Is a Compact Natural Light Bulb Full Spectrum?
Definition According to the Lighting Research Center (LRC), photobiologist John Ott coined the term “full spectrum” in the 1960s to describe electric light sources that simulate the spectrum of natural light in the visible and UV ranges. Warning Manufacturers vary in how they define “full spectrum.” In general, yellow light appears less natural, and blue light appears more natural. Use the rating systems below to compare lights. Correlated Color Temperature Full spectrum lights usually have a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 5000 Kelvin to 7500 Kelvin, according to the LRC. Color Rendering Index The color rendering index (CRI) combines a measure of how realistic colors appear in the light, expressed as the first digit of a percentage (e.g., 80 percent equals 8), followed by the first two digits of the CCT rating. Solution There is no technical way to distinguish the terms “natural” and “full spectrum”; instead, look for CCT or CRI ratings. A quality CCT rating for natural or full
