How is the level of illumination measured? How to measure room illumination. What is "luminous flux" called?

>>Illuminance

  • Remember how you felt when you entered a dark room. It becomes somehow uneasy, because you can’t see anything around... But as soon as you turn on the flashlight, nearby objects become clearly visible. Those that are located somewhere further can be barely distinguished by their contours. In such cases, they say that objects are illuminated differently. Let's find out what illumination is and what it depends on.

1. Determine the illumination

From any light source it spreads light flow. The greater the light flux that falls on the surface of a particular body, the better it is visible.

  • A physical quantity numerically equal to the luminous flux incident on a unit of illuminated surface is called illumination.

Illumination is indicated by the symbol E and is determined by the formula:

where F is the luminous flux; S is the surface area on which the luminous flux falls.

In SI, the unit of illumination is taken to be lux (lx) (from Latin Iux - light).

One lux is the illumination of such a surface, per square meter of which a luminous flux equal to one lumen falls:

Here are some surface values ​​(near the ground).

Illumination E:

Sunlight at noon (at mid-latitudes) - 100,000 lux;
sunlight in an open place on a cloudy day - 1000 lux;
sun rays in bright room(near the window) - 100 lux;
outdoors under artificial lighting - up to 4 lux;
from the full moon - 0.2 lux;
from the starry sky on a moonless night - 0.0003 lux.

2. Find out what illumination depends on

You've probably all seen spy movies. Imagine: some hero, in the light of a weak flashlight, carefully looks through documents in search of the necessary “secret data”. In general, to read without straining your eyes, you need illumination of at least 30 lux (Fig. 3.9), and this is a lot. And how does our hero achieve such illumination?

First, he holds the flashlight as close as possible to the document he is viewing. This means that illumination depends on the distance from the illuminated object.

Secondly, it positions the flashlight perpendicular to the surface of the document, which means that the illumination depends on the angle at which the light hits the surface.



Rice. 3.10. If the distance to the light source increases, the area of ​​the illuminated surface increases

And in the end, for better lighting he can simply take a more powerful flashlight, since it is obvious that as the source of light increases, the illumination increases.

Let's find out how illumination changes when the distance from a point light source to the illuminated surface increases. Let, for example, a luminous flux from a point source fall on a screen located at a certain distance from the source. If you double the distance, you will notice that the same luminous flux will illuminate an area 4 times larger. Since, the illumination in this case will decrease by 4 times. If you increase the distance by 3 times, the illumination will decrease by 9 - 3 2 times. That is, illumination is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from a point light source to the surface (Fig. 3 10).

If a beam of light falls perpendicular to the surface, then the luminous flux is distributed over a minimal area. If the angle of incidence of light increases, the area on which the luminous flux falls increases, so the illumination decreases (Fig. 3.11). We have already said that if the intensity of the light source increases, the illumination increases. It has been experimentally established that illumination is directly proportional to the light intensity of the source.

(Illumination decreases if there are particles of dust, fog, smoke in the air, since they reflect and scatter a certain part of the light energy.)

If the surface is located perpendicular to the direction of propagation of light from a point source and the light propagates in clean air, then the illumination can be determined by the formula:


where I is the luminous intensity of the source, R is the distance from the light source to the surface.

Rice. 3.11 In the case of increasing the angle of incidence of parallel rays on the surface (a 1< а 2 < а 3) освещенность этой поверхности уменьшается, поскольку падающий световой поток распределя­ется по все большей площади поверхности


3. Learning to solve problems

The table is illuminated by a lamp located at a height of 1.2 m directly above the table. Determine the illumination of the table directly under the lamp if the total luminous flux of the lamp is 750 lm. Consider a lamp as a point source of light.

  • Let's sum it up

A physical quantity numerically equal to the luminous flux F incident on a unit of illuminated surface S is called illumination. In SI, the lux (lx) is taken as the unit of illumination.

The illumination of the surface E depends: a) on the distance R to the illuminated surface b) on the angle at which the light falls on the surface (the smaller the angle of incidence, the greater the illumination); c) on the luminous intensity I of the source (E - I); d) transparency of the medium in which light propagates, passing from the source to the surface.

  • Control questions

1. What is called illumination? In what units is it measured?
2. Is it possible to read without straining your eyes in a bright room? outdoors under artificial light? under the full moon?

3. How can you increase the illumination of a certain surface?

4. The distance from the point light source to the surface was increased by 2 times. How did the illumination of the surface change?

5. Does the illumination of a surface depend on the intensity of the light source that illuminates this surface? If it depends, then how?

  • Exercises

1. Why is the illumination of horizontal surfaces at noon greater than in the morning and evening?

2. It is known that illumination from several sources is equal to the sum of illumination from each of these sources separately. Give examples of how this rule is applied in practice.

3. After studying the topic “Lighting,” seventh-graders decided to increase the illumination of their workplace:

Petya replaced the light bulb in his desk lamp with a higher power bulb;
- Natasha put up another table lamp;
- Anton raised the chandelier that hung above his table higher;
- Yuri positioned the table lamp in such a way that the light began to fall almost perpendicular to the table.

Which students did the right thing? Justify your answer.

4. On a clear noon, the illumination of the Earth's surface by direct sunlight is 100,000 lux. Determine the luminous flux incident on an area of ​​100 cm2.

5. Determine the illumination from a 60 W electric light bulb located at a distance of 2 m. Is this illumination sufficient for reading a book?

6. Two light bulbs placed side by side illuminate the screen. The distance from the light bulbs to the screen is I m. One light bulb was turned off. How much closer do you need to move the screen so that its illumination does not change?

  • Experimental task

To measure the intensity of light, instruments called photometers are used. Make a simple analogue of a photometer. To do this, take White list(screen) and place a greasy stain (for example, oil) on it. Fix the sheet vertically and light it from both sides different sources light (S 1, S 2) (see figure). (The light from the sources should fall perpendicular to the surface of the sheet.) Slowly move one of the sources until the spot becomes almost invisible. This will happen when the illumination of the spot on one and the other side is the same. That is, E 1 = E 2.

Because the . Measure the distance from the first source to the screen (R 1) and the distance from the second source to the screen (R 2).

Compare how many times the luminous intensity of the first source differs from the luminous intensity of the second source: .

