Lux to Lumens and Lumens to Lux Calculator
Lux and lumens are important when it comes to light measurement units. They help us understand and make the most of lighting. Lux shows how bright light is over an area. Lumens measure the total light that comes from a source. This article explains the differences between lux and lumens. It also shows how to switch between them. And we'll talk about using these units in real life.
Key Takeaways
- Lux measures the intensity of light over a certain area, while lumens tell us the total light from a source.
- Lux helps figure out the right light levels for tasks and places. Lumens are key for picking the best bulb or light fixture.
- Things like beam angle and how far you are from the light change how lux and lumens relate.
- You can change lux to lumens by using the area that light covers, in square feet or meters.
- Knowing about lux and lumens is critical for getting the light right in places like warehouses, offices, and outdoors.
Understanding Lux and Lumens
It’s important to know the difference between lux and lumens for lighting.
What is Lux?
Lux measures light intensity over an area. It tells us how much light is on a surface from a source. On a dark day, light might measure about 1,000 lux. Yet, daylight can go up to 10,000 lux, and direct sunlight can reach 100,000 lux.
What is Lumens?
Lumens show the total light coming from a source. It doesn’t matter where the light goes. Most indoor lights range from 1100 to 3000 lumens.
Key Differences Between Lux and Lumens
Lux look at how much light covers an area. Lumens give the whole light amount. Lux helps figure out right light levels for tasks or places. Lumens are good for choosing the right light bulb or lamp.
For example, a 1000-lumen light can make 1000 lux in one square meter. But, it gives only 100 lux over ten square meters. Lux needs to be right, like 500-600 for working in a kitchen. Or 50 for just watching TV in the living room.
Factors Affecting Lux and Lumens
Lux and lumens are closely tied to two key elements: beam angle and light source distance. The beam angle shows how light spreads. The distance from light to surface also matters. Both affect the brightness and total light you see.
Beam Angle
How light spreads is decided by the beam angle. A wider angle lets light cover more space but with lower brightness. Yet, a narrow angle focuses light in a smaller area, making it brighter. Knowing about beam angle helps pick the right lights for each need.
Distance Between Light Source and Surface
The gap between light source and the lit area is key too. Light gets less bright quickly if it travels further, even with the same amount of light. This happens because light spreads out more. So, where you put the light really matters to get the brightness you want.
Lighting Condition | Lux Level | Micromoles per Second per Square Meter |
---|---|---|
Dark, cloudy day | 1,000 lux | 20 micromoles/s/m² |
Indirect daylight | 10,000 lux | 200 micromoles/s/m² |
Direct daylight | 100,000 lux | 2,000 micromoles/s/m² |
Knowing these facts helps lighting pros and designers. They can choose the best lighting for any use. This way, they ensure the right lighting levels are reached. But, they also keep things energy efficient and cozy.
Lux to Lumens Conversion
To change lux to lumens, you should know the lit-up area, which can be in square feet or square meters. Just use this formula: Lumens = Lux x Area. It's key for making sure places like warehouses, offices, or outside are lit well.
Lux to Lumens Calculation with Area in Square Feet
Let's say a light gives off 500 lux across 40 square feet. The total lumens are 500 x 40 = 20,000 lumens.
Lux to Lumens Calculation with Area in Square Meters
Or, if you're measuring the light area in square meters, it's just as easy. A source with 500 lux over 4 square meters means 2,000 lumens. (500 x 4 = 2,000)
Calculation Example
On the flip side, knowing a light's total lumens and the desired brightness lets you figure out the needed area. If a 10,000 lumen light should give 500 lux, you'd need 20 square meters. (10,000 / 500 = 20)
Lux to Lumens
Understanding lux and lumens is key to handling light in different places. Lux (lx) shows how bright the light is on an area, with 1 lux being 1 lumen per square meter. Lumens (lm) show the total light given off by a source, no matter the spread.
In changing from lux to lumens, the lit area's size is vital. There's a fixed ratio: for every 1 lux, there's 1 lumen per square meter. This changes for different units of area, like feet. For a one-foot area, you need 10.764 lux to get 1 lumen. By knowing this, we can find out how many lumens we need for a certain lux on a given area. The formula is Lumens = Lux x Area (in square meters or square feet).
The needed lux changes a lot, from as low as 20 lux outside at night to 500 lux at an office desk, by the European standard EN 12464-2. Light levels can also be from 20 lux in dark public areas to 20,000 lux for detailed tasks in very low light. Knowing these lux levels and converting them to lumens is essential for correct lighting in various places.
