Lighting

Basic lighting or primary lighting

The primary light provides for the background brightness or working brightness and should illuminate the room as shadow-free as possible. The primary lighting is the most important light source in the room and is usually realized via ceiling lights, hidden light elements or work lights. The aim of the primary lighting is an optimum illumination of the entire room area. The number, shape and strength of the light sources are based on the geometry of the room, the naturally incident light, the furnishings and the individual space usage.

A modern basic lighting is usually done glare-free by indirect light. The high-quality, powerful light makes it easier to work without getting tired quickly. The primary ambient light increases motivation and concentration. Working errors due to restricted visibility are thus avoided.

Functional light

Functional light fulfills a specific task, such as at the desk, in the storage room, at a machine or a production plant. The most well-known functional light is the work place lighting in the form of a desk lamp. A floor lamp for the office or an office work lamp are also functional lights, which release part of the light indirectly to the ceiling and the rest directly down to the desk.

Functional light is usually only switched on when necessary, for example when the employee sits at his desk or his workplace.

The functional light also includes the orientation light at entrance areas, stairs, corridors and escape routes. It supports employees, guests, tenants and residents in the intended use of rooms and in hazardous situations.

Modern lighting technology, based on LEDs for example, converts more current into light. The light efficiency is much higher, so much less energy is required for a comparable luminous flux. New illuminants appear at least as bright as the previous ones or even Heller, but consume less power. For the same light yield, much less energy is required at the bottom line.

The advances in lighting technology are reflected in the cards by cost-conscious owners, architects, lighting planners, building engineers and the lighting staff from building management, because modern light keeps maintenance costs low in the long run. The very long shelf life compensates for the higher cost of acquisition and should be included in the cost-effectiveness analysis. As the number of operating hours increases, the payback period is reduced.

Not only the new LEDs help to reduce energy costs. Fluorescent lamps, high-pressure discharge lamps and energy-saving lamps of the latest generation also have an optimized light yield. They thus exceed the energy efficiency and lighting quality of older models. Therefore, exchange from an economic point of view always makes sense.

Intelligent lighting control systems centrally regulate lighting. The existing light sources can be controlled uniformly according to rooms, zones and application areas within a building, across several buildings and also at several locations. The control commands and status information are transmitted via WLAN, Ethernet, power supply, standardized bus cables or proprietary bus systems.

The advantages of digital light control are the greatest possible flexibility in the use of buildings and a high degree of comfort. Depending on the system, the switching, dimming and programming of the light is done via an app on smartphones, tablets or computers. In addition, existing switches can be used, replaced by networked models and extended by remote controls.

Individually definable lighting scenes provide optimum light in conference and meeting rooms at the push of a button. By working together with smart sensors, the light reacts according to your wishes.

As part of a higher-level building management system, the lighting is controlled in conjunction with the shutters, the sun protection, the heating system or the alarm system. The presence simulation makes unused rooms and parts of the building look inhabited and deters burglars. smart networking also makes the energy consumption of each light source transparent.

Luminous flux (lumen)

The luminous flux of a lamp in the unit lumen tells you how bright the lamp shines. The higher the lumen specification, the brighter Heller works. The luminous flux serves as an important comparison possibility when assembling your lighting independantly of the technology used.

Color temperature / Kelvin

The light color measured in Kelvin depends on the light mood from warm to cold a lamp achieves. We regard bulbs with a color temperature below 3,300 K as warm white, from 3,300 to 5,300 K light acts as neutral white to cold white. Daylight white has about 5,300 K.

Angle of radiation

The angle of radiation is particularly important for spots. The angle indicates the range in which a lamp emits at least half of its maximum light intensity. A small angle of radiation provides spot light, a larger angle provides for a wider beam of light.

Color reproduction / Ra index

The color reproduction or Ra index represents the quality of light in relation to the authenticity of the illuminated colors. The value gives you an indication of how natural colors of furniture, walls, fabrics or floor coverings are reproduced in the light of the illuminant. The higher the value, the more natural colors appear.

Luminous efficacy / energy efficiency

The higher the light output of a lamp, the more efficient it is. The light yield is indicated as an LM/W value in lumen per watt, the energy efficiency in energy efficiency classes such as A+ and A++.

Service life

The average or average lifetime in hours or years is a quality aspect of light bulbs and is relevant for estimating maintenance and payback time.