Volume 53, Number 2, 2012

167

Polar Curves for Indoor Direct Lighting

Luminaires and BZ Classification
Adina FILIP, V. MAIER, S.Gh. PAVEL and Victoria POLEC
Abstract - Light sources and technological luminaires development have led to the important changes in the luminaires luminous
flux distribution, which is more and more appropriate to the application requirements. The polar (photometric) curves analysis of
some modern luminaires through the BZ classification was considered a necessary step for this stage of development. To highlight
the correspondences between the catalog polar curves and the ones from the BZ classification, it was used the calculation of the
linear correlation coefficient and an additional proposed criterion, named the relative deviation of two functions. First, the
correlation coefficients between BZ functions itself were considered. After that the correlations between the real polar curves and
the normalized BZ functions were determinate. The relative deviation values between two functions are proved more promising,
because these have more different values for different functions combinations of BZ classes. Taking into account the outlined limits
of the BZ classification, the analytical identification of polar curves is proposed. The analytical identification program of graphic
or tabular known functions is designed in LabVIEW program, so the choice of optimal analytical function is based on the minimum
mean square deviation. By this way, the introduction of the data regarding the polar curves in the CAD programs will be easy and
without errors.
Keywords: modern luminaires, polar curves, correlation coefficient, light intensity, BZ functions

1.

INTRODUCTION

Characterization of the luminaires (LL) luminous

flux distribution represents a constant concern of
specialists
involved
with lighting
problems.
Highlighting the types of polar curves or polar solids,
their systematic analysis and classification, the
identification of some functions, in plane or in space, in
order to reflect the LL emitted luminous intensity
variation versus the coordinates, finding some
interpolation laws that may express these dependences,
represent some of the most important approaches in the
specified direction.
The BZ classification, whose main aspects are
presented in [1], is a systematic attempt to characterize
the LL polar curves. The ten types of proposed curves,
together with the luminous intensities analytical
functions related to the vertical photometric angle
I v , should allow the framing of different real polar
curves in the classes defined by these ones.
Technological developments in the field of light
sources and materials for LL, as well as the concepts
and methods of achieving LL, noticeable in the
producers catalogs, have led to important changes in
the distribution of LL luminous flux. Consequently, the
polar curves types emphasized years ago in catalogs or

Manuscript received May 31, 2012. This paper was supported by the
project "Doctoral studies in engineering sciences for developing the
knowledge
based
society-SIDOC
contract
no.
POSDRU/88/1.5/S/60078, project co-funded from European Social
Fund through Sectorial Operational Program Human Resources 20072013.

specialized books, are not precisely found at the new

LL.
Moreover, the main problem of the lighting
systems design, in general and particularly for the
indoor lighting, is represented by the correct rendering
of the luminous flux concrete distribution in
computation programs. It should be recognized that the
introduction of data regarding the polar curves or the
luminous intensities matrix is relatively heavy and the
interpolation methods proposed for the intermediary
coordinates regarding the reference ones, does not
provide a control of the calculation error.
The analysis of the polar curves identification
stage of some current LL, through the BZ classification
as well as the possibilities to surpass the encountered
difficulties are the main goals of this paper.
2.

TYPES OF POLAR CURVES

2.1. Polar curves for direct LL

Further on, just the case of the characterization by

polar curves of the LL luminous flux distribution is
considered.
The polar curves analysis of some indoor, direct
LL, according to catalogs of known producers [5],
emphasized their framing in the types presented in
Fig. 1; at this step of the analysis, the type of the polar
solid is not taken into account i.e. if it is of revolution
or not, if it presents certain planes of symmetry, or if
simply the polar curve represents only a representative
section of the luminaire polar solid.
Moreover, taking into account that their
denomination is required in order to refer these curves

2012 Mediamira Science Publisher. All rights reserved.

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ACTA ELECTROTEHNICA

Fig. 1. Types of polar curves highlighted by analyzing the catalog data, for direct LL:
a - circular, b elliptical, c - drop, d- petal, e-bell, f - heart, g -insect wing, h - moccasin.

