The acronym CRI, for the English Color Rendering Index (Chromatic Rendering Index), gives us the measure to which a light source is capable of reproduce the color range obtained with natural light. That is, how close a lamp or bulb is to reproducing natural light. It is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, where 100 would be the exact reproduction of sunlight.
It should be noted that LED technology offers a higher CRI than its competitors. Although within the LED universe, we find different types of technology. Of all of them, it is the COB modality that offers the greatest similarity to natural light, exceeding 90%.
Depending on the type of effect we want to achieve, the CRI will be more or less important. In any case, there are cases in which it is critical. Let’s see some of them:
- Recording studios. They require great precision when simulating the lighting conditions of nature. The quality of the recording depends on it.
- Photographic Studies. A photo session requires that the lighting be perfect, a CRI of less than 100 can mean that the photographs taken do not turn out quite well, so it is necessary to move around those figures of perfection. li>
- Hospitals, operating room. Where lighting is life or death. Not only because of the precision in the operations but also because of the need to distinguish colors perfectly. Sometimes, the accuracy of a diagnosis may depend on the quality when appreciating colors.
- In public lighting. Perhaps it is not as extreme a case as the previous ones, but we must demand a minimum of fidelity to the color index for the sake of the safety of citizens.
- Museums and exhibitions in general. It is difficult for us to appreciate the quality of art if we are not able to differentiate the colors with absolute clarity.
- A paddle court. Where reflexes are very important. A few thousandths of a second when reacting to a ball can cause the point to go on the wrong side. In sports in general, lighting precision is essential.
It is very important to note that the CRI is not what determines the color temperature of a light source, nor is it the other way around, but we can do a comparison of the CRI of two light sources, for this we must know that the variation of color temperature in lighting is measured in K (Kelvin) from 2600k to 3400k is warmer, from 6000k to forward is colder, so we can take as an example that a 3000K LED lamp can have a CRI of 100 or close to 100, a fluorescent tube that is also 3000K can have a CRI between 60 and 70. Natural light from the sun, for example, ranges between 5000K and 6000K and the CRI is 100, and is the reference point par excellence.
