What is the beam angle of LED panel lights

What is the beam angle of LED panel lights?
Beam angle refers to the angle range of the light emitted by LED panel lights where the light intensity reaches 50% of the maximum value, in degrees (°). This parameter determines the distribution range of the light of the lamp and is a very critical technical indicator in lighting design and application lighting. For LED panel lights, the beam angle directly affects the lighting uniformity, illumination coverage and visual comfort.

Typical beam angle range of LED panel lights
As a surface-emitting lighting product, LED panel lights have a typical beam angle of 120° to 160°. Most mainstream LED panel lights use a standard 120° beam angle to achieve wide-angle, uniform and soft lighting effects. Compared with traditional point light source lamps (such as spotlights, downlights, etc.), LED panel lights have a wider beam distribution and are suitable for places with high requirements for light uniformity, such as office lighting, school classrooms, hospital passages, and commercial displays.

Advantages of wide beam angle
1. Improve lighting uniformity and eliminate dark areas and glare
Using a surface emitting design of 120° or greater, LED panel lights can achieve large-area, uniform and soft lighting coverage. Effectively reduce shadows and local bright spots, create a comfortable visual environment, and are particularly suitable for large-space lighting venues, such as conference rooms, open offices, school classrooms and exhibition halls.
2. Reduce the number of lamps and optimize the overall lighting system
A wide beam angle can expand the irradiation range of each lamp. Under the same illumination requirements, using LED panel lights with a larger beam angle can reduce the number of lamps, thereby reducing wiring, installation and maintenance costs, and improving the overall efficiency and economy of the system. It is particularly practical for large-area commercial buildings and engineering projects.
3. Reduce the glare index (UGR) and improve comfort and work efficiency
LED panel lights, combined with high-efficiency light guide plates and diffusion films, can further reduce the glare index on the basis of a wide beam angle. The standard office lighting environment recommends UGR≤19. High-quality LED panel lights achieve wide beam angles and low glare through reasonable optical structure design, providing protection for visual fatigue prevention.

Several key points of beam angle affecting lighting design
1. Calculation of lamp spacing
The larger the beam angle, the wider the unit brightness distribution and the larger the coverage area of ​​a single lamp. Using LED panel lights with a beam angle of 120°, at a floor height of 2.5 to 3 meters, the typical lamp spacing is about 1.2-1.5 meters, which can meet the 300~500lux illumination standard requirements of office areas.
2. Compatibility of hanging and embedded applications
LED panel lights with standard beam angles are suitable for a variety of installation methods such as embedded, ceiling, and hanging. In embedded applications, ceiling light planarization can be achieved and the beam can be evenly diffused; in hanging applications, high beam angles ensure sufficient vertical and horizontal lighting, which is particularly suitable for meeting areas or display areas.
3. Multiple lighting schemes are available to meet different application scenarios
High-end LED panel lights can be designed with different beam angle versions according to different needs, for example:
80°~90° medium-angle beam: suitable for spaces that require concentrated specific illumination, such as museum display cabinets and auxiliary lighting in hospital operating rooms;
120° standard wide angle: suitable for most commercial spaces, such as office buildings, classrooms, and libraries;
160° ultra-wide angle design: used for basic lighting over a larger area, reducing shadow overlap and creating a softer light environment.

Optical design principle of LED panel lights to achieve wide beam angles
1. Light guide plate structure
High-efficiency LED panel lights use PMMA light guide plates with precision etch points or laser engraving technology to refract LED side light into a surface light source through light guide points to achieve uniform light diffusion. The light guide plate design directly affects the beam distribution shape.
2. Multi-layer diffusion film and reflective film design
High-transmittance diffusion film is used to control the light output angle and improve the light output uniformity. High-reflection back film can enhance light utilization and improve the overall lighting effect. While ensuring that the beam angle meets the design requirements, avoid excessive center brightness and edge light attenuation.
3. Flicker-free constant current drive power supply
The use of high-stability constant current drive power supply can maintain consistent output of LED chip luminous flux, prevent beam changes caused by current fluctuations, keep the beam angle constant and output stable, and further optimize the visual experience.