TABLE CONTENT

No Title Page
1 Title of laboratory experiment 2
2 Objective of the experiment 2
3 Equipment used and diagram 2
4 Experiment procedure 3
5 Data collection 4
6 Individual Background information (KONG YIOK YII) 5
7 Individual Background information (KWAN LOK KIAT) 6
8 Individual Background information (LAI CHUN WEI) 7
9 Individual Background information (LAI KAH YAN) 8
10 Individual Background information (LEONG SIM YEEN) 9
11 Discussion 10 - 13
12 Conclusion 14
13 References 15

Experiment 1: Measurement of Illuminance

1
Objective

To determine the luminous intensity of (2 x 36 W) batten type light fittings.

Equipment

Luminous meter (Figure 1), (2 x 36 W) batten type light fittings (Figure 2), measuring tape (Figure
3)

Figure 2. (2 x 36 W) batten type light

Figure 1. Lux meter
fittings

Figure 3. Measuring tape

Reference Standard

IES Lighting Handbook (1968)

Light 1 Ceiling Light 2

 d d 
a   a

b b
Y
X Z
Lux Meter (Figure 4)

Given the Illuminance Formula (or Cosine Law of Illuminance) is:

2
 I
E= cos θ
d2

where,

E = Illuminance (or density of luminous flux) reaching a surface (lm/m2 or lux)

I = Luminous intensity or strength of a light source (candle power or candela, cd)

d = Distance between light source and surface (m)

Find the luminous intensity of the lights

Conversion

1 candela = 12.57 lumen

1 cd/m2 = 12.57 lm/m2 (lux)

Procedures

1. Placed the luminous meter in the middle path between 2 light fittings as shown in Figure 1.
(b must be equal distance)
2. Measured distances a vertically downwards to working plane where the lights measurement
is taken.
3. Calculated d using Pythagoras Theorem.
4. Recorded the illuminance (lux) for the luminous meter. Substituted into the equation given
and solved to determine the luminous intensity.
5. Repeated the experiments at various spots in different rooms in the building laboratory with
the lights on and off.

Data Collection

3
 Location a, (m) b, (m) d, (m)
Lab A Table 2.235 2.500 3.353
Floor 2.960 2.500 3.874
Lab B Table 2.294 2.772 3.598
Floor 2.956 2.772 4.052

Location E (lights ON) E (lights OFF) E (lights ON) – E (lights OFF) =

E (artificial light)
Lab A Table 385 lux 253 lux 132 lux
Floor 396 lux 291 lux 105 lux
Lab B Table 209 lux 75 lux 134 lux
Floor 172 lux 58 lux 114 lux

Individual Background Information (KONG YIOK YII 15WTD03013)

4
 Illuminance describes the amount of light falling on a surface. The work plane is where the
most important tasks in the room or space are performed. It has two components. One is the amount
of light – (based on usage or multiple usage of a space) and second, if the surface is horizontal -
horizontal illuminance if the surface is vertical - vertical illuminance. Some tasks though are at an
angle, such as reading a book in a hospital bed.

Successful lighting professionals must be able to incorporate into their work many new
technological and scientific developments. Examples: solid state lighting sources, humans’
perception of light as they age, sustainability and the integration of daylighting with electric lighting,
the effects of light on human health. Clients rely on and, indeed, expect lighting practitioners to
know their specialties and to make well-informed decisions and recommendations on the client’s
behalf.

Lighting design is the science and art of making things useful to humankind, and lighting
design is the application of lighting—including daylight when it is specifically used as a source of
lighting—to human spaces. Like architecture, engineering and other design professions, lighting
design relies on a combination of specific scientific principles, established standards and
conventions, and a number of aesthetic, cultural and human factors applied in an artful manner.

