CHAPTER 6.

LIGHTING
SYSTEMS AND LUMINAIRES
6.4—TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
6.5—TYPES OF LUMINAIRE DESIGN AND CHARACTERISTICS
6.4—TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

• 6.4.1 Luminaire Components.

• 6.4.2 Light Control Components
• 6.4.3 Mechanical Components
• 6.4.4 Electrical Components
6.4.1 LUMINAIRE COMPONENTS.
6.4.2 LIGHT CONTROL COMPONENTS

• (a) Reflectors. A Reflector is a device, usually of coated

metal or plastic, that is of high reflectance and is shaped to
redirect the light emitted by the lamp.
• (b) Refractors. Refractors are light control devices
that take advantage of the change in direction that
light undergoes as it passes through the boundary of
materials of differing optical density (index of
refraction), such as air to glass or air to plastic (see
figure 6.7)
• (c)DIFFUSERS – Diffusers are light control elements that
scatter (redirect) incident light in many directions. This
scattering can take place in the material, such as in bulk
diffusers like white plastic, or on the surface as in etched or
sandblasted glass. Diffusers are used to spread light and,
since scattering destroy optical images, obscure the interior
of luminaires, suppress lamp images, and reduce high
illuminance by increasing the area over which light leaves a
luminaire. Examples of diffusers are shown in Fig. 6.8.
• (d) Shades, Blades, Louvers, and Baffles. Shades and shields
are opaque or translucent materials shaped to reduce or eliminate
the direct view of the lamp from outside the luminaire (Figure 6.9)
Blades, usually opaque and highly reflective, can be shaped and
positioned to eliminate the direct view of the lamp from certain
directions outside the luminaire and to control the direction from
which the light leaves. If arranged in a rectangular grid, producing
cells, they are called louvers. If arranged linearly they are called
baffles. Louvers and baffles often are made of specularly reflecting
metal, though some are of coated plastic.
6.4.3 MECHANICAL COMPONENTS

• The mechanical components of a luminaire consist of a

housing or general structure to support other components of
the luminaire, and a mounting mechanism for the attachment
of the luminaire to its support. If the luminaire uses a
refractor or transparent cover, then hinged frames or doors
often are provided to hold the lens.
6.4.4 ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

• The electrical components of the luminaire operate the lamp.

