Electrical Contractor recently published an article I wrote about a simple methodology for evaluating light sources based on a basic series of questions: • What is the distribution of the light? Distribution is measured in candelas (cd). • How long does the lamp last? Service life is measured in hours. • How much light does [...]
Lighting designers have a responsibility to provide lighting systems that deliver visual comfort, which goes beyond simple visibility by addressing issues such as glare. This article, which I wrote for Electrical Contractor Magazine, describes the basics of glare, and how to address it.
Dimming offers greater flexibility for lighting systems, providing users with more control over their lighting conditions to support visual needs and enabling energy management strategies that can reduce energy costs. Traditionally limited to high-end commercial building applications, such as conference rooms and private offices, dimming is now being implemented throughout buildings. In its August issue, [...]
In its August issue, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine published an article I wrote describing the current state of technology in high-intensity discharge (HID) ballasts, with a focus on electronic HID products. In general, innovation is trending toward efficiency, controllability and smaller size. Check it out here.
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine has published an article that I wrote about ambient/task lighting design schemes. This design approach can provide sufficient general and task illumination in offices, with additional benefits contributed by indirect distribution, while generating significant energy savings. The approach can be particularly advantageous when high, dark or articulated ceilings or required use of [...]
Significant innovation in linear fluorescent lighting is being spurred on by commercial building energy codes, sustainability initiatives, new legislation and regulations, customer demands and competition from other light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In short, fluorescent lighting is generally become more efficient, more controllable and longer life. Check out this article I wrote for [...]
For its April cover story, Electrical Contractor Magazine published an article I wrote about OLEDs, drawing on information provided by the Department of Energy and Acuity Brands’ Peter Ngai. Some industry observers have predicted that solid-state lighting technology (SSL) will satisfy most lighting applications by the end of the decade. One particular SSL technology on [...]
I’m pleased to announce that I have finally completed the long awaited (by my publisher) update to The Lighting Management Handbook, which came out in 1994, with this 300-page book about redesigning existing lighting systems: Lighting Redesign for Existing Buildings. Because light is used to see but cannot be seen, it is often overlooked by [...]
In December 2010, Electrical Contractor published “Walk Toward the Light,” an article I wrote about the importance of ensuring proper illumination of vertical surfaces, particularly in projects such as LEED projects, which squeeze lighting watts to an extent that risks to lighting quality increase. The article describes the rationale behind wall lighting and its benefits, [...]
My most recent lighting column in Electrical Contractor Magazine describes the role of surface reflectances in the overall efficiency of lighting applications. Because surfaces and objects in typical spaces reflect light, they can play a part in lighting efficiency as extensions of the lighting system. By controlling room surface reflectances, light levels can be improved, [...]
