2 watts perSquare foot
- Thread starter Dbronx
- Start date
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2 watts per square foot for caculating flourescent lighting seems to be too high. When I caculated this way there were too many light fixtures. the rooms are 20 x20, that would mean 20 X20 = 400 watts ? 32 = 12.5 or thirteen 4X2 light fixtures. Im trying to keep it simple without using lux or lumens equations.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I would try 1/2 to 1 watt/sq foot for fluorescent lighting. I think 2 watts is for incandescent lights.
svh19044
Senior Member
- Location
- Philly Suburbs
The programs convert this value for you, and it's tough to do without knowing the parameters of the luminaire. Different organizations use different general formulas to convert w/sq ft to lumens for different bulbs. None of it seems to be exact.
Playing with some numbers, say a 28w T8, with a multitude of dimensions ranging from hundreds of sq ft to 10's of thousands of sq ft, the lumens at 2w per sq ft with a 28w t8 with 2200 lumens, you're looking at between 140 and 160 footcandles. This is the appropriate amount of light for many environments, so it is quite possible that 2w/sq ft is the correct spec.
Playing with some numbers, say a 28w T8, with a multitude of dimensions ranging from hundreds of sq ft to 10's of thousands of sq ft, the lumens at 2w per sq ft with a 28w t8 with 2200 lumens, you're looking at between 140 and 160 footcandles. This is the appropriate amount of light for many environments, so it is quite possible that 2w/sq ft is the correct spec.
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I'll try that thanks
The fixture used 2 lamp 32w
svh19044
Senior Member
- Location
- Philly Suburbs
dimensions mounting height and environment
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Also if you are trying to meet the energy standard and get LEED certificate then you may need to check out what they call for.
The ceiling heigth 10 feet, office enviornment, room deminsions vairy
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