GUIDE > light panel basics

LED Light Panels for Commercial Applications: A Quick Overview

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction

2. Energy Efficiency

3. Quality of Light

4. UGR - Unified Glare Rating

5. Standard Light Panel Sizes

6. Standard Light Temperatures

7. Dimmable LED Panels

8. Cost Savings with Dimming and Sensors

1. Introduction to Commercial Grade LED Panels:

LED light panels have made a big impact in the commercial lighting market in recent years. Their energy efficiency, quality of light, and long lifespan make them a popular choice for businesses looking to upgrade their lighting systems. In this article, we will explore the benefits of LED light panels for commercial applications, including energy efficiency, quality of light, standard light panel sizes, standard light temperatures, and dimmable LED panels.

2. Energy Efficiency:

LED light panels consume less energy compared to traditional lighting solutions, resulting in lower energy bills and a reduction in carbon emissions. They are measured in lumens per watt (lm/W), and it is recommended to choose LED panels with high lm/W ratings to ensure the best energy efficiency.
A good benchmark is 100lumens/watt (min.)

3.Quality of Light:
Quality LED panels provide bright, uniform light that is ideal for a range of commercial applications, including office spaces, retail environments, and interior spaces. The quality of light is measured using the unified glare rating (UGR), and it is important to choose LED panels with a low UGR rating to ensure the light produced by the panels is visually appealing and does not cause discomfort.

4. What is: UGR - Unified Glare Rating:
The UGR method, also known as the Unified Glare Rating, is a widely recogniced international index for assessing and limiting psychological glare in the workplace. This method was presented by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) in their publication 117. Unlike previous methods that evaluated glare using luminance values of individual luminaires, the UGR method calculates the glare of the entire lighting installation at a defined observer position. To determine the UGR reference value for a standard room, DIN EN 12464 is followed. With modern lighting design software, it is possible to calculate the exact UGR value at a defined observer position in a room. The lower the UGR value, the lower the glare. In cases where luminance is less than 1000 cd/m2, additional data is provided on the elevation angle, typically set at 65°, 75°, or 85°, which is the critical angle above which the luminaire has an all-round luminance of 1000 cd/m2

Guides like this from Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) on building lighting also going into detail - LG7 lighting guide #7 for offices.

When selecting LED panels for certain lighting applications, it can be crucial to consider the UGR rating. A high UGR rating can lead to visual discomfort, eyestrain, and headaches, particularly when individuals spend extended periods under artificial lighting. While a fast food shop may prioritise quick customer turnover, it's still important sometimes to select LED panels with an appropriate UGR rating to prevent these negative effects. Therefore, for any space where people spend significant time, such as offices, science labs, and factories, choosing LED panels with a low UGR rating is an essential consideration for creating a comfortable and productive environment.

It should be noted that achieving a low glare rating is not just down to the led panels or light fixtures as other factors can come into play - like external or natural lighting coming into the room. What you can understand is if the light panels are not <UGR 19 then its very very unlikely you can achieve a low unified glare rating design for the room - without putting in extra measures to 'baffle' the light of-axis to the worker or viewer.

The ideal UGR rating for office lighting is generally considered to be below 19 or "<19", although ratings up to 20-30 may also be acceptable depending on the specific application. A low UGR rating ensures that the light produced by the panels is uniform and does not cause visual discomfort, which is particularly important in environments where people are exposed to the light for extended periods. A low UGR rating also ensures that the light produced by the panels is visually appealing or "less glare", helping to improve employee satisfaction and productivity in offices and create a comfortable and attractive shopping experience for customers in retail environments. In factories and science labs, a low UGR rating is also crucial to ensure a safe and productive working environment.

Formula for UGR (LaTex)
UGR = 8 \log\left[0.25\sum_{i=1}^{n}\frac{L_i \omega_i}{L_b}\right]

or standard:

UGR = 8log [0.25Σ(Liωi)/(Lb)]

Where:

• UGR is the Unified Glare Rating

• Σ represents the sum of all luminaires in the field of view

• Li represents the luminance of the ith luminaire

• ωi represents the solid angle of the ith luminaire as seen from the observer's position

• Lb represents the background luminance.
  

5. Standard Light Panel Sizes:
LED light panels are available in a range of sizes to suit different commercial applications. The most common standard light panel sizes are:

600x600mm, followed by 1200x600mm and 1200x300mm.

Other sizes are also available like 300x300 or custom sized.

6. Standard Light Temperatures:
LED light panels are available in a range of standard light temperatures, measured in Kelvin (K). The most common light temperatures are:

3000Kelvin

4000Kelvin

5000Kelvin

6500Kelvin

Tunable white led panels and RGB colour-changing panels are also becoming increasingly popular for certain applications.

7. Dimmable LED Panels:
Implementing dimming in LED light panels offers further cost savings and improved lighting control. LED panels can be dimmed using Triac or 0-10V dimming systems, which are cost-effective starting options. However, digital systems such as DALI, Casambi, and other mesh networks offer better solutions for more advanced lighting control.

Here we've written a bit more detail about dimming led panels lights and the common dimming options explained.

Cost Savings with Dimming and Sensors: Incorporating dimming and sensor technology into LED lighting systems can result in significant cost savings. By using dimming to control the amount of light produced by the panels, businesses can reduce energy consumption. Sensors can also be used to detect occupancy and adjust the lighting levels accordingly, further reducing energy consumption and costs.

COMMERCIAL PANEL LIGHTING SPECIALISTS

Best LED Panels offer the latest LED panel lights and light control products, we bring quality products and light control expertise to all types of commercial lighting applications.

• Offices

• Shops

• Training facilities

• Factories

• Hotels and hospitality spaces.

You can get energy efficient lighting products and our skilled product experts are here to advise. You can send us an enquiry here

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