Lighting Experts for Indoor and Outdoor Spaces

5 Important Lighting Principles

Lighting refers to the use of light in a deliberate way to create aesthetic and practical effects. It encompasses a variety of means, including artificial light sources, light fixtures, and natural illumination. Here are some important lighting principles:

Illumination for building design

In architectural lighting, the use of light is a powerful tool that enhances a building's interior and exterior design. Lighting is the way light is focused on particular architectural elements, forcing the eye to focus on them. In addition, light can draw attention away from other parts of the room and help to make certain areas stand out. Whether the lighting is used on interior or exterior surfaces, the benefits of architectural lighting are vast. Here are some tips to use lighting effectively in your building design.

The technical requirements of lighting include the amount of light needed to perform a given task, the energy that must be consumed by the lighting, and how the light should be distributed. The colour temperature of an ideal black body is measured in mireds or Kelvin. The measurements are typically done by hand, but more complex designs routinely make use of computerized mathematical modelling. For buildings with complex façades, it is important to consider colour balance and reflectivity, as these elements affect the mood of occupants.

Public buildings require the appropriate amount of light for tasks and events. Sports venues require the right amount of light for spectators and players alike. Similarly, in offices, lighting is crucial for a successful office environment. A poorly lit office will not help employees focus on their work, while outdated lighting will make visitors uncomfortable. In addition, lighting can make or break a company's image and can give the wrong impression. Incorporate modern lighting design into your office and improve productivity.

Photometric studies are a useful tool in lighting design. Photometric simulation software allows designers to simulate the impact of lighting design on a building's interior. They can also use it to design the lighting layout and contrast between dark and light areas. Typically, they reference IESNA recommended lighting practices and create a simulated lighting design before construction begins. However, this approach can be inaccurate and can lead to unnecessary lighting design decisions. So be sure to get a professional opinion on lighting before you start your next project.

Illumination for task performance

In both studies, researchers have found that the optimal level of illumination is based on a comparison of the observed luminance at various locations with those in previous studies. The results of the on-axis FER task have been consistent with the predictions of the RVP. The task performance increased as the luminance was increased, but the rate of detection decreased with increasing illuminance. Further increases in luminance did not improve task performance, however.

Higher illuminance, contrast ratios between seven and eleven, and correlated colour temperature improve task performance. Certain spectral tuning in red and blue wavelengths also enhances task performance. Future studies should be consistent in their experimental protocols and overall lighting conditions. Additionally, studies should account for differences in age, gender, and vertical illuminance. In addition, researchers should consider the effects of daylight and outside views. Lighting for task performance is an important aspect of optimizing workspace environments.

In addition to providing adequate illumination, task surfaces should also reflect light. The amount of light reflected should be high enough to achieve recommended luminance ratios. Similarly, walls, ceilings, and objects within the workspace should be high in reflectance, to improve average light levels and visual comfort. Glossy surfaces can reflect more light but also produce unwanted glare. Light-color matte finishes are usually desirable for walls. Lighting for task performance needs to be designed with these variables in mind.

To design a lighting system that optimizes visual comfort, designers should keep three factors in mind: glare, shadows, and visual fatigue. While shadows can be useful for defining details, they can impair visibility and obscure tasks. Additionally, point sources tend to cast more shadows than linear ones. Localized supplementary task lighting and linear light can reduce the shadows. A good lighting design should also consider the task and location of the user.

Safety

While many homeowners are capable of handling DIY tasks around the home, the safety of lighting can be a major concern. Even routine lighting maintenance can cause accidents. Follow these simple tips to make sure you're as safe as possible when performing lighting tasks. Change bulbs carefully - incandescent bulbs create more heat than light, so always allow a few hours for them to cool down before changing them. And keep your lamp cool and well-ventilated before replacing them with energy-efficient LEDs.

Know your occupants - The safety of lighting varies according to the type of roadway and the proposed light type. Safety lighting may be necessary for an expressway or a full interchange, for example. In either case, if the ramp traffic entering and exiting a freeway in the interchange area is over 5,000 vehicles per hour, it's likely to warrant lighting. And if you're designing an intersection, make sure to consider the number of through traffic lanes.

