Chapter 2: Electrical Lighting

The topics:
 Introduction
 Lighting parameters
 Lighting schemes
 Light fitting
 Daylighting
1.0 Introduction
1.1 All human activities rely on light. Although
sun is a primary source of light, but artificial
lighting plays a major role in our daily life.
1.2 The artificial lights are mainly produced by
electrical lamps for decorative purpose,
advertising, traffic control, medical operation,
indoor and outdoor lighting etc.
1.3 Light is reflected from a polished surface at
the same angle that strikes it. A matt
surface reflects in a number of directions
and a semi-matt surface responds
somewhere between a polished and a matt
surface.
2.0 Lighting Parameters
2.1 Light – It is a form of electromagnetic
radiation from a hot body which produces a
visual sensation on human eye. It is similar
in nature as radio waves at one end of the
frequency spectrum and X-rays at the other.
The light can be of different colours,
depending on its wavelength of radiation.
2.2 Luminous Flux – A measurement of the
visible light energy emitted. It measures
total quantity of radiant energy per second
responsible for visual sensation from a
luminous body, measured in lumen (lm).
2.0 Lighting Parameters
2.3 Luminous Intensity – It is a measurement
of magnitude of luminance or light reflected
from a surface, i.e. candela/square meter
(cd/m2). The intensity of emission of
luminous flux in a particular direction.
2.4 When light falls on a surface, it becomes
visible, the phenomenon is called
illumination. It is defined as luminous flux
falling on a surface per unit area. It is
denoted by E and measured in lumen per
square meter or meter-candle.
3.0 Lighting Schemes
3.1 Lighting schemes are classified in according
to its illumination and direction:
 Direct lighting
 Indirect lighting
 Semi direct lighting
 Semi indirect lighting
 General lighting
3.2 Direct lighting – almost 90 -95% light falls
directly on the object or the surface. The
light is made to fall upon the surface with
the help of deep reflectors. Mostly used in
industries & commercial. Although efficient,
but it would cause glare and shadows.
3.0 Lighting Schemes
3.3 Indirect lighting – The light does not fall
directly on the surface but more than 90%
of light is directed upwards by using
diffusing reflectors. The ceiling acts as a
source of light and this light is uniformly
distributed over the surface and thus glare
is minimized. This illumination provides less
shadow and is useful for drawing offices and
decoration purposed in ballroom, cinema
and hotel rooms.
3.0 Lighting Schemes
3.3 Semi direct lighting – An efficient lighting
and chances of glare are also reduced. In
this case, transparent type shades are used
through whereby about 60% light is directed
downward and 40% is directed upward. This
would provide a uniform distribution of light
and is best suited for room with high ceilings.
3.4 Semi indirect lighting – About 60 to 90%
of light is thrown upward to ceiling for
diffused reflection and the rest reaches the
working plane directly. A very small amount
of light is absorbed by bowl. Mainly for
interior decoration.
3.0 Lighting Schemes
3.5 General lighting – This system employs
each type of luminaries, shades and
reflectors which give an equal illuminations
in all directions.
3.6 In essence, the illumination should not be
harmful to the viewers, It should be glare
free, shadow less and contrast free.
Hard and long shadows can be avoided by
using a large number of lamps and adjusting
the mounting height.
4.0 Light fittings
4.1 Luminaire – a word to describe the
complete lighting unit including the lamp.
4.2 When selecting a lamp type, it is important
to select a luminaire to complement the
lamp both functionally and aesthetically.
4.3 A luminaire has several functions: it defines
the lamp position, protects the lamp and
may contain the lamp control mechanism.
4.4 In the interests of safety it must be well
insulated, in some circumstances resistant
to moisture, have adequate appearance for
purpose and be durable.
4.0 Light fittings
4.5 Filament lamps - the tungsten iodine lamp is
used for floodlighting. Evaporation from the
filament is controlled by the presence of
iodine vapour.
4.6 The gas-filled, general-purpose filament
lamp has a fine tungsten wire sealed within
a glass bulb. The wire is heated to
incandescence (white heat) by the passage
of an electric current. The incandescent
bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat.
4.0 Light fittings
4.7 Discharge lamps - these do not have a filament,
but produce light by excitation of a gas. When
voltage is applied to the two electrodes,
ionisation occurs until a critical value is reached
when current flows between them. As the
temperature rises, the mercury vaporises and
electrical discharge between the main
electrodes causes light to be emitted.
4.8 High pressure sodium discharge lamps produce
a consistent golden white light in which it is
possible to distinguish colours. They are
suitable for floodlighting, commercial and
industrial lighting and illumination of highways.
4.0 Light fittings
4.9 Fluorescent tube - this is a low pressure
variation of the mercury discharge lamp.
Energised mercury atoms emit ultra-violet
radiation and a blue/green light. The tube is
coated internally with a fluorescent powder
which absorbs the ultra-violet light and re-
radiates it as visible light.
4.10 Fluorescent strip lamps have many
applications. The fittings and reflectors
shown are appropriate for use in industrial
locations, with a variation which creates an
illuminated ceiling more suited to shops and
offices.
4.0 Light fittings
4.11 LED lighting is an electric light that produces
light using light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LED
lamps are significantly more energy-efficient
than equivalent incandescent lamps and can
be significantly more efficient than most
fluorescent lamps.
4.12 An electrical current passes through a
microchip, which illuminates the tiny light
sources we call LEDs and the result is visible
light. LEDs come to full brightness
immediately with no warm-up delay. Frequent
switching on and off does not reduce life
expectancy as with fluorescent lighting.
5.0 Daylighting
5.1 The use of daylighting is a high-performance
lighting initiative that building professionals
can implement to reduce electric lighting use
and energy demands, while providing the
utmost in occupant comfort, health and
productivity.
5.2 Daylighting involves the design of windows,
light shelves, blinds, ceilings and wall
surfaces that take natural light, diffuse it via
the appropriate building elements and
enhance the workplace while reducing overall
energy costs.
5.0 Daylighting
5.3 Daylighting brings more natural and diffused
light into buildings with less heat than
artificial lighting, which means cooling
systems use less energy to offset added heat
from light fixtures. As a result, daylighting
often results in lower energy bills.
5.4 Besides, daylighting creates a visually
pleasing, healthier and more productive
environment for building occupants. i.e.
higher test scores for students, increased
sales for retailers, higher work output for
employees, and better regulation of
hormones and the circadian rhythms that
control our sleep.
5.0 Daylighting
5.5 Tools are available to control daylight,
including layering external light shelves,
overhangs and fins, internal light shelves,
horizontal blinds and interior sun shades.
Tutorial

Download Lux Light Meter from Google Play

Store. Briefly record the readings (Lux) under
different lighting schemes and location.

Premises Recommended illumination level

Office 100 – 400 lumens / meter square
School 250 – 400 lumens / meter square
Factory 1,000 lumens / meter square
Shop 250 – 500 lumens / meter square
Hotel 80 – 100 lumens / meter square
Hospital 250 – 3,500 lumens / meter square