Lumen Method

 The quantity of light reaching a certain surface is usually the main

consideration in designing a lighting system. This quantity of light is specified by
Illuminance measured in lux, and as this level varies across the working plane, an
average figure is used. CIBSE Lighting Guides give values of Illuminance that are
suitable for various areas. The section - Lighting Levels in these notes also gives
Illuminance values.  The lumen method is used to determine the number of lamps
that should be installed for a given area or room.
Calculating for the Lumen Method
  The method is a commonly used technique of lighting design,
which is valid, if the light fittings (luminaries) are to be mounted overhead
in a regular pattern. The luminous flux output (lumens) of each lamp needs
to be known as well as details of the luminaires and the room surfaces.
Usually the illuminance is already specified e.g. office 500 lux, kitchen
300 lux, the designer chooses suitable luminaires and then wishes to know
how many are required.
The number of lamps is given by the formula:
 where,
N = number of lamps required.
E = illuminance level required (lux)
A = area at working plane height (m2)
F = average luminous flux from each lamp (lm)
UF= utilization factor, an allowance for the light distribution of the luminaire
and the room surfaces.
MF= maintenance factor, an allowance for reduced light output because of
deterioration and dirt.
 
 
Example 1
 
A production area in a factory measures 60 meters x 24 meters.
Find the number of lamps required if each lamp has a Lighting Design
Lumen (LDL) output of 18,000 lumens.
The illumination required for the factory area is 200 lux.
Utilization factor = 0.4
Lamp Maintenance Factor = 0.75
N = (200 lux x 60m x 24m) / (18,000 lumens x 0.4 x 0.75)
N = 53.33
N = 54 lamps.
 
 
 Spacing
 
The aim of a good lighting design is to approach uniformity in
illumination over the working plane. Complete uniformity is impossible in
practice, but an acceptable standard is for the minimum to be at least 70%
of the maximum illumination level. This means, for example, that for a
room with an illumination level of 500 lux, if this is taken as the minimum
level, then the maximum level in another part of the room will be no higher
than 714 lux as shown below.
 
500 / 0.7 = 714 lux
 
Data in manufacturer's catalogues gives the maximum ratio between the
spacing (centre to centre) of the fittings and their height (to lamp centre)
above the working plane (0.85 meters above f.f.l.)
 Example 2
Using data in the previous example show the lighting design layout below.
The spacing to mounting height ratio is 3: 2.
The mounting height (Hm) = 4 meters.
The spacing between lamps is calculated from Spacing/Hm ratio of 3 : 2.
If the mounting height is 4 m then the maximum spacing is:
3/2 = Spacing / 4
Spacing = 1.5 x 4 = 6 meters
The number of rows of lamps is calculated by dividing the width of the
building (24 m) by the spacing:
24 / 6 = 4 rows of lamps
 This can be shown below. Half the spacing is used for the ends of rows.
The number of lamps in each row can be calculated by dividing the total
number of lamps found in example 1 by the number of rows.
 
Total lamps 54 / 4 = 13.5 goes up to nearest whole number =
14 lamps in each row.
 
The longitudinal spacing between lamps can be calculated by dividing the
length of the building by the number of lamps per row.
Length of building 60 m / 14 = 4.28 meters
There will be half the spacing at both ends = 4.28 / 2
= 2.14 meters
 
For more even spacing the layout should be re-considered. The spacing
previously was 6 m between rows and 4.28 m between lamps. 
If 5 rows of 11 lamps were used then the spacing would be: 
Spacing between rows = 24 / 5 = 4.8 meters
Spacing between lamps = 60 / 1 = 5.45 meters
Installed Flux
Sometimes, it is useful to know the total amount of light or flux, which has
to be put into a space. 
Installed flux (lm) = Number of fittings (N) x Number of lamps per
fitting x L.D.L. output of each lamp (F)
Example 3
 A factory measuring 50m x 10m has a lighting scheme consisting of 4
rows of 25 lighting fittings each housing 2No. 65-Watt fluorescent lamps.
 (a) Find the installed flux in total.
(b) What is the installed flux per m2 of floor area.
 
