Why 4000K LED Lighting Is Now the Standard for Industrial Sites

Published by Pacific Automation on 21st Jan 2026

The switch from 6000K to 4000K LED lighting in industrial environments isn’t just a trend, it’s a deliberate shift toward better visibility, comfort, and safety.

 

What’s changed? 

Traditionally, 6000K “cool white” LEDs were favoured for their perceived higher brightness and efficiency. But advances in LED technology, like selective binning, have closed the performance gap. Today, 4000K delivers comparable efficacy, with a range of added benefits that are now seeing it become the new standard across Australian sites. 

 

Why 4000K is better suited to industrial work:

  • Improved visual comfort 
    Workers often describe 4000K as “more natural” light. It reduces eye strain and fatigue, making it easier to focus over long shifts, especially in enclosed or low-light areas. 

  • Higher colour accuracy 
    A higher Colour Rendering Index (CRI) means colours are easier to distinguish. This matters in tasks like quality checks, fault finding, and detailed assembly, where precision counts. 4000K lights typically offer a CRI of 80Ra compared to just 70Ra for 6000K. 

  • Reduced blue light exposure 
    6000K lighting contains more blue light, which can disrupt circadian rhythms and potentially affect long-term eye health. 4000K offers a safer, more balanced light spectrum for regular human exposure. 

 

What this means for you

Whether you’re specifying lighting for a hazardous zone or upgrading an older facility, switching to 4000K supports better working conditions and aligns with emerging global standards. At Pacific Automation, we now offer Raytec LED luminaires in 4000K as a stocked standard, purpose-built for industrial and hazardous environments. 

 

Why 4000K is better suited to industrial work:

Whether you're rolling out lighting across a new facility or replacing legacy units, we can help you find the right product, on time. 

Get in touch with our team for advice on fitting selection, stock availability, or integration with your existing lighting systems.