12 mistakes most commonly made when choosing a LED work light

Sibylle Naumann-Edgren, originally from Germany, has been living in Sweden for many years and has worked for TYRI in Gothenburg since 2013. She is Area Sales Manager for the German speaking cluster.

During her time at TYRI, Sibylle has encountered many reasons why lighting fails to deliver expected results. “TYRI is a company with a very friendly working environment and develops great lighting products in LED technology, personally I feel they are presently the best available in the market. I have spoken to a lot of customers over the past 7 years who have given me very valuable information. I realised that a lot of buying decisions are based on too little knowledge and I want to help change this. Our TYRI Light Academy is a new tool to increase this knowledge and share our experience to help you make a big step forward in your future buying decisions. Allowing you to make decisions based on increased understanding of what is good lighting. In addition, with better knowledge you will experience more satisfactory results.” Sibylle says.

1. Lumen

When you choose an LED work light based on lumen output, do you know which lumen output is listed in the packaging or information sheet? There are three different measures: theoretical, cold and effective (measured) lumen, but only the effective (measured) lumen output is useful.

Simply explained: The theoretical lumen output is the gross value. Effective (measured) lumen output is the net value. There can be a difference of between 50 and 70 % between gross and net value. So watch out for this!

2. Price

If your purchase decision is based on price, or on a combination of lumen output and price, then you need to be careful in your comparison, especially if you are unsure of which type of lumen output is stated on the packaging or the product data sheet. You might get only 30 to 50 % of the expected lumen output.

3. color temperature

A high color temperature (far above 6000 K) gives cold white (nearly blue) light, which creates a lot of eye fatigue. You will not be able to work with this color temperature for a long time. Also, cold white color temperatures create a lot of reflections on dust, small particles, rain and snow which also creates glare.

4. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) rating

Choosing a LED work light that has no EMC class or only a very low EMC class results in radio interference. If your computer turns black, then it is due of EMC problems. Worst-case scenario it can cause a standstill of your mobile machinery. The person or company who made the decision to purchase this LED work light may be held responsible for repair and other costs.

5. Vibrations

If you choose an LED work light without checking if the work light can stand the vibrations of your mobile machinery or uneven ground it can result in the bracket cracking. The components on the PC board can also shake loose meaning the work light fails to function.

6. Light quality

Hotspots, circles, shadows and several different color temperatures are a sign of poor light quality. The eye focuses on the brightest point in the field, in this case the hotspot. Your eyes are irritated by the shadows and sight becomes limited.

7. Light pattern

So called “wide flood” light pattern can be very narrow in their width and gives the result of very limited illumination. You will be forced to buy a second and maybe a third LED work light to illuminate the whole width of the working area. Are you still thrilled by the low price?

8. Work lights with open reflectors

LED work lights with open reflectors and clear lens, so that you can see the light emitting diodes cause several issues as they causes glare.

9. Surface coverage

Before you buy a LED work light please think about which area (length and width) you want to cover.

10. Too much light

A LED work light with a high lumen output on the surface, but at a short distance, results in strong hotspots and creation of glare.

11. Wrong positioning of the LED work light

Choosing the wrong positioning or the wrong height for the light, often paired with too much light results in hotspots and glare.

12. Lighting technology

Lighting and LED technology are often underestimated. Good lighting requires knowledge and consultation of a Professional.

If you start to consider above lines in your buying decision you will make big steps forward and begin to see a better lighting solution applied. You can also talk to our experts at TYRI for help to design the best solution for your vehicles.