types, a series of names linked either to the curves form

in the polar reference system or to some own
characteristic aspects, are proposed. Table 1
concentrates the luminous intensities values I v ( ) , for
values
of the
vertical
photometric
angles
0 ,10 , 20 ,..., 90 , corresponding to all polar

these values were "normalized" by expressing the real

values I vr , from the catalog polar curves in percents
related to the maximum luminous intensity value IMr,
emphasized by each of them:
I v

I vr
100, %
I Mr

(1)

curves shown in Fig. 1, with the only difference that

Table 1. Luminous intensities depending on the vertical photometric angle, for the main types of polar curves, of the direct LL, for values of the

vertical photometric angle 0 90

Polar curve
Circular, Fig. 1, a
Elliptical, Fig. 1, b
Drop, Fig. 1, c
Petal, Fig. 1, d
Bell, Fig. 1, e
Heart, Fig. 1, f
Insect wing, Fig. 1, g
Moccasin, Fig. 1, h

0
100
100
100
100
100
89.4
33.8
50.9

10
99.2
96.3
98.2
99.5
96.3
93.8
57.9
52.7

20
95.2
88.4
91.5
98.4
89.4
98.7
89.6
55.2

Vertical photometric angles , ()

30
40
50
60
87.8
75.8
64.6
49.5
75.9
62.4
46.5
32.9
82.2
63
26.7
12.6
96.6
88.1
63.2
10.4
92.3
74.6
38.3
0
97.2
59.6
8.5
0
100
92.5
81.0
65.5
64.3
75.8
93.1
100

The "circular" polar curve, representing, in polar

coordinates, a circle centered on the polar axis and
passing through its origin (Fig. 1, a), is considered as
being the characteristic of a luminous circular disc, with
constant luminance [1,6.
The second polar curve, called "elliptical" (Fig. 1,
b) also pass through the pole and has the higher semi
axis superposed to the polar axis.
The third polar curve (Fig. 1, c) also pass through
the pole of the polar coordinate system and it has the
maximum value on the polar axis, so the =0. Due to
the shape, characterized by relatively high values for
the light intensity for vertical photometric angles 30
and relatively small values of these quantities at vertical
photometric angles 50, which indicates that we are

70
30.9
18.8
4.0
5.2
0
0
49.9
39.7

80
13.3
8.2
2.0
2.6
0
0
30.4
0

90
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Ivmed,(%)
61.63
52.94
48.02
56.40
49.09
44.72
60.06
53.17

dealing with a concentrated distribution of the luminous

flux 2, it is called "drop" type this kind of polar curve.
Fourth polar curve does not belong to a symmetric
LL, but it was considered to be representative, giving
her the suggestive name of "petal" (Fig. 1, d). The
graph of this curves also pass through the pole of the
polar coordinate system and it has the maximum value
on the polar axis, so to the =0, but comparing with the
previous curve, the maximum light intensity is found at
an angle [0, 25 ] ; we can say that such distribution
of the luminous flux fit in the category "medium".
The distribution characterized by the fifth curve
(Fig. 1, e) for which is proposed the name "bell", is of a
new type, appeared as a result of production
development of LL, being appropriate
to some