  • Physics and technology in Ukraine

Research and production complex "Fotopribor" (Cherkassy) The scope of the enterprise is the development and production of precision mechanics, optoelectronics and optomechanics devices for various purposes, medical and forensic equipment, household goods, office watches of a representative class. HBK Fotopribor develops and produces periscope sights for a variety of artillery installations, gyrocompasses, gyroscopes, optical-electronic equipment for helicopters, armored vehicles, as well as wide range optical equipment and devices for various purposes.

Physics. 7th grade: Textbook / F. Ya. Bozhinova, N. M. Kiryukhin, E. A. Kiryukhina. - X.: Publishing house "Ranok", 2007. - 192 p.: ill.

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Lighting devices differ in design, physical properties and technical characteristics. The parameters of lighting devices raise many questions and disputes, especially the unit of illumination measurement. It is often confused with other concepts, such as luminous intensity or brightness. In addition, many consumers buy lighting, focusing on the value of the total, without taking into account heat and light losses.

What is illumination

The concept of illumination is closely related to the quantity luminous flux, measured in laboratories using special equipment. The illumination itself can be determined independently, and its value is taken into account by the relevant SNiPs. To calculate this parameter, use the luminous flux, measured in lumens, which is in relation to the area of ​​the illuminated surface. It should hit the surface at a 90 degree angle. Illumination is measured in special units - lux (lx).

The magnitude of the luminous flux has a direct impact on the physical and psychological condition person. Too little lighting depresses the brain, and too bright, on the contrary, has a stimulating effect on brain processes. Such a negative effect causes premature wear and tear of the body and has a detrimental effect on the organs of vision.

Therefore, when drawing up a lighting design and placement of lighting devices, a safety factor must be used that takes into account the likely drop in illumination during operation. Gradually, optical components wear out and become dirty, which leads to a decrease in the brightness of artificial light. In addition, the natural light factor decreases as the reflective properties of surrounding objects gradually change.

Illumination is primarily measured at the workplace. At the same time, sound vibrations are determined, the degree of contamination, electromagnetic and even gamma radiation are taken into account. The measurement results allow you to create the most optimal conditions labor, in accordance with sanitary standards and rules.

In what units is illumination measured?

The unit of illumination measurement should be discussed in more detail. The generally accepted unit is lux, which represents the illumination when a luminous flux of 1 lumen falls on a surface of 1 m2.

How much illumination does the unit of measurement 1 lux actually include? For this purpose, it is necessary to compare several standard parameters based on human physiology, enshrined in strict medical rules and government standards. Without compliance with them, it is impossible to approve any construction project.

An illumination level of 1 lux is created by an ordinary candle located at a distance of 1 m from the illuminated surface. With the help of this simple device it is quite possible to calibrate a homemade measuring device- lux meter.

As examples for comparison, we can take several well-known types of illumination.

  • Bright sunlight at noon will be 100-140 thousand lux
  • Sky without clouds during the day - 6200 lux
  • Table lamp illuminating the table - 500 lux
  • Illumination in the shade on a sunny day - 430 lux
  • The onset of twilight in the evening - 70 lux
  • The beginning of the night with moonlight - 1.5 lux.

Light sources and surfaces that reflect light do not always appear as individual points. If the visual organs are able to distinguish their shape, then we will talk about another photometric quantity known as brightness. Its physical properties are similar to the intensity of light, but in this case this relationship will not be absolute. It is proportional to the area of ​​the reflecting or radiating surface.

Brightness, as a physical concept, is the only photometric quantity that the human eye can normally perceive. It is clearly manifested in the properties of large light sources, consisting of a large number of point emitters. Provided they are the same brightness, general light a large lighting fixture will be perceived as a single whole.

List of basic units of measurement

There are several basic units of measurement that characterize the parameters of light in one way or another. Among them, the most famous and widespread are the following:

  • Light flow. Represents the power of light emitted. This is the visible spectrum of radiation associated with the sensation of light perceived by the human eye. This value is measured in lumens (lm). For example, the luminous flux emitted by a 100-watt incandescent lamp is 1350 lm, and by a fluorescent lamp LB40 - 3200 lm.
  • The power of light. The density of the luminous flux relative to the surrounding space. At its core, it is a proportion where the luminous flux is related to the solid angle within which the radiation is uniformly distributed. The unit of measurement is candela (cd).
  • Illumination. The luminous flux incident on the surface has a surface density. It is evenly distributed and correlates with the area of ​​the illuminated surface. The unit of measurement is lux (lx), equal to 1 lm/1 m2.
  • Brightness. Represents the luminous intensity with surface density in a specified direction. The unit of measurement is cd/m2.
  • Luminosity. The luminous flux emitted by a surface with density, which is the ratio of the luminous flux to the area of ​​the luminous surface. The unit of measurement is 1 lm/m2.

Instruments for measuring light levels

The level of illumination is measured by a device - a lux meter. This small, portable device works in much the same way as a photometer. A stream of light radiation hits a semiconductor photosensitive element and begins to tear off electrons from it, which begin to move in an orderly manner. As a result, the electrical circuit closes. In this case, the magnitude of the current is proportional to the intensity of illumination of the photocell and is displayed on the scale of analog devices.

Currently, there are practically no instruments with arrows left; they have been replaced by digital measuring equipment. Each lux meter is equipped with a liquid crystal display and a photosensitive sensor located in a separate housing. A flexible wire is used to connect these two parts together.

Before starting light measurements, the lux meter is set to a horizontal position. Modern GOSTs require that different points in the room be used for measurements in accordance with established scheme. Natural and artificial lighting measured separately. When performing the procedure, even the slightest shadow is not allowed to fall on the device. There should not be any sources of electromagnetic waves nearby. All these factors can cause interference and affect the measurement results.

The resulting illumination value must be compared with the parameter established by GOST. Based on these data, conclusions are drawn about the sufficient or insufficient illumination of any room or area. After the tests, an evaluation protocol is drawn up.

Illumination and LED devices

When illuminated by LEDs, it emits a large number of heat. To dissipate it, heat-conducting structures made of aluminum, cooling fins and other elements are used that neutralize the effects of heat. When creating new lamps, specialists must take into account the relationship between illumination and heat loss.

Operational difficulties appear when the temperature rises above 50 degrees. In this regard, measurements should be taken approximately two hours after the start of work. LED lamps. To eliminate errors, illumination measurements are performed periodically throughout the working day. It is recommended to conduct such studies at least once a year.



