Quality of Lighting

Quality of Lighting
The basic qualities of light are;

INTENSITY, FORM, COLOR, DIRECTION and MOVEMENT.

INTENSITY typical refers to the „strength‟ of a light source. Intensity of a source exists
independent of its distance. Intensity is measured in candela. Intensity is amount of light produced
by a specific lamp source. It is the measure of the wavelength-weighted power emitted by
a light source.
BRIGHTNESS refers to the visual sensation
caused by a light source when it interacts
with an object and then the eye.

Brightness is an attribute of visual

perception in which a source appears to be
radiating or reflecting light.

Brightness depends on the intensity of the

source, on the distance to the object and on
the reflective properties of the object. The
footlambert is the unit of brightness.
FORM and DISTRIBUTION

By means of controlling the distribution of light and

creating patterns and compositions of light and shade, it
is possible to produce sensations on the retina that will
be interpreted as forms in space.
All light is colored. White light is simply a mixture of all visible wavelengths.
Color is usually discussed in terms of HUE, VALUE and CHROMA.
HUE is the classification of a color that the eye sees as red, green amber, etc.

VALUE indicates lightness or darkness of a color.

CHROMA indicates the purity or saturation of the color.

The direction of light is one of the most important attributes.
A spotlight radiates light in a very specific
direction. Footlights, once common in many theatres. Low
front lighting is often considered to be „flat‟. Very high
lighting angles may cause shadows.
Light quality can be judged according to the level of visual comfort and performance required for our
activities and is much more than just providing an appropriate quantity of light

Factors that are potential contributors to lighting quality include e.g. luminance uniformity, luminance
distributions, light color characteristics and glare.

One of the ways to achieve quality is by improving the visual performance.

Ensuring adequate and appropriate light levels (quantity of light) is only an elementary step in creating
comfortable and good-quality luminous and visual environments.

There are a number of lighting-related factors that may cause visual discomfort and there is no straight-
forward path to follow in creating visually comfortable luminous environments.
Causes of visual discomfort can be too little light and too much light, too much variation in luminous
distribution, too uniform lighting, annoying glare, veiling reflections, too strong shadows and flicker
from light sources.

Glare is caused by high luminances or excessive luminance differences in the visual field. Disability
glare and discomfort glare are two types of glare, but in indoor lighting the main concern is about
discomfort glare. This is visual discomfort in the presence of bright light sources, luminaries, windows
or other bright surfaces
Quantity of Lighting
The most common Light output (or luminous flux) is the
“Lumen” LIGHT OUTPUT (Luminous Flux) Light sources are
labeled with an output rating in lumens.

• LIGHT LEVEL Light intensity measured on a plane at a specific

location is called illuminance.
Illuminance is measured in Lux (metric), which are the LUX
workplane lumens per square meter.

Brightness Another measurement of light is Luminance,

sometimes called brightness. The light “leaving a surface in a
particular direction.
Luminous flux Is the time rate of flow of light as measured in lumens. It is a measure of the total
light emitted by a source and it is most commonly used for measurement of total lamp output.

Luminous Intensity (I) Power emitted by a light source in a particular direction. Sometimes is called
as Candlepower. The intensity (I) is represent by Candela, “cd”

Steradian The unit of solid angle. Figure 1 show that the light travels away from the source, the solid
angle covers a larger and larger area but, the angle itself remain the same, as does the amount of
light it contains. Luminous Intensity (I); 1 lux ¼ lux D = 1 ft D = 2 ft
Commercial, industrial, and retail facilities use several
different light sources.

Each lamp type has particular advantages; selecting the

appropriate source depends on installation requirements,
life-cycle cost, color qualities, dimming capability, and
the effect wanted.

Three main groups:

1. Incandescent
2. Fluorescent & Compact Flourescent
3. High Intensity Discharge (HID)

i. High pressure sodium

ii. Low pressure sodium
iii. Metal halide
iv. Mercury vapor
Incandescent light is an electric light with a wire filament heated to such
high temperature that it glows with visible light. The filament is
protected from oxidation with a glass or fused quartz bulb that is filled
with inert gas or a vacuum.
Operation: Light is produced in this source by a wire or filament being
heated to incandescence (emitting light) by a flow of current through it.

The luminous efficacy of a typical incandescent bulb for 120 V operation

is 16 lumens per watt, compared with 60 lm/W for a compact fluorescent
bulb or 150 lm/W for some white LED lamps

Incandescent bulbs
 have a very low manufacturing cost,
 work well on either alternating current or direct current.
 compatible with control devices such as dimmers,
timers, and photo sensors, and can be used both indoors
and outdoors.
 used both in household and commercial lighting, for
portable lighting such as table lamps, car headlamps,
and flashlights, and for decorative and advertising
lighting.
 The fluorescent lamp produces light by activating selected phosphors on the inner
surface of the bulb with UV energy, which is generated by a mercury arc.

A magnetic ballast is needed to start and operate fluorescent lamps.

