What is Flicker?
Understanding Flicker in Lighting
Flicker is one of the most critical phenomena discussed in the lighting industry, with harmful effects on human health. It refers to the flickering or blinking of a lamp's light, often caused by power fluctuations. This phenomenon can strain the eyes, though its impact varies based on individual sensitivity. In this article, we will explore flicker comprehensively.
What is Flicker?
Lamp flicker or light flickering is a harmful phenomenon that can affect people due to insufficient awareness among buyers and even manufacturers in the lighting industry. It commonly occurs because of fluctuations in the power supply. Household electricity operates at 220 volts and follows a sinusoidal wave at a frequency of 50 Hz, meaning this cycle repeats 50 times per second. This results in lights turning on and off 50 times per second, creating what is known as flicker.
Causes of Lamp Flicker
Key causes of lamp flicker include:
- Poor-quality lighting products
- Sudden voltage changes due to network overload
- High noise levels in the power grid
- Use of large appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, etc.
- Improper light efficiency settings during production
- Mismatch in color and brightness due to lack of quality control technology
- Loose connections between the lamp and socket
- Overloaded circuits caused by excessive simultaneous equipment usage
How to Detect Flicker
- Observation: If power issues are severe, flicker may be visible to the naked eye.
- Smartphone Camera: Adjust the shutter speed and frame frequency on your camera and record the light to identify flicker.
- Symptoms: Eye strain, fatigue, or frequent headaches could indicate flickering lights.
- Specialized Devices: Use a lux meter or light sensor equipped to detect flicker.
Measuring Flicker with a Lux Meter
Lux meters use light sensors like photodiodes or phototransistors to measure light intensity over short intervals. They sample the light intensity periodically, analyze it across time-frequency dimensions, and apply flicker detection algorithms.
Harmful Effects of Flicker
Flicker has numerous detrimental effects:
- Severe periodic headaches
- Long-term vision problems
- Eye fatigue and strain
- Reduced ability to read and concentrate
- Increased migraine attacks
These issues are particularly severe in industrial and workplace environments, negatively impacting productivity.
Solutions for Flicker
To eliminate flicker, you can:
- Buy high-quality lighting products with anti-flicker technology.
- Ensure proper wiring standards in your building.
- Avoid using switch-operated or dimmable lights, or disable unnecessary features.
- Opt for light sources with higher frequencies.
- Use LED lamps, which typically have less flicker.
- Purchase filtered lamps to minimize flicker.
- Choose lamps with adjustable brightness settings.
Advantages of Flicker-Free Lamps
Using flicker-free lighting offers the following benefits:
- Reduced eye fatigue
- Enhanced focus and productivity
- Prevention of recurring headaches
- Improved sleep quality
- Long-term protection against vision problems
Flicker-Free Lighting by Shabtab Lighting
At Shabtab Lighting, we understand the risks posed by flickering lights. Using cutting-edge technology, we produce flicker-free lighting solutions. If other factors are accounted for, our products ensure a flicker-free experience. Contact your local Shabtab representative to place your order today.
Author: Alireza Ghane