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TYPES OF LIGHTING SCHEMES
Usually, with the reflector and some special diffusing screens, it is possible to control the
distribution of light emitted from lamps up to some extent. A good lighting scheme results in an
attractive and commanding presence of objects and enhances the architectural style of the
interior of a building. Depending upon the requirements and the way of light reaching the
surface, lighting schemes are classified as follows:
1. direct lighting,
2. semidirect lighting,
3. indirect lighting,
4. semi-indirect lighting, and
5. general lighting.
Direct lighting schemes
Direct lighting scheme is most widely used for interior lighting scheme. In this scheme, by using
deep reflectors, it is possible to make 90% of light falls just below the lamp. This scheme is more
efficient but it suffers from hard shadows and glare. Hence, while designing such schemes, all
the possibilities that will cause glare on the eye have to be eliminated. It is mainly used for
industrial and general outdoor lighting.
Semidirect lighting schemes
In semidirect lighting scheme, about 60–90% of lamps luminous flux is made to fall downward
directly by using some reflectors and the rest of the light is used to illuminate the walls and
ceiling. This type of light scheme is employed in rooms with high ceiling. Glare can be avoided
by employing diffusing globes. This scheme will improve not only the brightness but also the
efficiency.
Indirect lighting schemes
In this lighting scheme, 90% of total light is thrown upwards to the ceiling. In such scheme, the
ceiling acts as the lighting source and glare is reduced to minimum.
This system provides shadowless illumination, which is very useful for drawing offices and in
workshops where large machines and other difficulties would cause trouble some shadows if
direct lighting schemes were used.
Semi-indirect lighting schemes
In semi-indirect lighting scheme, about 60–90% of light from the lamp is thrown upwards to the
ceiling and the remaining luminous flux reaches the working surface. Glare will be completely
eliminated with such type of lighting scheme. This scheme is widely preferred for indoor lighting
decoration purpose.
General lighting scheme
This scheme of lighting use diffusing glasses to produce the equal illumination in all directions.
Mounting height of the source should be much above eye level to avoid glare. Lamp fittings of
various lighting schemes are shown in Fig. 7.20.
Fig. 7.20 Lighting schemes
DESIGN OF LIGHTING SCHEMES
The lighting scheme should be such that:
o It should be able to provide sufficient illumination.

o It should be able to provide the uniform distribution of light throughout the working plane.
o It should be able to produce the light of suitable color.
o It should be able to avoid glare and hard shadows as much as possible.
While designing a lighting scheme, the following factors should be taken into consideration.
1. Illumination level.
2. The size of the room.
3. The mounting height and the space of fitting.
STREET LIGHTING
Street lighting not only requires for shopping centers, promenades, etc. but also necessary for the
following.
o In order to make the street more attractive, so that obstructions on the road clearly visible to the drivers
of vehicles.
o To increase the community value of the street.
o To clear the traffic easily in order to promote safety and convenience.
The basic principles employed for the street lighting are given below.
1. Diffusion principle.
2. The specular reflection principle.
Diffusion principle
In this method, light is directed downwards from the lamp by the suitably designed reflectors.
The design of these reflectors are in such a way that they may reflect total light over the road
surface uniformly as much as possible. The reflectors are made to have a cutoff between 30° and
45°, so that the filament of the lamp is not visible expect just below the source, which results in
eliminating glare. Illumination at any point on the road surface is calculated by applying inverse
square low or point-by-point method.
Specular reflection principle
The specular reflection principle enables a motorist to see an object about 30 m ahead. In this
case, the reflectors are curved upwards, so that the light is thrown on the road at a very large
angle of incidence. This can be explained with the help of Fig. 7.21. An object resides over the
road at ‘P’ in between the lamps S1, S2, and S3 and the observer at ‘Q’.
Fig. 7.21 Specular reflection for street lighting
Thus, the object will appear immediately against the bright road surface due to the lamps at a
longer distance. This method of lighting is only suitable for straight sections along the road. In
this method, it is observed that the objects on the roadway can be seen by a smaller expenditure
of power than by the diffusion method of lighting.
Illumination level, mounting height, and the types of lamps for street lighting
Normally, illumination required depends upon the class of street lighting installation. The
illumination required for different areas of street lighting are given in Table 7.3.
Table 7.3 Illumination required for different areas of street lighting
2
Area Illumination (lumen/m )
1. Road junctions and important shopping centers. 30
2. Poorly lighted sub-urban streets. 4
3. Average well-lighted street. 8–15
Mercury vapor and sodium vapor discharge lamps are preferable for street lighting since the
overall cost of the installation of discharge lamps are less than the filament lamps and also the
less power consumption for a given amount of power output. Normal spacing for the standard
lamps is 50 m with a mounting height of 8 m. Lamp posts should be fixed at the junctions of
roads.
FLOODLIGHTING
Floodlighting means flooding of large surface areas with light from powerful projectors. A
special reflector and housing is employed in floodlighting in order to concentrate the light
emitted from the lamp into a relatively narrow beam, which is known as floodlight projector.
This projector consists of a reflecting surface that may be a silvered glass or chromium plate or
stainless steel. The efficiency of silvered glass and polished metal are 85–90% and 70%,
respectively. Usually metal reflectors are robust; therefore, they can be preferred. An important
application of illumination engineering is the floodlighting of large and open areas. It is
necessary to employ floodlighting to serve one or more of the following purposes.

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TYPES OF LIGHTING SCHEMES

Direct lighting schemes

Semidirect lighting schemes

Indirect lighting schemes

Semi-indirect lighting schemes

General lighting scheme

Fig. 7.20 Lighting schemes

DESIGN OF LIGHTING SCHEMES

The lighting scheme should be such that:

o It should be able to provide sufficient illumination.

Specular reflection principle

Table 7.3 Illumination required for different areas of street lighting

1. Road junctions and important shopping centers. 30

2. Poorly lighted sub-urban streets. 4

3. Average well-lighted street. 8–15

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