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LED lighting can create invisible flicker that may contribute to headaches, migraines, eye strain and visual discomfort. This phenomenon is known as Temporal Light Artifact (TLA) or LED light flicker.
Luminate Lighting Group provides professional LED flicker testing and Temporal Light Artifact audits for schools, gymnasiums, offices, warehouses and commercial facilities across Texas.
Our TLA audits measure and analyze lighting performance to identify whether LED drivers or lighting systems are producing flicker patterns that may affect building occupants.
If you are experiencing complaints about headaches, migraines, dizziness, or visual discomfort under LED lighting, a professional flicker analysis can help determine whether lighting is contributing to the problem.
Temporal Light Artifacts are rapid variations in light output that occur when LED drivers modulate electrical current.Most flicker occurs at frequencies that are not consciously visible. However, even non perceptible flicker can cause issues in sensitive environments such as:
• School gymnasiums
• Classrooms
• Offices
• Healthcare environments
• Indoor sports facilities
• Warehouses with high bay LED lighting
Common symptoms associated with problematic LED flicker include:
• Migraines
• Eye strain
• Visual fatigue
• Difficulty focusing
• Stroboscopic motion effects
• Headaches during athletic activity
These effects are more noticeable in environments with motion, such as basketball courts or athletic training facilities.
Percent Flicker --- The percentage variation between the maximum and minimum light output.
Flicker Index --- A measurement of the waveform shape and modulation characteristics of the light output
Modulation Depth --- The amplitude of the variation in luminous intensity
Stroboscopic Visibility Measure (SVM) --- An industry metric used to evaluate motion related stroboscopic effects caused by lighting
Frequency of Modulation --- The frequency at which the light output fluctuates, typically related to LED driver design.
Luminate Lighting Group performs professional lighting flicker measurements using specialized photometric instrumentation designed to capture temporal light modulation.
Our process includes:
1. On Site Lighting InspectionWe document the lighting system including fixture type, driver type, mounting height and electrical characteristics.
2. Multi Point Flicker MeasurementLighting is measured at multiple locations within the space including typical occupant viewing locations.
3. Waveform AnalysisWe capture waveform and modulation data to determine flicker characteristics and frequency.
4. Metric AnalysisWe calculate:
• Percent flicker
• Flicker index
• Modulation depth
• SVM
• Frequency spectrum
5. Engineering InterpretationResults are evaluated against widely referenced lighting guidance such as IEEE flicker recommendations and other industry lighting standards.
After the audit, clients receive a detailed LED Flicker Analysis Report that includes:
• Executive summary of findings
• Measurement data from multiple test points
• Flicker metrics including percent flicker and flicker index
• Stroboscopic visibility analysis
• Modulation frequency evaluation
• Interpretation of potential occupant impact
• Recommendations for mitigation if necessary
The report can be used by facility managers, school administrators, engineers or lighting manufacturers to evaluate potential corrective actions.
Temporal Light Artifact audits are particularly valuable for buildings where lighting quality affects performance or comfort.
Common facilities include: K 12 Schools School gymnasiums, classrooms and athletic facilities often involve motion and high activity levels where flicker effects can be amplified. Churches and Worship Facilities Large open spaces with high mounted lighting can create visual discomfort when flicker is present. Office Buildings Employees working long hours under LED lighting may experience eye strain or headaches if flicker is excessive. Warehouses and Industrial Facilities High bay LED fixtures with certain driver designs can create stroboscopic effects around moving machinery. Sports and Athletic Facilities Fast motion environments are the most sensitive to stroboscopic lighting artifacts.
Luminate Lighting Group provides LED flicker testing and Temporal Light Artifact audits throughout Texas.
Our team specializes in evaluating LED lighting systems in schools, warehouses, commercial buildings and athletic facilities.
When Should You Request a Flicker Audit?
Consider a TLA audit if your facility has experienced:
• Migraine complaints associated with lighting
• Headaches or eye strain under LED fixtures
• Flicker visible on video recordings
• Complaints during athletic activities
• Concerns about LED driver performance
• Suspected lighting related visual discomfort
Schedule a Temporal Light Artifact AuditIf you believe LED lighting flicker may be affecting building occupants, Luminate Lighting Group can perform a professional Temporal Light Artifact audit and LED flicker analysis. Our team will evaluate your lighting system, measure flicker characteristics and provide clear recommendations for improvement.
