Calculation of Artificial Light

1. Direct illuminace method (Inverse square

law)
2. General lighting method (Lumen method)
1.Direct illuminace method (Inverse
square law)

• The illumination at a point from a single point

source of light (i.e. local lighting) can be
predicted by using inverse square law.
According to inverse square law:
– illumination from a point source reduces with
the square of the distance.

– It is applicable, when the illuminated plane is

perpendicular to the direction of the incident
light, when the angle θ= 0º

– If the plane is tilted or angle θ has some

number, then same flux is distributed over
large area. So, illumination is reduced.
P
θ

H I0 Iθ

A B
• Now, considering point ”B” three things
have changed:
i. Measuring distance is now PB (D).
ii. The intensity is now Iθ.
iii. The surface is no longer at right angle to the
direction of the incident light, it is effectively
tilted away from the normal by the angle θ
and indicates by the ratios PA/PB = cosθ.
Hence, the illumination falls by the factor of
cos θ and the illumination at B is :
EB = Iθ/(PB)2 cosθ
• It can be simplified to two variables
Cosθ =PA/PB = H/PB
PB = H/cosθ
EB = Iθ/(H/cosθ)2 cosθ
EB = (Iθ/H2) X cos3θ lux.
• It is also known as cos3θ law of
illumination.
2. General lighting method (Lumen
method)
• When a room is illuminated by many
lamps and fittings, the direct illuminance
calculation method (inverse square law)
method) would be lengthy.
• So, simple method (Lumen method) can
be used to design illumination on the
surface on the concept of utilization factor.
• The lumen method is applicable to design
of a uniform (general) lighting scheme in a
space where flexibility of working locations
or other activities is required.

• The lumen method is applied only to

square or rectangular rooms with a regular
array luminaries.
 Calculation by Lumen method
• Lumen method can be used to design
illumination on the surface on the concept of
utilization factor.
• Utilization factor is the ratio of the total flux
received on the plane (Fr) to the total flux
emitted by all the lamps (Fl).
UF = Fr / Fl …………….(i)
Where, UF – utilization factor
Fr - flux received on the working plane.
Fl- flux emitted by all the lamps.
• We know,
 E = Fr /A
Where, E – illumination
A – area of working plane.
Fr -flux received on the working
plane.
Fr = E x A
Substitute the value of Fr in equation no .
(i)
UF = Fr / Fl
UF = (E x A)/ Fl
E = (UF x Fl)/ A
• A further allowance should be made
for dirt on the fitting or deteriorations
of lamp output.
• The UF should be multiplied by a
maintenance factor (MF).
• It is usually taken as 0.8.
E = (UFx MF x Fl)/ A …………..(ii)
• Again , we know ,
Fl = N x O
Where, N – number of lamps
O – lumen output of lamp.
Now, substituting the value of Fl in equation no (ii)
E = (UFx MF x Fl)/ A …………..(ii)
E = (UF x MF X N x O ) / A

N = (E x A)/ UF x MF x O
• Artificial light on the working plane
depends upon the various factors,
which are given below:
• Utilization 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 luminaries
(c) room proportions
(d) room reflectance
(e) spacing/mounting height ratio
• The room dimensions are required in
terms of room index to get values of UF by
a formula.
Room Index = (L X B)/mounting height x ½
perimeter of room
R I = (L x B )/H x (L + B)
where L = length of room
B = width of room
Hm = mounting height, i.e. the vertical
distance between the working plane and
the luminary.
Utilization Factor
Room Room Index
reflectance
C W F 0.7 1 1.25 1.5 2 2.5 3 4 5
0.7 0.5 0.2 .41 .47 .52 .55 0.6 .63 .66 .69 .71
0.3 .36 .42 .47 .50 .56 .59 .62 .66 .68
0.1 .32 .38 .43 .47 .52 .56 .59 .63 .66
0.5 0.5 0.2 .37 .42 .46 .49 .53 .55 .57 .60 .61
0.3 .33 .38 .42 .45 .49 .52 .55 .57 .59
0.1 .29 .34 .39 .42 .47 .50 .52 .56 .58
Luminous efficiency of light source
(lumen/watt):
• it is luminous flux (lumen /watt) out put
of light source.
• Fluorescent lamp is much more efficient
than incandescent lamp, because
fluorescence lamps produce 40-70
lumen/ watt where as incandescent
lamps produce only 10-16 lumen /watt.
Types of Luminaries:
• There are many types of luminaries,
which are used to diffuse or control the
light source to the desired area.

• Depending upon the type of illumination

required (direct, indirect, diffusing etc.)
the type of reflector is decided.
Reflectance of internal surfaces of the
room:
• Internal reflected component (IRC) of a
room also plays the major role in the
illumination level inside the room.

• The IRC of a room generally depends on

the luminous flux of the light, size of the
room and reflectance of the room
surfaces i.e. walls, ceiling, floors etc.
 Mounting height and spacing of
luminaries:

• The mounting height of luminaries and spacing

between them also directly affects the
illumination on the working plane of the room.

• Generally recommended height for good

lighting is 2.1m above the floor in the
residential building.
• The spacing between luminaries
depends upon the size of the room.

• In residential building, a single light point

is recommended along the center of the
longer wall of the room of the area up to
12sq.m.

• For large room up to 22 sq. m floor area

two light points are required along the
longer wall.
• The distance of a light source from the
wall should be equal to half the distance
between two adjacent light sources.