Limit exposure to hazardous substances - Lighting manufacturers should test their products for compliance with the RoHS directive or California Proposition 65. In addition, many manufacturers waste valuable time by collecting information from their supply chains, which can be time-consuming and unreliable. UL provides complete product testing to ensure your lighting product is safe for consumers. And they offer end-to-end solutions for restricted materials compliance. There's no reason not to opt for UL's end-to-end solutions.

Proper lighting increases the overall productivity and efficiency of a workplace. Additionally, it improves worker satisfaction and organizational commitment. In addition to improving employee safety, adequate lighting helps to promote greater efficiency and productivity. The federal government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) oversees workplace lighting and provides guidelines to ensure workplaces have adequate lighting systems. The following are some guidelines to consider in selecting a lighting solution for your workplace. Make sure it is safe for everyone!

Security

If you operate large installations, cyber security of lighting systems should be a top priority. If not managed correctly, security breaches can have devastating consequences, and result in the closure of major facilities. Security of lighting systems can be approached from many directions. In order to protect your system, part of the problem lies within your organisation. By writing down passwords, using easy passwords, or using freebie USB sticks to store sensitive information, you are creating a weak link in the security chain.

To reduce the risk of vandalism, security lights should be mounted high and protected by wire mesh and tough polycarbonate shields. Some security lamps are recessed and directed through light pipes, while others reflect off polished aluminium. High-security installations may even provide standby power. Ultimately, security lighting should be tasteful and attractive, and not be a nuisance. Here are a few tips for ensuring the safety of your property.

Secure access and installation. Outdoor lighting must be protected from malicious tampering and keep employees and visitors safe. Make sure the lighting is underground and is easy to access by an authorized maintenance person. Secure the power lines, if necessary. Install lighting that is hidden underground at least 8 metres from the ground. The best security is to follow the guidelines set by the Illuminating Engineering Society. However, if you're unsure of how much security your lighting system has, consult a professional.

Effective perimeter and overall site illumination are essential parts of a security plan. These lights can increase visibility and provide a psychological deterrent to intruders. Additionally, they can direct traffic and minimize fears in legitimate users. If security is your primary concern, consider installing security lighting around high-risk areas. The more you know, the safer your property will be. It's important to be sure you're doing all you can to keep yourself and your property safe.

Sales

In the U.S., sales of lighting products have increased since the fall of 2014. The trend continues throughout the year and is expected to continue through the end of 2015. With the rise of low-voltage lighting, the cost of installing the fixtures is significantly lower than before. For electrical contractors, this means huge bonuses. Furthermore, low-voltage lighting has the added benefit of reducing the time it takes to wire a patient care room. Using low-voltage lighting transforms the presentation of cost from lowest capital to lowest total net cost.

The fastest-growing region is Asia-Pacific, which accounted for 23.4% of the overall market in 2017. In the region, the growth was largely due to the growing demand for air-conditioning systems and smart lights. Meanwhile, the European market is expected to experience substantial growth in the next few years, driven by the increasing popularity of energy-efficient lighting fixtures and increased lifespan. Despite the growth in the U.S., it is expected that the growth will slow down as the global pandemic subsides.

While the changes to the lighting industry may be threatening, many people see them as an opportunity. They are ready to identify future customer needs and migrate their business to cater to those needs. In other words, some people believe that change brings order, while others believe that chaos creates opportunity. As long as customers are satisfied, everyone wins. If you're a lighting salesperson, it's up to you to make the most of your opportunities.

Lighting represents a large product category for electrical distributors, with sales accounting for 25-30% of total sales. Many distributors view their "customer" as an electrical contractor. Others, however, see the customer as an end-user. As the market evolves, so do the products. As the lighting industry grows, the products evolve, generating a competitive environment. Some distributors even find themselves in channel conflict involving manufacturers, agents, and distributors.