Department of Manufacturing Engineering Experiment on Measuring Illuminance

EXPERIMENT 1
MEASURING ILLUMINANCE OF CLASSROOM

I. Purpose:
 Know how to use the light meter C.A 811 to measure illuminance.
 Compare the measured results with theoretical calculations.
 Evaluation of experimental results.
II. Requirements
 Read the experiment guide before the experiment.
 Calculate the average theoretical illuminance (Etblt) of the classroom by using the
utilization factor method.
 Measure the average illuminance (Etbd) of the classroom by using light meter.
 Compare the calculated result (Etblt) with the measured result (Etbd).
 Evaluate experimental results.
III. Contents.
III.1. Calculating classroom illuminance using the utilization factor method.
Calculate theoretical illuminance
In order to calculate the general illuminance of the classroom, the utilization factor
method is used as following:
 Calculate classroom index i

(1.1)
Where:
S - area of illuminated classroom (m2).
a, b - classroom length, width respectively (m).
HCis the distance from table surface to lamp (m).
From the above calculated classroom index i, we search for the value of the
utilization factor (see Table 9-12, page 158 in textbook “Labor Protection
Engineering” by Nguyen Ba Dung and other authors - 1979).

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Department of Manufacturing Engineering Experiment on Measuring Illuminance

For i <= 0.8, h = 0.05 – 0.36.

For i <= 2.0, h = 0.08 – 0.47.
For i > 2.0, h = 0.12 – 0.57.
 Total luminous fluxφ t (of all lamps illuminating classroom) is determined by using
the formula:

(1.2 )
Where:
 Emin – the lowest illuminance according to state regulations. For classroom, E =
300 - 500 lux.
 k – reserve factor. If the classroom to be illuminated has dust or smoke that
affects vision, k = 1.5 - 1.7. Otherwise, k = 1.
 z - the ratio between the average illuminance Etb and Emin. z = Etb/Emin (usually z
= 1.1 - 1.2. If classroom is smaller than 10 m2 then z=1).
 S – classroom area (m2).
 h - utilization factor.
 Calculating the number of needed illuminating lamps (Nbd)
Let the luminous flux of a lamp be φ bd, we can calculate the number of needed
illuminating lamps Nbd:

(1.3)
- Finally, we can determine average illuminance on working surface:

(1.4)
Where:
Nbd – Number of needed illuminating lamps.
φ bd – luminous flux.

S – area of illuminated classroom (m2).

k - reserve factor.

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Department of Manufacturing Engineering Experiment on Measuring Illuminance

h – utilization factor.
III.2. Measuring actual illuminance of a classroom using light meter
III.2.1. Introducing light meter C.A 811.
The C.A 811 light meter is equipped with a silicon screen, digital display, and
easy manual operation due to its compact size.
III.2.2. Working principle (see picture)

1. Sensor with protective cap.

2. Backlit Liquid Crystal Display
- Home screen: value 3 or OL (error).
- Symbols:
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Department of Manufacturing Engineering Experiment on Measuring Illuminance

+ battery compartment.
HOLD showing final measurement value.
klux / kfc showing displayed unit value.
MAX showing max value.
3. Selecting measurement range:
- From 20 lux to 20 klux: divided by 4 measurement ranges.
- From 20 fc to 20 kfc: divided by 4 measurement ranges.
4. Dual function switch
- Quick Press: displaying the screen again.
- Long press: controlling the max value.
5. Adjust sensor movement.
6. Control the switch to keep displaying the final value.
7. 3-status indicator :
- OFF: the meter is not working.
- Lux: the meter in the illuminance mode.
- Fc: Anglo-Saxon Brightness (of candles).
III.2.3. Usage:
Process:
1. Place the sensor on the surface to be measured, avoiding any shaded area so as
to not affect the measurement results.
2. Turn on the meter switch, using switch 7 to select one of the two lux or fc units.
When the measured value is displayed on the screen, wait until the value is stable. Use
switch 5 to select the appropriate measuring range.
3. Format the meter using the special function keys 4 or 3.
4. Record the measured value when it is stable, move switch 7 to OFF position to
turn off the power.
Note: If the light is not in measurement range, the screen will display OL. In this
case, press switch 3 several times to select the appropriate range.

