2.

Lumen Method Calculations

The lumen method is based on fundamental lighting calculations. The lumen

method formula is easiest to appreciate in the following form.

(1)

where E = average illuminance over the horizontal working plane

n = number of lamps in each luminaire

N = number of luminaire

F = lighting design lumens per lamp, i.e. initial bare lamp luminous

flux

UF = utilisation factor for the horizontal working plane

LLF = light loss factor

A = area of the horizontal working plane

2.1 Light Loss Factor

Light loss factor (LLF) is the ratio of the illuminance produced by the lighting
installation at the some specified time to the illuminance produced by the same
installation when new. It allows for effects such as decrease in light output caused
by

(a) the fall in lamp luminous flux with hours of use,

(b) the deposition of dirt on luminaire, and

(c) reflectances of room surfaces over time.

In fact, light loss factor is the product of three other factors:

(2)

where LLMF = lamp lumen maintenance factor

LMF = luminaire maintenance factor

RSMF = room surface maintenance factor

2.1.1 Lamp Lumen Maintenance Factor

Lamp lumen maintenance factor (LLMF) is the proportion of the initial light
output of a lamp produced after a set time to those produced when new. It allows
for the decline in lumen output from a lamp with age. Its value can be determined
in two ways:

(a) by consulting a lamp manufacturer's catalog for a lumen depreciation chart,

and

(b) by dividing the maintained lumens by the initial lamps.

2.1.2 Luminaire Maintenance Factor

Luminaire maintenance factor (LMF) is the proportion of the initial light output
from a luminaire after a set time to the initial light output from a lamp after a set
time. It constitutes the greatest loss in light output and is mainly due to the
accumulation of atmospheric dirt on luminaire. Three factors must be considered
in its determination:

(a) the type of luminaire,

(b) atmospheric conditions, and

(c) maintenance interval.

2.1.3 Room Surface Maintenance Factor

Room surface maintenance factor (RSMF) is the proportion of the illuminance

provided by a lighting installation in a room after a set time compared with that
occurred when the room was clean. It takes into account that dirt accumulates on
room surfaces and reduces surface reflectance. Figure 4 shows the typical changes
in the illuminance from an installation that occur with time due to dirt deposition
on the room surfaces.

2.2 Utilisation Factor

Utilisation factor (UF) is the proportion of the luminous flux emitted by the
lamps which reaches the working plane. It is a measure of the effectiveness of the
lighting scheme. Factors that affect the value of UF are as follows:

(a) light output ratio of luminaire

(b) flux distribution of luminaire

(c) room proportions

(d) room reflectances

(e) spacing/mounting height ratio

2.2.1 Light Output Ratio of Luminaire

Light output ratio of luminaire (LOR) takes into account for the loss of light
energy both inside and by transmission through light fittings. It is given by the
following expression.

(3)

Example 1
The total, upward and downward lamp output from a lamp are 1000 lm, 300 lm
and 500 lm respectively. Calculate upward light output
ratio (ULOR), downward light output ratio (DLOR), light output ratio (LOR)
of luminaire and percentage of light energy absorbed in luminaire.

Amount of light energy absorbed in luminaire = 100 - 80 = 20 %

A greater DLOR usually means a higher UF.

A simple classification of luminaires according to their distribution is based on

flux fractions, as shown in Figure 5. Upward flux fraction (UFF)
and downward flux fraction (DFF) are used as a basis of comparison.

Example 2
For data given in Example 1 determine upward flux fraction (UFF), downward
flux fraction (DFF) and flux fraction ratio (FRR).

Figure 5 Flux Fraction of Various Luminaires

2.2.2 Flux Distribution of Luminaire

Direct ratio is the proportion of the total downward luminous flux from a
conventional installation of luminaires which his directly incident on the working
plane. It is used to assess the flux distribution of luminaire. Since the intensity
distribution pattern of the light radiated from a luminaire in the lower hemisphere
will affect:
(a) the quantity of the downward flux falls directly on the working plane and

(b) the quantity of flux available for reflection from the walls in a given room,

Direct ratio depends on both the room proportions and the luminaires. Direct
ratio has a low value with a narrow room (small room index) and a luminaire
which emits most of its light sideways (BZ 10), and on the contrary, a high value
with a wide room (large room index) and a luminaire which emits most of its light
downwards (BZ 1).

2.2.3 Room Proportion

Room index (RI) is the ratio of room plan area to half the wall area between the
working and luminaire planes.

(4)

where L = length of room

W = width of room

Hm = mounting height, i.e. the vertical distance between the working plane and
the luminaire.

2.2.4 Room Reflectances

The room is considered to consist of three main surfaces:

(a) the ceiling cavity,

(b) the walls, and

(c) the floor cavity (or the horizontal working plane).

The effective reflectances of the above three surfaces affect the quantity of
reflected light received by the working plane.

2.2.5 Spacing to Height Ratio

Spacing to Height ratio (SHR or S/Hm) is defined as the ratio of the distance
between adjacent luminaires (centre to centre), to their height above the working
plane. For a rectangular arrangement of luminaires and by approximation,

(5)

where A = total floor area

N = number of luminaires

Hm = mounting height

Under a regular array of luminaires the illuminance on the working plane is not
uniform. The closer spaced the luminaires for a given mounting height, the higher
the uniformity; or the greater the mounting height for a given spacing, the greater
the uniformity. If uniformity of illuminance is to be acceptable for general
lighting,

(a) SHR should not exceed maximum spacing to height ratio (SHR MAX) of
the given luminaire as quoted by the manufacturer, and

(b) geometric mean spacing to height ratio of the luminaire layout should be
within the range of nominal spacing to height ratio (SHR NOM) of the given
luminaire as quoted by the manufacturer, i.e.

(6)