HandOut CH2
HandOut CH2
CHAPTER 2
INTRODUCTION TO ILLUMINATION
2.1. LIGHTING
` Light is defined as the radiant energy from a hot body, which produces the visual
sensation upon the human eye. The sensation of colour is due to the difference in
wavelength of the light radiations. White light, such as given by the sun, is composed
of different colour each having different wavelengths. These are:
0.300 – 0.436 micrometer--------------------Violet
0.436 - 0.495 >> ---------------------Blue
0.495 - 0.566 >> ---------------------Green
0.566 - 0.589 >> ----------------------Yellow
0.589 - 0.627 >> ----------------------Orange
0.627 - 0.780 >> -----------------------Red
` In general, light is an electromagnetic radiation such as radio waves, x-rays e.t.c. We
can classify electromagnetic waves as visible and invisible waves.
* Visible waves: daylight, radiations from candles and lamps.
* Invisible waves: x-rays, gamma rays, radio waves.
v = fλ (v is speed of light, f is frequency and, λ is wave
length )
Angstrom unit (Ǻ): 1Ǻ=10-8cm=10-10m
λ of red light = 7500 Ǻ
λ of violet light = 4000 Ǻ
λ of blue light =5000 Ǻ
λ of yellow light =6500 Ǻ
` Those colours of white light having wave lengths of less than 0.3 micro meter
belongs to the ultra violet range and those with wave lengths greater than 0.8 micro
meter belong to the infrared range. The visible spectrum ranges is from 0.4 to 0.7
micrometers.
` Human eye is most sensitive to light having wavelengths of about 0.555 micrometer
in the green portion of the spectrum.
¾ Maximum power of light is radiated when the wavelength is about 0.5 micrometer,
which is approximately the wavelength at which the human eye is most sensitive.
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1. Luminous Flux: It is the total quantity of light energy radiated/ produced from a luminous
body in the form of light waves. It is measured in lumens. It is represented by symbol φ.
2. Luminous Intensity (I): It is the amount of luminous flux emitted by a source per unit
solid angle. It is measured in candela or lumens per steradian. i.e.
I =φ / ω,
1 Candela = 1 Lumen / steradian
Where the solid angle is measured in Steradians (ω). It is the angle generated by the
surface passing through the light point in space and periphery of the area. It was denoted
by ω. Solid angle was given by the ratio of the area of the surface to the square of the
distance between the area and the point. i.e. A / r2 . Since the surface of a sphere has an
area equal to 4πr2;
∴ Total angle, ω=4πr2 / r2 = 4π stradians
3. Illumination (intensity of illumination) (E) - it is the luminous flux received by a surface
per unit area of surface. Its unit depends upon the units in which area is measured. It is
measured in lumens per square meter or lux or meter candle. Mathematically,
E=φ/A
4. Luminous efficacy (k): a measure of unit lumens per watt (lm/W). It can be thought of as
the ‘efficiency’ of the light source.
5. Luminance, L: The luminous intensity (I) per unit of the apparent area of
the source of light (or illuminated areas).
L = I/A [cd/m2]
6. Coefficient of utilization:
This is a factor showing the ratio of the lumens reaching on the working plane to the total
lumens generated by the source. It depends on the dimension of the room to be illuminated,
the reflectance of the walls, ceilings, and floors, the lamp out put of reflectors and diffusers
used and the position of the lamp.
7. Maintenance Factor: The light obtained from a light source may be affected by
variables due to dire, ageing of the lamp, e.t.c. The MF takes in to account such effects.
¾ Illumination Laws
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………… A1…… d2 A2
Light source
……...
d1
2. Cosine Law θ
h d
EQ = IcosӨ/h2 Or
cosӨ = d/h, h = d/cosӨ
EQ =Icos3Ө/d2 this is known as Lambert Cosine Law
Thus the illumination depends not only on the perpendicular distance from the light source but
also on the angle that the light falls on the area to be illuminated.
Examples:
1. A 250W sodium-vapour street lamp emits a light of 22,500 cd and is situated 5m above
the road. Calculate the luminance
a) directly below the lamp and
b) at a horizontal distance along the road of 6m
c)
2. Two light sources each having a uniform intensity of 64,000 cd is mounted 8m high. If
the illumination midway between the lamps on ground level is same as the illumination
level produced by one of the lamp vertically below it, calculate the distance between the
poles.
Light is a form of energy, which is radiated or sent out from a source in a waveform. It is part
of a whole family of electromagnetic wave. Light sources can either be natural (sun) or
artificial (e.g. electric lamps).
