
On the other hand, an incandescent light or a fluorescent light bulb has a low candela value but a high lumens value. While buying a torch, don't concern yourself with its lumens value because you will only use this device to illuminate a very small area. It projects in a single direction as a high-intensity beam. The torch has a high candela value because its light concentrates into a single point. The difference between lumens and candela can be better understood in the context of a comparison between a pencil torch and an incandescent or a fluorescent bulb. In this context it is worth mentioning that the term Maximum Beam Candlepower (MBCP) is often used to refer to the maximum intensity of the focused beam of light emitted usually from the center of the lighting device, which is usually the source, and projected in a single direction. One candela is approximately equal to the light that a candle with specific dimensions, produces.

The word candlepower was substituted with the term candela in 1948. Candlepower measurement is from times when the candle was the primary source of illumination. But if the light emitted from this apparatus narrows and must shine within a 20-degree beam, then its candela value will increase to 18,000.Ĭandela is another word for candlepower. For instance, a standard fluorescent lighting device that emits a wide-spread beam can have a rating of 1,700 lumens and 135 candelas. But the candela value of a lighting device is concerned primarily with a focused beam of light. The lumens unit does not consider the spread or divergence of the light being emitted by the device. On the other hand, candela refers to the amount of light emitted by a lighting device in a particular direction. The higher the lumens value of a lighting device, the greater the area it illuminates. Lumens refers to the total amount of light a lighting apparatus emits. However, they may not be relevant for your needs. Some may try to convince you about the merits of a lighting device by quoting impressive lumens or candela numbers. More importantly, this knowledge will ensure that your lighting supplier does not cheat you. Knowing about the difference between lumens and candelas will help you choose lighting devices that are ideal for your workplace. Lumens and candela are both lighting measurement units, but they measure different aspects of a lighting device. Lumens = candela × ( 2π(1 - cos(degrees/2)) ) Times 2 times pi times 1 minus cosine of half the apex angle θ in degrees (°): The luminous flux Φ v in lumens (lm) is equal to the luminous intensity I v in candela (cd), The solid angle Ω in steradians (sr) is equal to 2 times pi times 1 minus cosine of half the cone apex angle θ in degrees (°): Times the solid angle Ω in steradians (sr):

In lumens (lm) is equal to the luminous intensity I v in candela (cd),

And lamps will often display a lux value for a set distance to give you an idea of how bright your surface will be for task lighting.įor uniform, isotropic light source, the luminous flux Φ v Light bulbs are usually listed in lumens to show how much illumination the uncovered bulb produces.

A laser pointer will have an extremely low lumen value but a very high candela rating, since a laser pointer doesn’t give off very much light but is visible from great distances. So why all of the different ratings? Since candelas, lux, and lumens are all measuring something different, you can gain insight into how a lamp is useful. This is because lumens measure the total amount of visible light from a light source.
#Candela lumen calculator full
Obscuring half the bulb (making it a hemisphere instead of a full sphere), a 1 cd bulb will emit only 6.28 lm. For a bulb emitting 1 cd, that bulb would also have a luminous intensity of 12.57 lm. To show the difference between lumens and candela, let’s go back to the example previously used for candela with the partially obscured light bulb. To put it simply, the lumen rating is how much total visible light is produced by a light source. The lumen (lm) is a measurement of luminous flux, or the total amount of visible light. Lumens are now the most common measurement for a light bulb. To get the luminous intensity in candela: Enter Luminous intensity in candela: Candela to lumens calculatorĮnter the luminous flux in lumens, apex angle in degrees and press the Calculate button
#Candela lumen calculator how to
Candela (cd) to lumens (lm) calculator and how to calculate.
