Designs of Illumination Schemes

Terms used in Illumination

1. Light: It is defined as the radiant energy form 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. V=fλ

): 1
=10-8cm=10-10m
Angstrom unit (

λ of red light = 7500

λ of violet light = 4000

λ of blue light =5000

λ of yellow light =6500

2. 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.

3. Lumen: One lumen is the luminous flux emitted by a point source of one candle power per
unit solid angle. i.e.

Luminous= Candle Power x solid angle

= C.P x ω
Where the solide 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 steradians,
4. 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
6. Illumination (intensity of illumination) or Illuminance or Luminance (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
7. Candle power (C.P.): The candle power of a source of light in any direction is the number
of lumens per unit solid angle in that direction. Total flux emitted by a source of 1 candlepower
in all directions = 4π Lumens. A source of 1 C.P has a luminous intensity of 1 candela and
emits 1 Lm/ Steradian.
8. Luminous efficacy (k): a measure of unit lumens per watt (lm/W). It can be thought of as
the ‘efficiency’ of the light source.

By Sintayehu Challa 1
Practical Lighting Schemes
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.
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 1

Design of lighting scheme

The lighting scheme should be such that it may,
I. provide adequate illumination
II. provide light distribution all over the working plane as uniform as possible
III. provide light of suitable colour.
IV. avoid glare and hard shadows as far as possible

i) 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.

Degree of illumination, to give necessary brightness to objects, depends upon:

i) the size of the object and distance of the observer.
ii) contrast between the object and background. Greater the contrast greater
will be the illumination required to distinguish the object properly.
By Sintayehu Challa 2
 Fig 1 a) Type of reflectors b) Lighting fittings, types and performance

By Sintayehu Challa 3
 iii) speed of object - Speedy object require more illumination.
iv) duration of gazing - Object seen for long duration of time require more
illumination.

ii) 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.

iii) 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.

iv) 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.

v) 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. Motor car head
lights 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 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.

Illumination Laws

1st Law: The illumination of a surface is inversely proportional to the distance between
source & surface provided that the distance between the surface & the source is sufficiently
large so that source can be regarded as a point source. This is known as Inverse square Law.
1 I
Eα or E = *
d2 d2

By Sintayehu Challa 4
 θ d
h

A B

2nd Law: illumination varies directly as cosine of the angle between the normal to the
surface and the direction of incident light.
Eα cos(θ ) **
1 I
Combining * & ** Eα cos(ϑ ) → E= cos(ϑ )
d2 d2
Where I is the luminous intensity of the source in candlepower
h
But h= d cos (θ) or d =
cos (θ )
Therefore
I
E= cos 3 (θ )
d2
This is known as Lambert Cosine Law.
Example: A 250W sodium-vapour street lamp emits a light of 22,500 cd and is situated 5m
above the road. Calculate the illuminance
a) directly below the lamp and
b) at a horizontal distance along the road of 6m

Calculations of Number of Light Points for Interior Illumination

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 illuminance 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
C. Point to Point or Inverse square law method

1. 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.

Example: - A house has an external dimension of 30ft by 50ft. If an 80w fluorescent

lamps, and 220V supply is used, determine the size of the service wire and the
number of lamps required.
Solution:
A = 30ft X 50ft
= 1500ft
By Sintayehu Challa 5
 Total wattage required = 1500 X 3w
= 4500w ⇒ 4.5Kw
No of lamps required = 4.5Kw/80w = 56.1
⇒ 56 lamps - each 80w
Current carrying capacity = 4.5Kw/220V = 20.5A

Therefore, the size of the cable app. is no 14 Thermoplastic type copper conductor if
there is no any correction factor.

2. Lumen or Light flux or efficiency method: - it is the most advisable method to be used.
Lumens reaching the working plane is calculated as:
Lumen (φ) = No of lamps x Wattage of each lamp x efficiency of each lamp x
(coefficient of utilisation/depreciation factor)
=nφLηB/DF
OR
φ = No of lamps x wattage of each lamp x efficiency of each lamp (1m/w) x
coefficient of utilisation x maintenance factor.
OR
φ = Illumination on working plane X Area to be illuminated
= E x A but it is adopted to multiply this factor by 1.25 to increase
φ by 125% of the nominal value.
φ = 1.25 E x A
φ = nφLηB For new installation

Where E – Illumination level

n - Number of lamps required
1.25 - Design values for new installations: 1.25 En
A - Working surface in m2
φL - Luminous flux of one lamp in lm
ηB - Utilisation factor

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.

Mounting Height: - largely be governed by the type of the building and type of
lighting scheme employed.
Direct Lighting: - it is advisable to mount them high considering a normal
ceiling height and average size floor area.
Indirect Lighting - has to be suspended for about 1/4 or 1/3 of the horizontal
spacing between rows of luminaries.

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 coloured ones.

By Sintayehu Challa 6
 Maintenance Factor - as we are to continue to use the installation, the illumination
produced considerably decreases due to ageing of the lamps and accumulation of dusts on the
lamps, reflectors, ceiling and walls. Its value is more if there is much as the ageing problem
increases, etc.

Depreciation Factor - it is merely the inverse of the maintenance factor. Its value is
more than unity.

The third method of lighting calculation, namely Point to Point or Inverse square law
method is left for the reader to refer.

