Maddie James
Lux and foot candles are two commonly used units for measuring illuminance, specifically, the amount of light received on a surface. Lux is the metric unit of measurement used in the International System of Units (SI) and is used worldwide. Foot candles, on the other hand, are an imperial unit of measurement and are predominantly used in the United States. Since these units represent the same concept of light intensity, they can be converted from one to the other. This article will explore the differences between lux and foot candles, their applications, and how to convert between the two units.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lux | Represents the amount of light in one square meter |
| Foot Candles | Represents the amount of light in one square foot |
| Lux Usage | Used worldwide, especially in Europe |
| Foot Candles Usage | Used mainly in the United States |
| Lux Application | Used for indoor applications like offices, homes, and commercial spaces |
| Foot Candles Application | Used for outdoor settings like sports fields, parking lots, and roadways |
| Lux Unit of Measurement | Metric |
| Foot Candles Unit of Measurement | Imperial |
| Lux Calculation from Foot Candles | Divide the lux value by 10.764 or 10.76391 |
| Foot Candles Calculation from Lux | Multiply by 10.764 or 10.7631 or approximately 10 |
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What You'll Learn
- Lux is the metric unit of measurement used in the International System of Units (SI)
- Foot candles are a representation of the amount of light in one square foot
- Lux is used worldwide, while foot candles are mainly used in the US
- Lux is measured in lumens per square meter (lm/m²)
- Foot candles are important for lighting designers to ensure proper illumination levels
Lux is the metric unit of measurement used in the International System of Units (SI)
The lux is used worldwide and is the internationally accepted illuminance unit. It is derived from the Latin word for "light". Lux is used to quantify the amount of light in a given space, with one lux being the amount of illumination provided when one lumen is distributed evenly over a square metre. This is also equivalent to the illumination on a surface that would be provided by a single candela (the SI unit of luminous intensity) positioned one metre away.
Understanding the difference between lux and foot-candles is important when designing lighting setups or assessing the efficiency of light sources. Foot-candles are a unit of measurement primarily used in the United States, representing the amount of light in one square foot. One foot-candle is approximately equal to 10.764 lux (lx).
To convert foot-candles to lux, you can use the formula: Lux = Foot Candles x 10.7631. Conversely, to convert lux to foot-candles, you can divide the lux value by 10.76391 (the square feet conversion factor).
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Foot candles are a representation of the amount of light in one square foot
Foot-candles, or fc, are a unit of measurement for light intensity. One foot-candle is defined as the amount of light needed to saturate a one-foot square area with one lumen of light. In other words, foot candles express the amount of light in one square foot. This unit of measurement is used most commonly in the United States, especially in electrical construction, commercial lighting, and horticulture.
The foot-candle is a British measurement that originated from a basic concept involving a candle and a sphere. Imagine a candle set in the middle of a sphere with a diameter of 0.60 meters (2 feet). If we cut a hole measuring one square foot in the centre of the sphere, the light that shines through is what we define as a lumen. Thus, a foot-candle equals one lumen per square foot.
The foot-candle is different from the lumen, which measures the total amount of light emitted by a source. Lumens are used to indicate the brightness of a bulb or fixture. While lumens measure the quantity of light produced by a fixture, foot-candles measure the light that reaches a surface.
Lux is the metric measurement of light intensity, similar to foot-candles but measuring a one-meter square instead of a one-foot square. Lux is the internationally accepted illuminance unit used worldwide. One foot-candle is approximately equal to 10.764 lux, so to convert lux to foot-candles, divide the lux value by 10.764.
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Lux is used worldwide, while foot candles are mainly used in the US
Lux and foot candles are both units of measurement used to quantify the amount of visible light falling on a surface per unit area. They are indispensable units of measurement when it comes to quantifying light intensity. However, they differ in their units: lux uses the metric system, while foot candles use the imperial system. This difference in units also makes them distinct in terms of the area they measure.
Lux is the metric unit of measurement used in the International System of Units (SI). It measures the amount of light that falls on a surface in lumens per square meter (lm/m²). In other words, lux quantifies the amount of light in one square meter. It is the internationally accepted illuminance unit used worldwide, especially in Europe and other parts of the world. One lux is equal to one lumen per square meter.
