Candlepower, an outdated term for light intensity, has been replaced by “candle”. However, it is still used inconsistently, causing confusion. Candlepower was based on a standardized candlestick and has since been adapted to different light sources. It is important to note that candlepower does not provide information about distance or perception of light. Products advertised in candlepower may have additional information, such as candelas, for a more accurate description.
Candlepower is an obsolete term that was once used to express the intensity of light at its source. Today the term has been replaced by “candle”, but many people continue to use the original word. This term is in particularly common use on flashlight packaging. However, it’s applied inconsistently, so a term like “200 candelas” may not be very helpful in determining how bright something is at its source.
Like other measurements, candlepower revolves around a standardized and easily replicable basis. When people were originally standardizing on the term, they used a basic candlestick as a basis for measurements. Over time, the standard base has been adapted several times to different light sources. In 1948 this unit of measurement was abandoned in favor of the candle. The spark plug is based on a physical process and can be precisely calibrated.
Expressing intensity in this unit of measure is designed to convey how many candelas it would take to generate light of the same intensity. As science and technology progressed, one of the things that developed was ever more powerful and flexible lighting technology. This provided access to sources of lighting that were significantly brighter than candles, as well as being safer too because they required no open flame to function.
When measured by the last used standard, one candle equals 981 candles. Some people and manufacturers use the terms “candle” and “spark plug” interchangeably, however, giving a slight upgrade to spark plug wattage. This can be confusing when comparing the intensity of light sources. It also makes it difficult to convert between this and other measures, as the formulas used to convert don’t work when people don’t know which version of candles they’re referring to.
Products advertised in candlepower may have additional information about their light intensity, such as a measurement in candelas which will provide a more accurate description. If consumers are unsure of the brightness of a particular product, they can contact the manufacturer for more information. Staff at stores where lighting products are sold may also know how the manufacturers of specific products measure brightness and are usually happy to offer assistance when asked.
It is important to know that candle power is an expression of the intensity of the light at the source. It does not provide information about how strong the light is at a distance or how much light is perceived by the human eye. This measurement also cannot be used to determine how much electricity a given light source uses.
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