• Also distance between lighting fittings

should not exceed 1.5 times the
mounting height
Depreciation due to dirt collection on each
luminary & its surfaces:
• Depreciation means reduction of lighting
efficiency of the lighting equipment due to the
collection of dirt and dust on lighting sources.
• If regular cleaning is adopted and assuming
good atmospheric conditions the value of
maintenance factor may be taken as 0.8.
• But for dusty and dirty atmosphere, the factor
may be as low as 0.4.
• Depreciation factor is also used as reciprocal
of maintenance factor. i.e.
• Depreciation Factor = 1/Maintenance factor.
 Solved Example
• A small assembly shop 15m long, a 9m wide, and 3m up
to truss is to be illuminated to a level of 200 lux. The
coefficient of utilization is 0.75 and maintenance factor is
0.8. Calculate the number of lamps required to illuminate
the whole area if the lumen output of the lamp selected
is 3000 lumens.
Solution
• Working area (A)= 15 m x 9m
• Required illumination (E)= 200 lux.
• Lumen output of one lamp (O) = 3000 lm.
• Utilization factor (UF) = 0.75
• Maintenance factor ( MF) =0.8
• Number of lamps (N) = ?
N = E x A/Ox CF x MF
 N= 200 x 15 x 9/ 3000x 0.75 x 0.8
 N =15
Hence, number of required lamps = 15.
 LUMEN METHOD STEPS:
1. Find required lux level
2. Select luminaire
3. Determine room index
4. Determine Number of Fixtures
5. Determine Minimum spacing between luminaire
• Minimum spacing = SHR * Hm
• Hm= Mounting height
• SHR= Space to height ratio.
6. Determine Number of required rows of luminaire along width of
the room
• Number of required rows= width of the room/ Minimum spacing
7. Determine Number of luminaire in each row
• Number of luminaire in each row= Total luminaire / Number of
rows
8. Axial spacing along luminaire
• Axial spacing= Length of the room/ Number of luminaire in each
row
9. Transverse spacing between luminaire
• Transverse spacing = Width of the room/ Number of luminaire in
each row
SPACING TO MOUNTING HEIGHT RATIO
(SHR)

• The Spacing to Mounting Height Ratio (SHR) is

the spacing between luminaires divided by their
height above the horizontal reference plane.
 Watts per square meter
method
• Divide the wattage consumed in the room by its
area in square feet/square meter to calculate
watts per square foot/square meter.
• This is principally a „rule of thumb‟ method very
handy for rough calculations or checking.
• It consists of making an allowance of watts/m2
of area to be illuminated according to the
illumination desired on the assumption of an
average figure of overall efficiency of the
system.
• For example, 650 watts divided by 192.89
square feet is 3.37 watts per square feet
 Problems
1. An office 30m x 15m is illuminated by
40W fluorescent lamps of lumen output
2700 lumens. The average illumination
required at the work place is 200 lux.
Calculate the number of lamps required
to be fitted in the office. Assume
coefficient of utilization to be 0.6 and
depreciation factor 1.25
2. Calculate the luminous flux required to
provide and illumination level of 200lux in a
room measuring 8m*5m, if the utilization
factor and light loss factor are 0.7 &0.8
respectively.
2. An illumination of 50 lux is to be produced
on the floor of a room 12m x 9m. 36
lamps are required to produce this
illumination in the room, if 50% of the
emitted light falls on the floor. What is the
lumen value of the lamp.
3. A certain incandescent lamp, hangs from
the ceiling of a room. The illuminance
received on a small horizontal screen lying
on a bench 2m vertically below the lamp is
63.5 lux.Calculate the illuminance at a
point when the screen is moved
horizontally a distance of 1.5m along the
bench.
4. Two light sources each having a uniform
intensity of 600 Cd are mounted 8m high
and 30m apart. Determine the illumination
directly underneath one lamp, at a
distance midway between the lamps.
5.An incandescent lamp is mounted at
1.75m above the working plane with its axis
vertical. The intensity of the lamp towards
the aiming point is 230Cd.Now find the
illuminance at 1m to one side of the aiming
point.
6.An office 30mx15m is illuminated by twin
fluorescent luminaries of lumen output
5600 lumens. The lamps being mounted at
a height of 3m from the work place, the
average illumination required is
240lux.Calculate the number of lamps
required to be fitted in the office, assuming
the coefficient of utilization to be 0.6 and
maintenance factor to be 0.8.
7.An office has length of 20m,
width=10m,height=3m. Ceiling to desk
height is 2m. Area to be illuminated to a
general is 250 lux using twin lamp 32 watt
CFL Luminaire. Each lamp has an initial
output of 85 lumen per watt. Maintenance
factor is 0.63, Utilization factor is
0.69.Design a lighting system for this office.
8.The office measures 10*7 m with a floor to
ceiling height of 3m. The working plane height is
0.8m. Office is being used for general office
duties including some computer use. The
recommended level is 400lux. Determine
number of luminaires required in this office.
9. A minimum illumination of 80 lumens/m2
is required in a factory shed of 100 m x 10
m. Calculate the number, location and the
wattage of the units to be used. Assume that
the depreciation factor is 0.8, coefficient of
utilization is 0.4 and efficiency of the lamp is
40 lumens/watt.
10. An illumination on the working plane of
75 lux is required in a room 72 m x 15 m in
size. The lamps are required to be hung 4 m
above the work bench. Assuming a suitable
space- height ratio, a utilization factor of 0.5,
a lamp efficiency of 14 lumens per watt and
a candle power depreciation 1.25,estimate
the number, rating and disposition of lamps.
11. You have been employed as a light
engineer for the University. A lecture hall
measuring 30m*10m*4.5m requires a
service illuminance of 750 lux. The type of
lights to be used are fluorescent lamps in a
recessed louvre with reflecting surface with
a luminous flux output of 4050 lm and
reflectance’s of 0.7 ceiling and 0.1 walls.
LLF=0.95 and working height=1m.