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Volume 53, Number 2, 2012

symmetrical LL [7]. As it can be noticed on the

graphical representation, this curve passes through the
pole of the polar coordinate system, has the maximum
value on the polar axis, so at =0, but it has also a local
maximum in the vicinity of the vertical photometric
angle 25 .
The sixth polar curve, whose shape is similar to
the current representation of the "heart", represents
another modern trend in the production of LL, which is
to "move" the position of the maximum intensity trough
bigger vertical photometric angles, in tendency to
obtain uniform illumination of the working plan.
Therefore, the maximum intensity is not at the angle
=0, but to the angle 25 , and the classification of
this repartition is still "middle", as the two previous
curves.
Other two modern trends of achieving the
luminous flux distribution are illustrated by the last two
represented curves (Fig. 1, g and h), which are only
sections through the polar solid of some luminaries,
with asymmetrical distribution. It is noted that both
curves pass through the pole of the polar coordinate
system and presents maximum values to the vertical
photometric angles distant by the polar axis 30
(Fig. 1, g), respectively at 60 (Fig. 1, h). The type
of the distribution is rather concentrated, in both cases,
but with a sloped axis from the normal to the horizontal
plane.
2.2. Polar curves of BZ classification
The BZ classification, given graphically and
analytically in 1, classifies the distributions from the
lower hemisphere into ten classes, coded by the
acronym BZk, k being the current class index with
values k 1, 2, ...,10 . Polar curves expressions
corresponding to the BZ classes are reproduced in
Table 2, excepting that the normalization according to
relation (1) was applied to these ones. In this way, all
polar curves from BZ classes have the same maximum
value, equal to IM.
Table 2. Analytical expressions of the polar curves, according to BZ
classification.
Class
code

The expression
of the polar curve

Class
code

BZ1

I M cos

BZ6

I M 1 2 cos

BZ2

I M cos

BZ7

I M 2 cos

BZ3

I M cos

BZ8

IM

BZ9

I M 1 sin

BZ10

I M sin

BZ4
BZ5

1,5

I M cos

I M cos

The expression
of the polar curve

Fig. 2. Polar curves of BZ classification:

a- classes BZ1 BZ5 curves; b- idem for classes BZ5 BZ10.

Analyzing the expressions of polar curves in the

first five classes, one can see that they are particular
cases of the power function of cos:

I v I M cos p ,

where the exponent p may take one of the following

values p 1;1,5; 2; 3; 4 . In fact, even the class BZ8,
which defines a circle with center on the pole, fall into
this category at particularly case p 0 .
BZ6 and BZ7 classes have a common denominator
the binomial function of general form:

I v I M av bv cos

(3)

the pair of coefficients (av,bv) take a values (1,2),

respective (2,1).
Finally, for BZ9 class was assigned a binomial in
sin, and the BZ10 class function is the sin
multiplication with IM.
As regards of graphic representations of the
functions assigned to BZ classes, is observed a good
plan arrangement of curves BZ1BZ8, with a change of
orientation a BZ8 BZ10 functions in a plan
distribution, from the first.
3.

ANALYTICAL BASICS FOR THE POLAR

CURVES IDENTIFICATION
3.1. BZ classification of real polar curves

The calculation of the linear correlation

coefficient r was used in order to highlight the possible
correspondence between the polar curves selected from
LL catalogs and the ones from the BZ classification.
This coefficient may be determined using the
relationship:

I
N

r
For a better comparison of the polar curves of the
BZ classification with the polar curves of real LL, their
graphical representations are given in Fig. 2.

(2)

i 1

I
N

i 1

vi

vi

I v I Bi I B

Iv

I
2

i 1

Bi

IB

(4)

where Ivi represents the values of the luminous

intensities, for different vertical photometric angles i,
according to the polar curves from Table 1 (for LL

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ACTA ELECTROTEHNICA

given in the catalogs) and I v - the arithmetic mean

value of those ones.
IBi - luminous intensities values, at the same
vertical photometric angles i, according to the polar
curves from the BZ classification (Table 2), and I B arithmetic mean value of those ones;
N number of values considered for the vertical
photometric angle , at both types of polar curves.
Linear correlation coefficient can take values in
the domain r 1, 1 ; the negative values of r indicate
an inverse correlation of and the positive ones - a direct
correlation (correlation nature). Instead, the absolute of
the correlation coefficient indicates the degree of
correlation; the higher this value is, the correlation
between two variables is tighter. Null correlation
coefficient indicates that two variables are independent.
The values of the correlation coefficients between
catalog polar curves, considered as representative for
direct LL and those defined by BZ classification I B ,
are given in Table 3, allowing the formulation of the
following observations:
- circular polar curve (Fig. 1 a) has maximal
correlation coefficients, r=0,999, with three of the
BZ curves, namely BZ5, BZ6 and BZ7;

