Hi all,

I'm not familiar with the current lighting trend, so would like to ask for some opinions.

Currently my study area is with those normal fluorescent lights, cheap and bright. I see from the specs, they can go up to 3000 lumens for the 4ft type. For my new house, we are considering to get something nicer. Browse through some LED lights but seems that they are only about 1000+ lumens for a 4ft type

Maybe I didn't get to the right product, can someone give me some suggestions about this? The reason we are looking for 4ft type is that we'll have 2 long tables arranged in side by side config, total about 10ft, so would like to have 2 x 4ft tube above it so that can get uniform lighting across the whole table length.

Or any other alternatives?

Thanks

Conventional Lightings are 360 Degree. Although a good quality T8 4ft Fluorescent Tube outputs >3000 lumen, a LED replacement needs only about 1800 - 2000 lumen to replace it. LED T8 tubes are directional usually 100 - 140 degree.

Suggest you use this: PHILIPS T8 Connectable Batten

I see, ok great thanks for the info. Didn't though of the light angle as well

BTW I see a lot of T5 LED as well. May I know what are the difference between T5 LED and T8 LED?

Thanks


This post has been edited by lowyat101: Feb 25 2023, 10:52 PM

5/8ths of inch diameter vs 8/8ths of an inch diameter.

Size-wise T5 is smaller compared to T8.
Lumen output for T5 usually max out at around 1200-1400 lumen for 4ft while T8 comes in 2000 lumen.That is like a whole 30% brighter.

Application wise, T5 LED are meant for indirect lighting (hence the lower lumen output) eg cove, under cabinet etc. T8 LED Batten are designed for direct lighting use hence they need to perform like a T8 LED Tube (1800 -2100 lumen).

Most T5 LED Batten in the market are rated CRI70 because of this application. The T8 LED Batten is rated CRI80.

If you need to know more about CRI, here is a good article: CRI Explanation

Great, thanks a lot for the explanation.

I tried to searched Shopee/Laz for this T8 Connectable Batten but can't seems to find it. Mostly available are T5 which comes with lower lumens output as you have explained. Do you know if this T8 Connectable Batten is commonly available from those lighting shop?

The closest one I can find is this, but seems that the daylight one is OOS for some time already.

Thanks

This post has been edited by lowyat101: Feb 27 2023, 09:03 AM

This model is not connectable. Also no mention of the CRI is 70 or 80.

No, normal lighting shop will not be selling these battens. They all sell consumer series (10-15Khrs) only. The professional series are at least 20-30Khrs.

This post has been edited by brutus: Feb 27 2023, 10:41 AM

I bought battens from Philips at Shopee. It comes in 5ft.

I bought warm for study room and natural for kitchen under hanging cabinet.

Warm is just nice for study. Natural is quite bright if u want to use for study still ok if ceiling high.

Thanks again.

Will pay attention to the CRI. May I if it's better to also consider the CRI for all the lighting in the whole house? Or it's important only at those area where we need the colour accuracy?

Lighting is a matter of personal preference. Most consumers are not demanding, as long as there is light, they are OK. Hence you will see many are OK with using <RM10 T8 tubes that the CRI70 for their indoor use.
If you have used CRI80 tubes, you will notice a stark to the color reproduction.

Now you know why photographers prefer to take outdoor photos- because sunlight is CRI100! Professional photo studios all use CRI90.

My own use, only CRI80 and above for all my indoor lighting.

great, thanks.

checked philips website, their normal T8 batten (non connectable) is also with CRI80, although the life is shorter but should be ok to use.

for the other lights, will also pay attention to the CRI when selecting.

BTW would like to ask about the colour temperature for study area.

I see a lot is using 6500K as default, also most offices are also using 6500K lighting.

But when I check online, I see there are recommendations for 4000K instead. May I know if the 4000K is really suitable for study area?

Or shall i mix it? 1 batten 6500K + 1 batten 4000K?

Thanks

Your room is going too look weird AF for mixing different colour temperature.

For me, I will never pick a colour temperature above 4000k. 6500k is for warehouse or office.

Unless you really like to have a bright room, then 6500k is fine.

ok noted with that for not to mix the colour temp.

actually i'm tempted to use 4000k for study area, but a bit worry that it might be a bit yellowish. since you are using not more than 4000k, is it ok to have this 4000k at study area?

thanks

Never mix color temperature. Looks very weird.
Contrary to many people's beliefs, 6500K is not "brighter" than 4000K assuming both tubes are same specifications and from same brand.
There is a scientific way to measure brightness- lux.

For study table the IES recommended is 300-500lx.

My study area uses 3000K but near 450lx. I do not find it not bright despite using warm white.

great, i think i will try out the 4000k one first so that it's not a big jump.

ya lux is important, with 2x 1800lm batten above the 9' study table i hope that it's good enough

if still not enough i think later can just add-on another 2 tubes

My kitchen, bathroom and study area are using 4000k.

great, thanks for the info

2700k/4K less blue light better for sleeping areas.

Ordered some Philips T8 batten but found out that the cable connection is on the top like the picture below.


I want to install it to the soffit of the slab with this type of typical cable outlet.


Thus I'm wondering, how to hide the cable connection as there's no space above the light batten to do this.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks