Color Appearance / Temperature

The actual color of the light emitted from a light source is referred to as color appearance, color temperature or chromaticity. Color temperatures, also referred to as Correlated Color Temperatures (CCT) can establish moods of warmth or coolness, as well as affect behavior or work performance. Additionally, the color temperature of a lamp can affect the appearance of an object.

A common comparison to the varying degrees of color temperatures expressed in degrees Kelvin would be the infamous "iron" comparison. Imagine a piece of iron firstly becoming "red hot." At this time, the reddish-yellow light emitted by the iron at this temperature is warm in appearance. An incandescent lamp at 2700 Kelvin is a good example of this. While the metal continues to heat, it then becomes "white hot" increasing the degrees Kelvin of the iron. Similar to cool white fluorescent, the temperature might reach 4100 Kelvin.

Please see the Correlated Color Temperature Chart which best illustrates the degree of warmth or coolness of white light radiated by a lamp and measured in degrees Kelvin or "K".