Vision Lights by Wavelength: Choose Infrared, Red, Blue, or White

If you are struggling to figure out the right light, space for the project? Did you think that every industry has its own red, blue, or white light, which has its own magic and purpose? Whether a machine vision system creates a perfect vibe for the workplace. Every light can easily save your time & frustration. If you want to understand the wavelength vision lights, you are in the right place.

In this blog, we will discuss the Vision Lights by Wavelength: Choosing Infrared, Red, Blue, white, or how each one works, and find the perfect fit for your space or system.

Table of Contents

What are the wavelengths, and why does it matter?

If you think these lights are normal, you’re wrong. These lights come in different wavelengths and every wavelength easily interacts with a machinery condition, material surface, or eyes in a slightly different way.

Visible spectrum light can be seen roughly from 380 nm to 700 nm.
When it talks about wavelengths, it is longer than 700mm, which easily moves into the infrared region.
With a visible band, you have various distinct colours like blue, 450–495 nm, green, 495–570 nm, or red, 620–740 nm.

It matters because choosing the infrared light source of a certain colour you choose, and how it interacts with objects, surfaces, or sensors. But the question is how much is visible, contrast, glare, or penetrates, etc.

What are the key options of wavelength lights, and when to use each?

IR Infrared

The infrared light just sits on the edge of the lights, which are mostly invisible to our eyes, but sensors can easily detect it.

When to use:

For visible lights, the camera lenses is not distracting to humans.
Penetrates dust, smoke, or certain materials.
If human visible lights interfere, but most of the sensor needs illumination.

Things to note:

It does not show visible lights
Lower contrast
Materials reflect it and absorption

Red Light

The red lights occupy roughly 620‑740 nm in the visible wavelength.

Where it is used:

It is used in low-light or low-vision tasks to be less disruptive for humans.
Red contrast does not need colour filtering.
It easily highlights textures without shaping disinfection.

Signs to warn:

When it blocks with high contrast
Slightly lower opticals

Blue light

The blue light typically ranges from 450–495 nm. This light is known for its crisp contrast or illumination, which makes it ideal for highlighting or details. Blue light is mostly used in common inspection areas where clarity or precision is crucial.

Where it is used:

It highlights sharp edges
When the manufacturing process is continuously working, it reflects blue well
For inspecting details, scars or surfaces.

Things to watch:

Glaring at humans
Creates diffuse lightning

White Light

White lights are the combination of light colours, human eyes see as white. It is the combination of mixing red, green and blue lights that sees true colours and details.

When to use it:

It helps natural colour rendering and true-life colours
General purpose
Inspection colours

Things to watch:

It reflects shadows or glare
Less control of contrast

Let’s understand how to choose the right light for you.

If you want to choose the right light for you need to ask yourself a question. Do humans or cameras see lights? Choosing the right light depends on the objects you need to see. You need human-friendly lighting system that perfect for a machine vision system, or inspecting lights. Think about all contrast, glare, or night tasks you need to inspect.

You need to choose human-friendly lights like white light
Dark camera
Inspecting defects
Night or low human tasks

Light	Use	Pros	Cons
IR	Cameras/night vision	Invisible	No colours
Red	Low-light/inspection	Gentle, good contrast, human-friendly	Red may blend
Blue	Defects/details	Sharp, detailed	Can glare
White	General/true colour	Natural	Less contrast