Module 2: Artificial and Natural Lighting Sources PDF

Module 2: Artificial Illumination and Daylighting Topic 1: Natural and Artificial Lighting Sources What is Light? Light is the smallest quantity of energy that can be transported. Natural Lighting Natural lighting, also known as daylighting emanates either from the sun, stars or fire. It is a tec...

Module 2: Artificial Illumination and Daylighting Topic 1: Natural and Artificial Lighting Sources What is Light? Light is the smallest quantity of energy that can be transported. Natural Lighting Natural lighting, also known as daylighting emanates either from the sun, stars or fire. It is a technique that efficiently brings natural light into your home using exterior glazing (windows, skylights, etc.), thereby reducing artificial lighting requirements and saving energy. Natural lighting has been proven to increase health and comfort levels for building occupants. Natural lighting, which produces heat and color, comes from the radiation given off by the sun. Natural Light The sun emits radiation over the full range of wavelengths, but the earth’s atmosphere blocks a lot of ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiations. Sources of Natural Lighting Effective natural lighting will admit natural light, but will avoid admittance of direct sun on task surfaces or into occupants' eyes. Daylight inside a home can come from three sources: 1. Direct Sunlight – incorporating external glazing’s into occupants’ stay. Various examples include windows and skylights, which means placing a glass on a roof. This allows light to pass through from the top.  2. External Reflection – light reflecting off of ground surfaces, adjacent buildings, light shelves, and wide window sills. Excessive reflectance is undesirable as it causes glare. 3. Internal Reflection – light reflecting off of internal walls, ceiling, and the floor at home. This also includes high reflective surfaces such as smooth or glossy surfaces, light colored finishes, and mirrors around the room. Benefits of Natural Lighting It is really beneficial for health.  Vitamin D – When our skin exposes to the sun, it absorbs vitamin D. This vitamin helps prevents bone loss, reduces heart diseases, weight gain and various cancers.  Mental Health – For places that experiences four seasons, during autumn natural light becomes more important. The article shows that 6% of the  population experiences depression when autumns begin. Getting natural light can help to prevent depression.  Better sleep – Numerous studies have shown that more exposure to sunlight results in better sleep. Artificial Lighting Artificial lighting as its name implies is generated artificially. Artificial lighting sources can consist of a filament that uses electricity or halogen gas to glow, or an electronic device that emits light. Common examples are light-emitting diodes (LED), incandescent bulb and fluorescent bulb. Thanks to technology, we are able to control the quality, color and brightness of artificial lighting. Artificial lighting is a necessity in our everyday lives. It helps us to work during hours of poor lighting and illuminate our night. Most of the current technology heavily relies on artificial light. This includes smartphones, lamps, televisions, laptops, car lights and etc. Artificial lighting is not ideal for photosynthesis or health of life forms such as plants. Artificial Light Benefits of Artificial Lighting  Modern Life – In the past, humans are only productive during day time. However, with the introduction of artificial light, unlike fire or gas lamps. Artificial lighting is brighter and enables us to stay awake longer to do more productive work which led to innovations and inventions.  Mental Health – As mentioned above for natural light. Artificial Light can help prevent depression. Artificial Lighting Sources Incandescent Bulb The traditional bulb-type lamp with a glowing filament, once commonly used in residential applications. They are generally considered to be the least energy- efficient choice of electric lamp but are inexpensive, turn on instantly and come in a range of sizes and shapes. Fluorescent Bulb Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are available in various sizes and fittings and can be used in place of incandescent lamps without changing light fixtures. They are generally more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs. Some are dimmable and are compatible with other lighting controls. CFLs come in globe, spiral, floodlight and reflector variants. Fluorescent Tube Compact Fluorescent Lamps Light-Emitting Diode (LED) LEDs are a rapidly developing lighting technology and one of the most energy- efficient lamps available. Compared to incandescent lamps, they can use around 75% less energy and can last 25 times longer although they can be more expensive. They are generally highly regarded for their comparable or better-quality light output compared to other lighting types. Types of Artificial Lighting (Types of Lighting Method) The type of artificial light source chosen will depend on the type of space the lighting is for (office, living room, bathroom etc); the quality and type of light required for the space, and the energy consumption of the light fitting. 1. Ambient Lighting This is the general artificial lighting that provides overall illumination indoors for daily activities, and outdoors for safety and security. It can provide an even spread of light to give a comfortable level of brightness for most people to be able to see reasonably well and navigate safely around the room. Typically, it can be provided by a pendant fitting or ceiling downlights. 2. Task Lighting This allows the completion of tasks such as reading, studying and way-finding. It is used where ambient light levels are insufficient for the task in hand. Facilitates particular tasks that require more light than is needed for general illumination, such as under-counter kitchen lights, table lamps, or bathroom mirror lights. 3. Accent Lighting This type of lighting imparts drama and character and allows certain features regarded of interest to be highlighted. It draws attention to special features or enhances the aesthetic qualities of an indoor or outdoor environment. Architectural Lamps Table Lamps Desk Lamps Architectural Lighting Architectural lighting is the intersection of art (architecture) and technology (lighting). Architectural lighting is illumination for building design and function. It focuses with the building’s interior or exterior aesthetic or character. Importance of Architectural Lighting To create a successful balance between lighting and architecture, it’s important to remember three key aspects of architectural lighting: 1. Aesthetic Aesthetic is where designers and architects focus on the emotional impact the balance of lighting and architecture will have on occupants. It’s where designers determine how they want people to feel when they walk around a space. 2. Function Areas should be illuminated so occupants feel safe when navigating a room or entire building. They should be able to see the floor and walls around them, which should create a feeling of reassurance. 3. Efficiency One thing to create a breathtaking layout that is by energy efficient. This can be done by assuring the majority of the light is reaching its target and there is less wasted light. Reducing the amount of wasted light will make the building more efficient. An easy way this can be done is to install LEDs instead of fluorescent lighting. Because of the technology, there is less wasted light with LEDs than fluorescent due to the directional nature of LEDs.