What is UGR?
UGR stands for "Unified Glare Rating" and it is a measure used to assess the glare experienced by people looking at a lit environment, such as an office, classroom, or public space. It is particularly relevant when designing lighting systems to provide comfortable and visually pleasant light.
UGR takes into account various factors, such as the position and brightness of the light sources, the reflection of light on surfaces, and the viewing direction of the observer. The result is a numerical value that indicates how disturbing the glare can be.
What UGR values are there?
UGR values range from 10 to 30, with a lower value indicating less glare and a higher value indicating more glare. A UGR value of 19 or lower is considered comfortable for most indoor environments, while values above 22 can be experienced as glaring.
Below are the different UGR values and their meanings explained
UGR < 16
A UGR value lower than 16 is considered an excellent value and provides very high visual comfort. In environments where precision and focused work are required, such as offices, laboratories, or reading areas, it is ideal to have lighting with a UGR value lower than 16.
UGR 16-19
A UGR value between 16 and 19 is considered good and provides high visual comfort. This level of lighting is suitable for general workplaces, meeting rooms, and classrooms where visual comfort is important, but the requirements for precision are less strict.
UGR 19-22
A UGR value between 19 and 22 is considered acceptable and provides reasonable visual comfort. This level of lighting is suitable for spaces such as corridors, stairwells, or storage areas, where the visual requirements are slightly lower and glare is less critical.
UGR > 22
A UGR value higher than 22 is considered unacceptable, as it leads to significant glare and visual discomfort. It is important to avoid lighting with a UGR value higher than 22, especially in work environments where prolonged visual concentration is required.
Microprismatic panel for LED panels for low UGR
A microprismatic panel is an innovative technology specifically designed to reduce the Unified Glare Rating (UGR) of LED panels, thereby providing increased visual comfort. This panel consists of small prismatic structures that evenly distribute light and minimize unwanted glare.
How does a microprismatic panel work?
The microprismatic structure of the panel acts as an optical system that effectively controls and diffuses the light from the LEDs. The light emitted by the LEDs is refracted and spread in different directions by the prismatic structures. This creates a homogeneous and diffuse lighting pattern without disturbing glare.
Benefits of a microprismatic panel
- Reduces the UGR value: The microprismatic panel effectively reduces the UGR value of LED panels. This means that visual comfort is increased by minimizing glare and eye fatigue, which is essential in work environments where prolonged visual concentration is required.
- Even light distribution: By using the microprismatic panel, light is evenly distributed across the surface of the LED panel. This results in uniform and consistent lighting without dark or bright areas, creating a pleasant and comfortable working environment.
- Preservation of light quality: Unlike some other methods of reducing glare, the microprismatic panel maintains the high light quality of LED lighting. It ensures bright and natural light reproduction without compromising the color rendering index (CRI) and overall light performance.
