This document discusses sources of error when measuring illumination levels and how to correct for them. It describes cosine error that occurs when light is measured from wide-angle sources and how to correct for it by orienting the light meter perpendicular to the light sources or using a special scale. It also notes temperature can affect light meter readings and the meter should be calibrated to the temperature of the space being measured. The document concludes portable visual photometers work by observing the brightness of a calibrated test plate and comparing it to a reference surface through an eyepiece.
This document discusses sources of error when measuring illumination levels and how to correct for them. It describes cosine error that occurs when light is measured from wide-angle sources and how to correct for it by orienting the light meter perpendicular to the light sources or using a special scale. It also notes temperature can affect light meter readings and the meter should be calibrated to the temperature of the space being measured. The document concludes portable visual photometers work by observing the brightness of a calibrated test plate and comparing it to a reference surface through an eyepiece.
This document discusses sources of error when measuring illumination levels and how to correct for them. It describes cosine error that occurs when light is measured from wide-angle sources and how to correct for it by orienting the light meter perpendicular to the light sources or using a special scale. It also notes temperature can affect light meter readings and the meter should be calibrated to the temperature of the space being measured. The document concludes portable visual photometers work by observing the brightness of a calibrated test plate and comparing it to a reference surface through an eyepiece.
when measuring illumination in large areas where the luminaire has a
widespread light distribution and in any area where light walls, floors, and ceilings contribute an appreciable amount of flux. Multicell meters such as that shown in Fig. 5-5 are so constructed that the cosine error is nearly eliminated. 8 The Macbeth illuminometer may also be used to avoid this error. Correction for cosine error. The component of illumination contributed by sources at large angles of incidence may be determined by orienting the target perpendicular to the directions from which the light is coming and multiplying the readings thus obtained by the cosines of the angles of inci- dence. A method for correcting this cosine error by means of a special scale and shadow caster which permits the use of the cell in its normal horizontal position has been described and other means have been proposed. 5 ' 10 Temperature effect. Temperature affects cell output, but not in a con- stant or predictable manner. To be on the safe side, the instrument should be calibrated at the air temperature of the space being investigated, preferably within the range of 60 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Pro- longed exposure to temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit will per- manently damage selenium cells. Hence measurements of high levels should be made rapidly to avoid overheating of the cell. Accuracy of meter readings. The microammeter used in connection with photoelectric instruments, in common with other electrical instru- ments, is subject to certain inherent limitations in the form of scale errors which vary in amount with the quality of the instrument. If the instru- ment has more than one scale, these should be so employed that no read- ing is taken in the range from zero to one fourth of full scale. Neglecting the factors noted above, the manufacturing tolerances alone may result in an over-all uncertainty of reading at any point on* the scale of about 7.5 per cent of the full scale reading. Calihration. Cell-type instruments have no provision for field cali- bration other than a zero reading correction. They should be checked frequently against a master instrument of known calibration or returned to a reliable laboratory at frequent intervals for calibration. Portable visual photometers * The portable photometer or illuminometer is a bar photometer on a small scale. There are a number of different types available but the under- lying principles are about the same. A fixed photometer head and moving comparison lamp is often used and some are combined with a photoelectric photometer. When using the portable photometer to measure illumination, it is customary to observe the brightness of a calibrated test plate. For brightness determinations, the field to be observed is seen directly through the eyepiece, and balanced with the comparison surface. This type of photometer is usually accompanied by a set of neutral and colored filters, which respectively extend the range and produce an approximate color