The luminaire contains and supports ballast, starter,
capacitors, or emergency lighting devices.
6.5—TYPES OF LUMINAIRE DESIGN AND
CHARACTERISTICS
• 6.5.1 General Lighting Luminaire Types
6.5.1.1 Commercial and Residential Luminaire
6.5.1.2 Architectural Luminaires
6.5.1.3 Task Light
6.5.1.4 Decorative Luminaire
6.5.1.5 Emergency and Exit
6.5.1.6 Industrial Luminaires
6.5.1.7 Outdoor Luminaires
6.5.1.1 COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL
LUMINAIRE
• (a) Open Direct Luminaires. Open direct systems do not
employ shielding at all. These systems include surface and
pendant mounted strip fluorescent fixtures and suspended
open industrial and commercial luminaires. Unless equipped
with reflectors, these systems radiate light in all directions
(see Figure 6.10). Open direct lighting systems are often very
efficient, with high coefficient of utilization (CU) values, but
they may cause visual discomfort and disability glare.
• (b) Imaging Specular Reflector Open Luminaires. The
basic, open luminaire can be equipped with an imaging
specular reflector. The imaging reflector may not improve
luminaire efficiency, but the luminaire's coefficient of
utilization (CU) can be increased as more light is redirected
toward the work plane, as shown in Fig. 6.11.
• (c)Shielded Direct Lighting Systems. Shielded systems
use some form of lens, louver, or baffle to prevent direct
viewing of the lamps at normal angles of view (see Figure
6.12). Surface and suspended luminaire types include
industrial HID downlights, baffled industrial fluorescent
luminaires, fluorescent wraparound lens luminaires, and
commercial fluorescent lens luminaires. Recessed systems
include HID downlights and a wide range of fluorescent
"troffers" using lenses, louvers, or baffles to control glare.
• (d) Shielded Industrial and Commercial Luminaires with
Specular Imaging Reflectors. These luminaires are similar to
open industrial and commercial luminaires. However, they
are equipped with louver shielding. Specular imaging
reflectors can increase luminaire efficiencies and coefficient
of utilization. (See Fig. 6.13)
• (e) Parabolic Louvered Recessed Troffers. An increasingly popular
commercial general lighting fixture is the recessed parabolic
troffer. There are large-cell and small-cell parabolic luminaires.
Large cell luminaires are generally more efficient, with relatively
high coefficient of utilization values, while smaller cells usually
offer better glare control. The large-celled parabolic louvered
troffer is a luminaire that can combine sharp cut-off glare control
with an efficient reflector/louver design. Many different standard
sizes are readily available, including 600mm x 1200mm, 600mm x
600mm, 300mm x 1200mm and others.
• (f)
Standard Lensed Troffers Equipped with Specular Imaging
Reflectors. The traditional lensed troffer (see Fig. 6.15) can be
equipped with a specular imaging reflector. The efficiency of
a two lamp, 600mm x 1200mm, reflector-equipped luminaire
consisting of a pattern-12 (standard) prismatic lens, and
properly aligned lamps, rises from about 70% to about 80%
with the addition of a specular imaging reflector.
• (g) Indirect Lighting Luminaires. Luminaires that radiate light
up to a reflecting ceiling are called indirect types (see Figure
6.16). Indirect lighting systems generally employ luminaires
suspended from the ceiling, though cove lights and lights
mounted to walls and furniture can also be used
• (h)Cove Lighting Systems. New designs in indirect lighting
luminaires, especially for cove and coffer installations,
increase the effectiveness of traditional strip lights and
eliminate socket shadows. Figure 6.17 shows a typical
distribution pattern.
• (i) Compact HID Indirect Lighting Systems. Compact HID
lamps allow for smaller up light luminaires that are easily
installed in furniture-mounted luminaires and wall sconces.
(HID luminaires may not be suitable for applications when
periodic switching is anticipated.) Figure 6.18 shows an
example of HID Indirect Luminaire (Uplighter).
• (j) Direct/Indirect Lighting Systems. These systems combine
the efficiency and high CU of direct illumination with the
uniformity and glare control of indirect lighting (see Figure
6.19). Some industrial lighting systems are designed for a
limited percentage of indirect uplight; some office and school
lighting systems are designed for an equal balance between
direct downlight and indirect uplight.
• (k)Stage. Stage luminaires are designed to produce tight
optical control and provide maximum flexibility. They are
commonly used in theaters and television studios for lighting
stage and people.
 6.5.1.2 ARCHITECTURAL LUMINAIRES
• 6.5.1.2Architectural Luminaires. Architectural lighting is
generally employed in building spaces such as lobbies,
corridors and the like. Typical lighting types include recessed
downlights, wall washers, track lights, and some wall
sconces. Since these luminaires are used initially for
highlighting high-quality spaces, aesthetics is a principal
consideration in their design and selection. Nevertheless,
there are many opportunities to utilize efficient lighting in
these applications.
• (a) Recessed Low-Wattage HID Downlights. HID
downlights suitable for lower ceilings and high-quality spaces
have been made viable with high-CRI compact metal halide
and white high-pressure sodium lamps.
• (b) Recessed Compact Fluorescent Downlights. The
popular compact fluorescent downlight is now available in a
variety of configurations, including dimmable lamps designed
for use with electronic ballasts.
• (c)Track-Mounted HID and Compact Fluorescent
Floodlights. Track lights use a system that includes
luminaires and a track or rail that is designed to both provide
mounting and deliver electric power.
• (d) Compact Fluorescent Adapters with Screw in Power
Connections. Techniques are available for retrofitting
incandescent downlights with compact fluorescent
technology.
6.5.1.3 TASK LIGHTS

• 6.5.1.3 Task Lights. Task-ambient lighting designs generally

utilize two separate lighting systems to improve lighting
while saving energy. First, an ambient lighting design
provides a medium-to-low level of uniform illumination in a
room. Most general lighting systems can be used for
ambient lighting. Second, task lighting is provided at and for
specific visual tasks.
6.5.1.4 DECORATIVE LUMINAIRES