Generally, electric lamps can be classified in to:
a) Incandescent lamps
b) Discharge lamps.
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When an electric current passes through a fine metallic wire, heat is produced and the
temperature of the wire increases. At low temperature the wire radiates heat energy. As the
temperature of the wire increases due to heating, it radiates heat as well as light energy.
¾ Incandescent lamps
The incandescent lamp consists of a glass globe completely evacuated or gas filled and a fine
wire known as filament, which is heated to white heat by the passage of electric current. The
filament of modern lamps are normally made of tungsten since this material has a very high
melting point (34000c) and can be manufactured in the form of a suitably thin wire. The bulbs
of smaller lamps are evacuated to prevent oxidization of the filament. But, in many lamps, an
inert gas such as argon is introduced. This enables the filament to operate at a higher
temperature without undue deterioration due to the evaporation, which tends to take place in a
vacuum.
The materials, which can be used for the filament, are: carbon, osmium, tantalum and tungsten.
These metals are selected due to their high melting points.
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¾ Discharge Lamps
When an electric current is passed through certain gases visible light is produced. Gases are
normally pure conductors especially at atmospheric pressure, but applications of suitable
voltage called, ignition voltage, across the two electrodes can result in a discharge through the
gas, which is accompanied by electromagnetic radiation. The wavelength of the radiation
depends up on the gas, its pressure, and the metal vapour used in the lamp. Although the
current is small, a fairly high voltage is required to maintain the discharge. For most discharge
lamps the striking voltage required is higher than the running voltage. So some means of
limiting the running current is required.
Argon gas and sodium vapour are commonly employed in the manufacture of gaseous
discharge lamps.
The colour of the light emitted depends upon the type of gas used. The colour obtained from
some of the gases and vapours commonly employed are listed in the table below
Neon Red
Hydrogen Pink
Nitrogen Ivory
Mercury (low pressure) Buff
Mercury (high pressure) Blue together with strong ultra-violet emission
Sodium Bluish white with less ultra-violet emission Yellow
● Cold-cathode:
In some type of discharge lamp the electrodes are not heated. These types are therefore
known as cold cathode lamps, an example of this being the ordinary neon tube.
Uses a high voltage (3.5KV) for its operation.
They are familiar as fluorescent tubes with 25mm in diameter, either straight,
curved, or bent to take a certain form for general lighting purpose.
The electrodes of these lamps are not preheated. e.g. Neon lamps.
● Hot-cathode:
In other type of discharge lamp the electrodes are heated, as this reduces the voltage
required to strike and maintain the discharge. Lamps using heated electrodes are known
as hot cathode lamps. A typical example is the ordinary fluorescent lamp. The hot
cathodes are usually in the form of short filament which may be heated either by passing
a heating current through it or by the discharge current itself.
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It consists of a quartz tube containing mercury at high pressure and a little argon gas to
assist starting. There are two main electrodes and auxiliary electrode connected through a
high resistance. The auxiliary electrode is used to start the discharge. A choke is provided
to limit a current to a safe value.
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Fig.2.1 typical high-pressure mercury vapour lamps: (a) basic circuit (b) modern mercury
vapour lamp.
A capacitor is connected in parallel to the lamp to improve its power factor. The initial
discharge takes place in the argon gas between the auxiliary (starting) electrode and main
electrode close to it. This causes the main electrode to heat up and the main discharge between
the main electrodes takes place.
The high pressure mercury vapour lamp has an efficiency of about 40-50lm/W they are
manufactured in 250 and 400W ratings for use on 220-250v a.c. supply mains. Their
application is mainly for industrial and street lighting, commercial and display lighting.
Is a double glass container, the inner glass tube filled with Neon and Argon gas and some
sodium drops. When the supply is switched on, the lamp would not start as the supply
voltage is too low to start the discharge. The leak transformer is connected across the
mains produces a starting voltage of about 400v. Then the Neon Argon gas starts the
discharge, and afterwards the sodium vaporizes and the discharge continues.