On the other hand, foot candles are the imperial unit of measurement and are widely used in the United States and other countries that still follow the imperial system. Foot candles express the amount of light in one square foot. A single foot candle is the amount of light that falls on a surface one foot away from a single candle. Simply put, one foot candle is equivalent to one lumen per square foot, which means that a foot candle is equivalent to approximately 10 lux.
The choice between using lux or foot candles often depends on geographical location and specific industry standards. Understanding the distinction between these units is essential when designing lighting setups, calculating appropriate illumination levels, or assessing light sources' efficiency. For example, when determining lighting requirements, it is crucial to consider both lumens and the specific placement of light sources to achieve the desired illumination level.
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Lux is measured in lumens per square meter (lm/m²)
Lux is the unit of illuminance, or luminous flux per unit area, in the International System of Units (SI). One lux is equal to one lumen per square metre (lm/m²). This is used as a measure of the irradiance as perceived by the human eye of light that hits or passes through a surface. Lux is analogous to the radiometric unit watt per square metre, but with the power at each wavelength weighted according to the luminosity function, a model of human visual brightness perception. In other words, lux quantifies the amount of light in one square metre and is the internationally accepted illuminance unit used worldwide.
A flux of 1000 lumens, spread uniformly over an area of one square metre, lights up that square metre with an illuminance of 1000 lux. The same 1000 lumens spread out over 10 square metres produces a dimmer illuminance of only 100 lux. Thus, lighting a larger area to the same illuminance (lux) requires a greater luminous flux (lumen). As with other named SI units, SI prefixes can be used. For example, 1 kilolux (klx) is 1000 lux.
Lux and foot candles are commonly used units for measuring illuminance, specifically, the amount of light a surface receives. Foot candles express the amount of light in one square foot and are used mainly in the United States. One square meter is equal to 10.76391 square feet. To convert foot candles to lux, divide the lux value by the square feet conversion factor. To convert lux to foot candles, multiply the foot candles by 10.7631.
A foot-candle equals one lumen per square foot. Using the metric system, a lumen is measured by a square meter or a lux. Thus, a foot-candle is equivalent to approximately 10 lux.
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Foot candles are important for lighting designers to ensure proper illumination levels
Foot candles are a unit of illuminance that measures the amount of light in one square foot. They are primarily used in the United States and are an important metric for lighting designers.
Lighting designers need to ensure that areas requiring certain light levels are receiving those levels. Foot candles are critical for this purpose, providing an accurate measurement of light as our eyes perceive it. This is known as photometry, which differs from radiometry in that it measures light in absolute terms, including forms of radiant energy other than light.
Photometric planners consider foot candles to be the most important measurement when designing lighting configurations. This is because foot candles provide precise data, allowing for the selection and placement of lighting fixtures in a lighting plan. The distance between the light fixture and the illuminated area is a crucial factor, as the FC rating decreases as this distance increases.
Additionally, foot candles are essential for ensuring compliance with lighting standards and regulations. For example, OSHA sets minimum lighting requirements for different workplaces, and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recommends a foot-candle reading of 10 for parking garages.
To convert foot candles to lux, which is the SI-derived unit of illuminance used worldwide, divide the foot candles by 10.76 or 10.77. This conversion is important for lighting designers to effectively communicate illuminance measurements and make informed decisions about lighting conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Foot candles and lux are both units of measurement used to quantify the amount of visible light falling on a surface per unit area.
To convert lux to foot candles, divide the lux value by the square feet conversion factor (approximately 10.764).
To convert foot candles to lux, multiply the foot candle value by the square feet conversion factor (approximately 10.764).
A foot candle equals one lumen per square foot.
Foot candles are used mainly in the United States and other countries that follow the imperial system. Lux is the internationally accepted illuminance unit and is used worldwide. Lux measurements are typically used for indoor applications, such as offices, homes, and commercial spaces, while foot candles are often employed in outdoor settings, including sports fields, parking lots, and roadways.
