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Luminaires and Lighting The light source is only half the story. Due to the problem of glare it is not customary to use naked bulbs for interior lighting. Lights are placed in enclosures to redirect and diffuse the light that is emitted. These enclosures are called luminaires. There is more variety in luminaries than there is in light bulbs.

Luminaires

Fixed luminaires sometimes called fixtures or fittings.

are light

Portable luminaires are sometimes called lamps.

Functions of the luminaire. The following functions are performed by the luminaire Connection of lamp electricity supply to lamp. Contains control circuitry for lamp Heat dissipation from lamp (almost all lamps emit more heat energy than light). The lamp must be integrated with the luminaire. Reflection and redirection of light to work areas Techniques to eliminate glare, diffusion and baffles. Protecting the lamp from the environment (e.g. outdoors) Providing a decorative appearance. The light distribution of the lamp is controlled by the luminaire.

Lamp and luminaire integration Most lighting fixtures emit heat as well as light. This heat must be removed. Possible problems, overheating and degradation of electronic components, over heating and degradation of materials used in construction. Overheating can lead to fire. The Lamp and luminaire form an integrated unit. Do not install lamps beyond the rating of the luminaire. Also, do not change the class lamps installed in the luminaire (e.g. switching Compact Fluorescents and Incandescents unless Luminaire is rated for both types. Could lead to Luminaire overheating.

The Light Output Ratio (LOR) The light output ratio is a photometric quantity. It is the ratio of the luminous flux emitted by the lamp and the luminous flux emitted by the luminaire. Flux output by Lamp LOR = 100 ---------------------------------Flux output by Luminaire The ratio is multiplied by 100 so as to give the LOR as a percentage (%). The LOR can be divided into the light that is emitted upward ULOR (with respect to the lamp position) and the light that is emitted downward (DLOR). What Lamp output LOR ULOR DLOR Absorbed Flux (lm) 1000 800 300 500 200 % 100 80 30 50 20

Tables of LORs for different luminaire types are needed in lighting design calculations.

The Flux Fraction ration (FFR) An alternative measure of light emission is to just worry about the light emitted by the luminaire. The can be divided into The fraction of flux going up (UFF) The fraction of flux going down (DFF) The flux fraction ratio is UFF ULOR FFR = ---------- = ---------DFF DLOR What Lamp output LOR Upward Flux Downward Flux Flux (lm) 1000 800 300 ULOR = 30% UFF = 37.5 500 DLOR = 50% DFF = 62.5

The FFR = 37.5/62.5 = 0.60

Some luminaire symbols The light emitting properties can be characterized into five types. Each of these types can be represented as a symbol on building planes.

The polar plot

Direct light shines directly on the work area and can produce shadows. There is little reflected light contributing to the illumination of the working surface. Indirect light. The walls and ceilings are used as the light source. So they should be clean and light in colour. The light is very evenly spread. Absence of shadows can make some objects (low contrast with background) difficult to see.

The polar plot A more detailed appreciation of the light that is emitted can be obtained from a polar plot. This depicts the directionality of light emitted more precisely.

The diagram above shows a polar plot for a road light. It shows a bat-wing lighting distribution. Data-sheets showing polar plots are used in detailed calculations of illumination levels.

Some features of luminaire construction Reflectors, Material. Mirrors (silver foil on glass) typically have a reflectance of 0.95. Most fluorescent luminaries are constructed from steel with an enamel finishing. Mixed reflectance. Another material used for smaller luminaries is aluminium (not strong enough for fluorescents). Commonly polished and anodised to achieve high reflectance. Specular reflectance. Material Glossy white Enamelled steel Anodised Al Stainless steel Silver (polished and anodised) Aluminised Plastic Super-purity Al White plastic Glossy white Reflection type Reflectance Mixed specular 0.85 Specular Mixed specular Specular Specular Specular Diffuse 0.75 0.60 0.90 0.85 0.95 0.90

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Dichroic reflectors These reflectors are used to filter out the radiant heat (i.e. infrared radiation) emitted by the light source. Coatings of transparent material (at just the right thickness) can act to prevent (or enhance) light being reflected. The thickness of the layers are tuned to the wave length of the light to be transmitted or absorbed.

