Colour temperature and water Product News
LIGHT BRINGS WATER TO LIFE.WHY IS UNDER-WATER LIGHTING SO CRUCIAL?
Well-planned lighting of areas intended for recreation is requisite and essential. In many respects, light has an impact on our mood and influences the way we feel, especially in our subconscious. Consequently, light may provide a sensation of security or fear, or create a feeling of comfort or reserve. Especially under water, in other word in the pool, the lighting probably has the greatest importance of the entire lighting design of a spa haven. Imagine a beautifully lit spa with a dark pool: This would almost have a frightening effect. This is why light under water is one of the most important factors when it comes to relaxation.
NOT ALL WHITES ARE THE SAME.WHICH COLOUR TEMPERATURES ARE AVAILABLE FOR POOL LIGHTING?
As far as colour temperature for underwater lighting is concerned, we distinguish between cold, neutral and warm white, measured in Kelvin. 6,000 Kelvin is a strong cold white without blue tinge and 4,500 Kelvin creates a very natural neutral white tone of light. Our warm white is expressed as a value of 3,000 Kelvin and generates a pleasant warm tone, similar to that of former halogen lighting sources. The higher the Kelvin value, the more intense and brighter the lighting.
HOW DO LIGHT TEMPERATURE REACT UNDER WATER?
The reaction of colour temperature in the water is an essential aspect. Light transmission in the water differs completely from that in the air. The water literally carries the light. But please consider: Not every colour has the same effect, the wavelength of the light is the decisive factor. The higher the blue portion the better can the light be transmitted by the water. Consequently, cold white has by far a greater reach than warm white. For some of our spotlights, we therefore offer blue light specifically for water. With our lens technology, we bundle the light practically without any loss, and in so doing, achieve a high intensity of light with an excellent ability to compensate the reach missing in warm tones, such as red.
HOW DOES THE COLOUR TEMPERATURE INFLUENCE THE RELAXATION FACTOR?
It plays a very decisive role, I would say. Compared to warm light, cold light has a completely different effect on our body and senses. Bright light has an awakening effect and increases, for example cold white light is used for underwater lighting of sport pools or active pools. Warm white has a completely different, even opposite effect. Body and soul are not activated but the organism is calmed, therefore warm light is predominantly use in spa areas. However, the choice of the colour temperature does not only depend on the objective of the facility.
Selecting the colour temperature has vital impact on the relaxation factor of spas.
WHICH OTHER ASPECTS NEED TO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT?
On the one hand, the character or the surface of the swimming pool. White tones have different effects on different surfaces. In a classic pool with blue tiles, cold white or neutral white light comes into its own, whereas warm light would be visually lost here. The same is true for stainless-steel pools. Natural stone, for example, is an ideal medium for warm light. On the other hand, the entire light installation has to be considered as well. How is the above-water area illuminated and what would be an ideal combination in terms of colour temperature?
ARE THERE OPTIONS OTHER THAN WHITE TONES?
Actually, there are infinite possibilities. Our RGB-W spotlights are able to create any number of colours, and beyond this pure white lighting as well. Mainly, if the pool or the spa area at home is be used for different purposes, such dynamic light is useful. Today for the pool party with changing colours and tomorrow for a relaxing evening with dimmed warm light, full of atmosphere. "Tunable white" is also an interesting option. The Kelvin values can be set as desired, from 3,000 to 6,000 providing a wide range of variations to suit your mood.
WHAT ELSE IS IMPORTANT FOR LIGHTING THE POOL?
The way your pool is lit. Specific WIBRE technologies provide the most varying designs. Alongside the classic full lighting of the pool, an indirect effect lighting along with accentuation of parts of the pool are often implemented. To do this, different angles can be used emitting narrow or wide beams. Effects generated by light reflected by the water to wall or ceilings can also be very relaxing.
