important spots on the road while driving. Higher Luminance is achieved through increased control of the filament and, overall, control of the light coming off of the filament. Light output (lumens) isn't increased but the light is made more useful.
Glare
Glare is an interference with visual perception caused by an uncomfortably bright light source
or reflection; a form of visual noise.
There is a difference between Discomfort Glare and Disability Glare. Discomfort Glare causes discomfort, annoyance, fatigue and pain. Disability glare produces a reduction in the visibility distance of low-contrast objects.
There are many different sources of glare on American roads. Misaimed headlamps, high-mounted headlamps, illegal out-of-spec (high wattage) bulbs, improper use of high beam and auxiliary forward lighting, weather conditions and non-compliant HID retrofits are believed to be significant contributors to the problem.
Recent lighting research indicates that headlamp aiming may be a much greater glare factor than HID, auxiliary lights and even higher headlamp mounting. According to the AAA Foundation’s report, Countermeasures for Reducing the Effects of Headlight Glare (2002), as many as 50 percent of all headlamps on the road, or 110 million vehicles, may be misaimed. Shock, vibration and wear and tear are the greatest contributors to headlamp misalignment.
Halogen Low Beam Plot
Example of a halogen low beam plot viewed from the driver's seatshowing light with a center hotspot and the way light spreads out around it. The line directly above the blue hot spot (0.0 on the y-axis) is the horizon and is the base line for measuring light and glare in oncoming traffic's field of vision. Lights are designed to have a certain amount of the output above this line for reflection off of street signs and other objects. Having too much above this is disctracting to other drivers (potentially caused when incorrect or high wattage bulbs are used).
Halogen Low-Beam Pattern
Example of a halogen low beam on-road beam pattern viewed from above. This shows how headlights and reflectors are designed to spread light across the road but mainly down the right side to detect objects like pedestrians. High Performance lights like SilverStar and XtraVision are designed to enhance the blue section in the image below. This enhancement is greater luminance for XtraVision or whiter light and greater luminance for SilverStar. This improves visibility by allowing drivers to see objects downroad and in the peripheral vision sooner.
International Laws and Regulations The Difference Between US, Canadian and European Regulations
What's Makes lighting Legal?
For all lighting equipment required on new motor vehicles and replacements for that equipment, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment" applies. US safety standards are public law and apply to all parties associated with the manufacturing, importing, distributing, selling, installing, or repairing motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment. These parties must self-certify that all regulated vehicle and equipment comply with the applicable regulations prior to sale, and also must not interfere with regulated equipment installed in any manner that impairs the regulated equipment. The U.S. government does not approve any motor vehicle equipment, nor does it give type approvals, or compel testing.
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/retrieve.html
Title "49", part "571", section "108"
OR
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara....html
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/...SN108
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS
(Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 571)
http://www.ansi.org/
ANSI is a private, non-profit organization (501(c)3) that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. The Institute's mission is to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity.
http://www.unece.org/
UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE
Light Source Regulations: Reg.37 (filament lamps) and Reg.99 (HID)
Luminaire Regulations: Reg. 1,4,6,7,19,23,38,48,77,87,98,112,113…
Installation of Lighting and Light Signaling Devices”: Reg. 48
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety...e.htm
Canadian Motor Vehicles Safety Standards CMVSS 108
State Policies
Resource - AAA Digest of Motor Vehicle laws
http://www.aaamidatlantic.com/automotive/MotorLaws/
AAA Motor vehicle laws - Lighting falls under other traffic laws or safety laws.
Universities Researching Lighting and/ or Other Automotive Related Topics
http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Lighting Research Center
http://www.umtri.umich.edu/
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
What is The legal color range for forward lighting and why - Define the color range and benefits of being in one area
Why are people only allowed certain colors for signal lighting
Misapplied lighting and its affects
Modified by Qwik_XR at 11:32 AM 10/26/2005
After reading alot of current and archived threads concerning lighting, the Kelvin and Lumen 'theories' alot of people seem to have, I did some more research to try and find the real dealio about lighting.. I found a ton of good information on Sylvania's website, and thought I'd share with everyone here. I found it to be very informative.. Sorry, no cliff notes.. If you think this is too long to read, hit the BACK key..
