Respuesta rápida: 24° vs 36° — ¿Cuál es mejor?

• haz de 24° → mayor intensidad, iluminación enfocada, contraste más fuerte
• Haz de 36° → cobertura más amplia, mejor uniformidad, menos luminarias

• A 3m de altura, 36° cubre ~50–70% más área menos de 24°

  Conclusión:
  Uso 24° para iluminación de acento, y 36° para iluminación general en la mayoría de proyectos comerciales.

Puntos Clave

• 24° = alta lux + fuerte enfoque
• 36° = cobertura amplia + mejor uniformidad
• 24° mejora la visibilidad del producto
• 36° reduce la cantidad de luminarias
• Mezclar ambos da los mejores resultados

Por qué 24° y 36° son los ángulos de haz más utilizados

Realidad en el sitio

En entornos comerciales (minoristas, hostelería):

• las alturas de techo típicamente varían 2.5–4m
• el tiempo de instalación es limitado

• el abastecimiento debe estandarizarse

  24° y 36° son las opciones más prácticas y ampliamente disponibles.

Explicación Técnica

Según las clasificaciones de haz IES:

• 24° → haz focalizado (<30°)

• 36° → inundación estrecha (30–40°)

  Referencia:
  https://www.ies.org/standards/

Estos ángulos ofrecen un equilibrio óptimo entre:

• intensidad de luz
• área de cobertura
• flexibilidad de espaciado

Perspectiva Directa de Fábrica

En grandes proyectos de hostelería:

• sobre 60% de pedidos son 24° o 36°
• debido a la compatibilidad con sistemas de riel y controles de atenuación

24° vs 36°: Diferencias Clave de un Vistazo

Shadow Quality: A Key Visual Difference

Beam angle affects not just brightness—but how objects look.

• haz de 24° → sharp, defined shadows
• Haz de 36° → soft, diffused shadows

Practical impact:

• 24° → ideal for jewelry, watches, textured materials

• 36° → better for clothing, hospitality, ambient lighting

  Key insight:

Narrow beams create depth and contrast, while wider beams improve visual comfort.

Beam Diameter Formula (Design Tool)

Beam Width Calculation

Beam width = 2 × mounting height × tan(beam angle ÷ 2)

Example (3m ceiling)

• 24° → ~1.27m diameter

• 36° → ~1.95m diameter

  36° provides significantly larger coverage.

Reference (photometric testing):
https://www.ies.org/standards/lm-79/

Beam Spread Comparison (Coverage Difference)

Key insight:

Small changes in beam angle create large differences in lighting distribution.

Lux Comparison: Which One Is Brighter?

With identical lumen output:

• 24° → concentrated → higher lux
• 36° → spread → lower lux

Example (800lm @ 3m)

• 24° → ~1800 lux
• 36° → ~900 lux

CBCP (Center Beam Candle Power)

CBCP measures the peak intensity at the center of the beam.

• 24° typically delivers 30–50% higher CBCP

• creates stronger visual focus

  In retail lighting, higher CBCP makes products stand out more clearly.

Referencia:
https://cie.co.at/publications

Spacing Differences in Real Installations

Based on IES guidelines:
https://www.ies.org/handbook

Practical impact:

• 36° reduces fixture count by 30–40%
• lowers installation and wiring cost
• improves overall uniformity

Warning: Beam Angle vs Ceiling Height

If ceiling height exceeds 3.5m:

• 36° beams may not deliver sufficient lux
• lighting becomes flat and underpowered

Recommendation:

• Uso 24° or narrower beams
• especially for accent or vertical lighting

This is one of the most common mistakes in commercial projects.

Manufacturer Insight: Common Real-World Mistake

In many retail projects:

Clients choose 36° beams to reduce fixture quantity.

Resultado:

• poor contrast
• weak product focus
• reduced visual impact

Our recommendation:

• Uso 24° beams for key areas
• combine with 36° for ambient lighting

Glare Control Consideration

• 24° beams usually offer better glare control

• 36° beams may produce more spill light if optics are poor

  High-quality lens design is critical.

When to Use 24° Beam Angle

Use 24° when you need:

• iluminación de acento
• high contrast
• focused illumination

Applications:

• retail displays
• artwork lighting
• reception areas

Target: >1000 lux

When to Use 36° Beam Angle

Use 36° when you need:

• general lighting
• uniform distribution
• fewer fixtures

Applications:

• corridors
• hotel lobbies
• open commercial areas

Target: 500–800 lux

Application Note (Fixture Selection)

In higher ceilings (4–6m):

• larger fixtures like AR111
• combined with haz de 24°

provide better intensity than standard GU10 lamps.

Real Project Examples

Minorista

• 24° → product focus
• 36° → background

Hotel Lobby

• 36° grid for floor
• 24° for architectural features

Galería

• 24° for artwork
• 36° for ambient

Combining both angles delivers optimal results.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Beam Angles

• Using 36° for high ceilings
• Using only one beam angle
• Ignoring spacing rules
• Not simulating lighting

Solution:

• use Dialux / Relux
• verify beam angle before installation

FAQ: 24° vs 36° Beam Angle

Which is better for 3m ceiling?

36° for general lighting.

Is 24° too narrow?

No — ideal for accent lighting.

Can I mix 24° and 36°?

Yes — standard professional approach.

Which saves more cost?

36° reduces fixture count but may reduce lighting quality.

Inventory Strategy for Distributors

For general commercial demand:

• 60% → 36° beam (general use)
• 40% → 24° beam (accent use)

This mix:

• reduces stock risk
• covers most applications
• improves turnover

Final Recommendation: How to Choose

• Need focus → choose 24°
• Need coverage → choose 36°
• Need both → combine both

Perspectiva de Ingeniería

In real projects:

• mixed beam strategy reduces cost by 20–30%
• improves lighting performance
• minimizes rework

Conclusion: Business Value

Choosing the right beam angle:

• reduces installation cost
• improves lighting quality
• avoids rework
• enhances long-term performance

24° = precision lighting tool
36° = efficiency lighting tool

Planning a commercial lighting project?

Nuestro equipo de ingeniería puede ayudarle:

• select beam angles
• optimize spacing
• simulate lighting

to avoid costly mistakes before installation.