Trying to post using Wii-U again. (I know what went wrong on last attempt.)
I'm working on a companion article, Watts versus Lumens, for the Motorhome Electrical System series. Because I find other people's thoughts, opinions, and suggestions very helpful, I'm going to throw out some thoughts here.
Most people are familiar with the use of watts for defining the relative brightness of electric light bulbs and fixtures. However, the relationship between watts consumed and light emiitt
ed is, at best, very tenuous.
Watts is a unit of eletricity produced and consumed. The different types of electric light sources (incandescent, fluorescent, LED, etc.) has the largest bearing on the amount of light emitted per watt consumed. Likewise, differences in materials and manufacturing techniques has an impact on the apparent brightness of an electric light source.
So, two supposedly identical electric bulbs or fixtures, in terms of type and wattage, can be noticeably brighter or dimmer than each other.
Lumens is a precise unit of visible light emitted by a light source. Note 'visible' light. A key element in the scientific definition of a lumen is the human perception of light, based on what the average person's eyes can detect and process.
Uses watts (or amps) if you're concerned with how much an electric bulb or fixture is going to use. Use lumens if you're concerned with how bright the bulb or fixture will be.