Lighting quality lighting profoundly affects many human reactions to the environment. These
human reactions range from the obvious, such as the dramatic beauty of an illuminated landmark or
the emotional response of a candlelight dinner, to subtle impacts on worker productivity in offices or
sales in retail stores (Slideshare.net)

Individual Background Information (KWAN LOK KIAT 15WTD02119)

5
 Light is energy. It is energy in the form of electro-magnetic radiation in waves.

The visible light spectrum spans from approximately 770nm to 380nm with the long
wavelengths. Light makes human live in a comfortable and brighten our environment. Humans will
not survive without light. So light is important in our life.
F
Light can be measure in lux. To calculate the illuminance of light, we need to apply: E=
A

E= illuminance on surface (lx)

F= total flux reaching surface (lm)

A= area of the surface (m2 ¿

Illuminance (E) is the total amount of visible light illuminating a point on a surface from all
directions above the surface. This "surface" can be a physical surface or an imaginary plane.
Therefore illuminance is equivalent to irradiance weighted with the response curve of the human eye.
The luminous intensity of a light source is the power of light. It is defined in a given direction
and is measured in candela, cd. The candela is one of the seven base units of the SI system and
specifies the luminous intensity in one specific angle from a light source. But it doesn’t indicate
anything about the total amount of light being radiated from the light source. 
The scientific definition of the candela is the luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a
source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 x 10e12 Hertz and that has a radiant
intensity in that direction of 1/683watt per steradian.

Individual Background Information (LAI CHUN WEI 15WTD05401)

6
 What is light? Light is energy in form of electromagnetic radiation. Only particular
electromagnetic radiation can be detected by the human sight. Visible light is a narrow band in the
total spectrum of electromagnetic emissions ranging from violet to red with wavelength from 380nm
to 760nm. (1nm = 10-9 metre).

The formula of calculation the illuminance is:

E= illuminance on surface (lx)

F= total flux reaching surface (lm)
F
E= A= area of the surface (m 2 ¿
A

Where is the light emitted? There are 2 types of light, which are artificial light and natural
light. Artificial light is the lights that are conversion from one particular energy to light energy. For
example, incandescent lamp, fluorescent lamps, candle, oil lamps and etc. To determine the degree of
light, the reading of illuminance will be taken by using lux meter. The reading of lux meter can be
calculated by using illuminance formula:

E = illuminance on a flat surface (lx)

I I = intensity of source (cd)
E= cosӨ d = distance between source & surface (m)
d2 Ө = angle between direction of flux & the normal

When illuminance flux falls on a surface, it illuminates that surface. The lighting effect is
termed illuminance (E). Illuminance (E) is the density of luminous flux reaching a surface.

Luminous Flux (F) is the rate of flow of light energy. The rate of flow of an electromagnetic energy
can expressed in terms of power but light energy is also measured by luminous flux. The unit of
luminous flux is lm.

Luminous intensity (I) is the power of a light source or illuminated surface to emit light in a
particular direction. Luminous intensity is used to compare different light sources and measure their
strength. The unit of luminous intensity is cd.

Individual Background Information (LAI KAH YAN 15WTD04402)

7
 Light is a kind of energy which is in the form of electromagnetic radiation and also is a part
of electromagnetic spectrum. Different types of electromagnetic radiation have different frequencies
or wavelengths. The wavelengths will determine the colour of the light like the light with the longest
wavelength is red light. Visible light is the light which can detect by the human eye but only certain
electromagnetic radiation can be detected by human eye such as visible light waves are the colour of
rainbow that people can see.[ CITATION FAC07 \l 17417 ]

Moreover, light travels in the form of waves and it does not required any medium to travel,
which means that light can travel through vacuum.[ CITATION FAC07 \l 17417 ] Light also travel very
fast just like people will see lightening first then will hear the thunder. In addition, light also travel in
a straight direction no matter what will block in front of it, the light will still travel straight. [ CITATION
syn15 \l 17417 ]

Measurement of lighting is a measurement to measure the lighting. There are some

measurements of lighting to measure the light such as luminous intensity (I), luminous flux (F), and
illuminance (I).

Luminous intensity (I) can be defined as the power of light source or illuminated surface to
emit light in a certain direction and the unit of luminous intensity is candela (cd) and also called
candle. While for the luminous flux (F) is the rate of flow of light energy and the unit can be
measured as lumen (lm). The amount of light falls on a surface is termed as illuminance (I) and the
measurement unit of illuminance is lux (lx) or lumen per meter square [CITATION Mea11 \l 17417 ]. The
aim for the experiment measurement of illuminance is to determine the luminous intensity of batten
type light fittings at different place by using luminous meter.

