Even if you block a portion of the light, the same intensity is seen from the areas that aren't obscured. Products like spotlights and laser pointers tend to have the industry's highest candlepower rating because most of the illumination focuses in a single direction. That means the CD rating is different from lumens because you're looking at an intensity rating vs.
If one horsepower is equivalent to the performance of a single horse, one candlepower equals the light output from a single candle.Īny light eventually becomes too dim to see when you're far enough away from it. It lets you know how bright the light is based on how far away you are while still seeing it.Ĭandlepower and horsepower are structured similarly from a measurement point of view. It's the base measurement used to determine the product's luminous power intensity. Instead of taking your best guess at what a product offers, this guide takes a closer look at what you can expect when encountering these terms.Ĭandela is often seen as a candlepower or “CD" rating for lights. Why doesn't the industry use the same term to measure what you need to know when purchasing new bulbs? One offers information about candela, another talks about lux, and there are lumens out there to consider. That means it's time to visit the store or start shopping online.Īs you pick up the product or read the manufacturer's description, you start finding different terms. After checking the pantry and your garage, you realize that you're out of light bulbs to use. You've got a light that just blinked out at home.
LUMENS TO CANDELA HOW TO
How to Choose the Best Color Temperature for Your Home.Guide to the Shapes and Sizes of Light Bulbs.