Laws of Illumination
&
Fundamental of Lighting
Laws of illumination:
Inverse Square Law
Intensity of Illumination produced by a point source varies inversely as square of
the distance from the source. It is given by the equation
E= I/d2
Laws of illumination:
Inverse Square Law
Intensity of Illumination produced by a point source varies inversely as square of
the distance from the source. It is given by the equation
E= I/d2
Lambert’s Cosine Law of Incidence
This tells us the variation of
Illuminance on arbitrary surface
inclined at an angle of α
E = I COS α
D2
Luminous Flux:
1. 1. The amount of light given off by a particular source in all directions is
called luminous flux.
2. 2. It is measured in lumens.
3. 3. Lumens is used for comparing the brightness of a light source (i.e. 60W
incandescent bulb is about 850 lumens)
Luminous intensity:
1. The amount of light that travels in a certain directions from the source is
called luminous intensity.
2. 2. It is measured in candelas
3. 3. A candle emits about one candela in all directions (this candle would
emit a total of 12.6 lumens)
Illuminance:
The amount of light falling on a surface is illuminance. It is measured in lux
(lux = lumens/m2)
1 foot candle = 10.8 lux
This is the measurement you’ll work with the most for optimizing visual comforts
because building regulations and standards use illuminance to specify the minimum
light levels for specific tasks and environments.
1. The Illuminance value depends on the color and reflectance of the surfaces that
surround it.
Luminance:
2. Luminance is the light reflected off from the surface. It is measured in candelas
per square meter (cd/m2)
3. The quality and intensity of the light depends on the material properties of the
surfaces (color, reflectance)
Luminous Flux
It is denoted by φ. It is the light energy radiated per second from a source in the
form luminous light waves It is measured in Lumen. Since it is a rate of flow of
energy it is sort of Power.
Approximate relation between unit of luminous flux and the unit of Power is give
by
1Lumen = 0.0016 Watt ( approx. )
Solid Angle
It is Denoted by ω. It is defined as an angle subtended at the center of the Sphere
between the lines joining the opposite edges of a segment of Sphere with the
center.
ω=A
r2
Brightness
The quality of light or state of giving out or reflecting light
The quality of being intelligent and quick witted
The quality of being cheerful or lively
The quality in slund of being Clear , Vibrant and typically high Pitched.
Utilization factor
It is the ratio of the Lumens received by a Particular Surface to the Total Lumens
Emitted by the Light Sources.
η = Lumens Received by a Particular Surface
Lumens emitted by the light Source
LIGHTING FOR HOSPITALS:
1. Lighting in hospitals must be suitable for medical staff to do their work and
meet the needs of patients.
2. Good lighting can provide a considered recovery environment.
3. The main things to be considered for energy efficient and effective lighting in
hospitals are:
4. Color rendering and color appearance
5. Light distribution
6. Lamp efficiency
7. Controls
8. Use of daylight
LIGHTING FOR SCHOOLS:
1. The lighting objective for a classroom is to create the right environment for
learning.
2. Tasks are generally carried out on desks, tables, computers, blackboards / white
boards.
3. Lighting in a classroom should be flexible and controllable.
1. The ambient, task and accent lighting should be considered.
2. It is common for a classroom to have significant amount of daylight.
3. Lighting controls with daylight sensing should be used to reduce power demand
and conserve energy.
4. Indirect lighting provides superior quality of light by illuminating the ceiling
which reflects the light downwards uniformly without glare.
5. Illumination required for classroom is 300 – 500 lux
6. The Color Rendering Index should be 80
Illumination required
CRI
Staircases 100 lux 80
Assembly Halls 300-500 lux 80
Laboratory 500 lux 80
Direct indirect luminaries are more efficient than suspended indirect luminaries for
class rooms.
Fluorescent tube and CFL light can be installed in classrooms.
LIGHTING FOR LIBRARIES:
Since reading is the most important visual task carried out in libraries. So lighting
is a major consideration during the design process.
