How to choose the right CRI index for your in cabinet lighting?

Before we have introduced color temperature, one of the important factor when choosing in cabinet lighting. However, there is another important factor, CRI(Color render index) about in cabinet lighting. Do you know how to choose the right CRI index for your in cabinet lighting?

The color rendering index (CRI) of in cabinet lighting is a quantitative measure of its ability to reproduce the colors of various objects faithfully in comparison with an ideal or natural light source. In general terms, CRI is a measure of a light source's ability to show object colors "realistically" or "naturally" compared to a familiar reference source, either incandescent light or daylight. It is significant because it has been the most difficult metric for in cabinet lighting to match (while maintaining high efficiency) and therefore the most frequently ignored (the CRI spec value appears only on a very small percentage of LED product packaging), For that reason, LED lights with a high CRI can be worthy replacements for in cabinet lighting. Most LED lights do not have a CRI above 90.

With a good color display, subtle variations in the color spectrum are revealed. The Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a scale of 0 to 100 percent. This index indicates how accurate a light source displays colors are compared to daylight. The higher the CRI, the better the in cabinet lighting displays colors. In cabinet lighting with a CRI between 80 and 89 have a high color display. This makes them suitable for almost all applications. Light sources with a CRI higher than 90 have excellent color reproduction. They are only needed for the most accurate tasks that require an almost perfect color rendering, such as spray booths and shop windows.

Why is the CRI index so important? In a retail or grocery store seeing a product with its actual color is very important to customers. When making choices a customer wants to be comfortable what they are looking at is accurate. CRI is important in photography so colors appear accurate. In medical offices and areas where people are working and need to see clearly are other areas where the color of light is important. CRI is not important for areas such as a parking lot or storage warehouse facility.

In your home in cabinet lighting with a high CRI Index can be used to give your home a comfortable, natural feel or to highlight design areas or your home. You want lighting that makes your home appear bright and makes colors 'pop’. In cabinet lighting that is clear as the color in a natural, outdoor setting, is very desirable. Good CRI can give depth and luster to finishes, and show off the texture of your materials showing your home at its best.

The CRI Index is frequently shown in the 'Lighting Facts' information of a lighting packaging. You'll find in cabinet lighting information such as the number of lumens, energy efficiency, wattage, and the CRI Index. Most LED lights have a CRI Index around 80 to 90.