EE-312

Electrical Systems & Lighting

Lecture 19:
Optical Control and Luminaires

By: Abdurahman Alrobaie

Date: April 2nd , 2023
 Optical Control Devices

Lecture Content
Luminaires

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Optical Control Devices
A. Design Consideration

• Some spaces require overall uniform illumination—

these spaces are analyzed by the lumen method, which
yields average illuminance.

• Other spaces utilize local lighting alone, or local lighting

to supplement general lighting requiring point‐by‐point
illuminance calculations or some other method for
restricted‐area calculation.

• The purpose of a luminaire or lighting fixture is

• Physically protect and electrify the light source;
• Photometrically to control and direct the lamp
output.

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Optical Control Devices
A. Design Consideration

• No single luminaire design is ideal for even a majority

of applications.

• Instead they’re dictated by:

• Uniformity of illumination
• Diffuseness
• Direct glare

• High efficiency
• Reflected glare
• Ceiling illumination

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Optical Control Devices
A. Design Consideration

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Optical Control Devices
B. Lamp Shielding

• Except where it is desired to use a bare lamp

as a source of sparkle (decorative fixtures) all
lamps in interior fixtures should be shielded
from normal sight lines.

• Shielding of lamps is accomplished with the

fixture housing/reflector or with baffles and
louvers.

• The most basic shielding element is the lamp

reflector.

• Shields perpendicular to the long axis of a

linear fluorescent lamp are normally called
baffles.
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Optical Control Devices
C. Reflectors

• The reflectors are considerably more diffuse

and become increasingly so with reflector
aging and dirt accumulation.

• (a) with the source at the focal point, rays

are parallel

• (b) with the source below the focal point,

they converge

• (c) with the source above the focal point,

they diverge.

• Note that type (c) requires a large ceiling

opening to achieve even minimal efficiency.
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Optical Control Devices
C. Reflectors

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Optical Control Devices
D. Diffusers

• Diffusers are the devices placed between

the lamp(s) and the illuminated space, that
function to
• Diffuse the light
• control fixture brightness
• Redirect the light
• Shield the lamps

• Translucent diffusers
• Typical examples of this type are white
opal glass, frosted glass, and white
plastics such as Plexiglas, polystyrene,
vinyl, and polycarbonates.

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Optical Control Devices
D. Diffusers

• Louvers and Baffles

• These are generally rectangular in shape, and are
composed of metal or plastic; they serve
primarily to shield the source and to diffuse the
output.

• The exact curve shape depends on the shielding

angle, design of the louver, and its finish.

• Louvers finished in specular aluminum or dark

colors exhibit low direct glare.

• The large downward light component can cause

serious veiling reflections.

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Optical Control Devices
D. Diffusers

• Prismatic Lens

• Many designs are available with varying distribution

• characteristics.

• They produce an efficient fixture (high coefficient of

utilization), good diffusion, wide permissible spacing,
and low direct glare.

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Optical Control Devices
D. Diffusers

• Batwing Lens
• Fixtures equipped with these diffusers have good efficiency, low
direct and reflected glare, and good diffusion.

• The lens acts as a dust trap, necessitating frequent cleaning to

maintain high output.

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Optical Control Devices
D. Diffusers

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Luminaires
A. Mountings

• Light sources can have a variety of mounting

conditions such as
• Recessed
• Surface mount
• Track, pendant
• Wall mount,
• Architectural,
• Furniture-integrated,
• Pole mount
• Portable or convenience.

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Luminaires
A. Mountings

• Recessed fixtures are the least visible, especially when used with small point sources.
• They require ceiling depth and are the least likely to be moved once installed.

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Luminaires
A. Mountings

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Luminaires
A. Mountings

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Thank You
Any Questions?