Converting Footcandles to Lumens
Besides lux and lumens, we use footcandles to measure light. One footcandle is like 10.76 lux in the metric system. To find lumens from footcandles, use this: Lumens = Footcandles x Area (in square feet). With this, you can easily figure out how many lumens you need for an area based on footcandles.
Relationship Between Footcandles and Lux
It's simple to relate footcandles to lux. Remember, 1 footcandle means 10.76 lux. So, to change footcandles to lux, just multiply by 10.76. And to find footcandles from lux, you divide by 10.76. Knowing this factor is key for handling both kinds of light measure units.
Calculating Lux per Watt
The lux per watt is a key measure for lighting's efficiency. It shows how much light (lux) you get for each watt used.
Formula for Lux per Watt Calculation
To get the lux per watt, use the formula: Lux per Watt = Lux / Watts. This formula helps compare how efficient different lights are.
Online Calculator for Lux per Watt
There are many online calculators for finding the lux per watt. These tools are handy for choosing the most efficient lighting. They work well for warehouses, offices, and outdoor areas.
Understanding the lux per watt ratio is essential. It lets you pick lighting that uses less energy but still brightens well. With this, you can cut down on electricity bills without sacrificing light quality.
Applications of Lux and Lumens
Warehouse and Street Lighting Requirements
Hearing about lux and lumens helps in many places. Take warehouse and outdoor lighting as an example. They need 20-200 lux for different tasks. For better safety, warehouses and loading bays go for 300 to 400 lux. When it comes to streets, 20 to 50 lux is enough for walking and driving. Figuring out the lumens needed for the right lux levels is key. It makes sure the lighting works well and saves energy.
Office and Indoor Lighting Standards
On the other hand, offices and indoor areas have higher lighting needs. They usually require 500 to 1,000 lux. Think of hospitals. Their operating theaters must have about 1,000 lux. Places like offices, showrooms, labs, and kitchens get around 500 lux. School and university rooms aim for 250 lux. Meanwhile, homes and theaters use about 150 lux. Knowing the right levels for these locations is crucial. It ensures good lighting that meets standards and is right for the people using these spaces.
Conclusion
Knowing how to switch between lux and lumens is crucial for those in lighting. It's key for design, putting lights in, or fixing them. You'll make sure the right level of lighting is there, no matter if it's a big space, an office, or outside. This info helps make better choices. It makes lighting work better and saves energy.
Changing from lux to lumens is important for making lights that really work. Using what you've learned here can help lighting pros pick the best solutions. This leads to better light, saving on energy, and everyone being happier.
Learning how to figure out lux to lumens helps you make lighting that's just right for different places. This is a powerful skill. It can help make living and working areas better, more productive, and safer.
FAQ
What is the difference between lux and lumens?
Lux measures how bright light appears on a surface. Lumens show the total light from a source.
How do I convert lux to lumens?
To change lux to lumens, find the area lit up.
The formula is: Lumens = Lux x Area.
What factors affect the relationship between lux and lumens?
Beam angle and distance are key.
Beam angle decides light spread. Distance changes the lux value.
What is the relationship between footcandles and lux?
A footcandle is like a lux, but in the imperial system. 1 footcandle equals 10.76 lux.
For footcandles to lumens: Lumens = Footcandles x Area (in square feet).
How do I calculate lux per watt?
To get lux per watt, use this: Lux per Watt = Lux / Watts.
It shows the efficiency of different lights.
What are the typical lighting requirements for different applications?
Warehouses and outdoors need 20-200 lux.
Offices and indoors require 500 lux or more.
Source Links
- https://suprabeam.com/technology/lumen-to-lux/
- https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/what-is-the-difference-between-lux-and-lumens
- https://faro.es/en/blog/es-lux-y-lumen/
- https://www.lumistrips.com/lumistrips-en-lumen-lux-calculator
- https://www.warehousefitoutgroup.co.uk/posts/lux-to-lumens-calculator
- https://www.standardpro.com/how-to-measure-light/
- https://fsg.com/what-is-a-foot-candle/
- https://www.translatorscafe.com/unit-converter/en-US/illumination/4-10/foot-candle-lumen/foot²/
- https://greenbusinesslight.com/resources/lighting-lux-lumens-watts/
- https://photometer.pro/light-up-your-life-the-ultimate-lux-to-lumen-calculator-cheat-sheet/
- https://carex.com/blogs/resources/lux-guide