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Luminous intensity

Diagramm zur Darstellung von Lichtstrom, Lichtstärke und Beleuchtungsstärke von Lampen.

The luminous intensity of a light source indicates the strength of the light in a specific direction, since light is never distributed completely uniformly. In other words, it is the portion of the luminous flux that radiates in a specific direction—the solid-angle density of the luminous flux. Luminous intensity is denoted by the symbol l and is measured in the unitCandela (abbreviated as "cd") is specified.

Luminous intensity is therefore important whenever a lamp's beam pattern is relevant, since aLight source emits different amounts of light in different directions. A ceiling spotlight, for example, directs most of its light upward, but some of the light will still reach to the left and right, although this will be significantly less light. Here, both the type of lamp—which deliberately directs the light—and the way the light source is mounted are important. In addition, for all light sources thatdirectional light do not emit anyLumen value, but rather the luminous intensity, expressed in candelas. These are light sources equipped with reflectors.

To determine the varying distribution of light intensity from a luminaire, we use what is known as the light intensity distribution curve (abbreviated as LVK). It is a measure of the spatial distribution of luminous flux.

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Eine Gruppe fröhlicher junger Menschen lächelt gemeinsam in einem sonnigen Park.

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