elliptical polar curve (Fig. 1, b) correlates the best

with BZ4 curve (r=0,999), but has a correlation
coefficient close to the BZ3 curve (r=0,998);
- "drop" polar curve (Fig. 1, c) presents the
maximum correlation with curve BZ3 curve
(r=0,989), but has a correlation coefficient close to
BZ2 curve, (r=0,987);
- "petal" polar curve (Fig. 1, d) correlates the best
with the curve BZ4 (r=0,963), as the elliptic curve,
but has a close correlation coefficient with the
curve BZ3 (r=0,959);
- "bell" polar curve (Fig. 1, e) has maximum
correlation also with BZ3 curve (r=0,971), as well
as "drop" polar curve, but to a lower value of the
coefficient of correlation;
- for the "heart" polar curve (Fig. 1, f), the maximum
correlation (r=0,950) occurs with the curve BZ2;
- the asymmetric polar curves, " insect wing" (Fig. 1,
g) and "moccasin" (Fig. 1, h) have identical
correlations with BZ5, BZ6 and BZ7 curves,
r=0,646 respectively r=0,568, much smaller than
the previous cases.
If the above were formulated some observations
on the correlations between real polar curves and those
defined by BZ classification, below, on the same data,
are made assessments even on specific BZ classes
functions.

Table 3 Values of the correlation coefficients between the catalog representative polar curves and those defined by the BZ classification.
The polar curve from catalog
Circular, Fig. 1, a
Elliptical, Fig. 1, b
Drop, Fig. 1, c
Petal, Fig. 1, d
Bell, Fig. 1, e
Heart, Fig. 1, f
Insect wing, Fig. 1,g
Moccasin, Fig. 1,h

BZ1
0.893
0.958
0.971
0.888
0.933
0.934
0.276
0.183

BZ2
0.931
0.981
0.987
0.927
0.959
0.950
0.366
0.263

The type of polar curve, by BZ classification

BZ3
BZ4
BZ5
BZ6
BZ7
BZ8
0.972
0.991
0
0.999
0.999
0.999
0.998
0.983
0.983
0.983
0
0.999
0.976
0.939
0.939
0.939
0
0.989
0.959
0.946
0.946
0.946
0
0.963
0.962
0.928
0.928
0.928
0
0.971
0.946
0.928
0.883
0.883
0.883
0
0.484
0.558
0
0.646
0.646
0.646
0.385
0.468
0
0.568
0.568
0.568

Taking into account that for all real polar curves

the correlation coefficients are resulting identically for
three of the BZ functions, which are BZ5 BZ7, it can
be concluded that these three functions are relatively
close, so they are not so distinct to be included together
in the same classification criterion. The same can be
said about the functions BZ9 and BZ10.
A favorable assessment occurs to BZ1 BZ5
functions that provide a separation of the polar curves,
based on different values of the correlation coefficients.
Therefore, these last functions find their place in a
criterion of identification and classification of the polar
curves.
Regarding the BZ8 class function which
corresponds to a circle with the center in the pole, it
presents correlation coefficients null with all analyzed
polar curves. That is because all factors are of the form:

Bi

I B 0, i N

(5)

so that, indeterminations as 0/0 will be founded in the

correlation coefficients expressions.