Spacing Luminaries: - correct spacing is of great importance to provide uniform

illumination over the whole area. In the case of direct and semi-direct luminaries, the ratio of
the horizontal spacing between rows to the height of the luminaries above the working plane,
called space to height ratio, depends quite on luminous output and on the extent of
candlepower distribution curve of the luminare. With fluorescent luminaries it is good practice
to aim at a value of unity for this ratio and to set on upper limit of 3/4. In the case of indirect and
semi-indirect luminaries, it is a good practice to aim at a horizontal spacing between rows
approximately equal to the height of the ceiling above the working plane, and in no case should
the horizontal spacing exceed 11/3 times this height.

Examples: -
1. A room measures 10mX20m and illuminated by 10 lamps of 700W each. It is illuminated
semi-directly and the luminous efficiency of each lamp is 14 lm/W. Allowing a depreciation
factor of 1.7, determine the illumination of the working plane and guess the type of building
considering the installation is correct.

2. Given a 50m X 20m drawing room. It is required to illuminate semi-directly by 18W

fluorescent lamps having an efficiency of 421lm/W. Assuming a suitable space height ratio
for new installation, estimate the no., rating and disposition of lamps if they to be mounted
at 2.5m above the working bench.

3. A hall 30m X 15m height is to be provided with a general illumination of 120lm/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.

4. A hall 15m by 20m is to be illuminated to a level of 701x. Luminaries having an efficiency

of 12lm/w and spacing-height ratio 1.2 are to be suspended 4m above the flour. Estimate the
no. of luminaries required and the power of each luminaries. Assume a utilisation factor of
0.5 and maintenance factor of 0.8. Also lay out the position of the luminaries.

5. A room 7m by 10m is to be used as a general office and must be provided with illumination
to a level of 4001x. 150w luminaries are to be installed giving a utilisation factor of 0.5 and
requiring a maintenance factor of 0.8. Assuming that the efficiency of luminaries is 13lm/w,
calculate the no. of luminaries required.

By Sintayehu Challa 7
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, stairways and toilets

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.

By Sintayehu Challa 8
 Flow Chart

By Sintayehu Challa 9
RECOMMENDED ILLUMINATION LEVELS
(DETAIL)
ILLUMINATION
SERVICE LEVEL (Lux)
General Building Areas
- Circulation areas, corridors 100
- Stairways, Escalators 150
- Cloak rooms, Toilets 150
- Stores, stock rooms 150
Assembly Shops
- Rough work: Heavy machinery assembly 300
- Medium work: Engine, Vehicle body assembly 500
- Fine work: Electronic and Office machinery assembly 750
- Very fine work: Instrument assembly 1500
Offices
- General offices, Typing, Computer rooms 500
- Deep-Plan general offices 750
- Drawing offices 750
- Conference rooms 500
Schools
- Class rooms, Lecture theatres 300
- Laboratories, Libraries, Reading rooms and Art rooms 300
Shops, Stores and Exhibition Areas
- Conventional Shops 300
- Self-service Shops 500
- Supermarkets 750
- Show rooms 500
Museums and Art galleries
- Light - Sensitive exhibit 150
- Exhibits insensitive to light 300
Public Buildings
- Cinemas 50
- Auditoriums 150
Theatres and Concert Halls
- Auditorium 100
- Foyer 200
Dwelling Houses
- Bed rooms: -
- General 50
- Bed-Head 200
- Bath rooms:
- General 100
- Shaving, Makeup 500
- Living rooms: -
- General 100
- Reading, Serving 500
- Stairs 100
- Kitchen: -
- General 300
- Working areas: 500
Nursery 150

By Sintayehu Challa 10
DATA ON COMMONLY USED LIGHT SOURCES

High Pressure Mercury Vapour Lamps

Wattage Nominal Luminous Flux
Without With a.c. Nominal Without With
Ballast Voltage Current Luminescent material Base
W W V A lm lm
With yttrium vanadate luminescent material
50 59 220 0.6 --- 2000 E 27
80 89 220 0.8 --- 3800 E 27
125 137 220 1.15 --- 6300 E 27
250 266 220 2.15 --- 13500 E 40
400 425 220 3.25 --- 23000 E 40
700 735 220 5.4 --- 40000 E 40
1000 1045 220 7.5 --- 55000 E 40
Metal halide lamps (with dysprosium iodide)
250 275 220 3.0 21000 17000 E 40
360 385 220 3.5 28000 26000 E 40
1000 1040 220 9.5 80000 80000 E 40
2000 2070 380 8.8 190000 80000 E 40
3500 3650 380 18.0 300000 --- E 40

High-pressure sodium vapour lamps

Wattage Nominal Luminous Flux
Without With a.c. Nominal Without With Base
Ballast Voltage Current Diffusing glass
W W V A lm lm
70 83 220 1.0 --- 5800 E 27
150 170 220 1.8 14500 14000 E 40
210 232 220 2.25 --- 18000 E 40
250 275 220 3.0 25500 25000 E 40
350 385 220 3.45 --- 34000 E 40
400 450 220 4.4 48000 47000 E 40
1000 1090 220 10.3 130000 120000 E 40

General-purpose lamps (220V-230V)

Wattage Luminous Flux Wattage Luminous Flux
at 225V Base at 225V Base
W lm W lm
40 430 E 27 300 5000 E 40
60 730 E 27 500 8400 E 40
100 1380 E 27 1000 18800 E 40
200 3150 E 27 75 1190 E 40
15 125 E 27 150 2880 E 40
25 235 E 27 750 17040 E 40

By Sintayehu Challa 11
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

By Sintayehu Challa 12