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Department of Manufacturing Engineering Experiment on Measuring Illuminance

Special functions
HOLD: Pressing this button will delete the final measured value, this function is
performed when the meter is OFF.
MAX: The meter displays the max value measured, which is beneficial when the
brightness is different, it is used when the meter is OFF or the switch is pressed again.
III.2.4. Measurement capability:
Measurement range: 20 lux; 200 lux; 2000 lux; 20 klux.
20 fc; 200 fc; 2000 fc; 20 kfc.
Measurement value: 0.01 lux; 0.01 fc. Accuracy: 3%.
III.3. Experiment practice:
III.3.1. Task:
1. Calculate theoretical classroom illuminance: determine the necessary parameters
of the classroom to measure the illuminance (length a, width b, height H, height of the
lamp compared to work surface Hc, distance from lamp to ceiling hc).
Look up the necessary values such as: Emin, Emax, reserve factor k, lamp type, ....
Calculate the number of lights needed Nbd, distribute the lights, calculate the
theoretical brightness Etblt,
2. Practice measuring illuminance: with the available light distribution in the
classroom, the illuminance E is measured at several points on the working surface,
calculating the average illuminance level in cases:
a. Natural light and bulb light.
b. No light.
3. Compare the calculated Etblt with the actually measured Etbd.
III.3.2. Experiment process:
1. Determine the necessary parameters of the classroom.
2. Determine the points to be measured the illuminance of the classroom (note the
special points such as the brightest point, the darkest point, ...).
3. Measure the illuminance at selected points in both cases with and without the
electrical light. Record measured results.
4. Report results of the experiment in the form.

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 Department of Manufacturing Engineering Experiment on Measuring Illuminance

REPORT
RESULTS OF EXPERIMENT ON MEASURING ILLUMINANCE OF
CLASSROOM

Full name: Student ID:

Date: Group:

I. Calculate the theoretical average illuminance

1. Determine the parameters of the classroom.
Classroom length: a = (m); Width: b = (m).
Classroom height: H = (m).
Height from table to lamp: Hc = (m).
Classroom area: S = a x b = (m2).
2. Determine the required data: Illuminance (E); Reserve factor (k); The ratio between
the illuminance level Etb and E min (z) (usually select z= 1.1 to 1.2); Classroom index (i
- calculated according to Equation 3.1); Utilization factorh.
3. Calculate the Etblt illuminanceusing the utilization factor
 Calculate the total luminous flux of the lamps ft according to Equation3.2.
 Determine the number of needed lamps Nbd to illuminate the classroom
according to Equation 3.3.
In this experiment we choose the type of lamps: fluorescent lamp 6,500 K, power: p
= 36 W with the luminous flux of the lamp φbd = 2,500 lm.
(See page 246 of textbook “Kỹ thuật chiếu sáng (Lighting Technique)” by Duong
Lan Huong, 2011).
 Calculate the average illuminance (Etb) on the working surface (Equation 3.4).
Etb =

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 Department of Manufacturing Engineering Experiment on Measuring Illuminance

II. Measure the illuminance of some points in the classroom

1. Case 1: Natural light and electrical light
Table 1
Point 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
E(lx)

Etb = ………………………………..

2. Case 2: No electrical light

Table 2
Point 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
E(lx)

Etb = ………………………………..

III. Comparing theoretical Etb and actually measured Etb

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IV. Evaluating experimental results
 Does the level of illuminance in the classroom meet the state regulations?
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Department of Manufacturing Engineering Experiment on Measuring Illuminance

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 Does the lighting conform to lighting techniques (even illuminance distribution, not too
bright, not shady, ...)?
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 Comments and personal suggestions on lighting techniques in the classroom?
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Student
(signature and full name)