Electrical Engineering Department

Electrical Installations and Drawings (ENEE323)

Lecture Notes
Illumination and Light Sources Characteristics

Definitions:

A Luminary (Luminaire):
It is any device that includes a lamp holder, the means of electrification and support for that device.

Luminous Intensity (I):

It is the measure of the power of a light source or brightness, and is measured in candela (Cd).

Luminous Flux (F):

It is a measure of the flow or amount of light emitted from a source. It is measured in lumen (Lm).

Illuminance or Illumination (E):

It is a measure of the amount of light falling on a surface, it is measured in Lux or lumen/

E=

Luminous efficacy (K):

It is a ratio of luminous flux to electrical input power; it could be thought of as “efficiency” of a light source. It is
measured in lumen /watt (Lm/W).

Maintenance Factor (MF)

Is the loss of light due to collection of dirt and ageing, it should not fall below 0.8. No units!

Coefficient of Utilization (CU)

The amount of useful light reaching a working plane will depend or the lamp output, reflectors and/or diffusers
used, position of lamp, color of walls and ceiling.

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Example # 1:
A new 80W fluorescent lamp with a lumen output of 5700lm. After 3 or 4 months, the output would have fallen
and settled at around 5200 Lm find maintenance factor?

MF= =0.9;

Regular cleaning improves Maintenance factor.

Visible Light
The wavelength of visible light is in the range: 380nm to 770nm.

Color Temperature Code (Scale):

The color temperature scale is expressed as the colors that a black body radiator (a block of iron that won’t
melt) exhibits when heated to extreme temperatures. The figure below shows the colors when the black body is
heated up to the shown temperatures in Kelvins.

Color Rendering index (CRI)

It describes the quality of light on a scale of 0 (horrible) to 100 (perfect; natural light). It expresses how accurate
the light renders objects’ colors.
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Types of Luminaries

The main types are:

A) Incandescent Lamps and B) Discharge Lighting
A-1) Standard Incandescent lamps or Tungsten- filament lamps
The figure below shows the basic components of a tungsten filament lamp (light bulb or globe).

The Tungsten filament is either single (a) or double (coiled coil) (b), as shown below:

(a) A single coil b) A double (coiled) coil

The efficacy of gas filled lamps is increased by using coiled coil filament, as it has a thicker filament which
reduces the heat loss due to convection currents in the gas.

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Standard Incandescent (Filament) Lamp types:
They are Vacuum and gas filled
I) Vacuum type:
The filament operates in a vacuum in the glass bulb. It has a poor efficacy as it can only operate up to
around 2000Co. Though, old light bulbs were of vacuum type, some modern ones are manufactured
based on vacuum technology.
II) Gas–Filled Type:
 The bulb is filled with an inert gas such Argon and Nitrogen, Krypton or Xenon, this enables the
operating temperature of the filament to reach 2500Co. The glass bulb of a general service lamp can
reach temperatures between 200 and 260 °C.
 The efficacy increases and the bulb is so bright that it is given an opaque coating internally.
 The efficacy of a Tungsten lamp depends on the age and size of lamp; it tends to be around 12Lm/W for
100W lamp (efficacy ranges from 5 to 20Lm/W).
 The color light tends to be mostly red and yellow (the color code Temperature is 2700oK; warm color)
and is used in situations that do not require high level of illumination.
 Color Rendering Index (CRI): 100 (great)
 Approximately more than two thirds of the power consumed by an incandescent light bulb is emitted as
heat, rather than as visible light (wave length: 380nm to 770nm).
 Life time is 750hrs-1,000hrs (1000hr=1 year; 3hrs/day)
 Any mounting position is possible, also instantaneous on/off operation.
 Other lamps of filament type include tabular stripe light, oven lamps, infrared heating lamps, spot and
floodlight, and Tungsten–Halogen lamps.
A-2) Tungsten Halogen Lamp
Is another type of incandescent lamps, it contains Halogen gas.
 Efficacy: 15 to 25Lm/W (a bit higher than Standard lamps)
 Life time is 2,000hrs-10,000hrs
 Color Rendering Index (CRI): 100 (great)
 The color code Temperature 3000oK (slightly whiter and cooler color)
 Any mounting position is possible
 More expensive
 Dimming is possible for both types.

