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Lumens Formula:
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The Lumens calculation determines the total luminous flux required to properly illuminate a room based on its area and the desired lighting level measured in footcandles. This helps in selecting appropriate lighting fixtures for optimal illumination.
The calculator uses the lumens formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the total lumens needed by multiplying the room area by the recommended footcandles level for the specific room type and purpose.
Details: Proper lighting is essential for visual comfort, productivity, safety, and creating the desired ambiance. Insufficient lighting can cause eye strain, while excessive lighting wastes energy and creates glare.
Tips: Enter room area in square feet and the recommended footcandles level for your specific room type. Common footcandles values range from 10-50 for general lighting to 50-100 for task lighting.
Q1: What are typical footcandles values for different rooms?
A: Living rooms: 10-20 fc, Kitchens: 30-40 fc, Offices: 50-75 fc, Reading areas: 50-100 fc, Hallways: 5-10 fc.
Q2: How do I convert square meters to square feet?
A: Multiply square meters by 10.764 to get square feet (1 m² = 10.764 ft²).
Q3: What's the difference between lumens and footcandles?
A: Lumens measure total light output (luminous flux), while footcandles measure illuminance (light falling on a surface per unit area).
Q4: Can I use this for outdoor lighting calculations?
A: This calculator is designed for indoor room lighting. Outdoor lighting requires different considerations for ambient light and specific purposes.
Q5: How many lumens do I need per square foot?
A: This varies by room purpose. Generally, 10-20 lumens per square foot for ambient lighting, 30-50 for task lighting, and 50-75 for detailed work areas.