A specialized tool designed for illumination planning within expansive vertical spaces, such as warehouses, manufacturing plants, and gymnasiums, aids in determining the optimal number and placement of luminaires. By inputting room dimensions, mounting height, desired light levels (illuminance), and photometric data of selected fixtures, it generates estimations of the required lighting layout. As an example, a user might input a warehouse space of 100ft x 200ft with a 30ft ceiling and a target illuminance of 30 foot-candles to ascertain the number of fixtures needed.
The utilization of such a tool offers significant advantages. Precise illumination planning minimizes energy consumption by avoiding over-illumination, reducing electricity costs. It contributes to improved visual comfort and safety for workers by ensuring adequate and even light distribution, potentially reducing accidents and increasing productivity. Historically, lighting layouts were calculated manually, a time-consuming and often imprecise process. Modern calculators automate this process, providing faster, more accurate results and allowing for efficient evaluation of different lighting solutions.