WHAT IS GLARE?
Not only does artificial lighting affect mood and human circadian rhythms, but it can also be responsible for headaches, eyestrain, skin conditions and even sight loss in extreme cases. Good visual comfort is critical in an office or education environment where artificial lighting is prevalent. Glare can cause discomfort and disability in some cases, so it's an important consideration when choosing lighting.
Glare is caused by a significant difference in luminance (brightness) between a task or object (something which is being looked at) and surrounding sources of brightness in the peripheral field of vision. The Unified Glare Rating (UGR) is a measure of the glare in a given environment. A lower UGR value indicates less glare, and therefore relates to a more visually comfortable environment.
Modern lighting standards require UGR to be equal to or less than 19 in office environments. UGRs of 22 and above are acceptable in environments where tasks are less visually demanding.
WHY CHOOSE A UGR<19 LUMINAIRE?
Lighting designers need to be very aware of ensuring that the side-effects of lighting are controlled. In addition to making sure that there is enough light for safety but not too much light, designers can use options like natural light sources (where possible), and reducing glare and flicker. Low-glare (UGR<19) luminaire options are an important part of this mix.
At a fundamental level, a glare rating shouldn't be attributed to a luminaire; rather, it can only really describe the glare characteristics of an environment. The rating is derived from a combination of luminaire characteristics (distribution/optics and the size of the luminous opening) and room characteristics (geometry, reflectances, illuminance ratios etc.), and is therefore only reliably evaluated by 3D lighting simulation software. However, it is possible to compare glare from one luminaire to the next if all of the other geometrical and environmental factors are kept consistent, and this is known as the 'tabular method'. While this approach may not necessarily reflect the glare experienced in your specific environment, it does provide a useful benchmark for comparison.
A UGR<19 rating attached to a fitting generally indicates that it is suitable for use in environments that require good glare control.
WHY CHOOSE ECOPOINT UGR>19 PANELS?
Demand for LED panel luminaires is booming in the New Zealand market. LED panels provide a contemporary replacement option for traditional fluorescent troffers. Designers, facilities managers and electrical contractors are all asking for LED panel lights for office, school and commercial lighting environments.
Ecopoint's latest generation LED Panel Light options are low-profile, lightweight and reliable; which makes them easy to handle, install and maintain. The extruded aluminium frame gives it rigidity and provides an effective heat-sink for the LEDs, keeping operating temperatures low for maximum service life and maximum efficiency.
Ecopoint's range of Edge Lit Panels provide UGR<19 options in 600 x 600 and 1200 x 300 sizes. These panels are perfect for office, commercial and retail applications where low-glare and lower surface brightness is vital for visual comfort. Ecopoint utilizes the micro-prismatic diffuser technology to control glare, while ensuring that the efficacy is still be kept up to around 115 lm/W.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
EDGE LIT PANEL (UGR>19)
The latest generation of Ecopoint’s Edge-Lit LED Panels retain the same versatility and clean appearance of the original version, which have proven a popular alternative to fluorescent troffers and downlights. A thin form-factor (depth) makes them ideal in places where ceiling void space is limited, and they can also be surface-mounted (with optional frame). Available in 600x600 and 300x1200 sizes with a range of light outputs and glare ratings (UGR), this new generation panel offers even greater efficacy, lifespan and colour consistency.