What do the terms lux and lumen mean?

The importance of the terms lux and lumen

Lux and lumen are both units of measurement that play an important role in lighting rooms and buildings. While the lumen describes the amount of light emitted by a light source, the lux indicates how much light falls on a specific area. When purchasing lights for indoor or outdoor use, it is important to consider both the lumen and the lux value. A lamp with a high lumen count does not always mean good lighting.

A high lumen count just means that the lamp gives off a lot of light. However, the brightness is affected by the size of the room and the height of the lamp. For example, a room with a high ceiling will require a higher lumen count to be adequately lit. The lux value is an important factor in determining the illuminance in a room. To determine the right illuminance for a room, various factors must be considered, such as the room size, ceiling height, and the type of activities taking place in the room. For example, a work area or kitchen counter will require higher illuminance than a living room. Choosing the right lighting is not just about considering the right lux and lumen values, but also the color temperature and color rendering index (CRI) of the light source. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) and affects the atmosphere of the room. Warm white light (2700K-3000K) creates a cozy atmosphere, while cooler light (5000K-6500K) is more suitable for work areas.

CRI is a measure of a light source's ability to faithfully reproduce colors. A high CRI is especially important in rooms such as bathrooms where makeup is applied or art studios where color reproduction is important. Another important consideration when choosing lighting is energy consumption. Lights that use LED technology tend to have lower energy consumption than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs. LED lights also last longer and are more environmentally friendly because they use less energy and produce less waste. When installing lights, it is important to follow safety regulations. Electrical installation should be carried out by a professional to avoid electric shock or fire. Lights should also be installed in locations where they cannot be accidentally damaged, such as near doors or windows.

" When purchasing lights, make sure the lighting level is appropriate for the room. Use warm light in living areas and cooler light in work areas. Smart bulbs offer a flexible and adaptable lighting option. "

Basic information about lighting measurement

If you have ever bought a lamp, you have probably heard the term "lux" before. But what exactly does this term mean? In this text you will learn everything you need to know about lux and lighting measurements. When it comes to lighting, not only the design of the lamp plays an important role, but above all the properties of the light itself are important. But there are countless units of measurement that need to be taken into account - one of them is the illuminance. It is measured in lux, abbreviated lx, which comes from Latin and can be translated as light. In this article we want to explain exactly what this is all about.

The illuminance is given in the physical unit lux and represents how much light or luminous flux falls on a certain area. However, this is not the same as brightness, as a white wall appears much brighter than a dark area with the same illuminance. The color of the area therefore has a huge influence on our perception of brightness.

Illuminance is important to ensure we have enough light to carry out our daily tasks. Too little light can cause eye strain and headaches, while too much light can be blinding. Lux is also important to ensure we have the right type of lighting for our needs. For example, a work area will need more lighting than a living room.Lux can be measured using a lux meter, which usually consists of a light sensor and a display device. The light sensor records the incoming light and the display device shows the illuminance in lux. There are also apps for smartphones that can measure illuminance, but they are usually not as accurate as a lux meter. Depending on the room, we recommend different illuminance levels: In the living room, we think an illuminance of 100-200 lux is suitable. Whereas in the office, 300 to 500 lux is more suitable. In surgery, a guideline value of 5000 lux should be used.

If you want to make sure you have enough light for your needs, you can measure the illuminance in lux. For example, if you find that your living room only has 50 lux, you can buy a stronger lamp or add an additional light source to increase the illuminance. You will look in vain for information on the lamp or light bulb packaging. How many lux the illuminance of a lamp has has to be calculated yourself, as this depends heavily on the positioning of the lamp: If it is installed very close to a surface, the lux value is much higher than if the light source is very far away from the surface. The illuminance is now defined as lumens per square meter (lm/m²) and is measured with a so-called lux meter on horizontal and vertical surfaces or using simulations. In addition to the distance of the lamp from the surface and the lumen value, you also need the beam angle of the lamp to ultimately determine the exact lux number.

Important photometric quantities

• Lumen: how much light a light source emits per second
• Luminous intensity (candela): indicates the current related to the solid angle
• Illuminance Lux: luminous flux that hits a certain surface
• Luminance: provides detailed information about the emitted luminous flux

What other things do I need to consider when it comes to living room lighting?

The illuminance in lux is less relevant for private individuals, but mainly for commercial and public places, because certain regulations apply here. They serve to protect workers and people and should therefore be complied with:

• Workplace lighting: min. 500 lux (the more detailed the activity, the more)

• Traffic zone lighting: 100 lux

• Street lighting: 10 lux

• Escape route lighting: center min. 1 lux

But you can also use these guidelines for your private rooms. However, it makes more sense to concentrate on the luminous flux and the beam angle in order to roughly estimate the lighting intensity when purchasing. After all, this is not easily stated and requires calculation first.

• Bedroom: 45 lux

• Living room: 77 lux

• Bathroom: 110 Lux

Conclusion - This is how you do everything right!

Overall, choosing the right lighting is an important factor in the functionality and atmosphere of a room. Considering lux, lumens, color temperature, and CRI when choosing fixtures can help determine the best lighting solution for the space. Current lighting trends, such as the use of decorative lights and smart bulbs, offer additional options for improving the lighting in a room.

If you are still undecided about how you want to implement the lighting in your home, please make an appointment with the lighting professionals at Skapetze for personal advice and the development of an individual lighting concept .

You are also welcome to visit us on site in Simbach am Inn in our lighting studio .

If you already have a concrete idea of ​​what the lights in your living room should look like, we can help you turn this idea into reality – our in-house workshop makes it possible.