Again, this is from Sylvania's website:
Auto Lighting Technologies:
Incandescent
A lamp in which the light is produced by a filament heated by an electric current. To be incandescent the filament temperature needs to be above 850K (<2600K). [K = Degrees Kelvin which is a teperature scale having an absolute zero terperature. Compared to Celsius, K = °C + 273 or 0°C is equal to 237K.] Kelvin is commonly used for filament temperatures to describe the color temperature of the light. The light source needs to radiate sufficient power in the visible region of the spectrum (380-760 nanometers) to be seen by its own radiation. The pressure of an incandescent bulb is less than one atmosphere (ATM). Incandescent lamps, in general, cost less than most other types of lamps and are extremely versatile. Applications: Signal lighting, such as brake lights, turn signals and parking lights.
Halogen
Halogen bulbs are brighter and have a longer life than incandescent lights. A halogen bulb is filled with inert gases at high pressure, which slows the evaporation of the filament, increasing the bulb’s life. In addition, trace amounts of halogen gases are added to keep the lamp clean.
Applications: forward lighting, such as headlights and fog lights.
HID
High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs produce a very white light that is brighter than standard halogen bulbs. HID bulbs do not have a filament and produce light directly from an arc discharge under high pressure.
Applications: forward lighting, such as headlights and fog lights.
LED
Light Emitting Diode (LED) modules use semiconductors to release electrical energy in the form of light. LEDs are generally smaller and longer lasting than other lighting technologies.
Applications: Interior lighting and signal lighting, such as brake lights, turn signals and parking lights.
Whiteness & Brightness
Whiteness
Whiteness, associated with color temperature, is the color appearance of a light, measured in degrees Kelvin (K). Natural daylight at noon has a color temperature of 4870K. High performance halogen lighting, such as SYLVANIA SilverStar, has a color temperature of approximately 4000K, comparable to high intensity discharge (HID), which is 4100K.
In contrast, standard halogen headlights are only about 3200K and have a more yellow appearance. The two ends to the specific spectrum are yellow and blue, the higher the color temperature, the closer to blue. This is why lights that are high in color, such as HID and SilverStar, are percieved as blue, they are actually just less yellow.
Below you will see the whole spectrum including white for headlights, amber, reb, blue and green. A vehicles signal, a road construction blinker, the yellow (amber) of stop lights are amber. Red is for brake lights, the red in stop lights and emergency vehicle lighting such as police, fire and ambulances. Blue is reserved for police and emergency vehicles. Green is mainly for traffic lights.
Brightness
Brightness, associated with luminance, is the amount of light reflected in a particular direction. High performance halogen headlights, such as SYLVANIA SilverStar® and XtraVision®, have greater luminance than standard halogen headlights and direct more light on the road.
Luminance is different from lumen (the basic measure of light output). The definition of luminance is the amount of visible light on a point on a surface in a given direction or increased light in the most important spots on the road while driving. Higher Luminance is achieved through increased control of the filament and, overall, control of the light coming off of the filament. Light output (lumens) isn't increased but the light is made more useful.
Glare
Glare is an interference with visual perception caused by an uncomfortably bright light source
or reflection; a form of visual noise.
There is a difference between Discomfort Glare and Disability Glare. Discomfort Glare causes discomfort, annoyance, fatigue and pain. Disability glare produces a reduction in the visibility distance of low-contrast objects.
There are many different sources of glare on American roads. Misaimed headlamps, high-mounted headlamps, illegal out-of-spec (high wattage) bulbs, improper use of high beam and auxiliary forward lighting, weather conditions and non-compliant HID retrofits are believed to be significant contributors to the problem.
Recent lighting research indicates that headlamp aiming may be a much greater glare factor than HID, auxiliary lights and even higher headlamp mounting. According to the AAA Foundation’s report, Countermeasures for Reducing the Effects of Headlight Glare (2002), as many as 50 percent of all headlamps on the road, or 110 million vehicles, may be misaimed. Shock, vibration and wear and tear are the greatest contributors to headlamp misalignment.
Halogen Low Beam Plot
Example of a halogen low beam plot viewed from the driver's seatshowing light with a center hotspot and the way light spreads out around it. The line directly above the blue hot spot (0.0 on the y-axis) is the horizon and is the base line for measuring light and glare in oncoming traffic's field of vision. Lights are designed to have a certain amount of the output above this line for reflection off of street signs and other objects. Having too much above this is disctracting to other drivers (potentially caused when incorrect or high wattage bulbs are used).
