Planning the lighting project in large commercial spaces is challenging. The light should not only brighten the whole area but also consider other factors like uniformity in distribution, intensity, and any other special requirements of the space.
Architects and lighting designers carry out a photometric study to understand the exact lighting requirement of the space.
What Is a Photometric Study?
A photometric study is a virtual simulation of the area to be lit based on the space's layout and measurement. Lighting designers can then decide on the lighting decor and the type of light to install to get the desired outcome.
Through a photometric study, architects and lighting designers can understand where the light goes, its intensity, and how uniform it is. Based on this, they can decide the number of lighting fixtures to install and their position.
What are the benefits of conducting a photometric study?
Enhanced Lighting Design
Through a photometric study, designers can improve the overall design and functionality of a lighting design. They can understand when and where a light should be placed for the best outcome. The brightness, intensity, and uniformity of the light can be understood well ahead of time when a photometric study is undertaken.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficienct lighting is the key to any lighting design. Through photometric studies, lighting designers can provide the best alternative in lighting to achieve energy efficiency. They can decide where energy-efficient lights can be used for the best outcome.
Cost Savings
A photometric study ensures cost savings in lighting. Conducting a photometric study can be expensive initially. However, this cost will nullify the long-term benefits you gain from the study.
Through a photometric study designers can understand how the space will look and feel after intalling the light. This will do away with the need to replace the light later for a better one.
Comply with local regulations
Most areas will have lighting laws and regulations, especially with respect to commercial lighting. Conducting a photometric study helps you choose the right lights that comply with the regulations.
What are the key components of a photometric study?
Light Intensity
In photometry, the intensity of light is measured in lux ie how the human eye perceives light. Through a photometric study you can understand how much light falls on a surface per unit area. Based on this, you can decide whether to increase or decrease the intensity of light.
Foot Candles
Foot candle refers to the illumination from a light source at a distance of one foot. By simulating the foot candle of light, you can decide how many lights of a certain foot candle is required to illuminate a space.
Virtual Simulations
Through photometry study, a virtual simulation of light is done by which you can understand the intensity and uniformity of light on a certain space. This helps in visualizing and planning the lighting setup.
What are the practical applications of photometric studies?
Commercial Lighting
Photometric study can be conducted in commercial spaces like offices, retail stores, and other commercial environments.
Offices require uniform lighting of the right intensity throughout so that the employees can work without any difficulty. Besides, the right type of light can also enhance the visual appeal of an office space.
Photometric study in retail spaces helps select the right light so that customers can clearly view the product, understand its colors and features and then purchase it.
In other commercial spaces like hotels, shopping malls, and warehouses photometric study helps in selecting the right type of light without spending a lot of money.
Residential Space Lighting
Photometric study can be conducted in residential areas mainly to enhance the safety of the residents and to improve the aesthetics of the space.
For e.g; placing lights on pavement of a residential area provides enough brightness and ensure the safety of the people. The number of lights to be installed and its intensity can be decided through a photometric study.
In large residences with a lot of indoor and outdoor spaces, photometric study can be done to place the light strategically to enhance the visual appeal.
Public Spaces
The lighting in public spaces like parks, streets, and public venues can be enhanced through photometric study.
A parking space should be well lit so that every nook and corner is visible. This helps in easy parking and also ensure the safety of people.
Similarly, streets and other public venues like stadiums and concert halls should also have lights of the right intensity to ensure safety and provide the right ambience. Through a photometric study you can clearly understand the lighting features and how to place the light to get the best result.
Introducing Viso Photometric Software for accurate photometric studies
Viso Photometric Software is a very useful tool for lighting designers to prepare lighting reports. It helps lighting designers to plan the lighting for a space and ensure uniformity in light distribution.
Why Viso Photometric Software is essential?
The Viso Photometric Software is highly essential for lighting designers as it provides a detailed power analysis. This helps the designers to make the right decision when it comes to lighting design.
The software is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11 and hence is very easy to use. You can save or email the measurements which makes it user-friendly. Besides, you can also use your mobile or web cam to take picturess.
Where to Download?
You can download a free version of this software in this link: Viso Photometric Software
Conclusion
A Photometric study is highly essential to clearly plan the lighting requirements of a space. Whether it is commercial space, residential space or public space, a photometric study helps in enhancing lighting design.
It helps designers in planning lights of the right intensity and temperature. Contractors can raise the purchase order on time once the lights are approved by the designers. Thus, the project can be completed on time when a photometric study is undertaken.
Besides a photometric study of the lighting design also saves cost and ensures energy efficiency.
