How much light is needed in a room depends on the task(s) being performed (contrast, requirements, space, size, etc.). There are three different types of task-oriented lighting: Ambient, Task, and Accent. The light requirement also depends on the ages of the occupants and the importance of speed and accuracy of the task.
- Ambient lighting is general purpose lighting—an example is the lighting used in hallways for safety and security. An illumination of 30–50 fc is generally the maximum that one needs for this purpose.
- Task lighting is lighting that is designed for specific tasks. Reading and writing are the most light-intensive tasks and require about 50 fc at home. Tasks like cooking, sewing, or repairing a wrist watch require more -- about 200–300 fc. However, the area with this level of illumination will be small. Increasing the light everywhere is not required and is a waste of energy.
- Accent lighting is the lighting that is provided to highlight certain objects or areas, for example, the use of floodlights to highlight a painting or a statue. Accent lighting also illuminates walls, so they blend more closely with naturally bright areas like ceilings and windows. Accent lighting can be high intensity or subtle.
Color Rendering Index
Lamps are assigned a color temperature (according to the Kelvin temperature scale) based on their "coolness" or "warmness." The human eye perceives colors as cool if they are at the blue-green end of the color spectrum, and warm if they are at the red end of the spectrum.
Instructions: Click "play" to see examples of the light sources that temperatures represent. (Note: The video has no audio.)
Color Rendering Index
Based on the previous description of color temperature, here are some examples of light sources that a color temperature (measured in Kelvin) might represent.
- 10,000° K - Clear blue sky
- 7,000° K - Overcast sky
- 5,500° K - The Sun at noon
- 4,000° K - Fluorescent light
- 3,000° K - Halogen bulb
- 2,800° K - Light bulb
- 1,900° K - Candle light
- 1,000° K - Sunrise
The ability to see colors properly is another aspect of lighting quality. Objects' colors appear to be different under different types of light. The color rendering index (CRI) scale is used to compare the effect of a light source on the color appearance of its surroundings. A scale of 0 to 100 defines the CRI. A higher CRI means better color rendering, or less color shift.
Instructions: Move the drag button in the center of the picture below to see the difference between low CRI and high CRI.
Factors Affecting the Number of Lamps Required
Instructions: Click on the hot spots below to determine the factors that affect the number of lamps required: