Lighting Fundamentals

Clifford Jison
October 28, 2006
Content

• Introduction to Light
• Basics of Light
• Units of Measurements in Lighting

After the discussion, you’ll have a better

appreciation of Lighting.

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Light is Powerful

• No life without Light.

• We evolved because of light.

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Light is Powerful

• It controls, regulates our Planet’s functions.

• Source of Energy.

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Basics of Light

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What is Light?

• Light is Electromagnetic Radiation travelling in space

• Light creates ‘Vision’, when processed by our eyes &

brain

• Light is a perceived and felt phenomenon

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Light is Electromagnetic Radiation travelling in space

Spectrum of
Electromagnetic
Radiation shows
the extent of visible
light
* Nanometer (nm) = mm/1,000,000
(mm is millimeter)

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Light is Electromagnetic Radiation travelling in space

• Light waves consist of colours

• Light waves split into its component

colours by passing through a glass
prism

• Like “Rain & Sunlight” = Rainbow

• Each colour is identified by its

“Wavelength”

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Light is Electromagnetic Radiation travelling in space
380 780
nm nm
Colour Wavelength
Impression (nm)
Red 630-780
Orange 600-630
Yellow 565-600
Green 500-565
Blue 435-500
Violet 380-435
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Light creates ‘Vision’ when processed by our eyes & brain

• Light hitting the Retina

activates its Rods & Cones
• Rods (for shape) and Cones
(for colour) create an electric
signal
• Signal transmitted to the
brain via optic nerves, thus,
making us see

Vision is a result of a process between Light, Eye & Brain.

Together, they help us see the world around us.
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Light creates ‘Vision’ when processed by our eyes & brain
Spectral Eye Sensitivity Curve
Vision has different sensitivities to Colours.
This forms the basis of different Lamps.

“NIGHT TIME” “DAYTIME” Vision

Vision

* Photopic – Day time vision *Scotopic – Night time vision

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Light is a perceived & felt phenomenon

Color Rendition

Color Temperature

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Colour Rendition
The ability of Light to show Color.

Colour perception Colour perception under

under a ‘Low Pressure an ‘Incandescent Lamp’
Sodium Lamp’

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Colour Rendition

Blue Green

Yellow Red

Sodium HP Incandescent
Lamp Lamp 14
Colour Rendition
- The Sun is 100% Color Rendition

Colour Rendition of typical lamps

Lamp Type CRI or Ra
Incandescent 100
Fluorescent Colour 33s >50
Fluorescent Colour 54s 70
Fluorescent Colour 80s 85
Fluorescent Colour 90s >95
High Pressure Sodium(SON) 23
High Pressure Mercury (HPL) >40
Low Pressure Sodium(SOX) -44
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Color Temperature
Color of Light

COOL WARM

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Color Temperature

Colour Temperature (Tc) of Lamps

2700K Incandescent White
3000K Warm White
3500K White
4000K Cool White
5000K Daylight
6500K Cool Daylight

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Units and Measurements
in Lighting

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Luminous Flux

- Total light output per second

Unit : Lumen (lm)

Symbol : φa

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Luminous Flux

Bicycle Head Lamp 3W 30 lm

Incandescent Lamp GLS 100W 1,360 lm
Compact Ess 14W 900 lm
Fluorescent Lamp
Fluorescent Lamp TL-D 36W 3,350 lm

High Pressure SON-T Plus 10,500 lm

Sodium Lamp 100W

Low Pressure SOX-E 18W 1,800 lm

Sodium Lamp
High Pressure HPL-N 125W 6,200 lm
Mercury Lamp

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Luminance & Illuminance
Basis of Perception - Luminance is ‘Brightness’
- Dependent on surface
- Represented by ‘cd’
Illuminance
Lumens - Illuminance: ‘Process of lighting up’
- Non-Dependent on surface
- Dependent on inter-reflection
- Light measured ‘off’ surface

Unit : Lux (lx)

Symbol : E

Luminance 1 Lux = 4 Full Moons

(Brightness) 1 Full Moon = .25 Lux (..eye can see!)
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Recommended Illuminances

Illuminance Area of activity

(lux)
100 Circulation areas
300 Rough industries, Lecture theater
500 Laboratories, Computer rooms, Super
markets, Medium-type industrial work
750 General offices, Electronic industry
1000 Drawing offices, Precision industry
30,000 Task lighting in Operating theater

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