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Flicker in LED lighting: what to ask for

Why some LED luminaires flicker on camera, how flicker is measured, and the driver choices that avoid it.

Many LED drivers modulate their output at twice the mains frequency. The eye may not see it, but cameras, phones and some people notice it — and in retail and hospitality, every customer carries a camera.

How it is measured

  • Percent flicker / modulation depth: the depth of the light variation.
  • Pst LM: short-term flicker indicator for visible flicker; ≤ 1.0 is the EU ecodesign limit.
  • SVM: stroboscopic visibility measure; ≤ 0.4 is the EU limit for most products.

What causes it

Simple linear drivers and low-cost constant-current designs with small capacitors pass mains ripple to the LED. Isolated constant-current drivers with good filtering keep the output steady.

What to specify

Ask for the driver type and, for camera-heavy spaces, a flicker-free statement backed by measurement. Every product page in our catalogue lists the driver and power factor of the variant; for front-of-house spaces, choose variants with isolated constant-current drivers and keep linear-driver economy versions for back-of-house use.

Related luminaires

Further reading

Three Numbers to Calculate Before You Install Restaurant Lighting Dark tables, bright aisles and spill onto walls usually trace back to spacing, beam angle and aiming angle set in isolation rather than calculated together. Six Track Spotlight Specification Errors That Hurt Retail Sales Six common track spotlight specification mistakes — from chasing efficacy to skipping beam angle simulation — that reduce merchandise appeal and dwell time in retail environments. Beam angles and accent ratios: planning contrast How beam angle, distance and accent ratio work together — and why 24° is the most-specified spotlight in retail.