Jessie Taylor
Foot candles are a unit of measurement for light intensity predominantly used in the United States. One foot candle is defined as one lumen per square foot, or the amount of light emitted by a candle that falls on a one-foot square. Foot candles are used to measure the amount of light that reaches a surface, whereas lumens measure the quantity of light produced by a fixture. In other parts of the world, such as Europe, the SI-derived unit lux is used to measure light intensity over a square meter. Light meters are used to obtain accurate foot candle readings, and there are guidelines set by organizations such as the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) on recommended lighting levels for various environments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A foot-candle is a measurement of light intensity. |
| Unit | Foot-candle, fc, lm/ft2, or ft-c |
| Equivalent Measurements | 1 foot-candle = 1 lumen per square foot = 10.76 lumens = 10.764 lux |
| Conversion Factor | Divide lux value by 10.764 to get foot-candles |
| Usage | Foot-candles are predominantly used in the United States. |
| Measurement Tools | Light meters, such as the Spectra, ILT10C, and ILT5000. |
| Applications | Offices, museums, horticulture, laboratories, commercial lighting, film and cinematography, and more. |
| Guidelines | The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) provides guidelines for recommended lighting levels. |
| Compliance | OSHA mandates specific lighting regulations for workplace safety and productivity. |
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What You'll Learn
Foot-candles are a measurement of light intensity
Foot-candles are a non-SI unit of measurement, commonly used in the United States and other parts of the world that follow United States customary units. In Europe and other parts of the world, the SI-derived unit "lux" is used. One lux is equal to one lumen per square meter.
The foot-candle is defined as the illuminance of the inside surface of a one-foot-radius sphere with a point source of one candela at its centre. Alternatively, it can be defined as the illuminance of one lumen on a one-square foot surface with a uniform distribution. Given the relation between candela and lumen, the two definitions are identical, with the latter being easier to relate to in everyday situations.
Foot-candles are important for businesses and organisations that have special lighting requirements. For example, offices, manufacturing facilities, and workrooms need higher foot-candle measurements to make work easier on the eyes. On the other hand, hallways and lobbies need lower foot-candle readings as the light doesn't need to be bright enough for detailed work. Museums also need specific light levels to create the right ambiance and avoid damaging sensitive artefacts. Horticulture requires accurate foot-candle readings to ensure all plants receive the appropriate amount and type of light.
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One foot-candle equals one lumen per square foot
A foot-candle is a measurement of light intensity, defined as enough light to saturate a one-foot square with one lumen of light. This unit of measurement is used most commonly in places that follow the United States customary units of measurement. In other parts of the world, such as Europe, the SI-derived measurement called "lux" is used. Lux is essentially the same as foot-candles, but it defines the area being lit as a one-metre square, rather than a one-foot square.
Foot-candle measurements are important for businesses and organisations of all kinds because they help determine what customers and staff are experiencing every time they work or shop in one of their buildings. For instance, offices, manufacturing facilities, and workrooms need significantly higher foot-candle measurements to make work easier and less stressful on the eyes. Conversely, hallways and lobbies need lower foot-candle readings because the light doesn’t need to be bright enough for people hunched over reports and keyboards.
To determine the needed lumens, you will need to multiply your room square footage by your room foot-candle requirement. For example, a 100 square foot living room, which needs 10-20 foot-candles, will need 1,000-2,000 lumens. A 100 square foot dining room, which needs 30-40 foot-candles, will need 3,000-4,000 lumens.
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Foot-candles are used to ensure optimal lighting in workspaces
Foot-candles are a unit of measurement for light intensity, defined as one lumen of light per square foot. They are used to measure the amount of light that reaches a surface, rather than the light that leaves the source. This makes them a crucial tool for businesses and organisations aiming to provide optimal lighting conditions for their staff and customers.
In workspaces, foot-candles are essential for ensuring effective and adequate lighting. This is particularly important in offices, manufacturing facilities, and workrooms, where higher foot-candle measurements are required to make tasks easier and reduce eye strain. For example, a lighting level of 50 foot-candles is recommended for areas where reading and detailed work are carried out. On the other hand, hallways and lobbies need lower foot-candle readings as the light only needs to be bright enough to show off the decor and prevent tripping.
Foot-candles are also vital for maintaining safety in the workplace. In facilities where work is carried out by machines, such as sheet metal processing or printing, brighter lighting of 50-100 foot-candles is necessary to ensure safety. Similarly, sports lighting requires optimal visibility for players and spectators, which is ensured through the use of foot-candle measurements.
The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and organisations like OSHA have developed lighting guidelines and standards based on foot-candle measurements to help businesses determine the optimal lighting conditions for their specific needs. By following these guidelines, businesses can create comfortable and functional spaces that enhance productivity and customer satisfaction.
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Lux is the metric equivalent of a foot-candle
Foot-candles are a British and imperial unit of measurement used to quantify light intensity. One foot-candle is defined as enough light to saturate a one-foot square with one lumen of light. In other words, it is a measure of the lumens per square foot.
The conversion factor between lux and foot-candles is derived from the square meters to square feet ratio. Since one square meter equals 10.76391 square feet, we can divide the lux value by this conversion factor to get the equivalent in foot-candles. For example, 100 lux is approximately 9.29 foot-candles.
Both lux and foot-candles are used to measure illuminance, or the amount of light received per unit area. They are important for determining the appropriate lighting for different spaces, such as offices, museums, and video productions. By understanding the relationship between lumens, lux, and foot-candles, we can make informed decisions about lighting setups and ensure that areas requiring certain light levels are receiving them.
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Foot-candles are measured using a light meter
Foot-candles are a measure of light intensity, or illuminance. They are defined as the amount of light that falls on a surface that is one foot away from a single candle. In other words, one foot-candle is the illuminance produced by a standard candle that is one foot away from the subject. Foot-candles are a measurement of lumens per square foot, with one foot-candle equalling one lumen per square foot.
Photometry, the measurement of light as our eyes interpret it, is important for businesses and organisations of all kinds. This is because they need to know what customers and staff are experiencing every time they work or shop in one of their buildings. Foot-candles are the go-to measurement to ensure the right amount of light is touching the objects it needs to illuminate. For example, museums need specific light levels to create the right ambiance and avoid damaging sensitive artefacts. Horticulture requires very accurate foot-candle readings to ensure all plants are bathed in the appropriate amount and type of light.
Filmmakers and photographers use foot-candles to measure light on set. Foot-candles are always consistent, so they are useful when location scouting and testing lights on set. Cinematographers and photographers use light meters to measure foot-candles, which can be set to measure in foot-candles (FC) or lux.
Most light meters will output their readings in foot-candles or lux. If you get a light meter that renders its measurements in lux, you can convert these to foot-candles by dividing by 10.764.
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Frequently asked questions
A foot candle is a measurement of light intensity, defined as enough light to saturate a one-foot square with one lumen of light. Foot candles are predominantly used in the United States.
A light meter is the best tool for measuring light intensity and obtaining accurate foot candle readings. Basic light meters, like the ILT10C, are reliable and easy to use for straightforward foot candle measurements.
Lumens measure the quantity of light produced by a fixture, whereas foot candles measure the light that reaches a surface. One foot candle is equal to one lumen per square foot.
Foot candles measure light intensity over a square foot, whereas lux measures light intensity over a square meter. To convert lux to foot candles, divide the lux value by 10.764.
