Tyler Brooks
Foot candles are a unit of measurement used to measure light intensity or illuminance on a given surface. One foot-candle is defined as one lumen per square foot, or the amount of light emitted by a candle at a distance of one foot. Foot candles are used to determine the optimal lighting requirements for various spaces, such as offices, museums, and film sets, and are particularly important for businesses with physical security requirements. While foot candles are commonly used in the United States, most of the world uses the metric unit lux, which measures light intensity over a one-meter square area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | One foot-candle is defined as enough light to saturate a one-foot square with one lumen of light. |
| Other names | Foot-candle, fc, lm/ft2, ft-c |
| What it measures | Light intensity or illuminance on a given surface. |
| How it is measured | Using light or illuminance meters. These handheld devices, available in analog and digital variants, capture the amount of light on their sensors, outputting the values in foot-candles or lux. |
| Use cases | Foot-candles are used in offices, manufacturing facilities, workrooms, hallways, lobbies, museums, galleries, cinematography, and horticulture. |
| Conversion to lux | 1 foot-candle = 10.764 lux or 10 lux. |
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What You'll Learn
Foot candles measure light intensity
Foot-candles are a measurement of light intensity, or illuminance, on a given surface. The name derives from the amount of illumination a single candle produces from a one-foot distance. One foot-candle equals one lumen per square foot. This is a British measurement. 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 or 10.57 lux.
Foot-candles are used to establish the optimal lighting requirements for a given space. For example, an office desk is often lit at about 50-foot candles, while a hallway might require only 10. The exact number depends on the specific tasks being performed, the age of the people using the space, and other variables.
Foot-candles are also used in cinematography to measure the intensity of motion picture lights, allowing cinematographers to set up proper lighting-contrast ratios when filming.
In the United States, foot-candles are used by architects to calculate adequate lighting levels. They are also used in museums and galleries to conserve light-sensitive objects such as prints, photographs, and paintings, whose colours can fade when exposed to bright light for long periods.
US horticulturalists also use foot-candles to measure and discuss the optimum light intensity for various plants. Full, unobstructed sunlight has an intensity of up to 930 fc, while an overcast day will produce an intensity of around 100 fc.
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Foot candles are used to determine optimal lighting
Foot candles are a measurement of light intensity, or illuminance, on a given surface. They are used to determine optimal lighting by measuring the amount of light that reaches a surface area. This is different from a lumen, which measures the amount of light that leaves a source. Foot candles are determined by measuring the illumination cast by a single candle at a one-foot distance.
In practical terms, foot candles are used to benchmark appropriate lighting levels in various spaces. For example, an office desk is often lit at about 50-foot candles, while a hallway might require only 10. The exact number depends on the specific tasks being performed, the age of the people using the space, and other variables.
Foot candles are particularly useful in determining the right amount of light for security requirements. For instance, banks in the US have specific requirements for the illumination of ATMs. In museums and galleries, foot candles are used to ensure lighting is sufficient for visitors to appreciate the art, but not so bright that light-sensitive objects are damaged. Horticulture is another field that relies on foot-candle measurements to ensure plants receive the optimal amount of light for photosynthesis.
Filmmakers and cinematographers also use foot candles to gauge light and create the desired atmosphere. Light meters can be used to measure foot candles, and some smartphone apps can also provide an estimate.
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Foot candles are used in photography and cinematography
Foot-candles are a unit of light intensity, defined as one lumen per square foot. This unit is commonly used in lighting layouts in parts of the world where United States customary units are used, such as in North America. In other parts of the world, the SI-derived unit "lux" is used, defined as one lumen per square meter.
Foot-candles are used in photography and cinematography to measure the amount of light that reaches a surface area. This is important as it determines how much light needs to be hitting a given space. Cinematographers use light meters to measure foot-candles and determine the appropriate lighting for a particular scene. For example, night exteriors require different lighting setups than interiors.
Photographers can use foot-candles to ensure they have the correct lighting for their desired shot. By measuring the amount of light reaching their subject, photographers can adjust their camera settings accordingly to achieve the desired exposure. This is particularly important when shooting in manual mode, where the photographer has control over the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO sensitivity.