BZ9
BZ10
-0.904
-0.962
-0.957
-0.883
-0.921
-0.901
-0.268
-0.244

Therefore, for constant functions in polar diagram,

such as the BZ8 class function, the correlation
coefficient defined by equation (4) is not applicable.
3.2. Analysis of the BZ classes functions
The previously mentioned observations about the
correlations between real polar curves and those
defined by the BZ classification, lead to the necessity of
a comparative analysis of the BZ classes functions. For
this reason, we will firstly consider the coefficients of
the correlations between the BZ classes functions.
Because this criterion is not applicable to constant
functions, such as the BZ8 class function, the relative
error between two functions is proposed as
supplementary criterion; its relation is as follows:
I m

1
N

I
i 1

B i

I Bmi

I B I Bm

, , m 1, 2, 3,...,10 ,

(6)

where IBi and IBmi represent the values of two different

functions belonging to the BZ class, respectively to the
BZm class for the division i of the polar angle;

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Volume 53, Number 2, 2012

and I Bm - arithmetic averages of the

considered values for these two functions, respectively;
N number of values of each considered function.
I B

Both the correlation coefficients and relative

errors between two functions are presented in Table 4,
as follows: the lower left triangle, defined by the

column with the class codes and the diagonal which

unify the class identity boxes, presents the values of the
correlation coefficients r, and the upper right triangle
(gray background) - relative error values of two
functions.

Table 4. The values of correlation coefficients r and relative error between two functions
Class code
BZ1
BZ2
BZ3
BZ4
BZ5
BZ6
BZ7
BZ8
BZ9
BZ10

BZ1
0.995
0.971
0.943
0.891
0.891
0.891
0
-0.991
-0.991

BZ2
0.14
0.99
0.971
0.928
0.928
0.928
0
-0.988
-0.988

BZ3
0.33
0.19
0.995
0.969
0.969
0.97
0
-0.969
-0.969

BZ4
0.45
0.31
0.12
0.989
0.989
0.989
0
-0.947
-0.947

BZ5
0.59
0.46
0.28
0.15
1
1
0
-0.903
-0.903

A first conclusion concerning the correlation

coefficient values strengthens the comments about the
low differentiation, in this regard, of functions
corresponding to BZ5 BZ7 classes, between whom the
correlation coefficients are unitary. On the other hand,
the correlation coefficients values between the
functions of these three classes with other functions,
result of the same values such as BZ1 BZ4 classes.
The same situation is revealed at the BZ9 and BZ10
functions, where a lack of correlation (identical) with
other functions and a perfect correlation between them
may be observed. A certain difference is observed
between the correlation coefficients of the BZ1 BZ5
functions, supporting their justified inclusion in a
criterion for the polar curves characterization and
classification.
But more promising comes out the relative
deviation values between two functions I m , which
have different values for different functions
combinations of BZ classes. If we consider, for
example, the relative deviations between the BZ1 class
function and the functions from the other classes, in the
upward sense of classes indices (Table 4, the first line

BZ6
0.77
0.65
0.48
0.38
0.25
1
0
-0.903
-0.903

I m , for BZ functions.

BZ7
0.97
0.85
0.69
0.59
0.46
0.21
0
-0.903
-0.903

BZ8
1.16
1.04
0.88
0.78
0.64
0.39
0.18
0
0

BZ9
1.24
1.12
0.97
0.87
0.75
0.5
0.33
0.28
1

BZ10
1.54
1.43
1.28
1.18
1.06
0.83
0.69
0.64
0.36
-

of values), a deviation in the range I m 0.08 0.30

may be remarked between consecutive values; an
average value of the deviation between the relative
deviations of two consecutive functions would be 0.15.
According to this second criterion, the closest
functions are those of BZ3 and BZ4 classes, for which
the relative error has the minimum value I 34 0.12
and the most different are the functions of the BZ1 and
BZ10 classes, for which the relative error has the
maximum value I110 1.54 . Finally, due to the
relative deviation criterion we can conclude that the
defined classes through the BZ classification can
provide a basis for the polar curves identification and
classification for direct lighting, even if they do not
uniformly cover the range between the first and the last
class.
Due to the promising results offered by the
relative deviation between two functions, we proceeded
to calculate these variables for real polar curves (Table
1 and Fig. 1), in relation with the normalized functions
of the BZ classes, as shown in Table 5.

