www.rs-online.com Open in urlscan Pro
23.41.181.248  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

GET /designspark/search

<form action="/designspark/search" method="get" class="expanding-search header-search js-search-form">
  <input type="search" required="" id="expanding-search" class="header-search__input expanding-search__input js-search-field " placeholder="Search…" name="q" value="">
  <label class="header-search__label  expanding-search__label js-search-label" for="expanding-search"><span>Search</span></label>
  <button type="reset" title="Clear search form" class="header-search__reset expanding-search__reset"></button>
</form>

GET /designspark/search

<form action="/designspark/search" method="get" class="full-width-search header-search js-search-form">
  <input type="search" required="" id="full-width-search" class="header-search__input full-width-search__input js-search-field " placeholder="Search…" name="q" value="">
  <label class="header-search__label  full-width-search__label js-search-label" for="full-width-search"><span>Search</span></label>
  <button type="reset" title="Clear search form" class="header-search__reset full-width-search__reset"></button>
</form>

Text Content

Hey! You seem to be in Germany, would you like to use our Deutsch site?
Switch to Deutsch site Stay on English site
Skip to main content
Search
shopping_basket Basket 0 account_circle Log in

Menu
Search
 * Subscriptions
   Back
    * All Subscriptions
    * Subscriptions
      * DesignSpark Subscriptions
      * Compare our plans
    * Subscription Management
      * Subscription Account
    * Subscription Support
      * Subscription FAQs
    * Quotes

 * Software
   Back
    * All Software
    * PCB Software
      * DesignSpark PCB Software Overview
      * How to Download DesignSpark PCB
      * Learn DesignSpark PCB
      * DesignSpark PCB Support FAQs
      * DesignSpark PCB Forum
      * DesignSpark PCB Articles
    * Mechanical Software
      * DesignSpark Mechanical Software Overview
      * How to Download DesignSpark Mechanical
      * Learn DesignSpark Mechanical
      * DesignSpark Mechanical Support FAQs
      * DesignSpark Mechanical Forum
      * DesignSpark Mechanical Articles
    * Circuit Simulator
      * DesignSpark Circuit Simulator Overview
      * Learn DesignSpark Circuit Simulator
      * DesignSpark Circuit Simulator Support FAQs
      * DesignSpark Circuit Simulator Forum
      * DesignSpark Circuit Simulator Articles
    * Software Store
      * RS Software Store
      * SOLIDWORKS Electrical
      * DraftSight 2D CAD

 * Community
   Back
    * All Community
    * Contribute Content
      * Login to Contribute Content
    * Community Content
      * All Technologies
      * Create + Engineer Magazine
      * Student Content
      * Also in the News
    * Forums
      * Software Forums
      * Community Forums
      * Activist Engineering Forums
      * OKDO Rock Forums
    * News & Events
      * News
      * Events
      * New Products
      * Competitions
      * Podcasts

 * Sustainable Engineering
   Back
    * All Sustainable Engineering
    * Activist Engineering
      * Our Vision
      * Sustainability Roundtable
      * Engineering for a better world
    * Air Quality Project
      * Interactive Air Quality Map Part 2
      * Mindful Droid Part 2
      * Good Air Canary
      * Breathe Better Bear
      * Smart Glacier

 * Skills & Learning
   Back
    * All Skills & Learning
    * Learning
      * Learn DesignSpark PCB
      * Learn DesignSpark Mechanical
      * Learn DesignSpark Circuit Simulator
      * Grass Roots Education
    * Career Opportunities

 * Services & Resources
   Back
    * All Services & Resources
    * Product Data Resources
      * Product Design Centre
    * Electronics Design Resources
      * SnapMagic Parts Finder
      * Samacsys Part Finder
      * Ultra Librarian Parts Finder
      * Reference Designs
    * Mechanical Design Resources
      * Traceparts 3D Parts Library
    * Services
      * 3D Printing Services
      * PCB Services
      * Design Services

 * Support Centre
   Back
    * All Support Centre
    * Subscription Support
      * Subscription Management
      * DesignSpark Explorer FAQs
      * DesignSpark Creator FAQs
      * DesignSpark Engineer FAQs
    * Software Support
      * DesignSpark PCB FAQs
      * DesignSpark Mechanical FAQs
      * DesignSpark Circuit Simulator Support FAQs
    * Software Forums
      * DesignSpark PCB Forum
      * DesignSpark Mechanical Forum
      * DesignSpark Circuit Simulator Forum
      * DesignSpark Electrical Forum
    * Website Support
      * Website FAQs

 * Home
 * Community
 * Community Content
 * All Technologies
 * LED Lighting
 * What is CRI (Colour Rendering Index)?


WHAT IS CRI (COLOUR RENDERING INDEX)?

star_borderFollow article
ILS 11 Jan 2024
0star_border 0question_answer 0thumb_up


YOUR NEXT ARTICLE


WHAT ARE LUMENS AND WHY DO WE USE THEM TO MEASURE LED LIGHTS?

By ILS
Dave from DesignSpark


HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS ARTICLE? HELP US TO PROVIDE BETTER CONTENT FOR YOU.