Lux (unit of illuminance) Lux(from Latin lux ≈ light), unit of illumination in International System of Units. Abbreviated designation: Russian lk, international lx. 1 L. ≈ illumination of a surface with an area of ​​1 m2 with a luminous flux of radiation incident on it equal to 1 lm. ═ 1 L. = 10-4 phot (unit of illumination GHS system of units).

Big Soviet encyclopedia. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1969-1978 .

See what "Lux (unit of illumination)" is in other dictionaries:

    Lux (symbol: lx, lx) is a unit of measurement of illumination in the SI system. Lux is equal to the illumination of a surface with an area of ​​1 m² with a luminous flux of radiation incident on it equal to 1 lm. Multiples and submultiples Decimal multiples and submultiples ... Wikipedia

    1. lux, constant (luxuriously equipped); cabinlux 2. luxury, a (hotel room, cabin, compartment, etc. of the highest category); live in a suite 3. suite, a; R. pl. ov, counting f. lux (unit of illumination) ... Russian word stress

    1. LUX, a; m. [from lat. lux light] Phys. Unit illumination measurements. 2. LUX [from French. luxe luxury]. I. unchanged; in sign. adj. Luxuriously, comfortably equipped, distinctive high quality. Coupe l. Cabin l. Hotel l. II. A; m. Razg... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

    1) (Latin lux light) a unit of illumination in the international system of units (si), equal to the illumination of a surface with an area of ​​1 m2 with a luminous flux of radiation incident on it equal to 1 lumen; abbr. designations: lx, lx. 2) (French luxe luxury lat.… … Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

    LUX, ah, husband. (specialist.). Unit of illumination. II. LUX 1. a, husband The best hotel room, carriage, salon, cabin in terms of equipment and service. Live (drive, sail) in a luxury. 2. unchangeable Highest class, category, grade. Cabin l. Chocolate l. Atelier l. |… … Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

    LUX 1, a, m. (special). Unit of illumination. Ozhegov's explanatory dictionary. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 … Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

    This term has other meanings, see Lux (meanings). The request "lk" is redirected here; see also other meanings. Lux (from Latin lux light; Russian designation: lk, international designation: lx) unit of measurement... ... Wikipedia

    I (French luxe luxury, splendor, from the Latin luxus splendor) designation of luxuriously equipped stores, hotels, compartments, cabins, and some goods. II (from the Latin lux light) unit of illumination in the International System... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Light and radiation
By light we mean electromagnetic radiation, causing a visual sensation in the human eye. In this case, we are talking about radiation in the range from 360 to 830 nm, which occupies a tiny part of the entire spectrum of electromagnetic radiation known to us.
Luminous flux F
Unit of measurement: lumen* [lm]. Luminous flux Ф is the entire radiation power of a light source, estimated by the light sensation of the human eye. A conventional 100 W incandescent lamp produces a luminous flux of approximately 1300 lm. A compact fluorescent fluorescent lamp with a power of 26 W creates a luminous flux of approximately 1600 lm. The luminous flux of the Sun is 3.8? 1028 lm.
Luminous Intensity I
Unit of measurement: candela** [cd]. The light source emits luminous flux F in different directions with different intensities. The intensity of light emitted in a certain direction is called luminous intensity I.
Illumination E
Unit of measurement: lux*** [lx]. Illumination E reflects the ratio of the incident luminous flux to the illuminated area. Illumination is equal to 1 lux if the luminous flux of 1 lm is evenly distributed over an area of ​​1 m2
Brightness L
Unit of measurement: candela per square meter[cd/m2]. The luminous brightness L of the light source or illuminated area is the main factor for the level of light sensation of the human eye.
Colorful temperature
Unit of measurement: Kelvin**** [K]. The color temperature of the light source is determined by comparison with the so-called "black body" and is displayed by the "black body line". If the temperature of the “black body” increases, then the blue component in the spectrum increases, and the red component decreases. An incandescent lamp with warm white light has, for example, a color temperature of 2700 K, while a fluorescent lamp with daylight color has a color temperature of 6000 K.

Common colors of light
There are the following three main colors of light: warm white 5000 K.

Color rendition
Depending on where the lamps are installed and the task they perform, artificial light should provide the best possible color perception (as in natural daylight). This capability is determined by the color rendering characteristics of the light source, which are expressed in terms of different degrees of "general color rendering index" Ra. Color rendering index reflects the level of correspondence between the natural color of a body and the visible color of that body when illuminated by a reference light source. To determine the value, the Ra color shift is recorded using the eight standard reference colors specified in DIN 6169, which is observed when the light of the light source under test is directed towards these reference colors. The smaller the deviation of the color of the light emitted by the lamp under test from the reference colors, the better the color rendering characteristics of this lamp. A light source with a color rendering index of Ra = 100 emits light that optimally reflects all colors, like the light of a reference light source. The lower the Ra value, the worse the colors of the illuminated object are reproduced.

* One lumen is equal to the luminous flux emitted by a point isotropic source, with a luminous intensity equal to one candela, into a solid angle of one steradian (1 lm = 1 cd x sr). The total luminous flux created by an isotropic source with a luminous intensity of one candela is equal to 4n lumens.

** Candela (designation: cd, cd; from Latin candela - candle) is equal to the intensity of light emitted in a given direction by a source of monochromatic radiation with a frequency of 540·1012 hertz, the energy intensity of which in this direction is (1/683) W /avg.

*** Lux (designation: lux, lx) - a unit of illumination measurement, equal to the illumination of a surface with an area of ​​1 m? with a luminous flux of radiation incident on it equal to 1 lm

**** Kelvin (designation: K) is a unit of measurement of temperature, one kelvin is equal to 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water. The beginning of the scale (0 K) coincides with absolute zero. Conversion to degrees Celsius. C = K - 273.15

Light is something without which nothing on Earth would be able to exist. Like all physical quantities, it can be calculated, which means there is a unit of measurement for luminous flux. What is it called and what is it equal to? Let's find answers to these questions.

What is "luminous flux" called?

First of all, it is worth understanding what this term is called in physics.

Luminous flux is the power of light emission, assessed by the light sensation it produces from the point of view of the human eye. This is a quantitative characteristic of the radiation of a light source.

The numerically considered quantity is equal to the energy of the light flux passing through a certain surface per unit time.

Luminous flux unit

How is the physical quantity in question measured?

According to current standards The SI (International System of Units) uses a specialized unit called the lumen.

This word was derived from the Latin noun meaning "light" - lūmen. By the way, this word also gave rise to the name of the secret organization “Illuminati,” which became a subject of general interest several years ago.

