The relationship between lux and lumen is an important concept in the field of lighting. Lux measures the amount of light that falls on a surface, while lumen measures the total amount of light emitted by a source. Understanding this relationship is crucial for choosing the right lighting for different applications.
What is a lumen?
A lumen is a unit of measurement used to quantify the total amount of visible light emitted by a source. It measures the perceived brightness of a light source as perceived by the human eye. When we say a light bulb has a certain number of lumens, we are referring to its overall brightness.
What is a lux?
Lux, on the other hand, measures the amount of light that falls on a specific surface area. It is expressed as lumens per square meter (lm/m²). Lux takes into account the distance between the light source and the surface, as well as any obstructions or reflections that may affect the amount of light reaching the surface.
Lux to lumen conversion
To convert lux to lumens, you need to know the size of the surface area and the distance from the light source. The formula for converting lux to lumens is as follows: lumen = lux × surface area. For example, if you have a surface area of 10 square meters and the illuminance is 100 lux, then the total amount of light falling on that surface would be 1000 lumens.
It's important to note that lux and lumen are not directly interchangeable. Lux measures the intensity of light falling on a surface, while lumen measures the total light output of a source. Therefore, the relationship between lux and lumen depends on the size of the surface area and the distance from the light source.
In conclusion, lux and lumen are two different units of measurement used to quantify light. Lux measures the amount of light falling on a surface, while lumen measures the total amount of light emitted by a source. Understanding the relationship between these two units is essential for proper lighting design and selection.