Operation Light is produced by passing electricity through mercury vapor, which

in turn produce UV light. The UV light is absorbed by a phosphor coating inside
the lamp, causing it to glow, or fluoresce.

Spaces are not too concerned with  40 percent savings

decorative and accent lighting and the on your energy bill.
main priority is general lighting that is  compared with LED,
functional for the environment. Such linear fluorescent
areas uses florescent lights. Example lighting tends to be
Offices, Hospitals, wearehouses, retail more affordable
stores etc.
 Compact Fluorescent Lamp CFL is a type of fluorescent lamp designed to
replaced an incandescent lamp. Many CFLs can fit in existing
incandescent light fixtures and are designed for direct replacement.

Operation Operate as like any other fluorescent tube but, improved

phosphor formulation and 8-15 times longer life span than incandescent
light bulb.
They are not generally well-
suited for use with control
devices, such as dimmers,
timers, or photo sensors (like
motion detectors or daylight
sensors).
The most common reason people use compact fluorescent bulbs is to save energy(40 percent
savings on your energy bill).
High Intensity Discharge (HID) A high intensity discharge
(HID) lamp is a type of electrical lamp which produces light
by means of an electric arch between tungsten electrodes
housed inside a translucent or transparent fused alumina arc
tube..

Compare to fluorescent & Incandescent lamps, it has higher

luminous efficacy and greater amount of light output per watt
of electricity input.

Operation The gas is ionized, and free electrons, accelerated

by the electrical field in the tube, collide with gas and metal
atoms. The collisions, bring them to higher energy state, it will
emit photon which resulting in visible light (UV) radiation.
The radiation is converted to visible light by a fluorescent
coating inside the lamp glass.

used to illuminate large indoor and outdoor areas such

as stadiums, arenas, warehouses, parking lots, shops and
others.
Low Pressure Sodium (LPS) Also known as Sodium Oxide
(SOX) lamps, consist of an outer vacuum envelope of
glass coated with an infrared reflecting layer of indium tin
oxide a semiconductor material which allows visible light.

Used in Outdoor lighting i.e street lighting, security

lighting & etc.

High Pressure Sodium HPS lamps are smaller and contain

mercury element, and produce dark pin glow and pinkish
orange light when light up.

Application include indoor lighting of high buildings,

parking lots, shops, sport terrains.

Mercury vapor lamps is a gas discharge lamp which uses

mercury in an excited state to produce light. Application
farm light, fish pond & etc.
Light Emitting Diodes Also known as LED bar or Illuminator is a type of
solid state lighting (SSL) that uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) as the
source of light. Design Comprise of clusters of LEDs in a suitable
housing.
Operation LED operate like a semiconductor diode, during forward biased
it will released a form of light (effect known as electroluminescence).

Produce light approximately 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs.
LEDs are “directional” light sources, which means they emit light in a specific direction,
unlike incandescent and CFL, which emit light and heat in all directions.
Wall Washer. A downlight mounted close to the plane of a wall and
equipped with a reflector, baffle, or lens to illuminate to the vertical
surface.

Wall washing can make spaces such as hallways or narrow rooms

appear spacious.
Wall washing draws attention to the wall, and can be used to
accentuate an entrance, fireplace, or artwork.
Wall washing is achieved by placing fixtures in or on the ceiling
or on the floor at regular intervals. The spacing between the
fixtures and the wall determines the brightness of the surface. The
spacing can be calculated so that the wall is evenly illuminated, or
illuminated in a regular pattern that creates a scalloped effect.
Floodlight. Flood Lights are a source of bright white light which beams out at a
very broad angle.
A lamp designed to project or diffuse a comparatively uniform level of
illumination over a large area.
Downlight. A luminaire consisting of a lamp
set in meta cylinder, recessed into or mounted
on a ceiling to direct a beam of light
downward.

A downlight can be defined as a

light that has been recessed into a
ceiling and that throws light
downwards in a narrow
beam. When it is turned on, it looks
like light is shining down out of the
ceiling.
Spotlight. A lamp designed to project a strong
focused beam of light on an object or areas.
Track lighting. Lighting provided by adjustable
spotlights mounted a long narrow, ceiling-or-wall-
mounted metal track through which currents is
conducted.
Light strip. A rigid or flexible tape with exposed down voltage light sources of 1 to 10
watts.
Troffer. A luminaire having a trough-shaped
reflector holding one or more fluorescent lamps.
Droplight. A lighting fixture suspended from a ceiling or
wall by a flexible cord, by which it can be released or
lowered.
Chandelier. A decorative lighting fixture suspended
from a ceiling. Usually having branched supports for a
number of lamps
Pendants. Suspended from the ceiling, a pendant light
directs its light down, typically over a table or kitchen
island. A pendant can enhance the decorative style of a
room. Pendants can provide ambient or task lighting.
Application of luminaires in various areas like
Landscape lighting
Street lighting
Façade lighting
Landscape lighting or garden lighting refers
to the use of outdoor illumination of private
gardens and public landscapes; for the
enhancement and purposes of safety, night
time aesthetics, accessibility, security,
recreation and sports, and social and event
uses.
Lighting Techniques
Path lighting:

This technique is used primarily for safety to

hightlight side walks, drives or any path to
ensure pedestrian movement at night.

choose downlighting with emphasis on

fixtures that incorporate diffused or shielded
lamps.
Avoid lighting that shines in the eyes.

