What is lux meter?

 
We have to measure light in many tasks. For this, the Lux meter should be
used. To measure the light accurately, a lux meter is a very suitable device. It
is calibrated to read directly in lux.

 
The meters measure illumination in terms of luxes or foot-candles are
known as Lux meters or Light meters.

 
A lux is equal to the total intensity of light that falls on a one square meter
surface that is one foot away from the point of source of light.
 
A foot-candle is equal to the total intensity of light that falls on a one square
foot surface that is one foot away from the point source of light.
 

Lux Meter Working Principle

Most of the lux meters consist of a body, photocell or light sensor, and display.

The light that falls on to the photocell or sensor contains energy that is
converted to electric current. In turn, the amount of current depends on the
light that strokes the photocell or light sensor. Lux meters read the electrical
current, calculate the appropriate value, and shows this value on its display.
 
It is the basic lux meter working principle. Analog luxmeters display values
on a dial usually with a needle or pointer whereas digital devices display
values as numbers letters. A Lux meter may be portable or bench type.
 
Since light usually contains different colors different wavelengths, the reading
represents the combined effects of all the wavelengths. Typically, standard
colors or color temperatures are expressed in degrees Kelvin (K). The
standard color temperature for the calibration of most lux meters is 2856°K, an
amount that is more yellow than pure white.
 
Selecting luxmeters or light meters requires certain performance
specifications include photocell, illumination range, Lux resolution, operating
temperature and foot candle resolution. Special features include
low battery Indicators, low voltage, alarms, remote light sensors, built-in
memory, auto power off, zero function etc.
 

Lux meters are used to measure levels of light in schools, hospitals,

production areas, laboratories. They are also used to monitor light-sensitive
displays in museums, art galleries etc.

Illumination (symbol E)
 The luminous flux falling on a surface per unit area is known as illumination
and is expressed in lux. It is also expressed in lumens per square feet.
 
Lux or Metre Candle: It is defined as the illumination produced by a uniform
source of 1 C.P. on the inner surface of a sphere of 1-meter radius.

 
Foot Candle or Lumens / Sq. Foot: It is defined as the illumination produced
by a uniform source of 1 C.P. on the inner surface of a sphere of 1-meter
radius.
 
1 Foot Candle = 10.7608 Lux

1 Lux = 0.09293 ft. Candle

 
For practical purposes, illumination in lux may be divided by 10 to obtain
illumination in lumens/square foot. An idea of illumination levels can be
had from the following data:
1,00,000 Lux
Summer midday in open
Winter midday in open 10,000 Lux
Sunrise and sunset 500 Lux
Full moon and bright sky 0.25 Lux
 Required Values of illumination

 Average living room 50 to 60 Lux

Corridors and passages 10 to 30 Lux
Entrances 100 Lux
Stairs 100 Lux
Living room 300 Lux
Kitchen 200 Lux
Study room 300 Lux
Bathroom 100 Lux
 
General offices 80 to 110 Lux
 
Office with good lighting 600 to 800 Lux
 
Drawing offices 200 to 250 Lux
 
Hospital operation table 1000 to 2000 Lux
 
Classrooms 100 Lux
 
Laboratories 150 Lux
 
 ToMeasure the Intensity of Light Source by a lux
meter
 keep the light source one foot away from the light sensor,
 now switch on the lux meter,
 note down the reading from Lux meter.
No shadows should be allowed to fall on the light sensor during
measurements, and the light sensor should be held perfectly horizontally and
stationary for accurate results.  

How much lux do you need in a room?

 
Illumination requirement in a room depends upon its type and use. For
example, in a bathroom, it is 100 lux whereas in a study room it is 300 lux.
Because in a study room we need more illumination to read and write
properly. You can measure the illumination level in a room at a particular
place with the help of a lux meter and increase or decrease the number of
light sources ( CFL or LED) accordingly.

Average illumination over a large area is measured by subdividing the whole

area into small zones and measuring the illumination at the center of each
zone. The dimensions of this area should not exceed ¼ the height of light
fitting from the working place.