Light Sources and Color Rendering

Abstract

Light sources for many problems in agriculture and industry require good color rendering; standards are needed for both special and general purpose lamps. Target standards are discussed, and color, relative spectral distributions, and lumen efficiency data are provided for typical incandescent and fluorescent lamps. Data for color samples calculated for triads of light sources studied by an I.E.S. Subcommittee on Color Rendition of Light Sources are used to demonstrate the comparative size and direction of color differences involved in common situations. Problems raised by chromatic adaptation are discussed, as are specifications and standards for sources used for color work in various specialized industries, and the progress being made by I.E.S. and CIE committees on color rendering.