Individual Background Information (LEONG SIM YEEN 15WTD02848)

8
 When the luminous flux from a point source reaches the surface of a surrounding sphere, the
direction of the light is always at right angles to that surface. However, light strikes many surfaces at
an inclined angle and therefore illuminates larger areas than when it strikes at a right angle. The
geometrical effect is shown in Figure 5. If the luminous flux is kept constant but spread over a larger
area, then the illuminance at any point on that area must decrease.

Figure 5 show how the area illuminated increases by a factor of 1/cosine. Because luminous
flux is equal to illuminance multiple by area, the illuminance decreases by a factor of cosine. This
relationship is termed Lambert’s Cosine Rule and the formula is:

I
E= cosӨ where E = illuminance on surface (lux)
d2

I = intensity of source (cd)

d = distance between source and surface (m)

 = angle between direction of flux and the normal.

Figure 5. Lamber’s Cosine Rule (Scratch A Pixel, 2012)

The cosine law affects most practical lighting arrangements as it is usually difficult for all
surfaces to receive light at right angle. For example, when a lamp on the ceiling illuminates a floor,
only the point directly below the light fitting will receive luminous flux at right angles; the light will
strike all other part of the floor at varying angles of inclination. (McMullan, 2007, p.139)

The primary consideration in the design of a lighting system is usually illuminance and
measured by lux. Service illuminance is the mean illuminance achieved during the maintenance
cycle of a lighting system, and averaged over the area over the area being considered. (McMullan,
2007, p.139) The illuminance needed is depending on the visual difficulties of the task, the average
standard of eyesight involved and the type of performance expected. (McMullan, 2007, p.139) For
example, the service illuminance of general office is 500 lux.

Discussion Questions

9
1. Explain the following terms:
a. Light
Light is energy in term of electromagnetic radiation. This energy is radiated by
processes in the atomic structure of different materials and causes a wide range of
effects. (McMullan, 2007, p.330)
b. Luminous intensity
Luminous intensity is the power of a light source, or illuminated surface to emit light
in a particular direction. (McMullan, 2007, p.110)
c. Luminous flux
Luminous flux is the rate of flow of light energy. (McMullan, 2007, p.110)
d. Illuminance
Illuminance is the density of luminous flux reaching a surface. (McMullan, 2007,
p.111)

2. Calculate the luminous intensity, I (cd) of the light source in different locations in the
building laboratory from the experiment.

Location Luminous Intensity, I (cd)

Lab A (table) 2.235 m
E = 132 lux d = 3.353m cos θ=
3.353m

I
E= 2
cos θ
d

I 2.235
132= ×
(3.353) 3.353
2

I
132= ×0.667
11.243

132×11.243
I=
0.667

I =¿2225

Lab A (floor) 2.960 m

E = 105 lux d = 3.874m cos θ=
3.874 m

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 I
E= cos θ
d2

I 2.960
105= ×
(3.874) 3.874
2

I
105= × 0.764
15.008

105× 15.008
I=
0.764

I =¿2062.62
Lab B (table) 2.294
E = 134 lux d = 3.598m cos θ=
3.598
I
E= cos θ
d2

I 2.294
134= ×
(3.598) 3.598
2

I
134= ×0.638
12.946

134 ×12.946
I=
0.638

I =2719.0 7
Lab B (floor) 2.956
E = 114 lux d = 4.052 m cos θ=
4.052
I
E= cos θ
d2

I 2.956
114= ×
( 4.052) 4.052
2

I
114= × 0.30
16.419

114 ×16.419
I=
0.730

I =2564.06

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3. Compare the results of illuminance, E (lux) obtained from your experiments in the various
rooms with values obtained from standard lighting requirements. What are some typical
values of service illuminance for (a) street lighting (b) hallway (c) home (d) classroom (e)
office (f) shop display? Comment on your findings.

According to standard lighting requirements, the minimum illuminance required in a lab is at

least 250 lux at 0m. (Illuminance - Recommended Light Levels, 2015) The illumiance
obtained in the Lab A when the light is switched on is 396 lux. It is found that the
illuminance in Lab A is higher than the standard lighting requirements so that it is
satisfactory. While the illuminance obtained in the Lab B when the light is switched on is 172
lux. It is found that the illuminance in Lab B is lower than the standard lighting requirements
so that it is unsatisfactory.

