Glossary

Colour Temperature

Colour temperature is a scale that measures how ‘warm’ (yellow) or ‘cool’ (blue) the light from a particular source is. It is measured in degrees of the Kelvin scale (abbreviated to K), and the higher the number, the ‘cooler’ the light. The lower the ‘K’ number, the ‘warmer’ the light. At Daylight, all our lamps and magnifiers are true Daylight temperature at 5,500K - 6,000K.

CRI

The Colour Rendering Index (CRI) is a scale from 0 to 100. CRI is used to measure how accurate an artificial light source is at revealing colour in comparison to a natural light source (eg: the sun). A high CRI indicates that a lamp is better at rendering colours truly, a value of 100 CRI represents the sun. The higher the CRI value (also called CIE Ra), the more accurate the colours will be.

LED

An LED (Light Emitting Diodes) is made of Solid State components which are very strong, very compact and available in all colour temperatures – including daylight (simulation of the daylight). LEDs emit a very low heat meaning that people can work under and LED light for many hours without it ever getting hot. It uses on average 80% less energy compared to an incandescent lamp, making it the greenest technology so far. It also has a very long life, lasting up to 50,000 hours.

Lux

Lux values represent the actual amount of light on a surface or defined area at a given distance. It is the most accurate way of measuring the real light output of a lamp on the work surface. – Lux values must always be associated with a distance (the same lamp measured at 15 cm will be brighter than at 30 cm) – Lux values are measured using a Lux Meter at a fixed distance: – For Task Lamps we measure at 30 cm (12″) – For Magnifiers we measure at 15 cm (6″) The Lux value quoted is the maximum value at the brightest point on the work surface, below the centre of the shade.

Lumens

A measure of the total amount of visible light emitted by a source. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light.

Watts

Watts measure how much energy a light source consumes, not how much light it produces. In older incandescent lighting, higher wattage generally meant more brightness, which created a strong association between watts and light output. Modern LEDs have broken that link. Today, a low watt fixture can produce far more light than a high watt incandescent. Lumens are now the meaningful metric for brightness, while watts mainly help estimate energy use and operating cost.

Beam Angle

The angle at which light is distributed from a source. A wider beam angle provides broader, more even coverage, while a narrow beam creates focused light.

Brightness

A general term used to describe how intense a light appears. For task lighting and magnifiers, Lux is the key measurement of the brightness.

Colour Accuracy

Another way of describing CRI - how faithfully colours appear under a light source compared to natural daylight.

Daylight Simulation

Lighting designed to mimic natural daylight, helping reduce eye strain and improve visibility for detailed tasks.

Diffuser

A cover that spreads light evenly, reducing glare and harsh shadows for a softer illumination.

Dimmable

A feature that allows users to adjust light intensity to suit different tasks and environments.

Step Dimmer

Another term for the feature of fixed predetermined brightness levels – great for quickly setting the light level to what is required.

Fully Variable Dimmer

A dimmer function that can be set at any required level and is fully adjustable

Energy Efficiency

Refers to how effectively a light source converts electricity into visible light. LEDs are highly energy-efficient compared to traditional bulbs.

Ergonomic Lighting

Lighting specifically designed to reduce strain on the eyes and body, improving comfort and eye health during long periods of use.

Flicker-Free Technology

Lighting engineered to eliminate visible or invisible flicker, which can cause eye strain, fatigue, and headaches.

Glare

Excessive brightness that causes discomfort or reduces visibility. Good task lighting minimises glare and promotes eye health.

Ray Technology™

A proprietary lighting technology developed by Daylight Company that is specifically designed to eliminate direct glare and shadow by focusing the beam of light diagonally, instead of vertically. The result is exceptionally bright, shadow-free illumination that does not produce a glare, especially in the area surrounding the lamp.

Illuminance

The amount of light falling on a surface, measured in lux. It determines how well a workspace is lit.

LED Lifespan

The expected operating time of a light source, often measured in hours. LEDs can last 50,000+ hours under normal conditions.

Shadow-Free Lighting

Lighting designed to minimise shadows, ensuring consistent illumination across a workspace.

G-Clamp

A sturdy clamp used to securely attach a lamp to the edge of a desk, table or work surface, saving space and providing stability.

Task Lighting

Lighting specifically designed to illuminate a particular area for detailed work such as reading, crafting, or precision tasks.

Uniformity

The consistency of light distribution across a surface. High uniformity means fewer bright or dark spots.

UV-Free Lighting

Lighting that does not emit ultraviolet radiation, making it safer for artwork, textiles, and prolonged use.

ROHS

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) is an EU Directive that came into force in 2006 and applies to Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The Directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. It is closely linked with the Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive which sets collection, recycling and recovery targets for electrical goods and is part of a legislative initiative to solve the problem of huge amounts of toxic electronic waste. The purpose of the Directive is to severely restrict the use of substances that are considered hazardous to the human health and to the environment, in electrical products. It is a legal requirement that all Electrical Products sold in the EU comply with the Directive.

ESD Safe Magnifier

An ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) Magnifier is a magnifying lamp specifically designed for use in static-sensitive environments, such as electronics manufacturing or repair. It is built with materials that prevent the build-up and discharge of static electricity, protecting delicate components while providing clear magnified viewing.

Magnification

Indicates how much larger an object appears through the lens. Often expressed as “X”. For example, 1.75x magnification makes an object appear 75% larger

Dioptre

A unit that measures the magnifying power of a lens. The higher the dioptre, the greater the magnification (e.g. 3 Dioptre = 1.75x magnification).

Acrylic Lens

A lightweight, shatter-resistant lens made from clear plastic. Acrylic lenses are durable and safer than glass, making them ideal for task lighting and magnifying lamps.

Optical Grade Glass Lens

A premium lens offering superior optical clarity and scratch resistance. Optical Quality Glass lenses provide the sharpest most precise magnification.

Optical Clarity

Refers to how clear and distortion-free a lens is. High optical quality ensures accurate viewing, especially for detailed tasks.

Lens Diameter

The width of the lens, usually measured in millimetres. Larger lenses provide a wider field of view and allow users to see more of their work area at once.

Viewing Area

The usable area visible through the lens. A larger viewing area improves comfort and reduces the need to reposition work frequently.

Working Distance

The optimal distance between the lens and the object being viewed. Higher magnification lenses typically have a shorter working distance.

Distortion

Visual warping or bending of an image, often at the edges of lower-quality lenses. High-quality lenses minimise distortion.

Focal Length

The distance at which the lens brings an object into clear focus. Closely related to working distance.

Field of View

The total visible area through the lens at a given magnification.

Inset Lens

A lens that includes a smaller, higher-magnification section within the main lens for detailed inspection.

Scratch Resistance

The ability of a lens to resist surface damage. Glass lenses are generally more scratch-resistant than acrylic. But Acrylic lenses can also be supplied with anti-scratch coatings.

Anti-Reflective Coating

A coating applied to lenses to reduce reflections and glare, improving visibility and reducing eye strain.

Edge-to-Edge Clarity

A feature of high-quality lenses where the image remains sharp across the entire surface, not just the centre.

Shadow-Free Magnification

A combination of lens and lighting design that ensures even illumination across the magnified area without shadows.

Aspheric Lens

Designed to reduce distortion and improve clarity across the lens, used for very high diopters to enable the lens diameter to be increased relative to the dioptre.

Lens Aberration

Imperfections in a lens that cause blurring or colour fringing - often closer to the edge of the lens.

Country/Region