ARTIFICIAL

LIGHT DESIGN
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT SOURCES
Artificial light sources are categorized by the technology used to produce the light.
There's dozens of sources, with a few common in household applications and others
more suitable for industrial uses. The five most common light sources are as follows:

1. Incandescent lamp.
2. Compact fluorescent lamp.
3. Fluorescent tube.
4. Discharge lamps.
5. Light Emitting Diode (LED).
 INCANDESCENT LAMP
This is still widely used, although its
relatively low energy efficiency is leading
to its replacement by other more efficient
lamps such as the CFL.

The connection to a light fitting is either

by screw thread or bayonet.

A large variety of shapes, sizes and

power is available, as well as different
colour ranges. Typical lamps for
household use range from about 40 to
100 W, giving a light output of 420 to
1360lm at the typical lamp efficiency of
about 12%.
 COMPACT FLUORESCENT
LAMP
The compact fluorescent lamp
(CFL) was designed as a more
efficient replacement for
incandescent lamp. It is
supplied with the same fixing
system (screw or bayonet),
and can be used in many light
fittings designed for
incandescent lamps.

Power ratings of CFLs that can

provide approximately the
equivalent light output to
incandescent lamps are shown
in the table below, together
with their efficacy ratings.
FLUORESCENT TUBE
Fluorescent tubes are the main form of
lighting for offices and commercial buildings.

The tube contains mercury vapour at low

pressure, and the inner wall of the glass is
coated with a phosphor that reacts to ultra-
violet radiation. When electricity is passed
through the vapour it emits UV radiation that
is converted by the phosphor to visible light.

The most efficient fluorescent tubes are the

T5. With a smaller diameter (16mm) than
earlier tubes, these can achieve a luminous
efficacy of up to 104lm/W
DISCHARGE LAMPS
Discharge lamps work by striking
an electrical arc between two
electrodes, causing a filler gas to
give off light.

Different metals and filler gasses

can be used to provide a range of
colour and brightness.

Discharge lamps provide high

luminous efficacy combined with
long life, resulting in the most
economical light source available
 TYPES OF GAS-
DISCHARGE LAMPS:
A- Low pressure discharge
lamps:
-Compact fluorescent
lamp,
- Fluorescent lamps,
- Low pressure sodium
lamps: the most efficient
gas-discharge lamp type,
producing up to 200
lumens per watt, but at the
expense of very poor color
rendering. The almost
monochromatic yellow
light is only acceptable for
street lighting and similar
applications
B- High pressure discharge lamps:
- Metal halide lamps: These lamps
produce almost white light, and
attain 100 lumen per watt light
output. Applications include indoor
lighting of high buildings, parking
lots, shops, sport terrains.
- High pressure sodium lamps:
producing up to 150 lumens per watt.
These lamps produce a broader light
spectrum than the low pressure
sodium lamps. Also used for street
lighting, and for artificial
photoassimilation for growing plants
- High pressure mercury-vapor lamps:
This lamp type is the oldest high
pressure lamp type, being replaced in
most applications by the metal halide
lamp and the high pressure sodium
C- High-intensity discharge lamps:
A high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp is
a type of electrical lamp which
produces light by means of an electric
arc between tungsten electrodes
housed inside a translucent or
transparent fused quartz or fused
alumina arc tube. Compared to other
lamp types, relatively high arc power
exists for the arc length. Examples of
HID lamps include:
Mercury-vapor lamps.
Metal halide lamps.
Ceramic discharge metal halide
lamps.
Sodium vapor lamps.
Xenon arc lamps.
Ultra-High Performance (UHP).
HID lamps are typically used when high
levels of light and energy efficiency are
LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED):

LEDs use semi-conductors to convert

electrical energy directly into light.
They are only recently becoming
available as a light source for
lighting purposes, and are highly
efficient and long lasting.

LED torches are becoming very

popular, as they provide a far longer
battery life than other types of light
source.
FORMS OF ARTIFICIAL
LIGHTING:
There are two forms for Artificial lighting as follows:

Indoor lighting

Outdoor lighting

Light fixtures/luminaires are classified according to the following:

The light function.

Lamp type.

Installation method.

The percentage of light output above and below the horizontal

TYPES OF LIGHT
FIXTURES ACCORDING
TO LIGHT FUNCTION:
Ambient (general lighting).
Task.
Accent.
Informational lighting/Guidance Lighting.
Decorative lighting.
AMBIENT LIGHTING
Ambient lighting provides an area with overall
illumination. Also known as general lighting, it
radiates a comfortable level of brightness
without glare and allows you to see and walk
about safely. Ambient lighting is often
provided by traditional pendant type fixtures,
down lights, chandeliers, or ceiling mounted
fixtures etc. The general decor and aspect of
the room will affect the amount of general
lighting required. Having a central source of
ambient light in all rooms is fundamental to a
good lighting plan
TASK LIGHTING
Task lighting, or directional lighting, is
aimed at a specific task; It is a way to
provide more light on a specific area
to perform a task that requires more
light than the ambient fixtures can
give. It can be provided by recessed
and track lighting, pendant lighting
and undercabinet lighting, as well as
by portable floor and desk lamps.

