What is the difference between ANSI lumens and lumens?
There are a lot of things to put into consideration when buying a video projection system. Lumens and ANSI lumens are the projection brightness to consider. But these terms are confusing many people.
The main difference between ANSI lumens and lumens is that the former are standardized by the American National Standardized Institute which is more specific and accurate whereas the latter is standardized by the International System of Units.
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Comparison Table (ANSI Lumens vs Lumens)
| Basic Terms | ANSI Lumens | Lumens |
| Basic Symbol | Do not have any symbol | lm |
| System of Units | Not an SI unit for measuring luminous intensity | The SI unit of luminous flux |
| Standardization | Standardized by American National Standards Institute | Not standardized by ANSI |
| Accuracy | More specific and accurate | Less specific and accurate |
| Application | Displaying light output for projectors | Rating lamps and light bulbs |
What Is ANSI Lumen?
It is a unit or measuring luminous flux as assigned by American National Standards Institute. But this measurement unit is not the SI unit.
It is typically used in rating the light output of projectors. Keep in mind that the dimension of the ANSI lumen is similar to that of the lumen.
ANSI lumen is more specific and accurate when compared to the lumen. The accuracy is due to the standardized procedures involving the aggregate of several measurements to different positions.
Methods for measuring ANSI lumen projectors: The light output of the projector is recorded at nine points around the screen and its average is calculated.
The product of the average value with the area of the screen gives the brightness of the projector in the ANSI lumens. Keep in mind that the specification of the ANSI lumen measurement does not depend on the size of the image on the projector.
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What Is Lumen?
Lumen is a word derived from Latin lumin meaning light. It is the SI unit for measuring the amount of light intensity across a solid angle of one steradian. The symbol is-lm and the dimension of luminous flux are J.
1lm= 1 cd X sr where the cd is calendula (SI unit of light intensity) and sr is steradian (SI unit for measuring solid angle).
It is typically used in rating light output of bulbs and lamps like LED lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, and incandescent light bulbs.
Most lighting equipment is labeled as a luminous flux in replacement of electrical power SI unit wattage. Illuminance in lux and the luminous flux in lumens help to determine the brightness of projectors.
Research shows that the more the flux the farther the light will reach from the source. Besides that, more lumen implies more brightness of light on the area.
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Main Difference between ANSI Lumens and Lumens
- ANSI lumen is not an SI unit whereas Lumen is the SI unit for measuring luminous flux which rates the light output of artificial sources.
- ANSI lumen is standardized by American National Standards Institute whereas lumen is not standardized by ANSI.
- The symbol of Lumen is Im whereas ANSI lumen has no symbol.
- ANSI lumen is more specific and accurate whereas lumen is less specific and accurate.
- Lumen determines the brightness of LED lamps, incandescent lamps, and compact fluorescent lamps whereas ANSI lumen help to specify the light output of projectors.
In Conclusion
Lumen is the measure of luminous flux which helps to observe the power and strength of light. ANSI lumen is more specific and accurate when determining the brightness of projectors.
ANSI lumens are the units labeled on the modern-day equipment projectors instead of the electrical power units (watt). Both lumens and ANSI lumens tend to confuse people. We hope the differences outlined in the article are helpful.
More Sources and References
- https://www.projecticodis.com/blogs/projector-types/ansi-lumens
- http://en.jmgo.com/enblog/blog/choose-the-appropriate-projector-brightness-for-your-needs
- https://personalprojector.co.uk/blogs/blog/covered-in-confusion-when-it-comes-to-understanding-lumens-and-brightness