Parallel scheme:
1. The parallel scheme uses a single row of one lamp linear fluorescent fixtures
centered above the book stacks.
2. The fixtures can be recessed in the ceiling or suspended from the ceiling.
3. The fixtures must distribute the light uniformly across the book stacks.
4. Attaching light to the stacks may be the only solution in high ceiling rooms.
Perpendicular scheme:
1. The perpendicular scheme uses rows of two lamp linear fluorescent fixtures
running at the right angles to the book stacks.
2. The perpendicular scheme uses few fixtures than the parallel scheme so it may
be the low cost solution, but each fixture has two lamps.
Indirect scheme:
1. The indirect scheme uses up lights on top of the stacks or suspended from
ceiling.
2. All of the light is reflected off the ceiling so the illumination on the stack
appears to have a pleasant glow.
LED Lighting:
1. The LED lighting can be fixed on the library shelves so that the light can fall
on the entire shelf.
2. LED lighting is most efficient and it has a long life.
Hybrid Scheme:
1. The perpendicular and indirect schemes are sometimes combined with rows
of direct – indirect fixtures suspended perpendicular to the stacks.
2. Hybrid scheme can be a very successful solution that provides good solution
with less cost and low energy consumption.
RESIDENTIAL LIGHTING:
(i) Indoor lighting:
1. The home is a world of family, relationships surrounded by objects and
furniture revealing the taste of people living there.
2. The various indoor and outdoor areas that make up a home need residential
lighting.
3. In indoor lighting, recessed lights, pendants, ceiling mounted lights are used.
4. Cove, soffit and valance light are used in bedroom
5. The lightings are also installed on the walls. Indoor wall mounted luminaries
can be used.
6. Indirect lighting directs the light flow onto the ceiling and the light is uniformly
distributed.
(ii) Outdoor lighting:
1. For outdoor lighting in gardens, outdoor flood lights and pathway luminaries
can be used.
2. Ground and floor recessed luminaries highlight the paths in outdoor garden and
building areas.
3. Down lighting occurs when a light is placed in an elevated location and pointed
downwards to highlight large surface areas.
4. Down lighting adds a beautiful effect on the landscape
5. Flood light is used to illuminate a fountain or an architectural masterpiece.
Special features in lighting required
for physically handicapped people:
a. Lighting for physically handicapped people must create an environment that
avoids excessive reflection, glare and shadows.
b. The deign should achieve this by considering both artificial and natural light
c. Careful lighting design can provide changes in texture and color for visually
impaired people.
d. Reception should not be located in front of large areas of glaring sunshine that
could put a receptionist face in shadow and make lip reading difficult.
e. Daylight should be carefully controlled to reduce glare.
f. Shadows should be avoided to prevent potential hazards by increasing the level
of ambient lighting.
g. Down lighters should be carefully located so that they do not create shadows
across people’s faces making lip reading difficult.
h. Staircases should be well illuminated with the minimum lighting level of 100
lux.
i. Lighting should be bright and uniform and there should not be any glare.
j. Indirect lighting is more comfortable than direct lighting.
k. Lighting dimmers can be used to control the intensity of light.
l. Fluorescent lights may create a hum sound that can be heard in hearing aids
which should be minimized by careful placement of lights.
Special features in lighting required for old age (elderly) people:
a. Increase the general lighting level in the space. This helps the old age people see
better and improve the daily sleep cycles.
b. Improve the uniformity of the light to reduce the shadows.
c. Use light colored surfaces in order to maximize the amount of light in that
space.
d. Bright and dark colored surfaces often create a highly effective lighting design
for normal eyes but usually not for aged people.
e. Use daylight wherever possible and introduce it into the space and balance it
with available electrical lighting. The daylight provides significant health to older
adults.
f. Indoor staircases and outdoor staircases should be illuminated well to improve
safety and avoid risky falls. Step lights should be provided.
g. Installing night lights in bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens for older people.
h. Installing light controls to adjust the amount of light that he /she needs for a
given situation. This makes the older adults more comfortable.