Certain materials, such as calcium halo phosphate, emit visible light whenever they absorb
ultra-violet light. This phenomenon is known as fluorescence and may be used to produce
a very efficient type of lamp. If a tube of a discharge lamp containing mercury vapour is
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Inductor C
L
Lamp
Electrode
Starter switch
Fig 2.3 shows the basic switch start circuit, which operates as follows:
When the supply is switched on with the starter switch, s, closed a current flows through the
inductor, L, and through the lamp electrodes. The initial current heat the lamp electrodes in
readiness for striking the lamp. The starting switch is now opened making a sudden
interruption in the current flowing through the inductor and so causing a high voltage to be
momentarily induced (Note that breaking an inductive circuit causes high voltage to appear
across the break in contacts, and energy is released in the form of an arc. in this case, however,
there is an easier way for the energy to dissipate- via the gas, and the high voltage appears
across the end of the tube). This voltage starts a discharge between the two lamp electrodes
and the current rapidly rises to value determined mainly by the inductance of inductor. The
starter witch is left open while the lamp is alight, the electrodes maintaining their operating
temperature as long as they continue to pass the discharge current. In practice it is desirable
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that the starter switch should operate automatically, switching on when the supply is first on
then switching off to strike the lamp and remaining of all the time that the lamp is alight. Due
to the inductor the lamp current loges the supply voltage (at approximately 0.5 p.f) a capacitor,
C, is usually connected between the lamp terminals to improve the overall power to an
acceptable value.
● Starters
Three methods are commonly available for starting the discharge in a fluorescent tube: the
thermal starter, the glow start and the quick start.
The thermal type starter switch has two contacts mounted on bi-metal strips, a small heating
coil being fitted very close to the bi-metal strips but not electrical contact between them. The
contacts arc normally closed so that the main supply is first switched on full heating current
passes through the lamp electrodes as before. The current also flows through the starter heater
and so warms the bi-metal strips. After a short time the be-metal strips warms sufficiently to
bend and open the contacts thus striking the lamp. As long as the lamp remains alight current
flows through the starter heater keeping the contacts apart. a small capacitor is often
connected in parallel with the starter switch contacts to suppress radio interference.
The glow type starter switch consists of a small bulb filled with helium and containing two
contacts, one of which is mounted on a bi-metal strip. The contacts are normally open so that
when the main supply is firs switched on full main voltage is applied to the starter contacts.
This causes a glow discharge, which warms the bi-metal strip making it bends, so closing the
starter contacts. The closing of the starter contacts allows full heating current to pass through
the lamp electrodes and also extinguish the glow discharge. After a short time the bi-metal
strip cools sufficiently to open the circuit thus striking the lamp. As long as the lamp remains
alight the voltage applied to the starter is insufficient to initiate a glow discharge and so the
starter contacts remain open until the next starting operation. A small capacitor is often
connected in parallel with the starter switch contacts to suppress radio interference.
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In the case of the quick start or instant start, starting is achieved by the use of
autotransformer and an earthed metal strip in close proximity to the tube.
When the supply is switched on, mains voltage appears across the end of the tube, and the
small part of the winding at each end of the transformer energizes the filaments, which heat
up. The difference in potential between the electrodes and the earthed strip causes
ionisation, which spreads along the tube.
● Stroboscopic Effect
A disadvantage of fluorescent lamp is that as the alternating discharge current passes through
zero twice every cycle the light produced tend to flicker at twice of main frequency.
Although this effect is not noticeable to the eye, machinery rotating at certain speed may
appear to be stationary or moving more slowly than it really is. This is known as the
stroboscopic effect and is obviously a cause of danger in situations such as workshops where
rotating machinery is in use.
light, the effect of the capacitor predominates so that the lamp takes a leading current,
It follows that when one lamp is producing its minimum light output the other is
producing its maximum and so, by using this circuit the stroboscopic effect is greatly
reduced.
A good lighting system should produce uniform illumination of not less than the required
value. It should be free from glare and hard shadows. In fact and endeavour should be made to
have quality of light as close to day light as possible.
The interior lighting schemes may be classified as: -
i. Direct light
ii. Semi- direct lighting
iii. Semi-indirect lighting
iv. Indirect lighting and
v. General lighting
1. Direct light: - the most commonly used type of lighting scheme. In this scheme more than
90% of total light flux is made to fall directly on the working plane with the help of deep
reflectors. Though it is more efficient but causes hard shadows and glare. It is mainly used
for industrial and general out-door lighting.
2. Semi-direct lighting: - in this lighting scheme 60-90% of the total light flux is made to fall
down wards directly with the help of semi-direct reflectors. The remaining light is used to
illuminate the ceiling and walls. Such a lighting scheme is best suited to rooms with high
ceiling where there is a high level of uniformity of illumination is desired.
Besides this scheme avoids glare, it also improves the efficiency of the system with
reference to the working plane.
3. Semi indirect lighting: -in this scheme 60-90% of total light flux is thrown up wards to the
ceiling for reflection and the rest reaches the working plane directly except for some
absorption by the bowl. This lighting scheme has soft shadows and is glare free. It is mainly
used for indoor decoration purpose.
