Lux is a measure of the amount of light level intensity, which is commonly referred to as unit of illuminance or illumination on a surface area. Lux is an SI unit that measures ‘luminous flux’ per unit area.
The measurement of 1 lux is equal to the illumination of a one metre square surface that is one metre away from the light output of a single candle. “1 Lux is 1 lumen projected over an area of 1 square meter”
The following Lux Light Levels Chart shows examples of Lux in various familiar conditions.
| Light Condition | Typical Lux |
|---|---|
| British summer sunshine | 50,000 |
| Ambient Daylight | 10,000 to 25,000 |
| Overcast Daylight | 1,000 to 5,000 |
| Well-lit office | 500 |
| Sunset & Sunrise | 400 |
| Family Living Room | 120 |
| Lifts | 100 |
| Street Lighting | 15 |
| Moonlight (Full moon) | 1 |
| Night (No moon) | <0.01 |
While sun light, depending on the weather conditions and time of day provides between thousands to just a few hundred Lux, indoor artificial lighting generally provides light intensity from 1000 Lux and below.
A light fitting output is reported in Lumen, the Lux is the intensity of the projected light on a surface which is dependent on the lumen output intensity of the light source.
If you projected 100 lumens onto an area of 1 square meter you will achieve an illuminance level of 100 Lux. If you projected, the same light source of 100 lumen over a larger area of 10 square meters, you would produce an illuminance level of 10 Lux.
The larger the area you illuminate, the larger the number of light fittings and more total amount of light you will require to achieve the same Lux levels.
Different activities require distinct levels of light. In general, the more detailed the task, the greater the light requirement.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974, an employer has a duty to ensure the health and safety of employees. The Act includes a duty to provide lighting to ensure that work can be undertaken safely. It also states that employee’s health or eyesight must not be jeopardised. Regulation no.8 of the Workplace Regulations Act 1992 states that employers must ensure that:
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Recommended Light Levels for the UK
| Private Homes | Suggested Lux Level |
| General Lighting | 120 to 200 |
| Kitchen | 250 to 500 |
| Bedrooms | 120 to 200 |
| Workshop and hobby areas, fine work | 500 to 1000 |
| Bathroom | 250 |
| Dining room | 500 |
| Education | Suggested Lux Level |
| Classroom and tutorial rooms | 300 |
| Lecture hall | 500 |
| Technical drawing rooms | 750 |
| Practical rooms & laboratories | 500 |
| Circulation areas and corridors | 100 |
| Stairs | 150 |
| Retail | Suggested lux level |
| Sales area | 300 |
| Till area | 500 |
| Wrapper table | 500 |
| Dressing rooms | 300 |
| Shop window | 1600 to 3000 |
| Commercial Offices | Suggested lux level |
| General | 500 |
| Computer work stations | 300 to 500 |
| Printer and filing rooms | 300 |
| Changing rooms and toilets | 100 |
| Lunchrooms | 200 |
| Lobbies and entrances | 200 |
| Reception desks | 500 |
| Lifts | 100 |
| Corridors and stairs | 100 |
| Live plants, green walls | 500 to 3000 |
| Loading bays | 300 |
| Unpacking and sorting | 200 |
| Large item storage | 100 |
| Small item storage | 200 |
| Trade counter | 500 |
| Packing and dispatch | 300 |
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