Multivector Review and Training Center

Illumination

Luminous flux ( or F ) is the light energy radiated out per second from the
luminous body in the form of light waves. Its unit is lumen (lm).

One lumen is defined as the flux emitted per unit solid angle from a standard
candle.

Solid angle is given as

area
steradian
(radius ) 2
Luminous intensity (or candle power) of a source in any direction is given by the
luminous flux radiated out per unit solid angle in that direction.

If is the luminous flux emitted by a source in a solid angle of steradian, then I

= / lm/steradian or candela. Hence, it is the angular flux density emitted by the
source.

A source having a uniform luminous intensity of I candelas radiates out a total flux
of 4 I lumens.

The mean spherical candle power (M.S.C.P) is given by

total flux emitted in lumens
M.S.C.P. candela
4
Candela (Cd) is the unit of luminous intensity. One candela is equal to 1/60 th of
the luminous intensity per cm2 of a black body radiator maintained at the
temperature of solidification of platinum.

Illumination (E). The illumination of a surface is measured by the luminous flux

received by a unit area of the surface. If a flux of lumens is received normally by
an area of A, then

E
A
The unit of E depends on the unit of A.

1. If A is in m2, then E is in lm/m2. Its alternative names are: metre-candle

(m-Cd) or lux.
2. If A is in cm2, then E is in lm/cm2. Its alternative name is phot.

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1 phot = 10,000 lux

The law of illumination is

I cos
E lumens/m2
r2

The space/height ratio is given by:

horizontal dis tan ce between lamps

mounting height of lamps

Utilization Factor or Coefficient of Utilization

lumens actually received on working plane

lumens emitted by the light source

Depreciation Factor or Maintenance Factor

illu min ation under actual conditions
p
illu min ation when everything is clean

The total flux required on a working plane can be calculated from the relation:

EA
lumens
xp

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