Table 5. The relative deviation values between two functions I m , for real polar curves and BZ functions.
The polar curve from catalog
Circular, Fig. 1, a
Elliptical, Fig. 1, b
Drop, Fig. 1, c
Petal, Fig. 1, d
Bell, Fig. 1, e
Heart, Fig. 1, f
Insect wing, Fig. 1, g
Moccasin, Fig. 1, h

BZ1
0.59
0.4
0.31
0.57
0.43
0.41
0.97
1.04

BZ2
0.45
0.26
0.18
0.43
0.31
0.33
0.83
0.92

BZ3
0.26
0.08
0.15
0.28
0.23
0.34
0.66
0.75

3.3. Analytical expressions for the polar curves

The "circular" polar curve, (Fig. 1, a), classified as
BZ5, is specific to the luminous circular disc, with
constant luminance, emitting light after Lambert's law,
accordingly the expression:

BZ4
0.14
0.05
0.23
0.24
0.28
0.41
0.56
0.65

BZ classes
BZ5
BZ6
0.27
0.03
0.2
0.41
0.37
0.57
0.29
0.46
0.39
0.58
0.52
0.69
0.45
0.41
0.55
0.54

BZ7
0.48
0.62
0.77
0.65
0.77
0.88
0.51
0.64

I v I M cos ,cd,

BZ8
0.66
0.81
0.95
0.82
0.95
1.06
0.65
0.78

BZ9
0.77
0.9
1.06
0.95
1.07
1.16
0.63
0.74

BZ10
1.08
1.2
1.37
1.27
1.39
1.48
0.84
0.92

(7)

where IM represents the maximum luminous intensity,

from the polar axis (after the normal versus the LL
surface);
the vertical photometric angle.

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ACTA ELECTROTEHNICA

For the "elliptical" polar curve an analytical

function, in polar coordinates, is not indicated in the
technical literature. If (IM/2) is considered as the higher
semi axis and (Ib/2) the lower semi axis of the ellipse,
the function that indicates the variation of the luminous
intensity versus the vertical photometric angle for this
type of polar curve is:

I v ( ) I b

sin

Ib / I M cos
,
2
I b / I M cos 2

cd,

(8)

or, if we have the intention to highlight the ellipse

parameter, called eccentricity, - in the form:
I
cos
I v ( )

, cd,
I M 1 e2 cos 2
2
b

(10)

It may be observed that the function defined by

equation (7) is a rational type function in (cos), which
is not in the list of the functions I v ( ) considered in the
BZ classification.
For other polar curves, it is difficult to propose
analytical expressions without a previous knowledge of
some specific properties. For this reason, the next step
includes the analytical identification of important polar
curves using CAD.
3.4. CAD identification of polar curves
The previously revealed cases require the
analytical identification of some graphically or tabular
known curves, so for which we can determine a desired
number of points with their coordinates. From the
mathematical point of view, it would be desirable that
the identified functions expressions to be as simple as
possible, the function character not to be changed,
namely to preserve the monotony intervals of the initial
function and the identified function errors to be within
an admitted range. Another condition taken into
account is to have a single function on the whole range
of definition, so identifications as the Spline functions
or other functions defined on subintervals will be not
considered.
Because the functions are identified for the Mk
known characteristic points, the rendering accuracy
verification of the graphical or tabular function is
imposed by calculating the approximation error.
The algorithm used to identify the graphical
functions is conceived in order to allow the choice of
the optimal analytical function based on the minimal
mean square deviation (standard deviation) criterion,
for each type of approximation function. The standard
deviation is correctly calculated by the relation:
N p 1

(Y
j 0

dat j

Ycalc j ) 2

N p ( N p 1)

CvY

(9)

where the ellipse eccentricity e is given by the relation:

e 1 Ib / I M .

where Np is the number of initial points, Ydat.j their

ordinates and Ycalc.j the corresponding ordinates of the
same abscise, but of the identified analytical function.
To note that although for the identification of any
elementary function implemented in the program a
smaller number of points are necessary (MkNp), the
mean square deviation calculation is made for all
initially given points.
For an easier appreciation of some analytical
functions identifications results, the relative standard
deviation is also determined using the relation:

