Principles of Good Lighting

PRINCIPLES OF GOOD LIGHTING
Good lighting aims at providing the following:
 adequate illuminance for the execution of task,
 a good distribution of the work plane illuminance,
 flicker and glare free lighting,
 suitable brightness ratios,
 a good diffusion of light with appropriate modelling effect and
 acceptable colour environment.
QUANTITY OF LIGHTING
One of the most obvious measures of the adequacy of light is the task illuminance. If the size of
the critical detail of any visual task and its reflection characteristics are known, it is possible to
state the appropriate value of illuminance which will enable the visual task to be performed
satisfactorily. Good lighting requires the consideration of safety and welfare along with that of
visual efficiency. One of the most obvious measures of the adequacy of light is the task
illuminance. The recommended values of task illuminance are given in IS: 3646 (Part 2)-1966
‘Code of practice for interior illumination: Part 2 Schedule for values of illumination and glare
index’. IS : 3646 (Part l)-1966 recommends that the illuminance of all working areas within a
building should generally by 150 lux, even if the visual demands are satisfied by lower values.
DISTRIBUTION OF WORK PLANE ILLUMINANCE
It is desirable to provide reasonably uniform general illumination over the entire utilizable area
of a room. IS : 3646 (Part l)-1966 recommends that the diversity ratio of minimum to maximum
work plane illuminance should not be less than 0.7. Maximum spacing to mounting height or
ceiling height ratios are generally specified for different types of luminaires for attaining
reasonable uniformity. In day lighting design also, the uniformity of illuminance should be
improved by suitable positioning of windows and by increasing the internal reflected component
of daylight.
FLICKER
The combination of light from lamps on two electrical circuits, one lagging and the other leading
in phase, reduces the stroboscopic effects arising out of cyclic variation of light output.
Similarly, operation of lamps from 3-phase power system also reduces such effects in an
installation. The flicker in fluorescent lamps is most noticeable at the ends and these should be
shielded from the direct view.
GLARE FREE LIGHTING
Precautions against excessive glare are the shielding of light sources within the field of view, the
use of light colours on ceiling and walls to reduce contrast, placing the light sources away from
the line of vision wherever possible and restricting the source brightness to reasonable limits.
Disability (reduction in visibility) and discomfort caused by reflectio n of bright sources in
polished or glossy surfaces may be mitigated by arranging the relative positions of the light
sources and the task so that the reflected images of the sources are outside the field of view. Use
of matt surfaces instead of polished surfaces should be preferred to avoid this type of glare.
BRIGHTNESS RATIOS
Proper brightness ratio or brightness contrast between adjacent surfaces is an important

requirement of good lighting. Excessive brightness ratios, even though not severe enough to
cause glare, may be seriously detrimental to lighting quality. Brightnesses in the peripheral field,
if higher than the brightness of the task, tend to distract the eye from the task. High brightness of
the task with relatively low brightness of the surrounding is also undesirable. Brightness ratio
between task and immediate surroundings such as book and the table top should not exceed three
to one. The brightness ratio anywhere in the visual field should not be greater than ten to one.
DIFFUSION AND MODELING
Diffusion: The flow of light from numerous random directions is known as diffusion. It is
measured in terms of the absence of sharp shadows. The degree of diffusion desirable for a task
depends upon the type of work to be performed. Diffuse light is desirable for such critical seeing
task as reading and writing where sharp shadows are detrimental to satisfactory performance of
the task. For preventing specular reflections such as in viewing polished metal surfaces in a
machine shop, a highly diffuse light is essential.
Diffusion of light is achieved by
 using multiple sources preferably with large area low brightness luminaires of indirect
and semi- indirect type, and
 by providing light coloured matt finishes on ceiling, walls, furniture and the floor.
Modeling: The appearance of a three dimensional object is affected by the directional

component of light. Directional light can emphasize the form and texture of an object and make
its appearance more pleasing. Modeling is utilized for improving the visibility of some task
details such as surface irregularities which are almost invisible under diffuse light, and also for
improving the appearance of objects.
A good modelling effect is achieved
 when light appears to flow predominantly from one direction at an angle of 30 0 or more
from the vertical, and
 when the ratio of maximum to minimum illuminance on vertical surfaces through a given
vertical axis is 4 : I;
 higher ratios over 5 : 1 result in harsh shadows and ratios below 2 : I result in softer
shadows.
COLOUR AND COLOUR RENDERING
The apparent colour of a reflecting surface is determined by the spectral reflectance

characteristics of the surface and the spectral composition of light by which it is illuminated. The
appearance of a coloured surface is different for light sources of different spectral composition.
This property of light sources is known as colour rendering.
For such specialized applications like colour matching, colour discrimination processes and
certain inspection tasks, it is desirable to select lamps on the basis of their colour rendering
properties rather than luminous efficacy. In some applications, the advantage can also be taken of
the colour distortion produced by a light source for enhancing the contrast between different
parts of the task. That is why mercury vapour lamps are generally used in coal picking belts in
collieries.

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PRINCIPLES OF GOOD LIGHTING

Good lighting aims at providing the following:

 adequate illuminance for the execution of task,

 a good distribution of the work plane illuminance,

 flicker and glare free lighting,

 suitable brightness ratios,

 a good diffusion of light with appropriate modelling effect and

 acceptable colour environment.

DISTRIBUTION OF WORK PLANE ILLUMINANCE

GLARE FREE LIGHTING

Proper brightness ratio or brightness contrast between adjacent surfaces is an important

DIFFUSION AND MODELING

Diffusion of light is achieved by

Modeling: The appearance of a three dimensional object is affected by the directional

A good modelling effect is achieved

COLOUR AND COLOUR RENDERING

The apparent colour of a reflecting surface is determined by the spectral reflectance

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