LIGHTING TERMINOLOGY

JOB NAME
TYPE

GENERAL LIGHTING TERMS

CANDELAthe basic unit of luminous intensity
CANDLEPOWERluminous intensity expressed in candelas.
LUMEN (LM)the basic unit of measurement for light; also referred to as light flux. If a uniform point source of 1 candela is at the center of a sphere of 1-foot radius
which has an opening of 1 square foot at its surface, the quantity of light that passes through is called a lumen. The sphere has a total surface area of 12.57
square feet. Since, by definition, a lumen flows to each square foot of a surface area, a uniform point of 1 candela produces 12.57 lumens.
FOOTCANDLEthe unit of illuminance when the foot is taken as the unit of length. It is the
illuminance on a surface one square foot in area on which there is a uniformly distributed flux
of one lumen.
FOOTCANDLES = LUMENS PER SQUARE FOOT REACHING A SURFACE
1 footcandle = 1 lumen per square foot
1 footcandle = 10.76 Lux
LUXthe International System (SI) unit of illuminances when the meter is taken as the unit of length.
It is the illuminance on a surface one square meter in area on which there is uniformly
distributed flux of one lumen.
LUX = LUMENS PER SQUARE METER REACHING A SURFACE
1 Lux = 1 lumen per square meter

1 Lux = 0.0929 footcandles

LUMINANCEor FOOTLAMBERT (FL) is a unit of luminance (photometric brightness) equal to 1/ candela per square foot, on the uniform luminance of a perfectly
diffusing surface emitting or reflecting light at the rate of one lumen per square foot, or to the average luminance of any surface emitting or reflecting light at that rate. The
average luminance of any reflecting surface in footlamberts is:
FL = FOOTCANDLES X SURFACE REFLECTANCE
NADIRis a point directly below a luminaire (the zero degree line of candela distribution curves)
CUTOFF ANGLE (OF A LUMINAIRE)is the angle, measured up from nadir, between the vertical axis and the first line of sight at which the bare source is not visible
SHIELDING ANGLE (OF A LUMINAIRE)is the angle between a horizontal line through the light center and the line of sight at which the bare source first becomes visible

FLOODLIGHT PHOTOMETRICS:
Field vs. Beam

CUTOFF ANGLE

Beam Angle
is the number of
degrees in the
horizontal and
vertical planes at
which 50% of the
maximum candlepower occurs.

Angle used to
determine NEMA
zone size

QUANTITY OF LIGHT
The basic measure of illuminance is the footcandle. One footcandle is equal to one
unit of light flux (one lumen) distributed evenly over a one-square foot of surface
area. Several different footcandle measures are considered for outdoor lighting.
ILLUMINANCE:
The preferred term for the density of luminous flux (lumens)
falling on a surface. Illuminance is measured in either Footcandles or
Lux (metric). It is the quotient of that light divided by the area of the
surface if it is uniformly illuminated.
HORIZONTAL FOOTCANDLES:
The footcandles falling on a horizontal surface. All horizontal
footcandles are in the same plane for the same surface. They can be
added together arithmetically when more than one source provides light
to the same surface.

VERTICAL FOOTCANDLES:
The footcandles falling on a vertical surface, such as a wall. Vertical
footcandles may not all be in the same plane; depending on the
direction of light rays, vertical footcandles from different sources may
not be additive.
FOOTCANDLE (or uniformity) RATIO:
The ratio between average footcandles and minimum footcandles (such
as 3:1) or maximum and minimum footcandles (such as 6:1). The
maximum/minimum ratio generally is preferred. (The lower the ratio, the
more uniform is the lighting). We dont see footcandlesonly the
footlamberts they produce.

LIGHTING TERMINOLOGY

SHIELDING ANGLE

Maximum
Candlepower

Field Angle
(formerly beam
spread)is the
number of degrees
in the horizontal
and vertical planes
at which 10% of
the maximum
candlepower
occurs.

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INITIAL FOOTCANDLES:
The footcandles (minimum, maximum, or average) produced when
luminaires and lamps are new.
MAINTAINED FOOTCANDLES:
The footcandles (minimum, maximum, or average) calculated through
application of a light loss factor, which takes into account such factors as
lamp lumen depreciation, dirt depreciation, ballast factor, etc.
MINIMUM FOOTCANDLES:
The least amount of light (illuminance) falling on that point of a surface or
anywhere on the area being lighted.
MAXIMUM FOOTCANDLES:
The maximum amount of light falling on that point of a surface or anywhere on
the area being lighted.
AVERAGE FOOTCANDLES:
The theoretical average amount of light falling on a surface when averaging
the illuminance falling on all points of the surface.

ENERGY GLOSSARY OF TERMS

WATT (W)is the unit to measure power consumption.
KILOWATT (kW)is a larger unit of power; a thousand watts (watts x 1000 =
kilowatts)
KILOWATT HOUR (kWh)is the measure of electrical consumption from which
electricity billing is determined. For example, a 1000-watt lamp operated for
100 hours would consume 100 kilowatt hours, (1000 watts x 100 hours =
100 kWh). At a billing rate of $0.10/kWh, this lamp would cost $10.00
(100 kWh x $0.10/kWh) to operate.