(11)

Y
Ymed

100, %

(12)

where the average value is calculated as the arithmetic

mean of the dependent variable values Ydat:

Ymed

1
Np

N p 1

Y
j 0

dat j

(13)

the notation introduced for the relative standard

deviation is suggested by the identity of the relation
(12) with the variation coefficient expression from the
statistics calculations 5.
The analytical identification program of the
graphical or tabular known functions is conceived and
realized in LabVIEW, being described in 6. The
elementary functions, implemented until now are
shown in Table 6, together with Mk number of points
required to determine the elementary function
coefficients with k order number. The notations "BZ11"
and "BZ12" are actually an extension of functions
defined in BZ classification, due to similarities with
them.
The optimal identified functions found using the
mentioned program for each of the real polar curves are
presented in Table 7. Four of the identified cases,
considered more representative, are shown in Fig. 3,
setting up in this way a modality of indicating the
program results.
As it can be seen from data presented in Table 7,
the relative identification errors fit within the range
CvI 0.598; 17.3 % .
The relative errors less than 5% can be considered
acceptable, five of the real polar curves being in this
situation. This was, in fact, the selection criterion for
the functions represented in Fig. 3.
Errors greater than 10% indicates rather that the
functions implemented in the program are still
insufficient to identify a type of so various graphs as
are the polar curves of direct LL.
It is noticeable that for both the circular polar
curve (Fig. 1, a) and the elliptical one (Fig. 1, b) the
identified functions differs from the corresponding
analytical functions given by relations (7), respectively
(9). In the circular curve case, the explanation lies in
the errors occurred when reading the luminous
intensities from the catalog graph and in the elliptical
case owing the absence of rational functions from the

173

Volume 53, Number 2, 2012

Fig. 3. Graphical representations of the initial points and identified approximation functions, for some of the polar curves, for direct LL:
a circular (function in cos); b elliptical (function in cos); c drop; d bell.

list of the functions, which were implemented in the

program.
It may be remarked that the power function of
cos, with of free term, is suitable in seven of the
identified cases, revealing the availability of this
function in the polar curves identification. Powers

exponents at the specified function are framed in the

range p 0.29; 2.58 . There is also one case with an
exponent close to the unit (Table 6, the first
approximation function of the circular polar curve).

Table 6. The elementary functions implemented.

Canonical form

Orders
number k

Elementary function

f : R R , a, b,..., f R

Mk

Linear function

f ( x) ax b; a 0

M1=2

Third degree function

Four degree function

Five degree function

f ( x) ax bx c; a 0

Degree two function

M2=3

f ( x) ax bx cx d ; a 0
4

M3=4

f ( x) ax bx cx dx e; a 0
5

M4=5

f ( x) ax bx cx dx ex f ; a 0
bx

M5=6

Exponential function

f ( x) a e ; a 0

M6=2

Logarithmic function

f ( x) log a bx; a 1, a 0

M7=2

Power function

Hyperbolic function

f ( x) a x ; a 0
f ( x) a b

M8=2

; b, x 0

M9=2

10

x xj

i 1

j 0

xi x j

Ln ( x ) yi

Lagrange interpolation
polynomial (dgr. 25)

M10=25

j i

11
12
13

f ( x) a (cos x) ; a 0, x 90

BZ 1 ... 5 function

f ( x) a b (cos x); b 0, x 90

BZ 6;7 function

BZ 11 function

15

BZ 12 function

M11=2
0

f ( x) a (sin x) ; a 0, x 0 ;180

BZ 10 function

14

f ( x) a (cos x) c; a 0, x 90
b

M12=2
0

f ( x) a (sin x) c, a 0, x 0 ;180

Regarding
the
representations
of
the
approximation functions (Fig. 3), it can be noticed a
good framing of the initial points on the identified
function, especially for the first three represented polar

M13=2

M14=3
0

M15=3

curves i.e. circular (Fig. 3, a), elliptical (Fig. 3, b) and

drop (Fig. 3, c).

