ARC 021: BUILDING UTILITIES 3: ACOUSTICS AND

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

S 3:00 – 5:00

Research #1:
LIGHTING SYSTEMS

ILLUMINATION
METHODS & TYPES OF
LIGHTING SYSTEMS
03-1314-02012
FERRER, ZILDJIAN M.
Student

AR. CESAR AGPOON

Instructor

A.Y. 2020-2021
ILLUMINATION METHODS

GENERAL LIGHTING is installed electric lighting that provides a uniform level of illumination
throughout an area, exclusive of any provision for special visual tasks or decorative effect,
exclusive of daylighting, and also known as ambient lighting.
LOCAL AND SUPPLEMENTARY LIGHTING these are two terms that are used interchangeably but have
slightly different meanings. By definition, local lighting provides a small, high-level area of lighting
without contributing to the general lighting, supplementary lighting also provides a restricted area of
high intensity, but supplements the general lighting. ln ·actual practice, it is difficult to differentiate
between the two. A desk lamp, a high-intensity down light on a merchandising display. and a track light
illuminating wall displays, all seem to answer both definitions, and in practice are referred to as local
supplementary, or local-supplementary tights.
COMBINED GENERAL AND LOCAL LIGHTING this illumination method is used in areas where the general
visual task is low, but· local high-intensity lighting is required. An excellent example is the department
store where circulation requires low-level lighting while merchandising areas and showcases require up
to 500 fc. The indicated solution to this problem is a general lighting system that will provide 30 fc of
uniform. diffuse lighting of the proper color and supplementary local lighting in restricted areas. The
quality of the local lighting supplied depends on the particular item being displayed. A non-uniform
lighting layout that is arranged to localize lighting but does not have a uniform overall pattern is difficult
to classify. We would think of it as a combination of general lighting in some areas and local in others,
that is. a combined system.

These three methods of illumination can be accomplished in many ways by the use of luminaires and
luminous sources of different types, since the illumination method is a function of both fixture
placement and arrangement as well as the inherent fixture lighting distribution. The term used to
describe the effect of the combination of a particular fixture type applied in a particular way is the
lighting system. Thus a reflector-type fixture when aimed down gives direct light. The same fixture
beamed up at the ceiling gives indirect light.
TYPES OF LIGTHING SYSTEM

1. INDIRECT LIGHTING

Ninety to one-hundred percent of the light output of the luminaires is directed to the ceiling and upper
walls of the room. The system is called indirect because practically all of the light reaches the horizontal
working plane indirectly, that is, via reflection from the ceiling and upper walls. Therefore, the ceiling
and upper walls in effect become the light source and, if these surfaces have a high-reflectance finish,
the room illumination is quite diffuse (shadowless). Since the source must be suspended at least 18 in.
(depending on the unit's brightness) in order to avoid excessive ceiling brightness, this system requires a
minimum ceiling height of (2.85 M) 9ft. and 6 in.

In addition to diffuseness, the resultant illumination is generally uniform, and direct and reflected glare
are low. A CRF in excess of 1 .0 is common, with associated high ESI foot-candles.
CRF - Contrast Rendition Factor

It is through the perception of contrasts that we see the world around us. Discrimination
between objects and surfaces is the easier, the greater the contrast. Reflections on glossy
paper, for example, can cause glare and greatly reduce contrast. This causes problems with
discrimination.
A lighting system with good contrast rendition will present few if any problems with reflections. In
addition to the finish of the objects or surfaces in the visual field, reflections depend on the
incident angle of the light from the luminaires in the room, and on their luminous intensity und
luminance.

ESI - Equivalent Spherical illumination

The level of sphere illuminance that would produce task visibility equivalent to that produced by a
specific lighting environment.

2. Semi-Indirect Lighting

Sixty to ninety percent of the light is directed upward to the ceiling and upper walls. This distribution is
similar to that of indirect, except that it is somewhat more efficient and allows higher levels of
illumination without undesirable. brightness contrast between fixture and surroundings along with
lower ceiling brightness. A typical fixture employs a translucent diffusing element through which the
downward component shines, and is illustrated in the figure below.
 3. General Diffuse and Direct-indirect lighting

This type provides approximately equal distribution of light upward and downward, resulting in a bright
ceiling and upper wall background for the luminaire. For this reason, brightness ratios in the upper -
vision zone are usually not a problem, although direct and reflected glare may be troublesome at high
illumination levels (100 fc and above). Since the ceiling is a major though secondary source of room
illumination, diffuseness will be good, with resultant satisfactory vertical-plane illumination. Light falling
on a horizontal surface will derive principally (65 to 7 5%) from the luminaire and secondarily from the
ceiling (25 to 35%}. the exact ratio being dependent on the ceiling reflectance and the fixture
characteristic.
 4. Semi-Direct Lighting

With this type of lighting system, 60 to 90% ·of the luminaire output is directed downward and the
remaining upward component serves to illuminate the ceiling. See figure.
 5. Direct Lighting

Since essentially all the light is directed downward, ceiling illumination is entirely due to light reflected
from the floor and room furnishings. This system then, more than any other. requires a light, high-
reflectance, diffuse floor unless a dark ceiling is desired from an architectural or decorative viewpoint.
Occasionally the ceilings are deliberately painted a dark color and pendant direct fixtures used in order
to· lower the apparent ceiling of a poorly proportioned room or to hide unsightly piping, ductwork, and
so on.

The effect of direct lighting depends greatly on whether the luminaires are spread or concentrating.
SUMMARIZATION

ILLUMINATION METHODS

TYPES OF LIGHTING SYSTEM

A NARRATIVE REPORT FOR “ILLUMINATION METHOD AND TYPES OF LIGHTING SYSTEM

ILLUMINATION METHODS:

General Lighting

Talking about general lighting, this method means it provides a room for its ambience and how it makes
a room or space more presentable

Local and Supplementary Lighting

This method is usually used in work areas, usually in kitchen counters, or for architecture student. This
method is practically used in corners of the rooms.

Combined General and Local Lighting

This method is used in stores, specifically in department stores as said in the research work. It used to
provide a good ambiance and light is a need for counters. Usually in cashiers or display areas.

TYPES OF LIGHTING SYSTEM

1. Indirect Lighting

We see this type of lighting systems, on ceilings, walls or sometimes floor corners. It is called
indirect lighting because the source of light is only the reflections.

2. Semi-indirect Lighting

this types of lighting are similar to indirect lighting, but this lighting provides more light and it is
more efficient.

3. General Diffuse and Indirect Lighting

The type of lighting system that gives full light into a room, for example a round light bulb
surrounding a room or area. It is similar to general lighting. Which is generally emits a full
reflection of light.

4. Semi-Direct Lighting

This type of lighting is a combination of direct and indirect lighting, but the reflection of light is
brighter than the light below. As you can see the figure below semi-direct lighting.
5. Direct Lighting

Light is directed downwards, meaning the light is only focused on a particular object or space.
For example, the lights in museums.