Typical fixtures : mushrooms, tulip light,

lantern lights etc.
Step/deck lighting:

Step lighting brings deck to life at

night and help us to navigate stairs
safely during night.

Fixtures can be installed beneth

benches, as recessed light in the risers
of step and as a surface lights on
vertical posts.

Typical fixtures spot light, accent

light, speciality lights
Under water lighting:

Under water lighting highlight

underwater plant material and captures
light to show off depth or imaginative
design.

Illuminating water bodies not only

increases their attractiveness but also
ensures safety in dark.

Cascading fountains and falls reflect

light in their movement adding a
visual perspective to the sound of
rippling or spraying water.
Uplighting is done in landscape to highlight the
trees, statues, a gazebo, arbor or pergola etc.
To mirror the effect of the sun or the moon down
lighting is the most natural form of landscape lighting.

The fixtures should be choose such that it can be easily

mounded on eaves and walls or suspended from trees
and other elevated structures.

Downlighting is used to provide general illumination for

safety, security or outdoor entertainment or it can be
used to focus on a singular object.
Wall washers is mainly used with contemporary
architecture in public cultural buildings, museums,
galleries and in landscape lighting.
FACADE LIGHTING
The highlight of the building certainly does not go
unnoticed, if the façade lighting design is taken care. -
an indispensable tool.

An architecture‟s night time may create an entirely new

sense of place for a building, where its architectural
character radiates in new light.

lighting links people to buildings at night. Thus, when

the sun goes down, this gives an architecture a new
opportunity to showcase what it can do from an entirely
different perspective.

At night, light can be used to redefine what an

architecture is doing, both in its exterior and interior.
 Façades lighting facilitate

• Orientation
• Convey messages
Communicate emotions : Creative lighting patterns and textures reinforce emotional
connection to the building. Static or dynamic lighting scenarios using colours replace traditional
accent lighting
• Create attention
• Promotional purposes

Basic consideration that must be taken when designing the lighting of the facades :

- installation methods : must be easy

- does not spoil the overall look of the building
- Power & contact points
- possibility and ease of maintenance in future safety of use
- flow direction
 Façade lighting shapes the image of a
townscape, attracts attention and lures in
large numbers of tourists.

This boosts revenues and enhances

prestige.

It also gives investors an economic

incentive to gentrify real estate and
upgrade property usage, thus making it
economically more attractive.

Façade lighting creates added cultural

value.

Façade lighting disrupts the biological processes of An illuminated building makes passers-
creatures that are sensitive to light. by feel more secure and discourages
vandalism
Stray light that shines into the sky consumes
unnecessary energy and adds to light pollution.
 STREET LIGHTING
The main purpose of street lighting is to enable the road
users to see accurately and easily the carriageway and
the immediate surrounding in darkness.

Majority of road accidents are caused in night and the

poor lighting is the main cause.

Improved visibility at night by means of artificial

lighting lessens the strain on driving and ensures
comfort.

The drivers feel more confident in driving under proper

street lighting.

On urban roads where the density of population is high,

road lighting has other advantages like feeling of
security and protection.
 Various factors to be considered in the design of
street lighting
Contrast : When the brightness of the object is less than
that of the background, that is when the object appears
darker than the road surface, discernment is principally
by silhouette.

Glare : The disturbing influence when viewing a

difficult visual task under low brightness conditions is
known as glare.
There are two types of glare:
Disability glare
Discomfort glare
Lamps : The lamps commonly used for highway lighting are:
Tungsten Filament Lamps, Fluorescent Lamps, Sodium Vapour Lamps, Mercury Vapour
Lamps.

Luminaire distribution of light :

It should cover the pavement between the kerbs.
It should make prominent the traffic signs and other objects on road.
It should produce maximum uniformity of pavement brightness.

Lateral placement of lighting poles:

The lighting poles should not be installed very close to the pavement edge, because in that
case, the capacity of the roadway is decreased and the free movement of traffic is
obstructed.
IRC has specified the following horizontal clearances for lighting poles.

For roads with raised kerbs (as in urban roads) Min. 0.3 m and desirable 0.6 m from the
edge of raised kerb.

For roads without raised kerbs (as in rural roads) Min. 1.5 m from the edge of the
carriageway, subject to min. 5.0 m from the centre line of the carriageway.
The glare on eyes from the mounted lights decreases with increases in the height of
mounting. Usually, mounting height range from 6 to 10m.

The spacing between lamps on straight roads is about 3 to 5 times the mounting height. ⁻
For sharp curves, the spacing between lamps is closer for better visibility conditions.