Light Quality – Footcandle calculations do not consider light quality.

This can result in inaccurate readings in environments with a lot of shadows, such as outdoor areas or rooms with tall furniture.

Shadow Effect – Footcandle calculations do not account for shadows.

Some of the limitations of Footcandle calculations include: While Footcandle calculations are a useful way to determine the amount of light falling onto a surface, they do have some limitations. The IES updated its Footcandle recommendationsĪs you can see, the concept of Footcandle calculations has been around for almost a century, and has continued to evolve with new technologies and research.

The first handheld light meter was invented The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) published the first Footcandle recommendations The table below shows the evolution of Footcandle calculations over time: Year The concept of Footcandle calculations has evolved over time, with new milestones being achieved and new technologies being developed. The Computer-Aided Design (CAD) method is the most accurate and efficient, but is also the most expensive. The Point-By-Point Method is the most accurate, but is also the most time-consuming and requires a lot of data. The Lumen Method is the easiest and most commonly used method, but is not very accurate. The table below outlines different ways to calculate Footcandle, along with their brief advantages, disadvantages, and accuracy level: Method There are several methods used to calculate Footcandles, each with its own advantages, disadvantages, and accuracy level. It also includes how the result was calculated, and has a humorous tone to keep things interesting: IndividualĪs you can see, the Footcandle calculation varies depending on the amount of light emitted by the light source and the area being illuminated. The table below provides examples of Footcandle calculations for different individuals, using the imperial system of measurement where applicable. To better understand how Footcandles are calculated, let’s take a look at some examples. The table below outlines different categories/types/range/levels of Footcandle calculations and their result interpretation, using the imperial system of measurement where applicable: Categoryįor example, a dimly lit environment would be one where there is less than 10 Footcandles of light, while an extremely well-lit environment would have more than 100 Footcandles of light. Different settings require different levels of light, depending on the task being performed. Categories of Footcandle Calculationsįootcandles may be used to determine the amount of light required for various settings. Now, let’s move on to some of the more interesting stuff. The resulting value is the amount of light that falls onto a given surface, in units of Footcandles. Lumens are a measure of the total amount of visible light emitted from a light source, while square feet refers to the area being illuminated.

The formula for calculating Footcandles is as follows:

It is a way of measuring how bright a light source is, and is used in a variety of settings, from photography studios to outdoor lighting. A Footcandle is a unit of measurement used to determine the amount of light that falls onto a surface.

Alternative Methods for Measuring Footcandlesīefore we dive into the nitty-gritty details, let’s start with the basics.The Type III light distribution ensures uniform lighting for parking lots, car dealerships, campuses and plazas. This GLT Lighting pole light is made out of die-cast aluminum and mount on square poles using a Slipfitter mount. The lamps offer 50,000 hours of life and built in 4KV surge protection. This LED area light is built using die cast aluminum and impact resistant lenses and featuries an IP65 rating, provide ample lighting for both indoor and outdoor events. This Bronze led area light delivers 38990 lumens output at 5000K color temperature while consumes 300 watts of power. This LED area light delivers high lumens and long life for a more energy efficient and low maintenance lighting solution. The GLT SAL-300W-UV-T3-50K area lights offers a new and energy efficient way to replace 1000W metal halide fixtures.

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