LED panels can glare

LED panels recessed into the ceiling make adjacent ceiling surfaces significantly darker. This poses a great risk that the LED panels will be perceived as glaring. Such glare can be particularly noticeable in open-plan office solutions. From a distance, the LED panels will then be more centrally located in the employees' field of vision.

LED panels sometimes lack the shielding required to avoid glare. In many cases, LED panels replace suspended luminaires. These luminaires usually have part of the light directed up towards the ceiling to create reflected general lighting, as well as screens to prevent glare.

Measurements confirm that LED panels are glaring

Many employees find that LED panels glare them. There are also measurements of luminance (brightness) that confirm the perception of glare. The lower the difference between luminance in the ceiling and the LED panel, the better. Brand, location and any shielding can make a big difference in whether employees experience glare.

Reduce the glare in existing premises

There are a number of ways of reducing glare from LED panels that are already installed. This can be done, for example, by raising them in the suspended ceiling using recessed frames, if there is room, or by placing physical screens around the panels.

Design for glare-free lighting

When planning and constructing new buildings, it is essential to design the lighting so that glare does not occur by choosing suitable luminaires and placing them correctly. This is where lighting planners and lighting designers can be of great help.

The Swedish Work Environment Authority's provisions and general guidelines

The Swedish Work Environment Authority's provisions and general guidelines (AFS 2023:12) on the design of workplaces state in chapter 5, section 24 that lighting must be of good quality. The requirement for good lighting includes endeavouring to avoid glare. This is to allow for good working conditions which benefit both employees and employers.

If luminaires, including LED panels, are positioned in such a way that they cause glare, this may contravene the requirements of the Swedish Work Environment Authority.