lighting solutions

The basics of lighting practice

1. The 'right' lighting for an installation depends on the areas included and what they are normally used for. Table 1 on Lighting Design: Preparing a Scheme, adapted from the CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) Code for Interior Lighting, gives the recommended light level in lux for many typical applications.
2. Once you have worked out the right light level for each area, the next step is to choose the lamp and fittings that will provide that light level most efficiently. 'Lamp Selection and Data' gives the physical characteristics and performance data of the lamps that can be used in Illuma fittings. Each type of lamp has its own characteristics, and it is important to choose the right type of lamp to create the effect you require.
   
   Once you have chosen which lamp you require, you can then choose which Illuma fitting to use by referring to the 'Index by Lamp Type'.
3. Generally the layout of fittings should be symmetrical to make the lighting installation as inconspicuous as possible, The lighting effect produced by the fittings is of first importance, but you should also consider the appearance of the fittings themselves and the installation as a whole. If you are lighting displays that are often changed, track and spotlights provide more flexibility than downlights.
4. Although most working surfaces are horizontal (shop counters, desktops, bars, etc), it is very important to make sure the walls are well lit to make the installation look bright. For example, if the spacing between fittings is two metres, the distance from the wall to the first fitting should be no more than one metre. In fact, it is generally recommended that the first fitting should be between 0.3m and 0.5m from the wall.
5. Where appropriate, you can create interest and draw attention to different areas (such as merchandise displays, cash registers, reception desks etc), or objects (such as paintings, pictures, sculptures, plants etc) by lighting them more brightly. To highlight areas or objects effectively, the light level needs to be three to four times brighter than the general light level.
   
   You can achieve this with different lamp types, wattages or beam angles (for example, a 12V, 50W lamp with 10° beam will give a brighter light than a 12V 50W lamp with 60° beam), or with more fittings, or by using dimmers to vary light levels as required.
6. When lighting shop windows, it is important to avoid the 'mirror effect' that happens when the light level outside is brighter than that inside: the brighter the light outside, the brighter the light required inside. It is worth considering dimming and/or multiple circuits (3-circuit track is an ideal solution) to vary the light level in the window at different times for the most effective and efficient results. At night you need very little light to create a dramatic and eye-catching effect, during the daytime you will need more light to create the same effect, and on a sunny day you will need three to four times the light level to compete with the light outside. Unfortunately, if the shop window is in direct sunlight it is impossible to avoid the mirror effect on very sunny days, even with the best lighting.
7. It is important to consider maintenance of the lighting installation. The fittings will need cleaning from time-to-time, and lamps will need to be replaced. If the ceiling is high and access is difficult, it may be better to use lamps with a long lite, such as compact fluorescent or discharge lamps, that will require replacing less often.