Tech Tips: HID Color Temperature and Kelvin Explained
Tech Tips: HID Color Temperature and Kelvin Explained
Tech Tips: HID Color Temperature and Kelvin Explained
A variety of hues are available for headlights, ranging from white to blue and yellow. If you're wondering why we use phrases like color temperature, Kelvin, 5000K, or warm and cool light, you're not the only one. We'll talk about why we characterize the hue of your headlights using a temperature scale that dates back 170 years today.
We'll examine how the color temperature scale is used in headlights and how it impacts your nighttime driving visibility. Additionally, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using yellow headlights for road use in multi-class racing.
LORD KELVIN AND ABSOLUTE ZERO
We must first examine their origins before delving into the technical language and fancy words. William Thomson penned a theory on a temperature scale of absolute zero in 1848. Over time, this idea was honed and developed, and it eventually proved to be accurate. Today, scientists worldwide utilize this theory—also referred to as the Absolute Theory—as a benchmark for temperature measurement.
William Thomson created this temperature scale at the age of just 24. This scale falls within the field of thermodynamics, which examines the relationship between temperature, work, heat and the physical characteristics of materials. Thomson served as a scientific advisor on the Transatlantic Telegraph cable project, and in 1866, Queen Victoria knighted him for his efforts. He was knighted in 1892 for his contributions to thermodynamics. The name Lord Kelvin was derived from the river against which his office was located.
The electric telegraph and marine compasses are two further innovations that Lord Kelvin is credited with developing and advancing. To put it briefly, Thomson accomplished a lot throughout his lifetime, which enhanced his standing as a leading figure in science.
TOMPSON AND COLOR TEMPERATURE
In what way does this result in a raised Toyota 4Runner with blue LED headlights and enough fog lights to make Thompson come to life? To put the Kelvin temperature scale into perspective, a welding shop cutting torch may achieve temperatures of up to 5000° F, or 3033.15K. Yellow is produced when the exact temperature of light is projected onto our wall. When steel is being sliced, the same hue appears.
We take Lux measurements from every headlamp we examine, and as a general rule, the most light is produced by colors in the middle of the spectrum. This light is the most usable and visible. Anything below 5000K is less light than that. Brightness is sacrificed if you like lights that are a little more blue or yellow.
It is crucial to keep in mind that color temperature pertains to color on the visible light spectrum and has nothing to do with brightness, which may explain why color temperatures beyond 5000K become steadily less brilliant. Visible light, or brightness, is exchanged for color as one moves up the Kelvin scale.
You and I perceive colors ranging from red to violet, which are all components of a broader electromagnetic spectrum of diminishing and increasing wavelengths. Light becomes more indistinct as the wavelengths approach the ultraviolet region of the light spectrum (cool light), which explains why a blue light with a 10000K output does not emit much light.
When it comes to yellow-colored headlights, the same concept holds as you approach infrared invisible light. Above and below the visible light spectrum, light cannot be seen by our eyes. The farther one moves from the center of the color temperature spectrum, the more gradually the warm light generated at the higher end of the spectrum becomes invisible.
WHY IS TEMPERATURE USED FOR COLOR?
It's a relatively simple question. When viewed from a distance, the sun's color temperature is around 5800K, which translates to a 5800K surface temperature. Using scientific instruments, we can measure the sun's actual hue and replicate it in a variety of representative ways.
From there, we may design lights that emit that color using LEDs and HID. One advantage of this technology is the ability to have headlight bulbs with a color temperature of 6000K without producing the same amount of heat. Bulbs such as this HID bulb generate around 200° F. How a light can produce 6000K of color temperature without producing actual warmth is the question.
A pair of tungsten electrodes, mercury, sodium, various metal salts, and xenon gas are among the chemicals included in the outer glass tube of a High-Intensity Discharge (HID) with a quartz glass capsule. The ballast generates a flaming arch that emits light by sending high-voltage energy to each electrode.
The composition of the metal salts, the concentration of other chemicals within the capsule, and the metal electrodes that transport the electricity produce the various hues. Additionally, the compounds within the capsule produce diverse hues. Consider the way flames turn blue or green when copper or borate are thrown into a fire.
BUT THAT RACECAR HAS YELLOW HEADLIGHTS?!
One popular myth about yellow headlights is that they are used to help drivers see through fog and rain when racing at night or in other dimly lit environments. This is true in the broadest sense, but it leaves out specific essential details.
Drivers, fans, broadcasters, and marshals use the yellow headlights on Le Mans cars—especially the GT classes, which include Corvette, Porsche, Ferrari, and BMW—to distinguish them from their faster cousins, Le Mans Prototypes (LMP). Since white is the color closest to the center of the visible light spectrum, these cars usually have white headlights.
GT class drivers can detect the type of car that is approaching them when racing at night, and they can react defensively or give way depending on who is attempting to overtake them.
Applications for fog lights are when the reality of yellow light performance is relevant. In contrast to white light, which tends to bounce off snow, rain, and fog, the yellow light produced by these approximately 3000K fog light bulbs will actually permeate through them more successfully. Consider a time you were driving through fog and had to switch on your highlights to improve your vision.
You can find out more about fog light brightness and which options are appropriate for your off-road vehicle.
END-OF-CLASS REVIEW
The colors between 4000K and 5000K are the closest to the center of the color temperature spectrum. Each produces a white or warm white light. When driving at night, these will provide you with the best visibility. When buying, bear in mind that you are seeking lights that are more blue or yellow in color.
Ten years ago, the industry norm was 10,000 K deep blue and 8,000 K iceberg blue. Five years ago, many individuals asked for 6,000 K diamond white. Today, more than 5,000 K HID and 6,000 K LED bulb colors are available for purchase.
When selecting your lighting, remember that you will see less visible light the farther you are from the center of the color temperature range. It is not the safest idea to use a 12000K purple light when driving at night because you need to be able to navigate the roadways adequately.