QUALITY OF LIGHT
Pertains to distribution of luminance in an environment. It is a positive term that implies
that all lighting should contribute favorably to visual performance, comfort, ease of
seeing, safety and aesthetics. It is usually regarded as the absence of harshness, glare or
other discomfort factors.
BRIGHTNESSis a subjective (usually negative) psychological reaction to lighting.
Brightness is sometimes referred to with statements such as the brighter the
bulb, the better. This is inaccurate. Brightness does not refer to the amount
of light coming from a given light source, but rather to the way your eye
perceives that light. For example, brightness is used in reference to the
effect on your eyes from the headlights of an approaching car and your
reaction to them.
GLAREis the sensation produced by luminance within the visual field that is
significantly greater than the illuminance to which the eyes are adapted. It
results from high luminances or insufficiently shielded light sources in the
field of view or from reflecting areas of high luminance.
DISABILITY GLAREresults in reduced visual performance and visibility. It often is
accompanied by discomfort.
DISCOMFORT GLAREis glare producing discomfort. It does not necessarily
interfere with visual performance or visibility.
LIGHT TRESPASSis a situation which occurs when, due to lack of adequate
beam control, light from a source is distributed onto areas where the
illumination is unwanted.
SPILL LIGHTlumens distributed by the luminaire which are outside the beam
spread.

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LIGHTING EFFICIENCY
The term efficiency indicates how much energy is needed to perform a given function.
Several types of efficiencies are considered in outdoor lighting:
LUMINOUS EFFICACY OF A SOURCE OF LIGHT:
A measure of efficiency (efficacy) of a lamp output (lumens) to the power
consumed (watts) expressed in lumens per watt.
EFFICIENCY:
Common usage refers to the term light source efficiency even today in terms
of lumens per watt. However, it may be also used in reference to the
efficiency of a luminaire or fixture. In this case it may be the ratio
(percentage) of lumens emitted by the fixture as compared
to the lumens emitted by the lamp or lamps within the
fixture.
COEFFICIENT OF UTILIZATION (CU):
It is simply a measure of efficiency of the delivery of light from a luminaire
into a given area. The ratio (percentage) of the light or lumens
from a luminaire that are received on the area as compared
to the total number of lumens emitted by the lamps alone.
Ex., if the lamp produces 50,000 lumens and 20,000 lumens reach the area
to be illuminated, the coefficient of utilization is 40% (20,000/50,000).
COEFFICIENT OF BEAM UTILIZATION (CBU):
The percentage of beam flux (lumens) within the beam
spread reaching the area to be illuminated. Ex., if the beam
spread contains 30,000 beam flux (lumens) and 25,000 beam flux (lumens)
reach the area to be illuminated, the coefficient of beam utilization is 83%
(25,000/30,000).

MAINTENANCE FACTORS (CAUSING DECLINING ILLUMINANCE)

LAMP LUMEN DEPRECIATION (LLD):
A factor used in lighting calculations to account for the light loss of a specific
lamp that takes place due to the gradual decay in lumen output over a
designated period of burning time.
LUMINAIRE DIRT DEPRECIATION (LDD):
The multiplier used to account for the accumulation of dirt on luminaires
resulting in loss in light output to the time of cleaning or relamping. Luminaires
have six maintenance categories, depending on five degrees of dirt conditions:
Very clean
Clean
Medium
Dirty
Very dirty
BALLAST FACTOR (BF):
The lamp output on a commercial ballast compared to the lamp output on a
reference ballast.
LIGHT LOSS FACTOR (LLF):
The product of the:
Lamp Lumen Depreciation (LLD)
Luminaire Dirt Depreciation (LLD)
Ballast Factor (BF)
LLF = LLD x LDD x BF

LIGHTING TERMINOLOGY

TILT ANGLE: (Metal Halide Lamps)

Operating metal halide lamps designated as base up or base down at
angles away from vertical can significantly decrease initial lumen
output. This decrease in output must be considered in design
computations when a position other than vertical is used such as in
floodlighting luminaires. Operating lamps at angles away from vertical
can also adversely affect lamp life.

LIGHT SOURCES
ELECTRIC-DISCHARGE LAMPis a lamp in which light (or radiant energy
near the visible spectrum) is produced by the passage of an electric
current through a vapor or a gas.
NOTE: Electric-discharge lamps may be named after the filling gas or
vapor that is responsible for the major portion of the radiation; e.g.,
mercury lamps, sodium lamps, neon lamps, argon lamps, etc. A second
method of designating the electric-discharge lamps is by the physical
dimensions or operating parameters; e.g., short-arc lamps, high
pressure lamps, low pressure lamps, etc.

