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(MODULE 5)Day Lighting: Nature of natural light, its transmission, reflection, diffusion,
glares. Advantages and limitations in different climatic zones, North light, Daylight
factor, Components of Daylight devices.

Lighting:
Lighting within the indoor environment can be considered to have three basic purposes:

1. To enable the occupants to work and move about in safety.

2. To enable tasks to be performed.
3. To make the interior look pleasant.

There are two principle ways in which a building can be lit. These are:

1. Naturally - by daylight received from the sky.

2. Artificially - by electric lamps or other artificial light sources.

Daylight as two distinct sources of light:

1. Sunlight – That part of solar radiation that reaches the earth’s surface as parallel
rays after selective attenuation by the atmosphere.
2. Skylight – That part of solar radiation that reaches the earth’s surface as a result of
scattering in the atmosphere.

Sunlight and skylight may therefore be considered as the direct and diffuse components
of daylight.

DAYLIGHTING:

 Daylight (both sunlight and skylight) is usually admitted into a building by

themeans of windows and skylights.
 The quantity of daylight obtained within a room will be dependent upon:
1. The orientation, geometry and space planning of the spaces to be lit.
 2. The dimensions and orientation of the openings through which daylight will
pass.
3. The location and surface properties of any internal partitions which may
reflect and distribute the daylight.
4. The location, form and dimensions of any shading devices which will
provide protection from too much light and glare.
5. The light and thermal characteristics of the glazing materials used.

CONTROLLING DAYLIGHT:

 A range of methods are available to control the amount of daylight that penetrates
into the building.
1. Fixed external – Permanently obstructs skylight and is maintenance free,
but is architecturally dominating.
2. Variable external – Allows the maximization of skylight but can suffer
from maintenance problems.
3. Variable internal – Absorbs solar radiation and acts as a secondary heat
source within the building. Effective for visual comfort
DAYLIGHT FACTOR:

 Interior daylight is measured using a parameter known as the Daylight Factor

(DF).
 The daylight factor is defined as:
Daylight factor (%) = Interior illuminance ×100
Simultaneous horizontal unobstructed exterior illuminance

 The Daylight Factor is a combination of 3 separate components:

1. The sky component (SC) – the light received directly from the sky.
2. The externally reflected component (ERC) - the light received directly by
reflection from buildings and obstructions outside the room.
3. The internally reflected component (IRC) - the light received from surfaces
inside the room. DF = SC + ERC + IRC
GLARE FROM DAYLIGHT:
Glare from daylight can be reduced by:

1. Using solar control devices - such as external screens and louvres, glass of low
transmittance, or internal blinds and curtains
2. Other methods of decreasing the contrast between the interior and the view of the
sky - such as ensuring that the window wall is light coloured.
3. Designed to eliminate the use of artificial light on normal days.
4. Average daylight factor of 2% over 80% of the office space.
5. Atrium has roof lights which allow natural light to enter the building.
6. PV façade designed to produce 25-33% of the offices electricity needs.
7. Designed to achieve a minimum 2% daylight factor over the office area.
8. Solar shading provided on South façade via motorized external translucent glass
louvers

Innovative daylighting technologies:

A number of innovative daylighting technologies are available which arecapable of

redirecting the incoming sunlight or skylight to the areas where it is required.

The technologies available include:

 Sunlight tracking systems - have mirrors and/or lenses that follow the sun and
redirect its light to a required location.
− heliostat and light pipe systems.
− mirror systems.
 Daylighting systems - redirect diffuse skylight and usually sunlight as well. They
generally modify or supplement an existing window or rooflight.
− light shelves.
Innovative daylighting technologies:

 Light shelvesThese can be used to redirect sunlight and skylight deep intoa space.
Both interior and exterior light shelves are available.Exterior shelves can also
function as a shading device.

 The performance of light shelves depends upon the proportionof the shelf which is
situated inside or outside the space.
 They can also be used to control sunlight and reduce glare.

Energy implications of daylighting:

  To achieve good daylighting, the glazing must be designed so that there is a
correct balance between the heat gains and losses resulting from the transmission
of thermal radiation in and out of the building and the light entering the building.

 Correct daylighting design will not only reduce energy costs related to artificial
lighting, but also reduce the possibility of having to cool rooms overheated by low
efficiency lighting appliances.
 However, although large glazed areas may provide sufficient daylighting at some
distance into the building, they can also cause glare, overheating and highheating
and cooling energy costs.

ADVANTAGES OF DAYLIGHTING:

The utilization of daylight in buildings has a number of advantages, namely:

1. It can make a significant contribution to energy efficiency.

2. It has a variability and subtlety which is more pleasing than the relatively
monotonous environment produced by artificial lighting.
3. It helps to create optimum working conditions by bringing out the natural contrast
and colour of objects.
4. Windows and skylights give occupants contact with the outside world.
5. The presence of natural light can bring a sense of well-being and awareness of the
wider environment.
6. It is also claimed that exposure to natural light can have a beneficial effect on
human health.

However, due to its uncertainty and variability, daylighting cannot provide adequate
illumination of the internal environment all of the time. Therefore, artificial lighting
systems must always be incorporated into buildings in order to supplement
daylighting when this is required.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF LIGHT:

There are four methods of light control:

Reflection
Refraction
Diffusion
Absorption

1. REFLECTION:
 When a ray of light falls on any surface, a part of the light is sent back to the same
medium. This phenomenon where the incident light falling on a surface is sent
back to the same medium is known as reflection.
 There are two types of reflection of light:
 Regular reflection
 Irregular reflection

Regular reflection: Regular reflection takes place when a ray of light is incident on a
polished smooth surface like a mirror. Here the reflected ray of light moves only in a
fixed direction. It is also called as Specular reflection.

Irregular reflection: Irregular reflection takes place when a beam of light is incident on
a wall or wood, which is not smooth or polished. Also called as diffused reflection or
scattering of light.
 2. REFRACTION:
 When a beam of light is passed through a boundary between two transparent
substances having different densities, its direction is changed.
 The light will change its velocity and ‘bend’.
 Speed of light in air is very similar to speed of light in a vacuum.

3. DIFFUSION:

 When light is incident on a rough surface, it is reflected or transmitted in many

directions at once, this is called diffusion or scattering.
 To prevent glare from a light source, a diffusing glass screen can be introduced
between the observer and the light source.
 Two types of diffusing glass are employed. They are: • Opal glass • Frosted glass
 Opal glass: ordinary glass made up of a material having refractive index different
from that of a glass • Eg: milk glass
 Frosted glass: produced by coating ordinary glass with a crystalline substance

4. ABSORPTION:
 The taking up and storing of energy, such as radiation, light, or sound,
without it being reflected or transmitted

 The absorption of light occurs when a ray of light strikes a surface.

 The energy from the light is transferred to the surface material.
 During absorption, the energy may change from one form into another.
An absorbing surface prevents reflection or diffusion of light striking
on the surface