When choosing the right lighting, the concept of luminous flux, expressed in lumen (lm), essential. Luminous flux determines how bright a light source is and directly affects the atmosphere and functionality of a room. In this article, we dive deeper into what luminous flux is and how you can apply this knowledge when selecting lighting to suit your needs.
Luminous flux is the total amount of visible light emitted by a light source per second, measured in lumen (lm). It indicates how much light a lamp emits in all directions. Unlike wattage, which indicates energy consumption, lumen focuses on actual light output.
Understanding luminous flux is crucial to determining the right brightness for your space. Too few lumens can lead to insufficient lighting, while too many lumens can cause glare and uncomfortable conditions. By knowing how many lumens you need, you can:
Choose lamps with a high lm/W value for more light with less energy consumption.
Determine the lumens needed based on the function of the room (e.g. living room, office, workshop).
Make sure luminaires are suitable for the light sources with the desired lumen value.
Lumen measures the total amount of visible light emitted by a lamp, while watt indicates the energy consumption of the lamp. With the advent of energy-efficient lighting, lumens are a better indicator of brightness than wattage.
It depends on the size of the room and its intended use. For example, a dentist has different requirements than a catering establishment. As a very rough guideline for less intensive work, about 300-500 lumens per square metre for workspaces and 100-200 lumens per square metre for living areas.
Lumen per watt gives the efficiency of a light source. It shows how much light (lumen) is produced per watt of energy consumed. A higher lm/W value means a more efficient lamp.
There are several organisations that produce regulations and guidelines such as the NSVV and CIE which lighting should comply with. For instance, it is often not about the number of lumens that a lamp gives, but specifically about how many lux it reaches on the working surface and how uniform this light is. There may also be requirements for glare and light pollution by using too many lumens, for example.
Not necessary. Too many lumens can lead to glare and discomfort. It is important to choose the right amount of light to suit the function of the room. NEN-EN12464-1 and NEN-EN12464-2 have been drawn up for this purpose, for example
Lux measures the illuminance or amount of light falling on a surface, while lumen measures the total light output of the light source. Lux takes into account the distance and spread of light and ultimately says much more about the actual light level than a light source's lumens.
At JEL Products we offer a wide range of energy-efficient lighting with high lumen values to suit your specific needs. Our experts are ready to advise you on the best options for your situation. Also, if you have any questions or would like personal advice on choosing the right lighting based on luminous flux between any of our products. Please contact us via the button below.
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Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide general information and is not intended as professional advice. For specific questions or tailored advice, we recommend contacting our experts.
