What factors should be taken into account when buying a LED work light? We will answer the most frequent questions in our LED buying guide

When buying a LED work light, we recommend to pay attention to the following specifications:

What IP protection class certification should an LED work light have? What is better, IP67 or IP69K?

High-quality LED work lights are not only protected against dust and splashing water (IP67 certification), but also have IP69K certification and can therefore be cleaned with hot water using a high-pressure cleaner at a short distance. An IP69K certification according to DIN standard 40050-9 requires a pressure of 100 bar at a water flow of approx. 15 l/min and a temperature of 80 ºC, with a nozzle distance of 10 cm.

What is the difference between the calculated and measured lumen value?

The specified Lumen value on LED lights is in most cases based on the calculated lumen value and not the real light output. The theoretical lumen value is calculated by the power output of the LED chip multiplied by the number of installed LED chips. However, these figures often deviate greatly from the actual measured lumen value, since losses due to the optical system (reflectors, diffusing screens) and heat effects due to LED chips are not deducted. Therefore, it is important to pay special attention to whether the theoretical or effective/measured lumen value is specified when purchasing an LED work light, and preferably compare the measured lumen value instead of the calculated value.

What is the best beam pattern for a LED work light?

A LED light with a flood beam pattern, i.e., a floodlight, is best suited for working in a close-range area of up to approx. 75m. A spot beam pattern, i.e., LED spotlight, is best suited for long distances up to several kilometers, e.g., as a searchlight to locate distant objects. Combo Beam LED lights provide a homogeneous light pattern at short and long distances and are ideal for off-road driving or as the main headlight for a tractor or other agricultural machinery.

What is the meaning of lumens / lux and how much does a LED work light require?

The lumen value is the illuminance (luminous flux) per square meter and is specified in the unit of measurement lux (lx). When used as vehicle lighting, particular attention should be paid to the value: "Light distance at 1 lx". The illuminance of 1 lux corresponds to the uniform illumination of 1 square meter area with a luminous flux of 1 lumen.

What aspects regarding the quality of the material should you look for when buying an LED work light?

LED work lights are often used in extreme environments, so high-quality material is essential to guarantee a long product life. A robust and lightweight aluminum housing with shatterproof polycarbonate lens reflectors and stainless steel mounting brackets is the ideal choice for those who value quality and durability.

What cable length does a LED work light require?

Make sure to pay attention to the included cable length when purchasing a LED work light. Depending on the application, a LED work light often requires a longer cable than a LED headlight that is usually connected to the vehicle’s wiring harness and therefore comes with a cable length of only approx. 0.5m. A connection cable length of 2.5m is sufficient for most applications.

What is the ideal light color temperature (Kelvin) for a LED work light?

Work Light LEDs for construction and agricultural machinery should have a cool white light color of approx. 6000 Kelvin (xenon white). A cool color temperature increases concentration and performance levels and reveals details that would not be visible with warm-white light due to its higher red spectrum. However, very cold-white, almost bluish light (with a color temperature far above 6000 K) is very tiring for the eyes in the long run and should be avoided. In addition, bluish light is reflected even more strongly on dust, metal, rain and snow.

Do LED lamps require an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) certificate?

European law requires an electromagnetic compatibility test according to ECE-R10 or CISPR 25 for electrical products that are attached to motor vehicles in order to ensure that no other systems are disturbed. The consequences of electromagnetic interference range from a crackle in the radio to a complete machine standstill and should therefore not be underestimated.