The unit of color temperature is absolute temperature (Kelvin, K). When a standard black body (such as platinum) is heated and the temperature rises to a certain level, the color begins to change gradually from red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (blue-violet), and purple. Using this characteristic of light color change, when the light color of the light source is the same as the light color of the black body, we call the temperature of the black body at that time the color temperature of the light source. When the color temperature is around 3000K, the light color is yellowish. When the color temperature is above 5000K, the light color is blue. Light with different color temperatures has different lighting and visual effects. Different color temperatures correspond to different colors of light. Different wavelengths give different color sensations to the human eye, from red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (blue-violet), and purple. The sensitivity of the eye changes strongly with the change of wavelength.
The English name of relative color temperature is Correlated Color Temperature, abbreviated as CCT. Sometimes, when we hear others discuss that CCT is adjustable, it means that the relative color temperature is adjustable.
3CCT VS 5CCT
As more and more LED lamps on the market tend to be CCT adjustable, some customers may notice that there are 3CCT adjustable, 4CCT adjustable and even 5CCT adjustable lamps, so what does 3CCT VS 5CCT mean?
What is 3CCT?
3CCT means that the LED lamp control has 3 CCT options, and you can switch to variable light color by switching to different Kelvin modes set by the factory.
Usually, the factory will try to cover the light color from warm white to cool white for different applications, but this may be slightly different:
Some brands are adjustable from warm white (3000K) to daylight white (5000K), such as 3000K/4000K/5000K;
Some are adjustable from natural white (4000K) to cool white (6500K), 4000K/5000K/6500K.
Therefore, if you find a dimmable 3CCT lamp, it is best to check its Kelvin options in the product description to see if it is suitable for you.
What is 5CCT?
5CCT means there are 5 CCT options, which has more light colors compared to 3CCT, so of course, it costs more. It may be 3000K/3500K/4000K/4500K/5000K or 3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K/6000K.
However, 5CCT is less common than 3CCT because most factories believe that 3CCT or 4CCT is enough for general use without increasing costs and reducing price competitiveness.
When you decide to buy a 5CCT dimmable lamp, you need to check its Kelvin range.
In the past, all LED lamps and LED bulbs were single CCT and you could not change it. When you look at the color of the chip, you can easily identify its light color. If it looks orange, you can judge it is a warm color, and if it looks yellow, you can judge it is a cold color.
Our module light source board is marked mainly to let customers see clearly that this size specification can be made into 3CCT/5CCT or 1CCT, 1 color temperature. Our 3CCT or 5CCT band switches are mainly for the convenience of importers to stock up, and these switches are used to adjust the color temperature. For example, the color temperature of 3CCT is 3000K, 4000K, and 6000K. If the customer wants 3000K today, you can directly take out the light source with matching power and specifications and adjust it to a color temperature of 3000K and sell it directly to the customer. For example, the color temperatures of 5CCT are: 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 4500K, and 6000K. If the customer needs 6000K, you can find a light source with matching power and size and adjust it to a color temperature of 6000K and sell it to him.
There is also a wall-controlled 3CCT/5CCT switch called a wall-controlled switch, which can switch your favorite 3/5 color temperatures at will within 0.5-1 second. It is usually used more in homes and hotels. If you choose a wall smart switch, some need to lay the line in advance. Some control the color temperature through remote control, mobile phone APP, graffiti control, Bluetooth control, etc.
Regarding the color temperature value, you can determine it according to your market needs. When we produce the raw materials of the lamp beads, we will customize unconventional color temperature values such as: 2500-2700K, 5000K-5500K, 7000K-9000K, etc.