In 1960, the lumen officially began to be used throughout the world as a unit of measurement of luminous flux, and remains so to this day.

In abbreviated form in Russian, this unit is written as “lm”, and in English - lm.

It is worth noting that in many countries the light power of light bulbs is measured not in watts (as in the vast expanses of the former USSR), but rather in lumens. In other words, overseas consumers consider not the amount of energy consumed, but the strength of the light emitted.

By the way, because of this, the packaging of most modern energy-saving light bulbs contains information about their characteristics in both watts and lumens.

Formula

The unit of measurement of luminous flux under consideration is numerically equal to light from a point isotropic source (with a force of candela) emitted into a solid angle equal to one steradian.

In the form of a formula, it looks like this: 1 lm = 1 cd x 1 avg.

If we take into account that a complete sphere forms a solid angle of 4P sr, it turns out that the total luminous flux of the above source with a power of one candela is equal to 4P lm.

What is "candela"

Having learned what a lumen is, you should pay attention to the unit associated with it. We are talking about CD - that is, candela.

This name was derived from the Latin word for “candle” (candela). From 1979 to this day it is according to the SI (International System of Units).

In fact, one candela is the intensity of light emitted by one candle (hence the name). It is worth noting that in the Russian language for a long time, instead of the term “candela”, the word “candle” was used. However, this name is outdated.

From the previous paragraph it is clear that lumen and candela are related (1 lm = 1 cd x 1 sr).

Lumens and Luxes

When considering the features of such a light value as a lumen, it is worth paying attention to such a close concept as “lux” (lx).

Like candelas with lumens, luxes also refer to lighting units. Lux is a unit of illumination used in the SI system.

The relationship between lux and lumen is as follows: 1 lux is equal to 1 lm of luminous flux, evenly distributed over a surface of 1 square meter. Thus, in addition to the above lumen formula (1 lm = 1 cd x 1 sr), this unit has one more: 1 lm = 1 lx/m2.

In simpler terms, a lumen is an indicator of the amount of light emitted by a certain source, for example, the same light bulb. But lux shows how light the room really is, since not all light rays reach the illuminated surface. In other words, lumen is the light that came out of the source, lux is the amount of it that actually reached the illuminated surface.

As already mentioned, not all the emitted light always reaches the illuminated surface, because often in the path of such rays there are obstacles that create shadows. And the more there are on the way, the less illumination.

For example, when the library hall was built, many light bulbs were hung in it. The total illumination of this empty room was 250 lux. But when renovation work were completed and furniture was brought into the hall, the light level dropped to 200 lux. This is despite the fact that the light bulbs, as before, produced the same amount of lumens of light energy. However, in the path of each of its rays, obstacles now appeared in the form of shelves with books and other library furniture, as well as visitors and workers. Thus, they absorbed part of the emitted light, reducing the total amount of illumination to the hall.

The situation given as an example is not an exception of its kind. Therefore, when constructing any new buildings or decorating the interior of existing ones, it is always important to take into account its illumination. Most institutions even have a system of lighting standards; naturally, it is measured in lux.

IN modern world There are several programs in which you can not only simulate the design of your room yourself, but also calculate how light it will be. After all, the vision of its inhabitants depends on this.

Lumen and Watt

In the past, in our country, when choosing a light bulb, we were guided by the number of watts it consumes. The more of them, the better the light of this device.
Today, even in our country, radiation power is increasingly measured in lumens. In this regard, some believe that lm and W are quantities of the same kind, which means that lumens to watts and vice versa can be freely converted, like some other SI units.

This opinion is not entirely correct. The fact is that both units of measurement under consideration are used for different quantities. So, a watt is not a light unit, but an energy unit that shows the power of a lighting source. While lumen shows how much light a particular device emits.

For example, a regular incandescent lamp that consumes 100 watts produces 1340 lumens of light. At the same time, its more advanced (today) LED “sister” produces 1000 lm while consuming only 13 W. Thus, it turns out that the light intensity of a light bulb is not always directly dependent on the amount and power of energy absorbed by it. The substance used for lighting in the device also plays an important role in this matter. This means that there is no direct relationship between lumens and watts.

Moreover, these quantities are really related to each other. The luminous efficiency of any light source (the relationship between the energy consumed and the amount of light produced) is measured in lumens per watt (lm/W). It is this unit that is evidence of the effectiveness of a particular lighting device, as well as its efficiency.

It is worth noting that if necessary, it is still possible to convert lumens to watts and vice versa. But for this you need to take into account several additional nuances.

  • The nature of the light source. Which lamp is used in the calculations: incandescent, LED, mercury, halogen, fluorescent, etc.
  • Light output of the device (how much watt it consumes and how many lumens it produces).

However, in order not to complicate your life, to carry out such calculations, you can simply use an online calculator or download a similar program to your computer or other device.

Multiples of Lumen Units

Lumen, like all its “relatives” in the SI system, has a number of standard multiples and submultiples. Some are used for ease of calculation when one has to deal with either too small or too large values.

If we are talking about the latter, then they are written in the form of a positive degree, if about the former - in the form of a negative one. Thus, the largest multiple unit of lumen - iottalumen - is equal to 10 24 lm. It is most often used to characterize cosmic bodies. For example, the luminous flux of the Sun is 36300 Ilm.

The most commonly used units are four multiples: kilolumen (10 3), megalumen (10 6), gigalumen (10 9) and teralumen (10 12).

Lumen subunits

The smallest submultiple unit lumen is ioctolumen - ilm (10 -24), however, like iottalumen, it is practically not used in real calculations.

The most commonly used units are millilumen (10 -3), microlumen (10 -6) and nanolumen (10 -9).

It is difficult to meet a person who does not understand the measures of length, area, volume, and weight. It is not difficult to calculate time or determine temperature. But if you ask someone about photometric quantities, then in most cases you cannot expect a clear answer. Meanwhile, we live in constant contact with lighting, natural or artificial. This means that we must learn to evaluate it in some way.

Of course, such an assessment is always made by everyone, but most often - purely at the level of subjective perception: is there enough light or not. However, such a “gradation” is precisely subjective and can produce significant errors. The consequences of such incorrect assessments cannot be underestimated - both insufficient lighting and its excess negatively affect both a person’s visual organs and his psycho-emotional state.

Meanwhile, there is a special value - illumination, the value of which is regulated by legislative acts in the field of construction and sanitation. That is, illumination is precisely the quality criterion that allows you to correctly evaluate the organization of a room lighting system. In this article we will talk about this parameter and other photometric quantities associated with it, and see how this can be used in a practical application.

