ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
• determines average light levels in large open areas
• for uniform or general lighting
• calculates the number of luminaires
• large scale approximations and combines
reflections from all surfaces in the room
• most commonly used for office, commercial and
factory spaces
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
• based on tables of coefficients for each general
fixture type, which are usually supplied by
manufacturers
• coefficient of utilization (CU) theoretically varies
between 0 and 1.0, with most values in the 0.5 to
0.8 range
• light loss factors considered
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
• Limitations
1. represents average value only if luminaires are
spaced apart
2. CU based on empty interiors
3. illuminance may vary considerably with ones
from selected points
4. illuminance may differ from actual measured
values
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
E = (N x n x LL x LLF x CU)
A
E = illuminance (lux)
N = number of fixtures
n = number of lamps per fixture
LL = number of lumens produced per lamp
LLF = total light loss factor from different subfactors
CU = coefficient of utilization from the tables
A = area of the working plane (or floor)
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
To solve for the number of fixtures:
N = E x A
(n x LL x LLF x CU)
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Cavity Ratios
Zonal cavity method subdivides the interior space:
1. Floor cavity – space beneath the work plane
2. Ceiling cavity – space above the luminaires
3. Room cavity – extends from the work plane to
the luminaire plane
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Cavity Ratios
For rectangular rooms:
Cavity ratio = 5 x height (room length + room width)
(room length x room width)
Where height = hCC for the CCR
= hRC for the RCR
= hFC for the FCR
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Cavity Ratios
For rectangular rooms:
Cavity ratio = 5 x height (room length + room width)
(room length x room width)
Note that:
CCR (ceiling) = RCR (hCC/hRC)
FCR (floor)= RCR (hFC/hRC)
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Cavity Ratios
For irregular shaped rooms:
Cavity ratio = 2.5 A1 or 2.5hP1
A2 A2
A1 = wall (total vertical) area
A2 = work‐plane (horizontal) area or floor area
P1 = work‐plane perimeter
h = cavity height
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Room Reflectance
Typical reflectance values:
• 75‐90% ‐ white, off‐white, grey, light tints of blue
or brown
• 30‐60% ‐ medium green, yellow, brown or grey
• 10‐20% ‐ dark grey, medium blue
• 5‐10% ‐ dark blue, brown, dark green and many
wood finishes
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Room Reflectance
Typical commercial values:
• 80% ‐ ceiling
• 50% ‐ wall
• 20% ‐ floor
Typical industrial values:
• 50% ‐ ceiling
• 30% ‐ wall
• 20% ‐ floor
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Light Loss Factors
• less luminous output due to age and exposure to
various elements, such as dust and moisture
• Light Loss Factor (LLF) accounts for lamp lumen
depreciation (LLD), luminaire dirt depreciation
(LDD), and ballast factor (BF).
LLF = LLD + LDD + BF
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Steps ‐ Sample Problem
• Classroom dimensions: 8m x 6m x 3.7m height
• Initial reflectances: ceiling – 80%, wall – 50%, floor –
20%
• Average maintained illumination: 500 lux
• Luminaire: GE Lumination Linear Suspended Fixture EL
Series 4’ @ 4000K, 6100 lumens
• Luminaire mounting height: 2.70m
• Work plane height: 0.75m
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Steps – 1. Get required
data.
l = 8.0m w = 6.0m E = 500 lux
hCC =1.0m hFC = 0.75m LL = 6100 lumens
hRC = 1.95m
ρC = 80% ρW= 50%
ρF = 20%
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Steps – 2. Compute for Cavity Ratios.
RCR = 5 hRC (l + w) / (l x w)
= 5 (1.95) (8 + 6) / (8 x 6) = 2.84
CCR = 2.84 (1.0 / 1.95) = 1.46
FCR = 2.84 (0.75 / 1.95) = 1.09
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Steps – 3. Obtain effective reflectances (ρCC and ρFC) from
IESNA table. You may need to estimate values
(interpolation).
For ρCC, use ρC = 80%, ρW = 50% and CCR = 1.46 .
For ρFC, use ρF = 20%, ρW = 50% and FCR = 1.09.
IESNA TABLE ON REFLECTANCES
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Steps – 3. Obtain effective reflectances (ρCC and ρFC)
from IESNA table. You may need to estimate values
(interpolation).
ρCC = 0.61
ρFC = 0.195
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Steps – 4. Obtain coefficient of utilization from
manufacturer’s spec sheet (must contain
photometric data).
RCR = 2.84
ρw = 50%
ρCC = 0.61 or 61%
ρFC = 0.195 or 19.5%
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Steps – 4. Obtain coefficient of utilization from
manufacturer’s spec sheet (must contain
photometric data).
CU = 72% or 0.72
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Steps – 5. Compute for LLF.
LLD = ?
LDD = ?
BF = ?
Typical Luminaire Dirt Depreciation (LDD)
Environment (Dirt Level)
Light Medium Heavy
Enclosed Fixtures 0.94 0.86 0.77
Enclosed & Filtered 0.97 0.93 0.88
Open & Ventilated 0.94 0.84 0.74
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Steps – 5. Compute for LLF.
LLD = 0.85
LDD = 0.94
BF = 1.0 (for LED products)
LLF = 0.85 x 0.94 x 1.0 = 0.8
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Steps – 6. Compute for the number of luminaires.
N = E x A = 500 x (8 x 6)
(n x LL x LLF x CU) (1 x 5800 x 0.8 x 0.72)
N = 7.18 ≈ 8
ZONAL CAVITY / LUMEN METHOD
Steps – 7. Layout the luminaires.
• Check if the manufacturer provided the spacing
criteria. The spacing between luminaires must not
exceed the recommended spacing criteria.
