Colour Consistency Explained
By Radiant Lighting | 17 Jan 2023 | 0 Comments
Colour consistency refers to the average amount of variation in the quality of colour among a batch of identical lighting products. Put simply, if you were to install 4 downlights of exactly the same kind in a living room, you would expect them to produce exactly the same light, right? However, colour consistency can vary based on the product, the manufacturing and the standards that the manufacturer follows.
Colour Consistency is measured in a metric known as Standard Deviation Colour Matching (SDCM) or it can be also known as the MacAdam Ellipse. The SDCM (MacAdam ellipse) rating is a measurement of the consistency of color in lighting. It is used to determine how closely the colors of different light sources match, and is an important factor to consider when choosing lighting for a project.
SDCM ratings range from 1 to 8, with 1 being the closest match and 8 being the furthest. A rating of 3 or less is considered to be very good, and is suitable for most applications. A rating of 4 or higher is considered to be less consistent, and will likely not be suitable for certain applications where color consistency is crucial, such as in art galleries or museums.
When choosing lighting for a project, it is important to consider the SDCM rating in addition to other factors such as energy efficiency and cost. A light fixture with a lower SDCM rating may be more energy efficient and cost-effective, but may not provide the color consistency that is needed for the project.
One example of a lighting application where color consistency is crucial is in retail lighting, where color consistency is important to ensure that products are presented in the most appealing way possible. A SDCM rating of 3 or lower is recommended for retail lighting, as it will provide consistent color across different lighting fixtures and setups.
How Do We Compare?
The majority of our Faze downlights have an SDCM rating of 1.5, making them some of the best rated in the lighting industry. Consider the Faze Pro or the Edge 100 for exceptional colour consistency.
Pictured: The various colour changes in lights based on their Step measurement. By Step 4 the colour change is highly noticeable.
In summary, the SDCM rating is an important measurement of the consistency of color in lighting and should be considered when choosing lighting for a project. A rating of 3 or less is considered to be very good and suitable for most applications, while a rating of 4 or higher may not be suitable for certain applications where color consistency is crucial. If you're located in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane - contact our expert team to ensure you get the perfect light for your project.
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