Due to ingrained habit, many continue to believe that the assessment of room illumination can be done in energy units - watts. This misconception is easily explained - we are left with this persistent stereotype as a legacy from the times of complete dominance of incandescent lamps.

Incandescent lamps were produced with different power consumption - 15, 25, 40, 60, 75, 100, 150 and more watts. And every owner of a house or apartment knew from his own experience that for normal lighting in the living room, for example, he must screw three 60-watt bulbs into a chandelier, a “forty” will be enough for a table lamp, a hundred-watt one for the kitchen, etc.

By the way, a clear legacy of this is still the practice used by lamp manufacturers - to indicate on their packaging, in addition to power consumption, luminous efficiency expressed in the equivalent power of old incandescent lamps.

So let's remember the first thing - neither the luminous flux emitted by a lamp nor the surface illumination resulting from it is measured in watts. The watts indicated on the body of the device are the amount of electricity consumed by the lamp, which, through certain physical transformations, is converted into visible light.

Some people of the older generation are generally sure that the luminous output of a lighting device is measured in candles. By the way, this is not so far from the truth, and why will become clear below. But again, this is not illumination at all.

So it makes sense to consider the main photometric quantities in order, from the light source to the illuminated surface. Let’s make a reservation right away – this topic is quite difficult for an unprepared person to understand. Therefore, we will try to simplify the presentation as much as possible and will not overload it with cumbersome formulas. So that there is simply a general understanding of the issue.

Light flow

Light, as is known, has a wave nature. In a certain range of wavelengths, electromagnetic radiation is perceived by the human visual organs, that is, it becomes visible. The approximate boundaries of this range are from 400÷450 nm (red part of the spectrum) to 630÷650 (violet region).

Electromagnetic waves are a carrier of energy - it is the energy of the Sun that provides life on Earth. But let's digress from astronomical categories and return to ordinary light sources.

So, since a source emits light, this means radiation and transfer of a certain energy. The amount of this radiant energy (We) transferred per unit time is called radiant flux (Fe). And it is measured in watts.

However, we are talking about lighting, that is, the perception of color by human vision. And estimating the amount of energy “by eye” means immediately introducing a large error. For example, two sources with equal radiation power, but with different colors glows will also be perceived by the eye differently.

To unify this parameter, a special physical quantity was introduced - luminous flux (F). This is also an indicator of the power of the radiant flux, but only that part of it that is perceived by the average healthy human eye.

Luminous flux can also be measured in watts (this is rather an energy indicator), or in lumens (light indicator). In practice, lumens are usually used.

For the exact value of one lumen, radiation from the central, green part of the visible spectrum, with a length of 555 nm, was taken as a standard.

So, it is accepted that a radiant flux with a wavelength of 555 nm and a value of 1 watt corresponds to 683 lumens. Why such a strange coefficient? It’s just that the final approval of this unit in the SI system took place in 1979, and the first experiments in photometry with the introduction of the luminous flux indicator began to be carried out long before that. At that time, when electric lighting did not yet exist, and an ordinary candle served as a more or less stable, “reference” light source. And the current ratio of energy watt and light lumen was recalculated over time and passed down to the present day.

Let us remind you once again that the watts mentioned above, which can also be used to measure the luminous flux, have nothing to do with those indicated on the lamp packaging. It shows the consumption of the lamp, that is, the amount of energy that it will “take” from the network. We should be more concerned about its energetic light output - how much visible radiant energy it will “give out”. So, when choosing a lamp, it would be much more correct to pay attention not to ephemeral comparative analogies in watts, but to the clearly indicated value of the luminous flux in lumens.

Luminous output

This is a very interesting quantity in practical terms, since it essentially characterizes the efficiency of the light source. It is important to choose a lamp not based on its electrical power consumption, but on how this power is used when converted into light energy.

So, the luminous output value shows how much luminous flux is produced by the lamp when converting one watt of expended energy. It is clear that it is measured in lumens per watt (lm/W).

The conversion of one type of energy into another is carried out in different ways. For example, in conventional incandescent lamps the resistive principle is used - the glow is caused by a red-hot coil with high electrical resistance. It is clear that this is accompanied by huge heat losses. More efficient are modern lighting devices based on the principles of glow of semiconductor matrices when current is passed or specially selected gas mixtures are ionized. Here, significantly less energy is wasted on unnecessary heating.

It was already mentioned above that the peak of normal perception of light by the human eye occurs at a wavelength of 555 nm. And in ideal conditions, with full transformation electrical energy in a monochromatic light flux of the specified wavelength, that is, with absolutely no losses, it is theoretically possible to achieve a light output of 683 lm/W. This is called an ideal light source, which, alas, does not exist in nature.

The table below shows comparative characteristics for the most commonly used lamps in everyday life - incandescent, fluorescent and LED. It is clearly visible how more economical the use of modern light sources becomes, that is, how the luminous efficiency increases.

(The values ​​in the table are approximate. In any category of lamps there may be deviations in one direction or another - this depends on the quality of the particular model. But the table presents the general picture quite clearly).

Luminous flux, LmIncandescent lampsFluorescent lampsLED bulbs
Consumed
Power, W
Luminous output
lm/W
Consumed
Power, W
Luminous output
lm/W
Consumed
Power, W
Luminous output
lm/W
250 20 12.5 5÷741.7 2÷3100
400 40 10 10÷1336.4 4÷588.9
700 60 11.7 15÷1645.2 6÷1087.5
900 75 12 18÷2047.4 10÷1281.8
1200 100 12 25÷3043.6 12÷1588.9
1800 150 12 40÷5040 18÷2094.7
2500 200 12.5 60÷8038.5 25÷3090.9

The specific luminous efficiency value is not always, but is still indicated by some lamp manufacturers on their packaging. This may be the inscription “light output” or “Lighting effect”. If not, then it’s easy to determine it yourself by dividing the nameplate luminous flux by the specified power consumption.

It is quite obvious that of all the lamps used in living conditions, have the best light output indicators LED devices– for them this figure reaches 100 lm/W, and may even be slightly higher. But progress does not stand still, and the developers announce an imminent release serial production lamps with a luminous efficiency of about 200 lm/W. But the ideal source is still oh so far away...

By the way, scientists were able to estimate the luminous efficiency of the Sun, and it is not so high: approximately 93 lm/W.