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 B) Discharge Lighting (High Intensity Discharge (HID))
 This type of lighting relies on the ionization of a gas to produce light. High voltages are present in these
types.
 Ballasts are necessary to start the operation of the Discharge Lighting (or High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lamps), and to limit the current flow. They are two types:
1. Magnetic: consists of the coil, a starter, and capacitors.
2. Electronic: more energy efficient, quieter, and reduce Lamp flickering; no humming or buzzing!
An example, of the equivalent circuit of an Electronic Ballast is shown below, also a photo of an
electronic ballast is shown on the right figure.

Examples of Discharge Lamps: decorative neon signs, fluorescent lighting, and Mercury and Sodium-
vapor lamps used for street lighting.

B-1) Neon Tubes

 A Neon tube describes any gas-filled tube.
 The tube is filled with different gases (including: Helium, Nitrogen, Neon, Argon, and/or Carbon
Dioxide) to give different colors. A basic circuit of cold–cathode neon–sign installation is shown
below.
 Life time: 20,000-40,000hrs!

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 B-2) Sodium Vapor Lamps

They are low pressure and high pressure types.

B-2-a) Low Pressure Sodium Lamp

 It consists of a U-shaped double thickness glass tube.
 The inner wall is of low–silica glass, which withstands attack by hot Sodium.
 Inside the tube is a quantity of solid Sodium and a small amount of Neon gas (this helps starting
discharge process).
 The outer glass envelope stops too much heat loss from inner tube

Bayonet
Cap

a) Low pressure Sodium Vapor type SOX b) The control circuit

 The output of the transformer could reach 480V

 The power factor of lamp and transformer could be as low as 0.3 lagging. Hence, a power factor
correction capacitor is needed.

 The recommended burning position of the lamp is horizontal 20 to ensure that hot Sodium
does not collect at one end of the tube in sufficient quantities to attack and damage it.

 The light output is pure yellow which distorts the surrounding colors, hence it is only useful for
street lighting.

 Low pressure Sodium Lamps are of two types:

a) SOH: old type: has an efficacy of 70Lm/W

b) SOX: modern type: has a high efficacy of 140Lm/W for 90W lamp
 Life time is 18,000hrs
B-2-b) High Pressure Sodium lamps
 The discharge tube is made of compressed Aluminum Oxide, which is capable of
withstanding the intense chemical activity of the Sodium vapor at high pressure and
temperature.

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  The efficacy is about 100 Lm/W.
 The lamp may be mounted in any position.
 The color is golden white little surrounding color distortion; it is used in shopping centers,
car parks, sports grounds…
B-3) Mercury Vapor Lamp
B-3-I) High Pressure Mercury–Vapor Lamp

a) High Pressure Mercury Vapor lamp b) Control circuit

(GES: Goliath Edison Screw)

 The Quartz tube contains Mercury at high pressure and a little Argon gas to assist starting.
 An Auxiliary electrode is used for starting the discharge; noting that initial discharge occurs in
Argon gas between Auxiliary and the nearby main electrode, causing the main electrode to heat
up starting the main discharge between the two main electrodes.

 High pressure Mercury lamps are of two types:

a) MB type: standard mercury–vapor (older)
- Any mounting position
- Efficacy 40 Lm/W
- Color: blue–green

b) MBF type: standard mercury–vapor (more modern)

- It has fluorescent phosphor coating on the inside of hard glass bulb.
- Any mounting position is possible

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 - Efficacy 50Lm/W
- Used for Industrial and street lighting, commercial and display lighting
- Color : blue–green
- Life time is 12,000hrs
- CRI: 30-50 (bad)
In general, High Pressure Mercury Lamps are not used in any new constructions because of the
poor color and low energy efficiency.