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4. Indirect lighting scheme: - in this scheme more than 90% of total light flux is thrown
upwards the ceiling for diffuse reflection by using inverted or bowl reflector. In this scheme
the glare is reduce to minimum. The resulting illumination is soft and more diffused. The
shadows are less prominent and the appearance of the room is much improved. It is used for
decoration purpose in cinemas, theatres and hotels etc. and in areas where troublesome
shadows are produced if direct light in lighting is employed.
5. General lighting: - in this scheme lamps made of diffusing glass are used, which gives
nearly equal illumination in all directions.
All fittings may be reduced to five basic types according to their light distribution as
shown in Fig
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1. Illumination level: - In order to see the details of the things that surround us the source has
to illuminate them very well in order the objects take the necessary brightness. For each
type of work there is a range of brightness most favourable to output in terms of quality
and quantity.
2. Uniformity of Illumination: - It has been found that visual performance is best if the range
of brightness within the field of vision is not greater than 3:1, which can be achieved by
employing general lighting in addition to localised lighting. Otherwise due to the frequent
accommodation of pupil or iris of the eye, fatigue is caused and it creates psychological
felling of loneliness, gloom and unfriendliness.
3. Colour of light: - The appearance of the body colour entirely depends upon the colour of
the incident light. In general the composition of the light should be such that the colour
appears natural.
4. Shadows: - In lighting installation, formation of long and hard shadows causes fatigue and
are undesirable. However a certain amount of shadow is desired as it helps to give shapes
to solid objects and make them easily recognised. But there is one exception to this i.e. in
drawing offices, where we are to see flat surfaces. Hard and long shadow can be avoided
by:
a) rising a large number of luminaries mounted at a height not less than 2.5m.
b) by using wide surface of light - using globes or indirect lighting system.
5. Glare: - Glare is generally produced by very bright sources of light, which emit light
directly or at very low angle towards the viewer. This causes the person to neglect the
other surrounding objects, as they appear darker and is a major cause of road accidents.
The glare is also caused by highly polished surfaces when the angles are incorrect. This
also tends to damage retina of the eye. Glare may be direct or indirect. Motorcar headlights
produces direct glare.
In other words glare may be defined as the brightness within the field of vision of such a
character as to cause annoyance, discomfort interference with the vision or eye fatigue.
Therefore, glare is to be avoided at any cost. For this purpose very bright point sources of light
should be avoided. Highly reflective surfaces should be replaced by Mat surfaces, which cause
diffusion. The angle of light should be such that it does not dazzle the person. A surface, which
is almost free from mirror reflection, is called a mat surface. The factories act discusses the
matter and lays down regulations to prevent it. If a glare is produced by a lighting point, such
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as incandescent lamp, it can be avoided by the use of globes or making the light source at such
a height that to place them above the ordinary range of vision.
In fulfilling the above requirements, in designing a good lighting scheme, we have to consider
i. The intensity of illumination required
ii. The selection of the required lamps and fittings
iii. The size of the room
iv. The conditions under which the illumination is used etc
The recommended illumination level for various occupancies is shown in Tables given on
page 40 and subsequent.
The choice of lamps for different type of occupancies differs. Tubular fluorescent and tungsten
filament lamps can be used when lighting is to be done in small premises. But in large
premises, the lighting can be carried out by using high intensity sources such as mercury or
sodium discharge lamps.
The following are some of the conditions that should be considered when the illuminations are
used:
► Utilisation Factor (ηB) - the whole light radiated by the lamps doesn’t reach the
working plane. The ratio of lumens reaching the working plane to the total light
given out by the lamp or lamps, when the installation is new, is known as
utilisation factor or coefficient of utilisation. The value of utilisation factor
depends upon
i) the mounting height of lamps
ii) area to be illuminated
iii) type of lighting scheme
iv) colour of the surrounding, etc.
The term “general lighting” implies that the illumination at the working level
should not vary substantially throughout the room. Therefore it is apparent that
the fitting for general lighting should not be so placed that the illumination
received from each fitting overlaps and builds up that of its neighbours. That
means the distance lights source from the wall should be equal to one half of the
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distance between two adjacent light sources. Also distance between lighting
fittings should not exceed 1.5 times the mounting height.
► Colour of Surrounding Walls: - the illumination in a room depends upon the light
reflected from walls and ceilings. White walls and ceilings reflect more light as
compared to collared ones.