About the luminous efficiency of light sources various types This is also explained in the video below:

Video: What is luminous efficiency, and what is the practical application of this parameter?

The power of light

In physics there is the concept of a point source of light - it propagates radiation exactly the same in all directions. In practice, if this happens, it is extremely rare, and even then - with some simplification of concepts. In fact, the light flux in different directions is uneven. And in order to estimate, let’s say, its spatial density, they operate with the magnitude of the light intensity. And to understand what it is, you will also have to remember the concept of a solid angle.

Let's start with geometry. So, a solid angle is a part of space that unites all rays emanating from one point and intersecting a certain surface (it is called a subtending surface). In photometry, of course, this is an illuminated surface. This angle is measured in special quantities - steradians (sr), and is usually indicated in formulas by the symbol Ω .

The magnitude of the solid angle is the ratio of the area of ​​the subtending surface to the radius of the sphere.

Ω = S/R²

That is, if we take, for example, a sphere with a radius of one meter, then a solid angle of one steradian will “cut” a spot on its surface with an area of ​​one square meter.

Why know this? The fact is that the concept of luminous intensity is directly related to the solid angle. Specifically, a luminous flux of one lumen, propagating in a space limited by a solid angle of one steradian, has a luminous intensity of one candela. Mathematically, this relationship looks like this:

I = Ф/ Ω

And if we talk about the energy intensity of light equal to one candela, then this is 1/683 W/sr.

By the way, the candela is one of the seven basic quantities of the SI system.

Candela literally means candle in Latin. This is exactly that “relic of the past” that was already mentioned above, but it very clearly shows the entire interconnection of quantities.

Let's explain in the figure:

So, there is a point source of light - a candle. Its burning wick emits light with an intensity of one candela (item 1).

In a space limited by a solid angle equal to one steradian (item 2), a luminous flux (item 3) equal to one lumen will propagate. At a certain distance from the source (radius of the sphere - position 4), this flow illuminates the surface of a certain area (position 5). Looking ahead, we will immediately say that if the area is equal to one square meter, then under such conditions in this “light spot” an illumination equal to one lux (lx) is provided.

If we return to the candle as a reference light source, then it is easy to calculate its total luminous flux. A complete sphere has a solid angle of 4π, that is, with slight rounding, it is equal to 12.56 steradians. This means that a candle emitting light of one candela in all directions produces a total luminous flux of 12.56 lumens.

It is interesting that not so long ago the emissivity of light sources was assessed “in candles”. For example, they said that you need a “light bulb for sixty candles.” Sellers and buyers understood each other perfectly - a 60 W incandescent light bulb was purchased, although, in fact, these quantities are in no way related to each other in this case, from the point of view of physics. And what’s funny is that it was close to the truth.

Let's see - 60 candles of 12.56 lumens will give a total of 753.6 lumens. Let's look at the table above - an incandescent lamp with a consumption of 60 watts has a luminous flux of approximately 700 lumens. Very close!

But, we repeat, a correct assessment of light sources should still be carried out in lumens.

Light brightness

Another parameter worth considering is the brightness of the light source. The fact is that there is practically no need to deal with point sources. That is, most sources have some specific emitting surface. And with an equal luminous flux, but a different area of ​​light emission, it will be perceived differently by vision.

That is, in essence, brightness is the strength of light emitted from a certain unit area of ​​the visible surface of a light source.

It is clear that the unit of brightness will be candela per square meter.

This is an important value, since the organs of vision, when looking at a light source, react, rather, not to the intensity of light as such, but rather to brightness. When its value is large (over 160 thousand candelas per square meter), the light can cause eye irritation, pain, and tearfulness. That's why lighting manufacturers produce lamps with frosted bulbs. With virtually no loss of luminous flux, the radiation does not come specifically from an incandescent filament or LED with their small areas, but from a much larger surface area of ​​the bulb. This glow is much safer for the retina of the eye and is perceived much more comfortably by vision.

Surface illumination

Finally, we got to the lighting. This value can be considered the most applied, since it is the illumination of a particular area that is assessed general work lighting fixtures.

Figuratively speaking, illumination (E) is the surface density of the luminous flux (F) distributed over a particular area (S). If we approach it with some simplification, then this can be expressed by the following formula:

As we saw above, one lumen of luminous flux on an area of ​​one square meter creates an illumination equal to one lux (lx).

Illumination depends on a number of factors, even if you do not take into account the own characteristics of the light source.

  • Firstly, the further the source is located from the illuminated surface, the larger the area of ​​the “light spot” (remember the solid angle cone). That is, the luminous flux is distributed over a larger area. Moreover, as we remember, this dependence is quadratic. That is, when the distance changes by half, the illumination will decrease by four times, by three times by nine times, etc.

If we consider a point source, we can apply Kepler’s formula:

We will not repeat the meaning of the quantities included in the formula - they are given above.

  • Secondly, the Kepler formula shown above is valid only for a surface perpendicular to the direction of the light flux. In reality, of course, this does not happen often. That is, in the case when the illuminated plane is located at some angle α to the direction of the flow, corrections have to be made for this:

E = (I / r²) × cos α.

Remember - when you need to illuminate a surface as brightly as possible, you point the flashlight perpendicular to it. But if you place it at an angle, the illumination will drop sharply, since the light seems to be “smeared” across the surface.

  • Thirdly, the illumination of a particular area also depends on its, so to speak, surroundings. The fact is that most surfaces do not absorb all the light that hits them, but largely reflect it. And thus they themselves become original sources of light.

Let's remember what was said in the section about the brightness of the glow. Yes, indeed, the brightness of such illuminated areas is not particularly high. But the radiation comes from a decent area, and as a result a very significant luminous flux is created.

And the brightness of such an illuminated surface depends both on its illumination and on its diffuse reflectivity, which has a separate name - albedo. The higher the albedo, the brighter the glow. And since it’s brighter, the “secondary” color flow is more studied.

Some illustrative examples reflected light. A sheet of white paper with illumination of only 50 lux will have a brightness of 15 cd/m². The glow of the full moon (and this, as we know, is sunlight reflected from its surface) is characterized by a brightness of 2500 cd/m². And the surface of pure white snow on a sunny day reaches a brightness of up to 3000 cd/m². Quite a lot!

This phenomenon is very widely used in the organization of lighting and in the design of rooms. Entire model lines of lamps are produced that are specially designed to be directed towards walls or ceilings, that is, it is the illuminated areas that are included in the work of general lighting of the room. The same effect is used when creating multi-tiered ceiling structures with LED strip lighting.