Typical Metal Halide Lamp Tilt Factors

Percent of Initial Lumens
Operating Angle
Operating Angle
from Vertical
400 Watt
1000 Watt 1500 Watt from Horizontal
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90

100
98.3
96.7
95
94.7
94.3
94
92.7
91.3
90
89.3
88.7
88
87.7
87.3
87
89.3
91.7
94

100
98.3
96.7
95
94.7
94.3
94
92.7
91.3
90
89.3
88.7
88
87.7
87.3
87
89.3
91.7
98

100
98.3
96.7
95
94.7
94.3
94
93.7
93.3
93
91.3
89.7
88
87.7
87.3
87
90.3
93.7
97

90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

These lamps have become popular primarily for three reasons:

1. High efficacymore lumens per watt of electricity consumed
2. Long lamp life and good lumen maintenancereduces operating expenses
3. Compact sourcepermits good light control by use of reflectors and refractors, resulting in higher efficiency.
HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE LAMPSa general grouping of lamps consisting of high pressure sodium, mercury, and metal halide lamps.
HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM LAMPis a high intensity discharge lamp producing light primarily by the radiation from sodium vapors at relatively high pressures. Included
are clear and diffuse-coated types. They offer more lumens per watt than Mercury or Metal Halide sources as well as long life. They emit a golden white color
compared to whiter light sources, i.e., Metal Halide. Energy savings is one advantage with HPS systems. HPS gives a yellow/orange tint to a white surface, accents
yellow and orange, and tends to gray deep reds, greens and blues.
ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

Long lamp life (24,000 hrs)

Exceptionally high efficacy
(lumens per watt)
Lowest operating cost

High initial cost

Doesnt restart immediately after power
failure with normal auxiliary equipment, but
restarts quicker than mercury and metal halide
(1 minute)
Fair color rendition

MERCURY LAMPis a high intensity discharge light source producing light by radiation from mercury vapor under pressure. Included are clear, phosphor-coated (mercuryfluorescent), and self-ballasted types. It was the first HID lamp developed. Their advantage is that they offer long life. Their disadvantages are poor color rendition and low
efficacy. Clear Mercury gives a slight blueish green tint to a white surface, accents red, yellow, blue and green, and tends to gray deep reds.
ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

Long lamp life (16,000-24,000 hrs or

more) compared to incandescent
High light output (lumens per watt)
Low operating cost

High initial cost

Large light source
Limited beam control especially with phosphor coated lamps
Low efficacy compared to MH and HPS
Poor color rendition
Does not start immediately after power failure,
but quicker than metal halide (3-6 minutes)

METAL HALIDE LAMP...is a high intensity discharge lamp producing light by radiation from mercury, together with halides of metals such as sodium and scandium.
Included are clear and phosphor-coated types. Their lumen output per watt is almost double that of Mercury lamps. They are used in installations that require good
efficacy, color and light control. Lamp life is approximately half that of Mercury lamps. Metal Halide gives a slight blue to a white surface, accents yellow, green and
blue, and tends to gray reds.
ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

Moderately long lamp life (7,500-20,000 hrs)

Higher light output than mercury
for a given wattage
Good color rendition, makes colors look
close to natural
Good beam control
Low operating cost

Higher initial cost

Does not restart immediately after power
failure
Slowest to restrike (10-15 minutes)

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HALOGEN LAMP (TUNGSTEN-HALOGEN LAMPQUARTZ)is an incandescent lamp containing a halogen gas which recycles tungsten (which would ordinarily be
deposited on the bulb wall) back onto the filament surface.
ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

Makes colors look natural

Good lumen maintenance (light
output remains almost the same
throughout life)

Low light output (lumens per watt)

Elongated source limits beam control
Medium lamp life (2,000-4,000 hours)
High operating cost

AVERAGE RATED LIFEreferences the life of the lamp. The hour rating is the point in time when 50 percent of the tested samples have burned out and 50 percent are still
operating.
HID WARMUP CHARACTERISTICS...time for lamp to reach 80% light output
High Pressure Sodium
Metal Halide
Pulse Start MH

3-4 minutes
2-4 minutes
1-2 minutes

HID RESTRIKE CHARACTERISTICS...All HID lamps will deionize when there is a power interruption or if voltage at the lamp socket drops below the amount required to
sustain the arc for more than a few cycles. Because it takes a greater voltage to ionize the arc tube vapors while they are hot and under higher pressure, the lamp will
not re-start immediately.
TIME TO RESTRIKE (WHEN HOT)
High Pressure Sodium
Metal Halide
Pulse Start MH

1-3 minutes
10-15 minutes
4-6 minutes

STROBOSCOPIC EFFECT...HID lamp output tends to follow the alternating current waveform. This can cause small moving objects to flicker or appear motionless. To avoid
this annoyance, three phase power is suggested for high pressure sodium and mercury lamps. Split phase ballasting can also be used with mercury lamps. Single
phase power can be used with metal halide lamps.

Visit our web site at www.daybritelighting.com or www.nitebrites.com

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776 South Green Street Tupelo, MS 38804 Phone: 662-842-7212 Fax: 662-841-5501
189 Bullock Drive Markham, Ontario Canada L3P 1W4 Phone: 905-294-9570 Fax: 905-294-8911
Day-Brite Lighting reserves the right to make changes without notice. September 2001. DL2.5M0901
Genlyte Thomas Group, LLC