The output of the lamps in the above example may be found from
catalogues. For a 65-Watt fluorescent lamp the Lighting Design Lumens
(LDL) is 4400 lm.
 (a)Installed flux (lm) = N x no. lamps/fitting x F
= 4 x 25 x 2 x 4400 
= 880,000 lumens
 (b)The floor area = 50 x 10 = 500 m2.
 Installed flux per m2 = 880,000 / 500
  = 1760 lm/m2.
 
 Example 4
 A room measures 15m x 7m x 3.6m high and the design illumination is
200 lux on the working plane (0.85 meters above the floor). The
Utilization factor is 0.5 and the Maintenance factor is 0.8. If the LDL
output of each fitting is 2720 lumens, calculate;
(a) The number of fittings required.
(b) The fittings layout.
(c) If the spacing/mounting height ratio is 1: 1 determine whether the
current design is acceptable.
 (a) Number of fittings.
  N = (200 x 15 x 7) / (2720 x 0.5 x 0.8)
  N = 19.3
  N = 20 lamps
 
 
(b) Fittings layout
 For shallow fittings, the mounting height (Hm) may be taken as the
distance from the ceiling to the working plane.
 Therefore Hm = 3.6 - 0.85
Hm = 2.75 meters
 If 3 rows of 7 fittings are considered then the spacing is;
 (c) Spacing/ mounting height.
 Spacing / Hm ratio: 2.33 / 2.75 =0.847
Therefore ratio is 0.85: 1.0
  2.14 / 2.75 =0.778
Therefore ratio is 0.78: 1.0
 
Example 5
A room, as shown below, has a design illumination is 500 lux on the
working plane (0.85 meters above the floor). The Utilization factor is 0.5
and the Maintenance factor is 0.8. If the LDL output of each fitting is 2720
lumens, calculate;
(a) The number of fittings required.
(b) The fittings layout.
(c) If the spacing/mounting height ratio is 1: 1 determine whether the
current design is acceptable.
 (a)N = (500 x 10 x 12) / (2720 x0.5x0.8)
  N = 55.15 
N = 56 lamps.
 (b)Spacing, say 8 lamps x 7 rows.
 Spacing along 12 m wall= 12 / 8 = 1.50 m
 Spacing along 10 m wall= 10 / 7 = 1.43 m
(c)Mounting height = 3.0 - 0.85 = 2.15 m
  Desired Ratio = 1:1
  Actual ratio = 1.5 / 2.15 =0.69
Therefore ratio is 0.69: 1.0
  Actual ratio = 1.43 / 2.15 =0.67
Therefore ratio is 0.67: 1.0
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2. Lumen Method Calculations

 
The lumen method is based on fundamental lighting calculations. The lumen method
formula is easiest to appreciate in the following form.

(1)
Where E = average illuminance over the horizontal working plane
     n = number of lamps in each luminaire
     N = number of luminaire
    F = lighting design lumens per lamp, i.e. initial bare lamp luminous  flux
     UF = utilization factor for the horizontal working plane
     LLF = light loss factor
          A = area of the horizontal working plane
 2.1 Light Loss Factor
Light loss factor (LLF) is the ratio of the illuminance produced by the lighting
installation at the some specified time to the illuminance produced by the same
installation when new. It allows for effects such as decrease in light output caused by
(a) The fall in lamp luminous flux with hours of use,
(b) The deposition of dirt on luminaire, and
(c) reflectance of room surfaces over time.
In fact, light loss factor is the product of three other factors:

(2)
Where LLMF = lamp lumen maintenance factor
LMF = luminaire maintenance factor
RSMF = room surface maintenance factor
 
2.1.1 Lamp Lumen Maintenance Factor
Lamp lumen maintenance factor (LLMF) is the proportion of the initial light output
of a lamp produced after a set time to those produced when new. It allows for the
decline in lumen output from a lamp with age. Its value can be determined in two
ways:
(a) By consulting a lamp manufacturer's catalog for a lumen depreciation chart, and
(b) By dividing the maintained lumens by the initial lamps.
 
2.1.2 Luminaire Maintenance Factor
 
Luminaire maintenance factor (LMF) is the proportion of the initial light output
from a luminaire after a set time to the initial light output from a lamp after a set time.
It constitutes the greatest loss in light output and is mainly due to the accumulation of
atmospheric dirt on luminaire. Three factors must be considered in its determination:
(a) The type of luminaire,
(b) Atmospheric conditions, and
(c) Maintenance interval.
 
