LIGHTING

Lighting is a form of energy without which there can be no vision. When light strikes an object, It
may be reflected, absorbed or allowed to pass through.

TYPES OF LIGHT

SOURCE BASED CLASSIFICATION

LIGHT

NATURAL ARTIFICIAL

INCANDESCENT
/FILAMENT

FLUROESCENT/
DISCHARGE

LED

NATURAL LIGHT

The bright radiant energy of the sun, daylight, is a major determining factor in the design of hotel
guestrooms and homes, especially where large wall areas have been decorated with glass.

ARTIFICIAL LIGHT

Generally speaking, artificial lighting is lighting which is man made, such as fluorescent, tungsten,
mercury vapor, sodium vapor, halogen, compact fluorescent, et cetera. It can be turned on and off
at a flick of a switch.
INCANDESCENT / FILAMENT

Light is produced by heating any material, usually metal to a temperature at which it glows. Typical
incandescent bulbs have tungsten filament in a sealed glass container. Many gas filled and halogen
lamps with halogen mixed gas filling are also available.

INCANDESCENT LAMPS

1. Glass Bulb with Metallic Filament

2. High Melting Point, Strength & Resistance
3. Low Evaporation
4. Filament heated to incandescence
5. Greater than 40 W- Inert Gas
6. Life 750-1000 Hours
7. Heating causes stains
8. Warm Light
9. Less Distortion of colour
10. Poor Efficiency compared to fluorescent lamps

FLUORESCENT / DISCHARGE
A glass tube with inside coating of fluorescent powder is filled with vaporized mercury and argon.
The ends are then sealed with cathodes. When electric current activates the gases in it, invisible UV
rays cause the fluorescent coating to produce visible light.
Glass Tubes with electrodes
Inert gas ionises Collision of electrons
and mercury Ultraviolet light
Re-radiated by fluorescent coating
Life- 5000 hours
Diffused, flat light
Efficiency three times of incandescent
lamps Suitable for general lighting
Operating Temp- 1/5 of incandescent
Economical
LED LAMP

LIGHT EMITTING DIODES LEDs are very small in size, consume very little power, and are able to
produce extremely high light intensity outputs.

Types of lighting

Direct
Indirect
Diffused
Semi-Indirect

Summary Of Types Of Lighting
Direct Lighting ( 90 to 100 percent of the light is directed downward for maximum use.
Indirect Lighting( 90 to 100 percent of the light is directed to the ceilings and upper walls and is
reflected to all parts of a room.
Semi-Direct Lighting( 60 to 90 percent of the light is directed downward with the remainder
directed upward.
Semi-indirect Lighting ( 60 to 90 percent of the light is directed upward with the remainder
directed downward.

METHODS OF LIGHTING
ARCHITECTURAL AND BUILT-IN LIGHTING
Valance Lighting
Cornice Lighting
Cove Lighting
Track Lighting
Soffit Lighting

VALANCE LIGHTING
A horizontal fluorescent tube is placed behind a valance boards, casting light upward so that it
reflects off the ceiling and also downwards to shine on the drapery, thus producing both direct and
indirect lighting.

CORNICE LIGHTING
A cornice is installed under the ceiling, with a fixture hidden beneath so as to direct light downwards
only. This can give a dramatic effect on drapery, pictures and wall coverings.

COVE LIGHTING
This consists of placing continuous series of fluorescent tubes in a groove along one or more walls of
a room, about 12 inches from the ceiling. The light reflects off the ceiling and bathes the room in
indirect light.

TRACK LIGHTING
Track lighting consists of lamps fixed to the ceiling or wall in an array to offer great variety. One strip
often holds spot light, floodlights, and even hanging fixtures that may be turned around to follow
furniture placement. The tracks can themselves be movable as well, for still more flexible
arrangements.
SOFFIT LIGHTING
This refers to built in light source under a panel. It may be fixed to a ceiling or under a cabinet. Soffit
lighting is often used over a sink or other work areas.

NON-ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING
Ceiling Fixtures
Wall Fixtures
Portable Lamps

CEILING FIXTURE
These are recessed into the ceiling or set flush with it. They may soften light of diffuse. Some may
be in form of soft luminous panels that illuminates large areas evenly.

WALL FIXTURE
These remain out of the way and free table and desk surfaces for other things. At the same time,
they give direct light where it is needed.

PORTABLE LAMPS
Floor and table lamps can be moved when and where needed. They also act as decorative
accessories.