B-3-II) Low Pressure Mercury–Vapor Lamp

 It is more popularly known as a fluorescent
lamp.
 It consists of a glass tube, a choke, and a
starter, as shown next:
 Glass tube is filled with Mercury vapor at low
pressure and a little of Argon to assist starting.
- The interior of tube is coated in fluorescent
Phosphor.
- Each end of the tube has an oxide coated filament.
- Discharge takes place when a high voltage is applied across the tube.

Operation of Fluorescent lamps

a) When the main switch is closed, the circuit is closed via the starter contacts.
b) The filaments become warm and the oxide coated filaments emit electrons and gas ionizes at
the ends of the tube (this helps main ionization).
c) The starter contacts separate, and the choke is open circuited causing a high voltage to appear
across the open contacts; the inductive energy is released in the form of an arc, and the energy
dissipates via the gas.
d) When the gas is fully ionized, the choke limits the current to a predetermined value.
e) The light emitted, which is ultraviolet, is made visible by the fluorescent powder coating (the
color depends on the mixture of Phosphor minerals; powder).

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Notes:

1. A Fluorescent lamp consumes ~1/7th power of the incandescent lamps for the same amount of light.
2. Power factor (PF) correction capacitor is needed. If only real power rating (P) is given and no information
about the power factor (PF) is given, and to be able to calculate the current rating, the PF is assumed to
be 0.555 lagging or VA = 1.8P; i.e. S= 1.8P; for 80W lamp VA= 1.8 (80) = 144VA.
3. The switch should be deigned to have a current rating twice the steady state current of the inductive
load (lamp).
4. Radio interference suppression capacitor is located in the starter.
5. The white tube has the highest efficacy (amongst other tube colors) which is around 70Lm/W.
6. CRI: 70-90 (moderate to good)
7. Life time: 10-30yrs
8. Fluorescent and HID products are labeled with 3 digit code expressing CRI and color Temperature; e.g.
Fxxxx-835: means CRI= 8X10= 80, color Temperature: 35X100= 3500oK (cool!)

9. Other types are the Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL), some of which are shown in the figure below.
Many of these are commonly known as PLs, which stands for plug-in Lamps!
10. The Table # 1 shows a comparison between a standard Incandescent lamp and a Compact Fluorescent
lamp (CFL).

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 Table # 1: A comparison between a Standard Incandescent and a Compact Fluorescent (CFL) lamps.

Standard Incandescent lamp Compact Fluorescent lamp (CFL)

Low efficacy High efficacy
Low life time Long life time
Low efficiency High efficiency
Low price (~US$ 0.5) Higher price (~US$ 3-4)
Comfortable to eye (CRI: 100) Less comfortable to eye (CRI: ~70-90)
Unity power factor Low power factor (as low as 0.55 lag)

Example # 2:
It is required to illuminate a room with a luminous flux of 900lm. Two options are available:
The first is using Incandescent lamp with the following specifications:
60W, 900lm, life time of 1000hour, and unit price is US$ 0.5.
The second option is using a Compact Fluorescent lamp of the following specifications:
15W, 900lm, life time of 10,000hour, and unit price is US$ 4.
a) Compare the total cost of illuminating the room for 10,000 hours, assuming that the price of every kWH
is 15 cent (US$ 0.15/kWh).
b) What would be the savings if CFL is used?
c) What would be the payback period if CFL is to replace the incandescent lamp?
Solution: a) For option # 1:
The total cost = the capital cost + running cost
Total cost1= 0.5$X10+ 10000HrX(60W/1000W/kW)X0.15$/kWh
Total cost1= 95 US$
For option # 2:
The total cost = the capital cost + running cost
Total cost2= 4$+ 10000HrX(15W/1000W/kW)X0.15$
Total cost2= 26.5 US$
a) Savings = 95- 26.5 = 68.5 US$
Hourly energy saving= ((60-15)/1000)X0.15=US$ 0.00675
b) The payback period = Investment/hourly saving
= 4/0.00675 = 592.6 Hr
If used 5hr/a day then the payback period =119 day; 4 months!
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B-4) Metal Halide Lamps
B-4-a) Standard Metal Halide Lamps
 Metal halide lamps use rare earth metal salts and Mercury vapor at high pressure and temperature.
 They are compact, efficient, available in many sizes, and powerful; power rating could reach kilo Watts.
 Color temperature: 3700(cool) to 4100oK (slightly greenish)
 CRI: 65 - 70
 They require ballasts as the igniter requires high voltages 1kV-5kV.
 They are typically used in table lamps to huge lamps for lighting
stadiums, sports areas, parking lots, landscape lighting, and
building floodlighting.