Typical values of service illuminance:

a) Hallway - 150lux
b) Street lighting - 50lux
c) Office - 500lux
d) Home - 150lux
e) Classroom - 300lux
f) Shop display - 500lux
It is found that sufficient light is needed in classroom so students will be able to focus in the
brighter situation. Street lightning must be sufficient so that the drivers are able to sighting the
road. Offices need to have sufficient lighting so workers are having clear sight to their
paperwork. Shop display needs to have higher illuminance in order to attract their customer.

4. Discuss some considerations affecting lighting design in buildings.

The first consideration affecting lighting design in building is environmental factors.

It is because the use of glass windows to let in light also allows the penetration of solar heat
and noise and increases the rate of heat gain or loss of the building fabric.

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 Next, room dimension is one of the factor. With room heights of 2.5-3 m which are
usual in residential building, room depths, from the lighting point of view, should ideally be
limited to 4-6 m, depending on the width of the room and the nature of obstructions if any.
Then, shadow intensity and direction of incident light also affect the lighting design in
buildings. For the perception of the solidity and surface texture of object a reasonable shadow
intensity is required. Working positions should be arranged so that hand and body shadows
do not fall on the working surface.
Last but not least, obstruction also the consideration that affects the lighting designs in
buildings. Obstructions which subtend elevation angles of more than 25-30˚ significantly
reduce the daylight penetration. This can be improved by increasing the height and width of
the window. If possible, the angle subtended by obstructions should not be greater than 30˚.

Conclusion

This experiment is a simple experiment to find out the illuminance at different laboratories at
college by using lux meter. It was found that by substituting illuminance, E into the formula E=

I
cos θ , the illuminous intensity.
d2

The illuminance of laboratory based on the experiment depends on the distance, d. The longer
the distance, the lower the illuminance. It is because the light strikes many surfaces at an inclined
angle and therefore illuminates larger areas than when it strikes at right angle. If the luminous flux is
kept constant but spread over a larger area, the illuminance at any point on that area must decrease.

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Cosine Law of Illuminance states: The illuminance on any surface varies as the cosine of the angle of
the surface in the direction of light.

In fact, this simple experiment may have its own weakness. It is easily affected by some
factors therefore the accuracy of the result is lowered. For example, the different height of the stools
causing the distance between the two light sources and the stools are different, the center of the two
light sources cannot be measured so accurately, the lux meter is so sensitive that reading is affected
by the obstacles nearby. Sometimes, the result is affected by the outside light condition

References

1. Illuminance - Recommended Light Levels . 2015. Illuminance - Recommended Light Levels .

[ONLINE] Available at: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/light-level-rooms-d_708.html.
[Accessed 24 October 2015].
2. LIGHT. 2007. LIGHT. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.factmonster.com/dk/encyclopedia/light.html. [Accessed 21 October 2015].
3. Measuring Light Levels | Sustainability Workshop. 2011. Measuring Light Levels |
Sustainability Workshop. [ONLINE] Available at:

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 http://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/buildings/measuring-light-levels. [Accessed 21
October 2015].
4. McMullan, R. (2007) Environmental Science in Building. 6th Ed. New York: Palgrave
Macmillan.
5. Occupational Safety and Health Branch of the Labour Department. 2008. Lighting
Assessment in the Workplace. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/oh/Lighting.pdf. [Accessed 22 October 2015].
6. Optics for Kids – What is Light, Light Optics. 2015. Optics for Kids – What is Light, Light
Optics. [ONLINE] Available at: http://optics.synopsys.com/learn/kids/optics-kids-light.html.
[Accessed 22 October 2015]
7. Scratch A Pixel. (2012) Radiometric Relationships. [Online] Available from:
http:// http://www.scratchapixel.com/old/lessons/3d-basic-lessons/lesson-15-introduction-to-
shading-and-radiometry/radiometric-relationships/.[Accessed: 23rd October 2015].
8. -Slideshare.net,. 'Lighting Design Considerations'. N.p., 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.

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