Halogen Low-Beam Pattern
Example of a halogen low beam on-road beam pattern viewed from above. This shows how headlights and reflectors are designed to spread light across the road but mainly down the right side to detect objects like pedestrians. High Performance lights like SilverStar and XtraVision are designed to enhance the blue section in the image below. This enhancement is greater luminance for XtraVision or whiter light and greater luminance for SilverStar. This improves visibility by allowing drivers to see objects downroad and in the peripheral vision sooner.
International Laws and Regulations The Difference Between US, Canadian and European Regulations
What's Makes lighting Legal?
For all lighting equipment required on new motor vehicles and replacements for that equipment, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment" applies. US safety standards are public law and apply to all parties associated with the manufacturing, importing, distributing, selling, installing, or repairing motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment. These parties must self-certify that all regulated vehicle and equipment comply with the applicable regulations prior to sale, and also must not interfere with regulated equipment installed in any manner that impairs the regulated equipment. The U.S. government does not approve any motor vehicle equipment, nor does it give type approvals, or compel testing.
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/retrieve.html
Title "49", part "571", section "108"
OR
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara....html
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/...SN108
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS
(Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 571)
http://www.ansi.org/
ANSI is a private, non-profit organization (501(c)3) that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. The Institute's mission is to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity.
http://www.unece.org/
UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE
Light Source Regulations: Reg.37 (filament lamps) and Reg.99 (HID)
Luminaire Regulations: Reg. 1,4,6,7,19,23,38,48,77,87,98,112,113…
Installation of Lighting and Light Signaling Devices”: Reg. 48
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety...e.htm
Canadian Motor Vehicles Safety Standards CMVSS 108
State Policies
Resource - AAA Digest of Motor Vehicle laws
http://www.aaamidatlantic.com/automotive/MotorLaws/
AAA Motor vehicle laws - Lighting falls under other traffic laws or safety laws.
Universities Researching Lighting and/ or Other Automotive Related Topics
http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Lighting Research Center
http://www.umtri.umich.edu/
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
What is The legal color range for forward lighting and why - Define the color range and benefits of being in one area
Why are people only allowed certain colors for signal lighting
Misapplied lighting and its affects
Modified by Qwik_XR at 11:32 AM 10/26/2005
10-25-2005, 05:11 PM
#2
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Lighting 101 - In efforts to help clear up the whole nnnnK lighting 'beliefs' (Qwik_XR)
Wow your Avatar is that real? Great write-up mang very very Informational 
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10-26-2005, 02:31 AM
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Re: (NrG)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NrG »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">this is a honda forum. not a automotive lighting forum. the correct web site is hidplanet.com</TD></TR></TABLE>
You don't friggin say...
So every post on this site is directly honda related? Is that what you are telling me? 
If so, then I'd beg to differ.
Well, beings that this is an APPEARANCE/COSMETIC section on the Honda forum, and lighting upgrades and such that we HONDA owners do (some, like myself, do for actual function, but alot do for cosmetic reasons), I thought it was fitting.. I know about the hidplanet site, thought it would be of interest to those that don't spend their entire day online, and on a bunch of different sites/forums, but tend to stay to one or two.. Information is education, regardless where it is posted, don't you think?
Lastly, the forum index lists this forum section as "Appearance / Cosmetic -
Appearance related discussion. Off topic and non-technical appearance questions will be moved here."
Thank you for your input, though. BTW, this isn't a defensive post, just informative, and my personal 'take' on what the forum is listed as, and what you say it is.
Warm regards,
You don't friggin say...
So every post on this site is directly honda related? Is that what you are telling me? If so, then I'd beg to differ.Well, beings that this is an APPEARANCE/COSMETIC section on the Honda forum, and lighting upgrades and such that we HONDA owners do (some, like myself, do for actual function, but alot do for cosmetic reasons), I thought it was fitting.. I know about the hidplanet site, thought it would be of interest to those that don't spend their entire day online, and on a bunch of different sites/forums, but tend to stay to one or two.. Information is education, regardless where it is posted, don't you think?
Lastly, the forum index lists this forum section as "Appearance / Cosmetic -
Appearance related discussion. Off topic and non-technical appearance questions will be moved here."
Thank you for your input, though. BTW, this isn't a defensive post, just informative, and my personal 'take' on what the forum is listed as, and what you say it is.
Warm regards,
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