Dave from DesignSpark


THANK YOU! YOUR FEEDBACK HAS BEEN RECEIVED.

Dave from DesignSpark


THERE WAS A PROBLEM SUBMITTING YOUR FEEDBACK, PLEASE TRY AGAIN LATER.

Colour rendering index (CRI) is one method of measuring the distinctive
attributes of a light source. It has been around since 1937 and is often
misunderstood as a metric of light colour output quality. When really it is an
indicator of how well an artificial typically white light source accurately
renders and reproduces the colours of illuminated objects, in comparison to
natural sunlight. A white LED (Light Emitting Diodes) source with a high CRI
rating will render accurate and vibrant colour tones across the full spectrum.  




HOW CRI IS MEASURED 

Measured from 0-100, CRI is a convenient and easy metric to interpret as it is
represented in one number. A perfect rating of 100 would mean that when under an
artificial light source, an object’s colour would still appear the same as it
would if under natural sunlight. Typically, any rating between 0 and 70 would be
considered as poor. Whilst any ratings above 90 are considered particularly good
for colour rendering.  

Defining and testing for LED light source CRI rating is a more complicated
process which involves specialised machinery to test the light source on
multiple colour swatches (termed R1 through to R15).


HOW CRI IS PERCEIVED 

CRI cannot be perceived by simply looking at the light source alone. The quality
of the CRI will only become evident when the light is viewed illuminating
various objects and colours.  

Although natural light appears white to the human eye, multiple colours are
contained within it. The light received from the sun consists of a full spectrum
of wavelengths. 

When viewing an object, the colour perceived is determined by the colours of
light that it reflects from the source illuminating it. So, when using
artificial lighting it is important to understand how the content of the light
can affect how colours subsequently are seen. Under white LED light sources, the
reproduced colour of an object may appear quite similar, or quite different.
Such light sources attempt to replicate the spectrum of natural daylight so that
objects appear as they do under natural daylight. It is this similarity that CRI
defines. 

 

 


WHAT APPLICATIONS REQUIRE A GOOD CRI RATING? 

The lighting application in question will determine how important CRI is. For
many indoor lighting applications, a CRI of around 80 will be acceptable.
Whereas other applications which are more dependent on light quality and colour
will require a higher CRI. For example, in medical, residential, and educational
applications, as well as retail stores, galleries and other photography-based
applications, colour rendering is vital to provide accurate colour rendering and
vibrant aesthetics. A CRI 90 or above light source will ensure colours appear as
crisp and bright as they should, accurately rendered. 

Even in more relaxed settings, high CRI LED lighting can still be pleasant and
beneficial. Within homes, high CRI lighting can create a natural and comfortable
light that enhances and highlights design detail and colour within.  

Although, it is worth acknowledging that CRI is only one measurement for light
quality. There are other key factors to consider such as lux and uniformity
which are also accurate indicators of light quality and brightness.


WHAT ARE THE PRODUCTS? 

ILS OSLON Square Uniform PowerStars

ILS OSCONIQ C2424 PowerStars


WANT TO CONTINUE READING ARTICLES FROM DESIGNSPARK?

Become a member to get unlimited access to all DesignSpark content for free!

Sign up to be a member

Already a DesignSpark member? Login


Share this post

thumb_upLike star_borderFollow article
ILS star_borderFollow
ILS is a division of Intelligent Group Solutions Ltd, a well-established
industry leading display and opto-electronics solutions provider. ILS offers
high level technical skill, professionalism and commercial understanding to
companies requiring market leading optoelectronics solutions. ILS is a
franchised stocking distributor and agent for amsOSRAM, OSRAM Digital Systems,
Inventronics, LEDiL, Stanley, TSLC and Showin.


RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

Article By ILS


INFRARED (IR) LEDS AND WHERE THEY ARE USED

Article By ILS


LED (LIGHT EMITTING DIODES) BASICS WITH ILS

Article By ILS


NEW ILS OSRAM OSLON SQUARE UNIFORM LED MODULES

Article By BonnieG


LED RETROFIT – THE KEY FACTS


YOUR NEXT ARTICLE

 


 

 



0 COMMENTS




ENJOYING THE DISCUSSION?

We notice you haven't signed up for an account yet. If you sign up you'll be
able to take part in the discussion and there are many other benefits too.
Sign up for an account
English
 * English
 * 日本語
 * 中文
 * Deutsch
 * Français


 * About DesignSpark
 * Cookie Policy
 * Privacy Policy
 * Terms and Community Guidelines
 * Support Centre

Social Media: linkedin twitter facebook instagram youtube
DesignSpark Electrical Logolinkedin
Cookies affect the service we can offer you
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better
service while browsing and placing orders, and to personalise the content you
see. You can read our cookie policy for more information.
Accept All Manage Cookies

Essential and Operational
These cookies make our website work. This includes the display of images, videos
and written content about the nature of our services.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Analytics

These cookies help us improve your experience of our website by collecting and
reporting information on how you use it. The cookies collect information in a
way that does not directly identify you as an individual.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Advertising

These cookies help us improve your experience of our website by collecting and
reporting information on how you use it. The cookies collect information in a
way that does not directly identify you as an individual.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reject All
Save