It is easy to guess that the illumination of the room will depend on the chosen style of its decoration. The same light bulb, say, in a white room will provide much greater illumination than in one painted in dark colors.

Since the final expected result of the operation of lighting devices is the creation of comfortable and healthy lighting indicators in the room, it is the value of surface illumination that is subject to regulation. Legislative acts (SNiP and SanPiN) indicate what illumination should be achieved in various rooms, depending on their purpose.

Thus, the current SNiP 23-05-95 in its updated version (Code of Rules SP 52.13330.2011) specifies the following standard illumination indicators for residential buildings:

Type (purpose) of the premisesIllumination standards in accordance with current SNiP, luxury
Living rooms150
Children's rooms200
Office, workshop or library300
Cabinet for precision drawing work500
Kitchen150
Shower room, separate or combined bathroom, bathroom50
Sauna, locker room, swimming pool100
Entrance hall, corridor, hall50
Entrance lobby30
Stairs and landings20
Wardrobe75
Sports (gym) room150
Billiard room300
Storage room for strollers or bicycles30
Technical rooms – boiler room, pump room, electrical control room, etc.20
Auxiliary passages, including in attics and basements20
Area at the main entrance to the house (porch)6
Area at the emergency or technical entrance4
Pedestrian path at the entrance to the house for 4 meters4

In this case, the assessment of illumination should be carried out on a horizontal plane at floor height. For stairs - both at floor height and on transition platforms and steps.

To assess the level of illumination, they are used special devices– lux meters. They consist of a photodetector with a spherical sensor surface, and a converter unit with an analog (arrow) or digital indication of readings.

It is clear that a lux meter is a highly specialized, expensive device that is used by specialists, and which is absolutely not required to have at home. But understanding the basic photometric quantities will not hurt any owner of a house or apartment.

For what? - many may ask. Yes, at least in order to be able to independently plan the use of certain light sources in order to achieve required illumination. After all, the health and general mood of all family members directly depends on it.

The practical position of this knowledge will be discussed in the next section of the publication.

Colorful temperature

To finish the conversation about the main characteristics of light sources, it is necessary to dwell on their color temperature.

With completely equal indicators of the emitted luminous flux, one light bulb can give a warm yellowish color, another - a neutral white, and a third, for example, can glow with a cold shade of blue. How to distinguish them by this parameter? A special color temperature scale has been developed for this purpose.

Let's make a reservation right away - there is no connection between the air temperature in the room or the heating temperature of the light source itself. The glow of a physical body heated to high temperatures is simply taken as a standard.

Any body, if its temperature is above absolute zero, is itself a source infrared radiation. As the temperature rises, the wavelength of this radiation changes, and at a certain moment it reaches the visible part of the spectrum.

Probably everyone has observed this - when heated, a metal rod first turns red, then begins to glow with a bright red light; you can heat it, as they say, “white-hot.” And when performing electric welding work, when the arc temperature reaches very high levels, the melting metal can acquire a blue tint.

It is this gradation that forms the basis of the color temperature scale. It is indicated in Kelvin - and on the scale you can see what kind of glow the lamp will emit.

This color temperature is usually indicated in the lamp labeling. Sometimes it is accompanied by a text explanation, or even a miniature scale showing in which region of the visible spectrum the lamp will glow.

The choice of lamps based on their color temperature depends on what kind of environment you plan to maintain in the room. Of course, a subjective factor will also play a significant role here - that is, the preferences of the owners. And there are no ready-made “recipes” for this. But the table below provides a recommended overview of lamps based on their glow. Perhaps this will help someone when choosing.

Colorful temperatureVisual perceptionPossible definitions of the created atmosphereTypical Applications
2700 KWarm lightOpen, warm, friendly, cozy, relaxingLiving rooms, hotel lobbies, small boutiques, restaurants, cafes
3000 KWhite lightIntimate, friendly, conducive to communicationLiving rooms, libraries, shops, offices
3700 KNeutral lightFriendly, conducive to communication, giving a feeling of security, increasing attentivenessMuseums and exhibition halls, bookstores, offices
4100 KCold lightFocus-promoting, clean, clear, productiveTraining premises, design bureaus, offices, Bolgitsy, large stores, train stations
5000 - 6500 KCold daylightDisturbing, overly bright, emphasizing colors, sterile, tiring over timeMuseums, jewelry stores, some offices in medical institutions

Carrying out independent calculations.

As promised, this section of the publication will discuss the algorithm for calculating illumination. More precisely, to be more correct, the calculation has just the opposite direction. That is, we already know the normal illumination value. And calculations should lead us to the result of how many lamps and with what luminous flux will be required to provide it.

General formula for calculations

So, let's start with the formula that will serve as the basis for our calculations.

Fl = (En × Sp × k × q) / (Nc × n × η)

Fl- this is the luminous flux of the lamp that needs to be installed in the lamp. That is, this is the very value that is the purpose of the calculations.

Yong- standard illumination of surfaces, depending on the type of room. It corresponds to the parameters established by SNiP and given above in the table. That is, we start from the standard value.

Sp- area of ​​the illuminated surface. Usually the area of ​​the room appears here if the general lighting is calculated. But if the goal is to calculate the illumination of a local area (for example, working area), then it is the area of ​​this zone that is substituted.

k- correction factor, which is often called the safety factor. Its introduction takes into account several circumstances affecting the luminous efficiency of lamps. Firstly, many lamps begin to waste their emitting potential over time, or, simply put, to dim. Secondly, the emissivity can be influenced by some external factors- this is the dustiness of the room or, say, a high concentration of steam, which prevents the free propagation of light rays.

Since we are talking about residential premises, where dense steam should not exist, and dust is removed by regular cleaning, then the second group of factors can be discounted. And for the gradual loss of emissivity, the coefficient for different types lamps can be adopted as follows:

Fluorescent lamps (gas discharge): 1.2;

Conventional incandescent and halogen lamps: 1.1;

LED lamps: 1.0.

q- a coefficient that takes into account the uneven glow of certain types of lamps. It is taken equal to:

For incandescent lamps and gas-discharge mercury lamps: 1.2;

For compact fluorescent lamps incandescent and LED light sources: 1.1.

Let's move on to the denominator of the fraction.

Nc- the number of lighting fixtures planned for installation in the room or in a separate zone for which the calculation is being carried out.

n- the number of horns in the lamp planned for installation.