2.1.3 Room Surface Maintenance Factor
Room surface maintenance factor (RSMF) is the proportion of the illuminance
provided by a lighting installation in a room after a set time compared with that
occurred when the room was clean. It takes into account that dirt accumulates on
room surfaces and reduces surface reflectance. Figure 4 shows the typical changes in
the illuminance from an installation that occurs with time due to dirt deposition on the
room surfaces.
 
2.2 Utilization Factor
Utilization factor (UF) is the proportion of the luminous flux emitted by the lamps
which reaches the working plane. It is a measure of the effectiveness of the lighting
scheme. Factors that affect the value of UF are as follows:
(a) Light output ratio of luminaire
(b) Flux distribution of luminaire
(c) Room proportions
(d) Room reflectance
(e) spacing/mounting height ratio
 
2.2.1 Light Output Ratio of Luminaire
Light output ratio of luminaire (LOR) takes into account for the loss of light energy
both inside and by transmission through light fittings. It is given by the following
expression.

(3)
 
Example 1
The total, upward and downward lamp output from a lamp are 1000 lm, 300 lm and
500 lm respectively. Calculate upward light output ratio (ULOR), downward light
output ratio (DLOR), light output ratio (LOR) of luminaire and percentage of light
energy absorbed in luminaire.

Amount of light energy absorbed in luminaire = 100 - 80 = 20 %

A greater DLOR usually means a higher UF.
A simple classification of luminaires according to their distribution is based on flux
fractions, as shown in Figure 5. Upward flux fraction (UFF) and downward flux
fraction (DFF) are used as a basis of comparison.
 
Example 2
For data given in Example 1 determine upward flux fraction (UFF), downward flux
fraction (DFF) and flux fraction ratio (FRR).

 
Figure 5 Flux Fractions of Various Luminaires
 
2.2.2 Flux Distribution of Luminaire
Direct ratio is the proportion of the total downward luminous flux from a
conventional installation of luminaires which his directly incident on the working
plane. It is used to assess the flux distribution of luminaire. Since the intensity
distribution pattern of the light radiated from a luminaire in the lower hemisphere
will affect:
(a) The quantity of the downward flux falls directly on the working plane and
(b) The quantity of flux available for reflection from the walls in a given room,
Direct ratio depends on both the room proportions and the luminaires. Direct ratio
has a low value with a narrow room (small room index) and a luminaire which emits
most of its light sideways (BZ 10), and on the contrary, a high value with a wide room
(large room index) and a luminaire which emits most of its light downwards (BZ 1).
 
2.2.3 Room Proportion
 
Room index (RI) is the ratio of room plan area to half the wall area between the
working and luminaire planes.

(4)
Where L = length of room
W = width of room
Hm = mounting height, i.e. the vertical distance between the working plane and the
luminaire.
 
2.2.4 Room Reflectance
The room is considered to consist of three main surfaces:
(a) The ceiling cavity,
(b) The walls, and
(c) The floor cavity (or the horizontal working plane).
The effective reflectance of the above three surfaces affect the quantity of reflected
light received by the working plane.
 
2.2.5 Spacing to Height Ratio
Spacing to Height ratio (SHR or S/Hm) is defined as the ratio of the distance between
adjacent luminaires (centre to centre), to their height above the working plane. For a
rectangular arrangement of luminaires and by approximation,

(5)
Where A = total floor area
                N = number of luminaires
                Hm = mounting height
Under a regular array of luminaires the illuminance on the working plane is not
uniform. The closer spaced the luminaires for a given mounting height, the higher the
uniformity; or the greater the mounting height for a given spacing, the greater the
uniformity. If uniformity of illuminance is to be acceptable for general lighting,
(a) SHR should not exceed maximum spacing to height ratio (SHR MAX) of the given
luminaire as quoted by the manufacturer, and
(b) Geometric mean spacing to height ratio of the luminaire layout should be within
the range of nominal spacing to height ratio (SHR NOM) of the given luminaire as
quoted by the manufacturer, i.e.

(6)