GROW LIGHT ILLUMINATION SOURCES AND KELVIN GRADES FOR CULTIVATION OF LAMPS (by Andrew)
HPS grow light lamps for cultivation (Sodium Vapour) and MH (Metal Halide) light sources are the most commonly used in greenhouses, plant growing, indoor growing and have revealed to be the most appropriate choice for most cases. They are currently commercially available in a variety of sizes strengths, colours of light and spectral compositions. Any lighting requirements can be met. Their small size and the fact that they emit a lot of lumens allows them to grow green and compact flowers and plants. The HPS grow light cultivation lamps have high performance levels in terms of conversion of electrical energy into light energy and the intensity of the light does not diminish over time as with the fluorescent. Their average life is 30,000 hours of use. Kelvin Grades provide the measurement of spectral composition of a light source where zero is zero absolute physical (-273 \ ^ C). A solid body begins to emit light when it is heated at about 753 K (500 ^ C) and it emits a dominant red light spectrum. Increasing temperature spectrums assume a dominant bright green, and intense temperatures will have a more dominant blue until the ultraviolet and fusion form a solid body. Kelvin Grades are used in agriculture plant growing to indicate the colour lamps temperatures in greenhouses indoor growing. The sodium vapour grow light (HPS) have a calibration of 2000K while the metal halide lamps (MH) has a temperature of more than 5500K, very similar to the temperature of sunlight.
Kelvin Grades |
1500°K |
Candle |
Hot |
1800°K |
Sunset |
Hot |
2000°K |
HPS grow light - Sodium Vapor |
Hot |
2700°K |
Incandescent Lamp |
Hot |
2800°K |
Fluorescent Lamp |
Hot |
3000°K |
Halogen lamps |
Hot |
4000°K |
White Fluorescent Lamp |
Neutral |
5000°K |
Midday |
Cold |
6000°K |
Mercury vapour lamp |
Cold |
6500°K |
Neon fluorescent tube |
Cold | |