• 6.5.1.4 Decorative Luminaires. A renaissance in decorative

lighting fixtures in the form of pendants, wall sconces,
chandeliers, exterior lanterns, and landscaping lights were
introduced in the 1980s. In most instances, decorative
lighting luminaires are used to provide general or ambient
lighting in areas where a more customized appearance is
desired.
• (a) Low-Wattage HID and Compact Fluorescent Wall
Mounted Luminaires. Many traditional applications for
incandescent wall-mounted sconces and brackets can be
replaced with similar appearing luminaires designed
specifically for compact fluorescent or HID lamps. See Figure
6.26 for an example.
• (b) Compact Fluorescent Pendants and Chandeliers.
Luminaire designs continue to evolve for compact fluorescent
decorative chandeliers and pendants used in applications
once limited to traditional incandescent fixtures. See Figure
6.27 for an example.
• (c)Compact Fluorescent Exterior Luminaires. Compact
fluorescent lamps can be used in enclosed luminaires for
exterior lighting. In colder climates, electronically ballasted
compact fluorescent lamps may be required to ensure proper
operation at lower temperatures. Compact fluorescent
outdoor luminaires (Fig. 6.28) are especially well suited for
landscape lighting applications, which previously used low
wattage incandescent lamps.
• (d) Low-Wattage HID Exterior Luminaires. Low-wattage
HID lamps can be used in every climate region because of
their wide temperature range for starting and operating. The
small lamp size makes them suitable for many outdoor
luminaires.
6.5.1.5 EMERGENCY AND EXIT
• 6.5.1.5 Emergency and Exit. Emergency lighting luminaires
(Fig. 6.29) are designed to provide enough light for egress in
emergency situations. They may operate from power
provided by batteries. Under normal condition the batteries
are continuously charged from line voltage. These luminaires
contain circuitry that turns them on whenever line voltage is
not present.
6.5.1.6 INDUSTRIAL LUMINAIRES

• (a) Linear Fluorescent

• (b) Strips/Batten
• (c) High Bay
• (d) Low Bay
6.5.1.7 OUTDOOR LUMINAIRES
• (a) Floodlight. These luminaires are often used for building
lighting and other special application such as billboard
lighting. Most types of HID lamps are used in floodlight
luminaires. Lamp orientation and reflector arrangement
normally determine beam characteristics.
• (b) Sports Lighting. Some sports lighting luminaires (Fig.
6.35) have very narrow luminous intensity distributions and
typically mounted to the side and well above the playing
area. High wattage metal halide lamps are common for
sports lighting luminaires from 1000W-3500W.
• (c)Street and Roadway. These luminaires are designed to
produce reasonably uniform illuminance on streets and
roadways. They are usually mounted on arms of a pole, or
are post-top mounted.
• (d) Pathway. Walkway and grounds lighting is often
accomplished with bollards. These luminaires are mounted in
the ground and have the form of a short thick post similar to
that found on a ship or wharf (see Fig. 6.37). They are used
for localized lighting. Their size is appropriate for the
architectural scale of walkways and other pedestrian areas.
• (e)Parking Lot and Garage. Parking lot lighting often uses
cut-off or semi-cut-off luminaires with flat-bottomed lenses.
These luminaires are mounted on post-top brackets or on
short arms and can be arranged in single, twin, or quad
configurations. Wall mounted luminaires are often used for
small parking lots immediately adjacent to a building or in
parking structures, often referred to as “wall packs” wall
mounted luminaires.
• (f)
Security. Security luminaires (see Fig 6.39) are typically
outdoor luminaires designed to help visually secure an area.
This can mean providing sufficient illuminance for visual
surveillance or security camera surveillance. These
luminaires are typically mounted in inaccessible places and
have particularly strong housings and lenses to help them
become less susceptible to vandalism.
• (g)Landscape. Landscape luminaires (see Fig. 6.40) are
designed for outdoor use to light buildings, plants, water
features, and walkways. They can be mounted on the ground,
poles, trees, or underwater. Typically they have special
housing, gasketting, lenses, and electrical wiring hardware
that protects against the effects of water and corrosion.