174

ACTA ELECTROTEHNICA

Table 7. Optimal approximation functions for the polar curves of direct LL.
Type of polar curve

Optimal identified approximation function I v ( )

I v ( ) 102.3033 (cos )

1.0552

Circular (Fig. 1, a)

I v ( ) 96.5292 (cos )

1.689

Elliptical (Fig. 1, b)

I v ( ) 107.3011 (cos )

Petal (Fig. 1, d)

I v ( ) 116.3452 (cos )

Bell (Fig. 1, e)
Heart (Fig. 1, f)

Moccasin (Fig. 1, h)

4.

1.8172

I v ( ) 1.235 107

Drop (Fig. 1, c)

Insect wing
(Fig. 1, g)

1.0107

I v 0.000008 0.0017 0.1049 132.3 132.3

4

2.3843

Relative mean deviation

CvI, %
0.6 %
5.7 %
0.8 %
2.6 %

2.3978

3.8 %

6.7299

6.9 %

I v ( ) 113.5076 (cos )

1.8962

7.8141

4.5 %

I v ( ) 111.5071 (cos )

2.5828

6.1791

10.2 %

1.5692

I v ( ) 0.031167 2.4917 28.2

2

I v ( ) 53.5155 (cos )

CONCLUSIONS

The analytical identification of polar curves for

direct LL is extremely useful in the relation between LL
manufacturers on one hand and designers or users of
the lighting systems on the other hand, simplifying the
transfer of their analytical data and increasing the
precision of the photometric data acquisition.
The continuous improvement of the LL
construction, the adjustment of the luminous flux
distributions to both the lighting systems quality
requirements and the conditions specific to certain
applications determine constant changes of the polar
curves shapes, being more difficult to retrieve under
graphical form or even under the form of some
luminous intensities matrix.
The existence of a computer program, improvable,
for the analytical identification of polar curves, allows
the prompt resolution and with the desired accuracy of
the problem, making easier the transfer of data referring
the LL luminous flux distribution in CAD specific to
lighting systems.
ACKNOLEDGMENT
This paper was supported by the project "Doctoral
studies in engineering sciences for developing the
knowledge based society-SIDOC contract no.
POSDRU/88/1.5/S/60078, project co-funded from
European Social Fund through Sectorial Operational
Program Human Resources 2007-2013.

0.2925

1.7211

9.1 %
17.3 %

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2.

3.
4.
5.
6.

7.
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interior. Bucureti; Editura Tehnic, 1990.
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1983.
Gheorghiu, N. i Militaru, P. Teoria i practica iluminatului
electric. Bucureti: Editura Tehnic, 1970.
Iakovlev, K.P. .a. ndrumtor matematic i tehnic (trad. din lb.
rus, adaptat). Bucureti: Editura Tehnic, 1964.
Maier, V., Pavel, S.G. i Maier, C.D. Ingineria calitii i
protecia mediului. Cluj-Napoca: U. T. PRESS, 2007.
Polec, Victoria, Maier, V. and Carafa, L. The Analytical
Identification of the Grafic or Tabular Functions using a
LabVIEW Programme. In: Acta Electrotehnica, Special Issue,
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Simons, R.H. and Bean, A.R. Lighting engineering, Applied
calculation. Oxford: Architectural Press, 2001.
* * * Enhancing people's lives with lighting, Indoor Luminaires
Catalogue 2008-2010. Kominklijke Philips Electronics N.V.,
2008.

Adina FILIP
Prof. Virgil MAIER
Prof. Sorin PAVEL
Victoria POLEC
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
Faculty of Electrical Engineering
Department of Electrical Power Systems and Management
Phone:
0264-401259
E-mail: Adina.Filip@enm.utcluj.ro;
Virgil.Maier@enm.utcluj.ro;
Sorin.Pavel@enm.utcluj.ro;
Victoria_t07@yahoo.com