Correlated Color Temperature (CCT)
noun
Definition of Correlated Color Temperature
Correlated color temperature provides a more accurate and standardized way to describe the color of light emitted by a light source.
This is due to the fact that CCT measures the color of a light source's output while accounting for the color of a hypothetical black body radiator that would emit light with a similar hue as the light source being measured.
It’s typically measured in degrees Kelvin (K) and can range from warm, yellowish hues at around 2700K, to cool, bluish hues at around 6500K.
Understanding CCT can help customizing the ambience of a space and in selecting lighting that accurately renders colors for tasks where color accuracy is critical.
For example, a CCT of 5000 makes Lumitec Octane Spread Light ideal as a floodlight because of the bright white illumination it provides. On the other hand the LED Puck Light with its warm white light (~ 2700 K) works better as a courtesy light.
Example of Correlated Color Temperature in a Sentence
"The CCT of a light source, measured in degrees Kelvin, is key in determining the ambiance and mood of a space."
Related Terms for Correlated Color Temperature