In order to estimate the number and the type of light fittings required to suit a particular
environment, it is necessary to know what level of luminance is required, the area to be
illuminated, the maintenance factor and the coefficient of utilization, and the efficiency of
the lamps to be used. A number of methods have been employed for lighting calculations
among which may be mentioned:
A. Watts per square metre method
B. Lumen or Light flux method
► Watts per Square Meter method: - applicable for rough calculations. It consists in
making an allowance of watts per square meter of area to be illuminated accordingly to
the illumination desired on the assumption of the average figure of an overall
efficiency of the system. According to NEC 220-3(d) this figure is about 3 watt per ft2.
Therefore, the size of the cable will be conductor if there is no any correction
factor.
Required Level of Illumination in Total flux output of the lamps in the room * Correction Factor
=
the room Total area of the room
Required Level of Illumination in No. of Fixture * Flux output per Fixture * Correction Factor
=
the room Total area of the room
No. of Fixture * No. Lamp per Fixture * Flux output per lamp *
Required Level of Illumination in
= Correction Factor
the room
Total area of the room
Thus
N * n * фL * UF * MF
E =
A
A*E
N =
n*фL*UF*MF
For New Installation
1.25 * A * E
N =
n * фL * UF * MF
Where E – Required Illumination level
A - Working surface in m2
φL - Luminous flux of one lamp in lm
UF - Utilisation factor
MF- Maintenance Factor
Examples: -
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of utilization. (In designing you have to determine the distance between the poles and
find out the number of poles required for the given distance.)
2. A hall 30m X 15m height is to be provided with a general illumination of 120 lm/m2
taking a coefficient of utilisation of 0.5, depreciation factor 1.4 and appropriate space-
height ratio, determine the no. of fluorescent tubes required, their spacing, mounting
height and total wattage. Take luminous efficiency of fluorescent tubes as 40lm/W for
80-watt tube.
Allowable Illumination Levels To Various Locations & Rooms Of (Roads, Offices, Schools
And Factories)
ROADS
Classification of Average level of
Lighting Installation Type of Road illumination on road
surface
Group A1 Important traffic route carrying fast traffic 30
Group A2 Other main roads carrying a mixed traffic 15
Group B1 Secondary roads with considerable traffic 8
Group B2 Secondary road with light traffic 4
Note- Excellent illumination is considered when the distance apart is not more than 8 times
the height of the luminaries. Normal spacing for standard lamps is 50 metres with a
mounting height of 8 metres.
Offices
Level of Illumination (lux) Place
1500 - 750 Offices, design and drawing rooms
750 - 300 Offices, conference rooms, computer rooms
300 - 100 Kitchens, ordinary work rooms, corridors, stairways and
toilets
Schools
1500 - 300 Precision drawing or drafting, laboratory rooms
750 - 200 Class rooms, library reading rooms, experiment
demonstration rooms, staff rooms and gymnasium
300 - 75 Lecture halls, assembly rooms, locker rooms, corridors,
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Factories
Level of Illumination (lux) Place
3000 - 1500 Where such work as inspecting, testing, selecting and
specially as machine tool operation is carried out
1500 - 750 Inspecting, testing, selecting, welding and machine shops
750 - 300 Inspecting, testing, selecting, welding and machining and
wrapping.
300 - 150 Wrapping and crating, welding and machining.
Fluorescent lamps
Wattage Luminous flux,
Without With Nominal Length acc. to type of lamp
Ballast Current of lamp and light colour
W W A mm lm
Standard Construction
15-2 19.5 0.33 438 500 to 720
18 23 0.37 590 1300 to 1450
20 25 0.37 590 700 to 1250
30-2 39 0.365 895 1150 to 1800
36 45 0.43 1200 3100 to 3450
38 48 0.43 1047 3200 to 3400
40 49 0.43 1200 1600 to 3200
42 52 0.535 1047 2000 to 2500
58 69 0.67 1500 5050 to 5400
65 76 0.67 1500 2600 to 5200
Indium amalgam type, for higher ambient temperature
40 49 0.44 1200 2000 to 2500
65 76 0.7 1500 3300 to 4000
Utilisation Factors
Types of Lighting ηB Types of Lighting ηB
Direct 0.6 to 0.45 Semi-indirect 0.45 to 0.3
Semi-direct 0.55 to 0.45 Indirect 0.35 to 0.25
General diffuse 0.5 to 0.35 Indirect ceiling lighting 0.2 to 0.15
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Public Buildings
- Cinemas 50
- Auditoriums 150
Dwelling Houses
- Bed rooms: -
- General 50
- Bed-Head 200
Nursery 150
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