Contact Luminate Lighting Group to schedule a LED Flicker Test or TLA Lighting Audit.
We proudly serve businesses statewide across Texas, including major metropolitan areas and smaller communities:
North Texas (DFW Metroplex): Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Frisco, Irving, Garland, McKinney, Denton, and surrounding cities.
Central Texas:Austin, Round Rock, Waco, Killeen, Temple, College Station, and nearby communities.
Southeast Texas & Gulf Coast:Houston, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Beaumont, Galveston, and neighboring areas.
South Texas:San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen, Brownsville, and other communities in the Rio Grande Valley.
West Texas & Panhandle:El Paso, Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa (Permian Basin), and beyond.
East Texas:Tyler, Longview, Nacogdoches, Texarkana, Shreveport (LA border areas), and surrounding towns.
Texoma Region:Sherman, Denison, Gainesville, Wichita Falls, and other North Texas border areas near Lake Texoma.
Hill Country:Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Boerne, and other Hill Country communities west of Austin and San Antonio.
LED flicker is a rapid fluctuation in light output caused by the way LED drivers convert electrical power into light. While most flicker occurs at frequencies that are not consciously visible, some people are sensitive to these variations in light intensity. Excessive flicker or low frequency modulation can contribute to headaches, migraines, eye strain and visual fatigue. This is especially noticeable in environments with motion such as gymnasiums, sports facilities and warehouses. A Temporal Light Artifact (TLA) audit measures these fluctuations and determines whether the lighting system may be contributing to occupant discomfort.
LED flicker testing is performed using specialized photometric instruments designed to measure temporal light modulation. During a TLA audit, measurements are taken at multiple locations within the space to evaluate lighting performance where occupants are typically located. The testing process measures key flicker metrics such as percent flicker, flicker index, modulation depth, stroboscopic visibility measure (SVM) and modulation frequency. The results are then analyzed and compiled into a detailed report that explains the lighting characteristics and identifies potential mitigation options if flicker levels are elevated
In many cases LED flicker can be reduced without replacing the entire lighting system. Flicker is often caused by the LED driver rather than the LED light source itself. Possible solutions may include replacing drivers with low flicker models, adjusting dimming systems, correcting electrical compatibility issues or upgrading fixtures with improved driver technology. A professional LED flicker audit helps determine the exact cause of the flicker so that the most cost effective solution can be implemented.
Yes. In some cases LED gym lighting can contribute to migraines, headaches, or visual discomfort. This is often related to temporal light artifacts (TLA) or LED flicker created by the electronic driver inside the fixture. Gymnasiums are particularly sensitive environments because fast motion, such as basketball or volleyball, can amplify stroboscopic effects. Even when flicker is not consciously visible, some individuals are sensitive to rapid changes in light intensity. A professional LED flicker test can determine whether the lighting system may be contributing to these symptoms
Testing gymnasium lighting requires specialized photometric equipment that measures the light output waveform from LED fixtures. During a Temporal Light Artifact audit, multiple measurements are taken throughout the gymnasium, including areas where students and athletes are typically located. The testing evaluates metrics such as percent flicker, flicker index, modulation depth, stroboscopic visibility measure (SVM), and modulation frequency. The results are compiled into a report that identifies whether the lighting system may produce flicker related visual artifacts
Many LED fixtures installed during early retrofit projects between approximately 2015 and 2019 used driver technology that produced higher levels of flicker compared to modern LED systems. While these fixtures were often energy efficient, they were not always optimized for temporal light performance. Newer LED drivers are designed to significantly reduce flicker and improve lighting stability. If a facility installed LED gym lighting several years ago and occupants are reporting headaches or visual discomfort, a flicker audit can determine whether driver technology may be contributing to the issue
A Temporal Light Artifact (TLA) audit is a professional evaluation of how a lighting system behaves over time, specifically looking for rapid fluctuations in light output commonly referred to as LED flicker. During a TLA audit, specialized photometric instruments measure lighting characteristics such as percent flicker, flicker index, modulation depth, stroboscopic visibility measure (SVM), and modulation frequency. These measurements help determine whether LED drivers or lighting systems are producing temporal light modulation that could contribute to visual discomfort, migraines, or motion related lighting artifacts. A TLA audit provides facility managers, schools, and commercial building owners with data driven insight into lighting performance and recommendations for improving lighting quality if necessary
