A magnifying lamp is bought on two numbers: how much it magnifies and how well it lights. Phil Industries supplies bench and clamp-mount inspection lamps in Singapore with optical glass lenses and daylight-balanced LED illumination for electronics assembly, PCB inspection and QC.
🔍 Dioptre and magnification
Lens strength is quoted in dioptres. Magnification is 1 + (dioptre ÷ 4), so a higher dioptre magnifies more but gives a shorter working distance and a narrower field of view.
Dioptre to magnification, and what it costs you in working distance
| 3 dioptre |
|
1.75× — widest field |
|---|---|---|
| 5 dioptre |
|
2.25× — general inspection |
| 8 dioptre |
|
3× — fine SMD work |
| 12 dioptre |
|
4× — shortest working distance |
Most bench work sits at 3 to 5 dioptre. Reach for 8 or 12 only when the detail genuinely demands it.
🛠️ Choosing a mount
| Mount | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clamp | Existing benches | No bench footprint; needs a lip to grip |
| Desk base | Moving between stations | Free-standing, repositionable |
| Floor stand | Large assemblies | Reaches over the work, not around it |
📝 What else to specify
- Lens material — optical glass resists scratching and yellowing better than acrylic.
- Colour temperature — daylight-balanced LED (around 5,000–6,500 K) reduces eye strain on long shifts.
- Arm reach — measure from mount point to the far edge of your work area.
- ESD version — specify it if the lamp sits inside an EPA.
🏭 Where they are used
- Electronics assembly and PCB rework
- Incoming and final quality inspection
- Jewellery, watchmaking and dental laboratories
- Laboratory sample handling
❓ Common questions
What dioptre should I choose?
Start at 3 or 5 dioptre for general bench work. Higher dioptres magnify more but force you to work closer with less of the board in view.
Glass or acrylic lens?
Glass. It stays clear far longer under solvent wipe-down and daily handling.
Do you supply ESD-safe magnifying lamps?
Yes — tell us the lamp sits in an EPA and we will quote the dissipative version.
Clamp or desk base?
Clamp if the bench has a suitable lip and you want the surface clear. Desk base if the lamp moves between stations.
🔎 Related
Need more than a lamp? See microscopes, vision and lighting systems.
✅ Get a quotation
Send the dioptre, mount type and whether it is for an EPA. Call +65 6555 1745 or email kenneth@phil-industries.com.sg.
