Lighting is a key part of bench ergonomics, but it is often overlooked. It supports workflow and improves concentration. This article is about how to properly select LED lights when configuring industrial workbenches.
People rely on the eyes to obtain 87% of external messages, and the eyes can only obtain impressions by projecting light on objects. If the lighting is not suitable, it will have an adverse effect on people and even production.
- Light pollution can induce eye diseases, tachycardia, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases
- Exposure to too much light can lead to electro-optic ophthalmitis
- The light is too dim, the pupils become enlarged, the eyes are strained, and myopia is caused
- Overwork or diseases of the eyes can have an impact on employee health and lead to lost productivity.
LED lamps have always been indispensable for industrial production, with a service life of up to 50,000 hours, excellent performance, and extremely low energy consumption.
It is also perfectly suited for bench systems. At the same time, ergonomics, health and safety, and productivity all require that lighting must be properly designed to eliminate the strain on workers’ eyes, thereby eliminating the factors that cause distractions.
How can I have the best lighting? By considering the factors described below and following its simple design principles, users and companies can enjoy the benefits of LED technology while mitigating potential risks.
Color temperature and uniform illumination
The color of industrial LED lights is very important, and it greatly affects the performance and mobility of employees. The following principle should be considered when choosing colors: cool white light has a stimulating effect on the human body, while warm white light calms people.
Color temperature:
A quantity that describes the color of the light emitted by a light source
Unit: K (Kelvin) Symbol: Tc
Roughly divided into three categories:
warm color: less than 3300K
intermediate color: 3300K-5000K
daylight color: more than 5000K
Different color temperatures can create different atmospheres.
Based on the above conclusions, industrial lighting guidelines have been formulated. A light color of 4000 Kelvin is recommended for industrial environments, like on an assembly operator’s bench. This value is somewhere between the classic warm white illumination we know from incandescent lamps (2500 to 2700 Kelvin) and normal daylight (5800 to 6500 Kelvin).
Moderate color temperatures like this can support fatigue-free work, reduce stress for employees and help reduce error rates – making the workforce more efficient.
Multiple images
When many shadows overlap each other, it can also put a lot of strain on the eyes. Let’s assume a less-than-ideal lighting scenario, one that uses LED technology, but in the form of a personal spotlight. Each of these light-emitting diodes produces very noticeable shadows, which puts a lot of strain on the eyes.
Over the course of the workday, this leads to a noticeable fatigue effect. In contrast, uniform illumination with soft shades produced by our LED luminaires has the exact opposite effect – reducing strain on employees’ eyes.
Frequency and luminous intensity
Many companies are still unsure exactly what frequency can create a pleasant working atmosphere. From an ergonomic point of view, the answer is clear – flicker-free lights should always be used. Even low-frequency flickering, which workers hardly notice, can still cause stress on the human body, which is why only high-frequency LED lights should be used. At the same time, strain is eliminated, resulting in a significant improvement in quality.
Determine the lighting area
The luminous intensity of industrial LED luminaires should not be underestimated. If a workbench is equipped with a glare that opens to the side, discomfort will occur every time a person passes by it. “Adaptation” means that the eye can adapt to a universal light intensity, that is, the brightness level. In other words, whenever the eye is exposed to different brightness levels, it needs to be adapted.
According to the way glare is generated, glare can be divided into
- direct glare 2, reflected glare 3, light curtain reflected glare
This has a big impact on attention levels and is why glare must be reduced. Shielding and focusing will help. For example, our LED lights use a combination of diffuse panels and parabolic reflector grids that greatly eliminate glare. What’s more, there will be more light in specific locations where highlighting is required.
When configuring the workbench lighting system, if the above principles are taken into account, the user gets a five-star lighting service.
Suitable for different work scenarios, uniform and bright work lighting, rotatable lighting, glare-free lighting, and even fresh food special lighting, Recolux Lighting can meet the requirements.