Additionally, foot-candles are crucial in photography and cinematography to avoid overexposure or underexposure. Overexposure occurs when too much light reaches the camera sensor, resulting in a loss of detail and washed-out images. On the other hand, underexposure happens when there is insufficient light, leading to dark and lacking detail photographs. By measuring foot-candles, photographers and cinematographers can adjust their lighting setups or camera settings to achieve the desired exposure.
In conclusion, foot-candles are an essential concept in photography and cinematography, helping professionals control and manipulate light to create the desired visual effects. Understanding foot-candles enables photographers and cinematographers to make informed decisions about lighting and exposure, ultimately enhancing the quality of their work.
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Foot candles are used in horticulture
Foot-candles are a unit of measurement for light intensity, defined as the amount of light that reaches a surface area. They are used to measure the optimal lighting requirements for various applications, including horticulture.
In horticulture, foot-candle measurements are crucial for ensuring that plants receive the appropriate amount and type of light. Different plants require varying light intensities, and foot-candles help horticulturists quantify and provide the necessary light levels. This is particularly important for indoor plants or those grown in controlled environments, such as greenhouses, where natural light may be insufficient or need to be supplemented with artificial lighting.
Horticulturists use light meters, often hand-held digital devices, to measure foot-candles and assess the light intensity in a given space. These measurements guide them in adjusting lighting conditions to meet the specific needs of different plants. For example, certain plants may require higher light intensity to promote photosynthesis and healthy growth, while others might thrive in lower light conditions.
Additionally, foot-candle measurements can help horticulturists manage the spectral composition of light. Different wavelengths of light can influence plant growth and development. By understanding the foot-candle measurements at different wavelengths, horticulturists can select or adjust lighting systems to provide the desired spectral composition for their plants.
Furthermore, foot-candles are essential in horticulture when dealing with photosensitive plants. Some plants respond to specific light intensities or durations, and foot-candle measurements help horticulturists manage light exposure to influence processes such as flowering, leaf development, or dormancy. By controlling light levels, horticulturists can manipulate the growth patterns and characteristics of these photosensitive plants.
In summary, foot-candles are a valuable tool in horticulture, providing a means to quantify light intensity and ensure that plants receive the optimal amount and type of light for their growth and development. Horticulturists rely on these measurements to create favourable lighting conditions that promote the health and productivity of their plants.
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Foot candles are used in security applications
Foot candles are a measure of light intensity, defined as the amount of light that reaches a surface area. They are most commonly used in places that follow the United States customary units of measurement. In other parts of the world, the SI-derived unit "lux" is used, which is equivalent to a one-meter square rather than a one-foot square.
In the context of banking, foot candles are relevant to the illumination of ATMs. For instance, the NYS Banking Authority mandates specific foot-candle measurements for outdoor ATMs. These requirements include a minimum illuminance of five foot-candles at five feet from an ATM, two foot-candles in all unobstructed directions from an ATM at 30 feet, and one foot-candle at 60 feet.
Foot candles are also important for electrical construction. Offices, manufacturing facilities, and workrooms require higher foot-candle measurements to facilitate work and reduce eye strain. On the other hand, hallways and lobbies need lower foot-candle readings to create a more inviting atmosphere while still providing sufficient lighting to navigate the space safely.
Additionally, foot candles play a role in horticulture, where accurate foot-candle readings ensure that plants receive the appropriate amount and type of light. Similarly, museums use foot-candle measurements to create the right ambiance and prevent damage to sensitive artifacts caused by excessive light exposure.
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Frequently asked questions
A foot-candle is a measurement of light intensity, or illuminance, on a given surface. It is defined as one lumen per square foot.
Foot-candles measure the amount of light that reaches a surface area, rather than the amount of light that leaves a light source.
Foot-candles can be measured using light or illuminance meters. These handheld devices can be analogue or digital and output values in foot-candles or lux.
Lumens quantify the total amount of light produced by a light source, whereas foot-candles measure the light intensity a surface receives.
Foot-candles are used in the US lighting industry by architects to calculate adequate lighting levels. They are also used in museums, galleries, and cinematography.