B-4-b) Ceramic Metal Halide Lamps

 Are the latest metal halide lamps.
 CRI: 80 to 95
 Efficacy: 65-115 Lm/W
 Color Temperature: 3000oK (warm) or 20000oK (blue).
 They can be used for interior lighting, such as down lighting, display lighting, and wall washing lighting
(washing walls with colored light), as well as for exterior lighting.

C) Light Emitting Diode (LED) Sources:

 They are at the cutting Edge of Technology.
 Efficacy: ~50Lm/W, however it is improving rapidly and could reach
more than 100Lm/W in new street light sources.
 Color code: 2800-5000oK
 CRI: 70-80 (moderate to good)
 They need Ballasts and transformers to provide needed voltages
 Instantaneous on/ off operation
 Dimming is possible
 Life time 50-100yrs!
 Application: in Exit and Traffic signs, wall washer lights
(washing walls with colored light), besides application in
street lighting is spreading.

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Types of Starters for Fluorescent Tubes
Thermal, Glow, or Quick starters
1) A Thermal Starter
 It consists of two contacts one is bimetallic
(Normally closed) and a heater.
 The heater when energized causes the contacts
to part and the choke open circuits to initiate
discharge in the tube.

2) A Glow Starter

 A Glow starter is the most popular.

 Its compromises a pair of open contacts
(bimetallic) enclosed in a sealed glass bulb filled
with Helium gas.
 The assembly is housed in a metal or plastic
canister.
 Operation:
When the supply is connected, the Helium gas
ionizes and heats up causing the contacts to close energizing the tube filaments. As the contacts
have closed, the discharge in Helium ceases, contacts cool and part, open circuiting the choke
and tube discharge takes place.

3) A Quick Start (Instant Starter)

Starting is achieved by the use of an auto-transformer and an

earthed metal stripe in close proximity to the tube.

Operation

 When the main supply is switched on, the main voltage

appears a cross the tube and the small part of the winding
at each end of the transformer energizes the filaments,
which heats up.
 The difference in potential between the electrodes and the
earthed stripe causes ionization, which spreads along the tube.
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 Calculation of Lighting Requirements

A) Inverse Square Law:

The illumination at a surface from a luminary
positioned vertically above it is directly
proportional to the light luminous intensity and
inversely proportional to the distance squared.

Example # 3:

A light source of 900 candelas is situated 3m above a working surface.

a) Calculate the illuminance directly below the source.

b) What would be the luminance if the lamp were moved apposition 4m from the surface?
Solution:
a) E= = = 100 Lux

b) E = = = 65.25 Lux

B) Cosine Rule:

The illuminance at a point (x) which is not directly below

the light source is directly proportional to I and cos θ, and
inversely proportional to distance squared.

where I is the Luminous intensity (Cd).

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 Example # 4:

A 250W sodium–vapor street lamp emits a light of 22500Cd and is situated 5m above the road. Calculate
the illuminance (E): a) directly below the lamp b) at a horizontal distance of 6m along the road

Solution: a) Illumination at y:

Ey =

Ey = =

Ey= 900 Lux or Lumen/

b) θ=ta = ta 1.2 θ = 50. Cos 50.2 = 0.64

Illuminance at X is

Ex = 236 Lux (lx)

Example # 5:

A work area at bench level is to be illuminated to a value of 300Lux, using 85W single fluorescent fittings
having an efficacy of 80 Lumens/Watt. The work area 10mx8m, the MF=0.8 and CU is 0.6. Calculate the
number of fittings required.

Solution:

Luminous flux =

Since the efficacy is 80 Lm/W

Total power required = = 625W

Since each lamp is 85W

Number of lamps = = 8 lamps

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