Task lighting should be free of

distracting glare and shadows and
should be bright enough to prevent
eye strain.
ACCENT LIGHTING
Accent lighting is also a sort of a directional
lighting that adds drama to a place by creating
visual interest. As part of an interior design
scheme, it is used to draw the eye to
houseplants, paintings, sculptures and other
prized possessions. It can also be used to
highlight the texture of a brick or stone wall,
window treatments or outdoor landscaping.

To be effective, accent lighting requires as least

three times as much light on the focal point as
the general lighting surrounding it.

Accent lighting is usually provided by recessed

and track lighting or wall-mounted picture lights
INFORMATIONAL
LIGHTING (GUIDANCE
LIGHTING)
It is designed to help us see our way
safely. The light in your closet, the light
by your doorbell, and night lights, as
well as path lighting and motion lights,
are all good examples of informational
lighting.
The photo to the right is a typical night
light with a photosensor. Informational
lighting can be beautiful as well as
functional, and can create dramatic
statements. Lights inset on stairs can
create pathways that enhance
architecture, while outdoor
informational lighting can create
DECORATIVE LIGHTING
Light strips, pendants, chandeliers, and sconces are all examples of light fixtures that
draw attention to themselves and add character to the place being lighted. Many are
also used for general lighting
POINT SOURCE
CALCULATIONS
This method of calculation is particularly suitable for outdoor schemes, with
a small number of light sources and when it is necessary to calculate the
illuminance at a small number of points.
Computer programmes have allowed this method to be extended to
schemes with a large number of sources and where the illuminance must be
calculated at a large number of points.
It may also be suitable for indoor schemes where the light reflected onto the
working plane from walls, ceilings etc., is negligible. The point to point
method uses the inverse square law and cosine law, the light intensity in a
given direction is found from polar diagrams supplied by manufacturers
POLAR DIAGRAMS
Light sources are seldom symmetrical in output. We have
already seen that the light output in a given direction is called
the luminous intensity. If the light source was symmetrical in
output then 80 cd/1000 lm would be its intensity in all
directions as shown in Fig. 1.18 by curve A.
A more realistic output for a bare lamp would be as shown in
the same diagram by curve B. If reflectors were used, the
output would be concentrated even more as shown by curve C.
Polar diagrams allow the lighting designer to select suitable
luminaires and spacing distances based on an acceptable
illuminance variation along the working plane. They are also
used to provide the designer with information on light intensity
in a given direction when using the point to point method of
calculation.
Polar curve data is also supplied by lighting manufacturers in
software packages to allow accurate calculation of illuminance
in schemes with zero reflectance
EXAMPLE
A point source luminaire has an output as shown by the polar curve in Fig. 1.19. It is
mounted 2 metres above the working plane and is fitted with an 18 Watt compact
fluorescent lamp whose output is 1500 lumens. Calculate:
(i) The illuminance on the working plane directly under the lamp
(ii) The illuminance on the working plane 2 metres to one side.

(i) From diagram, I= = 1125 cd.

E= E== 281.25lux

I== 675cd

(ii) From Fig. 1.19a, d=2.828m, cos=0.707

E=
E== 60 lux
LUMEN METHOD OF
LIGHT CALCULATION
This method is most suitable for interior lighting design , where a high
proportion of light on the working plane is reflected by internal surfaces.
For external applications or where the reflectance of the surfaces is
unknown or may not be relied upon (emergency lighting schemes), a
utilisation factor for zero reflectance may be used. The lumen method,
sometimes called the luminous flux method of calculation, is normally used
to calculate the average illuminance on working planes, or to
calculate the number of luminaires required to provide a specified
average illuminance in rooms.
The
following formula is used:

Or

Where,
N = Number of luminaires required
E = Maintained Illuminance (lux)
= Initial lamp output (lumens)
n = Number of lamps in luminaire
MF = Maintenance factor
UF = Utilisation factor
A = Area of room ()
Number of Lamps / Luminaires.
N is used to represent the number of luminaires and nis used to represent the
number of lamps in each luminaire.

