Measuring full spectrum light quality

Full spectrum light is color-corrected light that operates in the range of 400 to 800 nanometers. This light will simulate the optical brilliance of outdoor light at noontime. It can be measured by two numbers, CRI (Color Rendering Index) and Colour Temperature (degrees Kelvin).

The secret to true color light and optically balanced light is how close it replicates the optics of natural light. Both CRI and degrees Kelvin are important for accurate full spectrum reproduction.

Colour-Rendering Index (CRI) refers to colour rendition, specifically, how the colour of an object appears under the light source illumination as compared to natural sunlight. Color rendering is important for visual clarity.  Research has shown that visual clarity that enhanced by 40% under full spectrum light as compared to artificial cool white light sources.

Colour Temperature measures the visual “whiteness” of the light in degrees Kelvin (ºK). The colour temperature of natural light varies depending on the time of day, weather, season and latitude.

Noon daylight has a CRI of 100 and a Colour Temperature of between 5500 and 6800 degrees Kelvin.

The LifeBulb is CRI 91 – a strong rating that provides true colour rendition. Standard fluorescent tubes are near CRI 60 and standard incandescent bulbs are CRI 40.

The LifeBulb is 5,500 °K – providing a natural, balanced tone replicating noon daylight. 

Standard fluorescent lighting also operates at

60 Hertz and “flickers” (goes on and off)

120 times per second, just above visual range,

creating stress in your nervous system.  The

LifeBulb operates at 20,000 Hertz, virtually

eliminating this problem.

Some manufacturers make bulbs they call

“broad spectrum”, “natural spectrum” or “daylight”

bulbs, but these have low colour temperatures

and CRI.  Often a manufacturer will not state their

light quality measurements.  These bulbs cannot

produce real full spectrum light.  If a light source does not have a CRI of 85 or higher and Colour Temperature of at least 5000 degrees Kelvin – it is not full spectrum.

“Energy saving” compact fluorescent bulbs sold in retail stores are simply standard fluorescent tubes, with all the health drawbacks.  They are not comparable to full spectrum bulbs.

Economical and environmentally friendly

The Lifebulb uses 75% less electricity and

lasts 10 times longer (10,000 hours) than

standard light bulbs.

Because the LifeBulb uses a much lower

wattage to produce the same brightness as

standard light bulbs, the LifeBulb produces

much less heat during operation.