It is probably clear that the product of the last two values ​​shows how many lamps are planned for installation. For example, one five-arm chandelier is installed. Then Nc=1, and n=5. Or you plan to illuminate the room with two devices, each with three light bulbs: Nc=2, a n=3, But if the lighting is provided by one device with one lamp, both of these quantities will be equal to one.

η - luminous flux utilization factor. This correction value takes into account many factors relating to both the characteristics of the room and the specifics of the lighting fixtures planned for installation.

Since it is precisely this coefficient that remains an unknown value, calculations should begin with it.

Finding the luminous flux utilization factor

This value can be called a tabular empirical value. It depends on the area of ​​the room, and on the location of the lamp, and on the main direction of the light flux, and on the finishing of the flux surfaces, walls and floors.

First of all, to enter the table you will have to define the so-called premises index. It takes into account the dimensions of the room, moreover, precisely in the ratio of length and width, since in square room and in an elongated rectangular shape the light flux will still spread differently. And secondly, it takes into account the height of the lamp above the illuminated surface. As we remember, according to SNiP requirements, illumination is assessed on a horizontal plane at floor level.

Important - sometimes the height of the ceiling in a room is confused with the installation height of the lamp. But this is still not the same thing! For example, a lighting fixture can be mounted on a wall (sconce), mounted on a stand, or placed on a table or bedside table (floor lamp or desk lamp), suspended from the flow at a certain distance from ceiling surface(chandelier).

The formula probably won't tell you anything. It’s better to suggest using an online calculator to determine this room index.

One of the most important indicators of creating comfortable conditions habitat taken into account during the construction of any objects is the level of lighting in its premises. The influence of this factor on human health and ability to work is so great that it must first of all be taken into account when equipping production sites. In this regard, it is important to understand in what terms the illumination of an object is usually measured, and what units are used in its calculation.

Lighting units

The unit of illumination measurement is lux (Lx), defined as the amount of luminous flux per unit of illuminated area (usually a square meter). In accordance with the definition of this indicator, special lighting standards are introduced in production premises in lux (Lx).

Formula for calculation

The calculated indicator that determines the level of illumination in a room or its power is called luminous flux and is measured in lumens (Lm). A very simple formula is used to calculate one lux.

Thus, the illumination of a specific area changes in proportion to the luminous flux emanating from its source. The further away a given object is from the emitter, the lower its illumination will be.

Of particular interest is the situation when the illumination of a particular area occurs at a certain angle. In this case, the desired indicator changes its value (decreases) in proportion to the angle of incidence of the light.

In addition, this value for each specific room is determined by the purpose of the latter, as well as by the features of the use of the illuminated area. If it is necessary to evaluate this indicator, its standardized value established for a particular object by the current standards is used.

Additional note. Thus, in an office space, the illumination level can vary from 20 to 300 Lux (depending on the type of work performed in it).

For warehouses, the illumination level is standardized at 50 Lux.

Human factor and nature of activity

When calculating the illumination standard, the following should be taken into account: individual characteristics human vision, for which several categories are introduced. Each of them takes into account the factor of eye strain when performing certain types of work operations. Thus, jewelry and similar work is possible only in conditions of maximum illumination. And to create a general light background in industrial premises, the average value of this indicator is sufficient.

Let us add that when assessing the amount of illumination, the actual conditions in which the production activities of the personnel located at the site are carried out are also taken into account. According to the criterion of the type of activity, all premises are divided into the following operational categories:

  • Constant presence at the workplace;
  • The periodic nature of the operations performed (taking into account the permanent stay in it);
  • Non-permanent activity during a short stay in the work area;
  • Presence at the workplace as an outside observer.

In addition, according to expert assessment, light has a direct impact on a person’s well-being and performance. It is for this reason that poor lighting in the work area causes poor health, decreased attentiveness and concentration, as well as mental fatigue.

On the other hand, too bright light leads to irritation and can cause severe stress. So the best decision is to choose a light level that would ensure good human performance and safety.

Measurement methods

The actual illumination of a room is measured using special instruments, which usually include an exposure meter or exposure meter, as well as a lux meter (photometer). The main tool used in everyday measurement of illumination (both natural and artificial) is a lux meter.

Such devices, in turn, are divided into analog and digital, and the first of them are outdated models, so they are used to measure illumination quite rarely.

Modern digital and pointer devices are usually used in the following situations:

  • If necessary, certification verification of places of permanent work;
  • To compare current illumination indicators with standardized parameters (when installing lighting devices, in particular);
  • When checking the current level of illumination to the standards established by GOST.

The operation of a lux meter is based on the simplest principle, according to which a sensitive sensor (photocell) is built into it. When a light flux hits this element, a powerful electron flow is generated in it, the result of which is an electric current.

Important! The strength of this current is directly proportional to the amount of light entering the photocell.

It is this parameter (the amount of light per unit area) that is displayed on the meter display.

Ripple value

It is known that almost all lighting devices emit an uneven luminous flux, characterized by the presence of small pulsations. This effect is invisible to the normal eye, which does not mean that it has no effect on human vision. The danger of such pulsations lies in the fact that they are not felt directly, but indirectly affect the human psyche. This effect manifests itself in the form of loss of sleep, a feeling of weakness in the body, as well as depression and a certain discomfort.

To understand what the pulsation coefficient is, it is enough to know that it characterizes the change in luminous flux per unit area over a certain time.

To calculate it, a very simple formula is used, according to which you need to subtract its minimum value from the maximum illumination value in lux (Lx) and bring this difference to a unit of time. After this, the result obtained is divided by the average value of this parameter, and then multiplied by 100%.

Note! According to the requirements of regulations, for funds general lighting at existing industrial facilities this figure should not exceed 20%.

For the case of special lighting used in the mode of conducting long-term visual operations, this figure should not be more than 5%. Moreover, harmonics with a frequency of up to 300 Hz are usually taken into account in the composition of pulsation signals, since a higher range is not perceived by the human eye and does not affect his psyche in any way.

Ripple factor measurement

To measure the magnitude and frequency of pulsations, fairly simple and reliable light-sensitive devices belonging to the group of heart rate monitors are used.

Using such meters, you can determine the following characteristics:

  • Luminosity level radiating surfaces(monitors, for example) and other artificial light devices;
  • The degree of illumination of a particular object within the boundaries of the inspected room;
  • Light pulsations of chandeliers and other household appliances invisible to the eye.
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