Light ergonomics

Light ergonomics is the relationship between the light source and the individual. Poor light can be divided into the following:


 * Individual or socio-cultural expectations
 * Insufficient light
 * Poor distribution of light
 * Improper contrast
 * Glare
 * Flicker
 * Thermal heating (over or under)
 * Acoustic noise (especially fluorescents)
 * Color spectrum (full-spectrum light, color temperature, etc.)

Effects of poor light
The effects of poor light can include the following:
 * low productivity
 * high human error rates
 * inability to match or select correct colors
 * eyestrain
 * headache
 * a reduction in mental alertness
 * general malaise
 * low employee morale


 * {| class="wikitable"

! colspan="2" | Recommended Illumination Levels ! Type of Activity !! Ranges of Illuminations (Lux)
 * - style="height:35px"
 * - style="height:35px" align="center"
 * Public spaces with dark surroundings || align="center" | 30
 * Simple orientation for short temporary visits || align="center" | 50
 * Working spaces where visual tasks are only occasionally performed || align="center" | 100
 * Performance of visual tasks of high contrast or large scale || align="center" | 300
 * Performance of visual tasks of medium contrast or small size || align="center" | 500
 * Performance of visual tasks of low contrast or very small size || align="center" | 1000
 * Performance of visual tasks near threshold of person's ability to recognize an image || align="center" | 3000-10000
 * }
 * Performance of visual tasks of medium contrast or small size || align="center" | 500
 * Performance of visual tasks of low contrast or very small size || align="center" | 1000
 * Performance of visual tasks near threshold of person's ability to recognize an image || align="center" | 3000-10000
 * }
 * Performance of visual tasks near threshold of person's ability to recognize an image || align="center" | 3000-10000
 * }
 * }

Types of light sources

 * {| class="wikitable"

! colspan="5" | Light Bulbs ! Type !! Common Application !! Efficiency !! Colour Rendering !! Fog-Smog Penetration
 * - style="height:35px"
 * - style="height:35px" align="center"
 * Incandescent || Homes || Poor || Good
 * Fluorescent || Home&Office || Good || Fair to good
 * Mercury || Factories, offices || Fair || Fair to moderate
 * Low pressure sodium || Roadway || Good || Poor || Good
 * High pressure sodium || Factories, commercial || Good || Fair to good|| Good
 * Metal Halide || Factories, commercial || Good || Good
 * Light-emitting diode (LED) || Home & office, commercial, industrial || Excellent|| Good
 * }
 * High pressure sodium || Factories, commercial || Good || Fair to good|| Good
 * Metal Halide || Factories, commercial || Good || Good
 * Light-emitting diode (LED) || Home & office, commercial, industrial || Excellent|| Good
 * }
 * Light-emitting diode (LED) || Home & office, commercial, industrial || Excellent|| Good
 * }
 * }
 * }