Commonly used in the interior coatings of spot lights or floodlights.

Note, the heat energy that would otherwise come out the front, is absorbed by the luminaire. This heat energy must come out somewhere.

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Circular reflectors

If the lamp is close to the focal point some of the light comes out parallel.

If the lamp is close to the centre, it is reflected back through the lamp. This creates an optical gain. lamp is placed slightly off centre to prevent the lamp overheating. Gives a spread light pattern.

Circular reflectors used in projection systems and studio spotlights. Increases intensity of light which is redirected by the lens system. Note, cylindrical reflectors used with fluorescent tubes.

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Parabolic reflectors The parabolic reflector will produce a parallel beam of light is the lamp is placed at the focus. So the illuminance placed on an object will not change as it is moved further away.

Parabolic reflectors are used as floodlights for interior lighting. The amount the beam spreads can be controlled by moving the lamp slightly from the focus, change the luminaire from a spotlight to a floodlight. Often called PAR (Parabolic Aluminized Reflectors).

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Elliptical reflectors All the light that is emitted is reflected through the second focal point provided the lamp is at the other focus.

The elliptical reflector is very widely used for downlighting. The light comes out the reflector in many directions while the lamp itself is not directly visible.

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Diffuse reflectors Diffuse reflectors aim to direct as much light as possible in a general direction (e.g. down). No sharp or well defined beam control. The light coming out of the luminaire will be broad, e.g. going through an angle of greater than 90o. The surface finish is usually glossy white. The limited specular reflection is not important. The reflectance will be 70-85%, i.e. less than a specular reflector. The shape of a diffuse reflector is not that important, just want as much light as possible coming out. Diffuse reflectors can take many shapes. Also, the closer the lamp is to the mouth of the luminaire, the less the reflection and the greater the LOR. Trade-off with glare. The typical fluorescent light luminaire is usually designed to produce diffuse light.

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Example: of luminaire data

Polar plot shows intensity of light source when viewed through a given angle All light is directed down. ULOR = 0 DLOR = LOR Note, the specification of the lamp type to be included in reflector.

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Batten vs Troffer luminaries A batten luminaire is one that is mounted of the surface of the roof or wall. A simple naked light socket is a batten luminaire.

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A troffer is a luminaire that is recessed into the ceiling.

Batten luminaires typically have a higher LOR than troffer luminaries.

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Glare control Besides the reflection of light, one can also refract light.

Prismatic diffusers consist of a clear plastic plate with small pyramids on the underside (room side) of the plate. The light coming through the diffusers is bent in different directions. Cheap and effective way to eliminate glare. The use of translucent materials as diffusers (Opal plastic) is becoming less common in office environments as they absorb more light.

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Diffusers

Prismatic diffuser. 80% transmittance Opal diffuser 70% transmittance

Crush-Iced diffuser.

Prismatic diffusers allow higher transmittance of light than Opal Plastic. Older Opal diffusers become discoloured and can absorb 50% of the light emitted. Opal plastics disappearing from scene.

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Glare control Besides prismatic diffusers, louvres are also used to control glare.

The louvre prevents people seeing the lamps directly at a low angle. The louvres are made of anodised aluminium or a white plastic. Sometimes reflection is an issue if the louvres are highly reflective. Louvre surface can be shaped. Louvres are used in situations where glare control is most important, e.g. a room of computer terminals.

Note, due to multiple reflections, the LOR can decrease quicker with age as dust accumulates. Should be cleaned!

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Glare control (bad examples) Lighting environment has following glare problems. Window Cone diffusers shaped

The troffer with the louvre is not a problem.

Mounting a luminaire close to a wall can cause glare problems. The troffer with louvres is OK, but the close to wall mount creates problems.