Lamp Flux (lumens)

The initial light output (100h) is now used for

calculations. A factor called the lamp lumen
maintenance factor (LLMF)is then applied to
allow for the reduction in light output from the
lamp during the maintenance period.
Consider an installation where lamps are to be
replaced after 6000 hours use. The lamp
manufacturer's data is checked to see the lamp
output after 6000 hours use (as shown in Fig 1.21).
This figure is now divided by the initial lamp
lumens to get the LLMF.
Maintenance Factor (MF)
In the 1994 guide, Maintenance Factor (MF)is the term used to take account of the reduction in
illuminance over the maintenance period due to:

1. Reduced reflectances due to the accumulation

of dirt and dust on room surfaces. Room Surface
Maintenance Factor. (RSMF Fig. 1.22a).
2. Reduced light output from the luminaire due to
the accumulation of dirt and dust on the
luminaire. Luminaire Maintenance Factor.(LMF
Fig. 1.22b).
3. Reduced light output due to the Lamp Lumen
Maintenance Factor.(LLMF Fig. 1.21 and 1.22c)
4. Reduced light output due to lamps failing.
Manufacturer data will give the percentage
lamp failures for a specific number of hours
operation. The Lamp Survival Factor (LSF) will
be 1 if spot lamp replacement is carried out.
MF = RSMF x LMF x LLMF x LSF
UTILISATION FACTOR
UF =

Utilisation factortakes account of the loss of light due to

absorption on room surfaces. It depends on 3 factors:

1. Type of Luminaire
A luminaire with a concentrated light output directed on
the working plane will have a higher UF than a luminaire
with a dispersed light output.

2. Room index.
This takes account of the length (L) and width (W) of the
room and the height of the luminaires above the working
plane (Hm). R.I. =

3. Reflectances of Room Surfaces.

Bright colours with high reflectances result in a higher UF.
A high utilisation factor will mean fewer lamps are needed
resulting in a more efficient energy usage and a lower
capital cost.
 To determine the Utilisation Factor:
1. Obtain reflectance factors for room surfaces from the architect or interior
designer.
2. Acquire manufacturer's data for luminaire selected.
3. Calculate room index.
4. Evaluate utilisation factor from manufacturer's data.

Example 1.9
Calculate the Utilisation Factor for a room with
the following dimensions: Length 8m; Width
6m; Height 3m; height of working plane 0.8m.
The room reflectances are Ceiling 0.5; Walls 0.3
and Floor 0.2.

R.I. = = = 1.558 (say1.5)

From Table 1.8 the Utilisation factor can be

read as 0.63
SPACE: HEIGHT RATIO (SHR)
This is the ratio of space between luminaires (S) to their height
above the working plane (Hm).
Manufacturers will specify a recommended SHR for each of
their luminaires. Ensuring that luminaires are spaced within the
recommended value will mean an acceptable variation in
illuminance across the working plane. This is expressed in
terms of the Uniformity Ratio (see definitions).

Example 1.12
An office area measures 30m x 15m. The ceiling to desk height is 2 metres. The area is to
be illuminated to a general level of 500 lux using twin lamp 32 watt VDT luminaires with a
SHR of 1.25. Each lamp has an initial output of 85 lumens per watt. The lamps are
operated for 6000 hrs (2 years) before being replaced. Lamps and luminaires are cleaned
annually and the room is cleaned every 3 years.
(a) Using Table 1.9, find the utilisation factor.
(b) Using tables 1.2 to 1.6 find the maintenance factor.
(c) Calculate the number of luminaires required and design a suitable lighting scheme.

Solution:
(a) assume a bright interior with room reflectances 70% ceiling, 50% walls and 20% floor. The
top row of the table applies.
Room index = = = 5
from the table 1.9, U F = 0.69

(b) LLMF = 0.87 (Table 1.3 lamp lumen maintenance factor)

LMF = 0.81 (Table 1.5 luminaire maintenance factor)
RSMF = 0.95 (Table 1.6 room surface maintenance factor)
LSF = 0.95 (Table 1.3 lamp survival factor)

Maintenance Factor (M.F.) = LLMF x LMF x RSMF x LSF = 0.87 x 0.81 x 0.95 x 0.95 = 0.636
(c)
N=

= 85 x 32 = 2720 lumens per lamp

N = = 94 luminaires
= 2m; SHR = 1.25 max spacing = 2.5m ; Number of rows required = = 6
Round off number of luminaires to 96, allowing 16 per row
Axial spacing = 1.875m; Transverse spacing = = 2.5m
TO CALCULATE NUMBER OF
LUMINARIES REQUIRED
FOLLOWING FORMULAE APPLY:
THE

WHERE:
UF= utilisation factor for uplighters
ULOR= upward light output ratio of luminaire
=transfer factor
N=number of luminaires
E= maintained average illuminance(lux)

A=area of room()
= initial bare lamp lumens(lm)