Luminous efficacy explained

Luminous efficacy
Unit:lm⋅W
Symbols:K
Baseunits:cd⋅s⋅kg⋅m
Dimension:

JT3M-1L-2

Luminous efficacy is a measure of how well a light source produces visible light. It is the ratio of luminous flux to power, measured in lumens per watt in the International System of Units (SI). Depending on context, the power can be either the radiant flux of the source's output, or it can be the total power (electric power, chemical energy, or others) consumed by the source.[1] [2] [3] Which sense of the term is intended must usually be inferred from the context, and is sometimes unclear. The former sense is sometimes called luminous efficacy of radiation,[4] and the latter luminous efficacy of a light source[5] or overall luminous efficacy.[6] [7]

Not all wavelengths of light are equally visible, or equally effective at stimulating human vision, due to the spectral sensitivity of the human eye; radiation in the infrared and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum is useless for illumination. The luminous efficacy of a source is the product of how well it converts energy to electromagnetic radiation, and how well the emitted radiation is detected by the human eye.

Efficacy and efficiency

Luminous efficacy can be normalized by the maximum possible luminous efficacy to a dimensionless quantity called luminous efficiency. The distinction between efficacy and efficiency is not always carefully maintained in published sources, so it is not uncommon to see "efficiencies" expressed in lumens per watt, or "efficacies" expressed as a percentage.

Luminous efficacy of radiation

By definition, light outside the visible spectrum cannot be seen by the standard human vision system, and therefore does not contribute to, and indeed can subtract from, luminous efficacy.

Explanation

Luminous efficacy of radiation measures the fraction of electromagnetic power which is useful for lighting. It is obtained by dividing the luminous flux by the radiant flux. Light wavelengths outside the visible spectrum reduce luminous efficacy, because they contribute to the radiant flux, while the luminous flux of such light is zero. Wavelengths near the peak of the eye's response contribute more strongly than those near the edges.

Wavelengths of light outside of the visible spectrum are not useful for general illumination. Furthermore, human vision responds more to some wavelengths of light than others. This response of the eye is represented by the luminous efficiency function. This is a standardized function representing photopic vision, which models the response of the eye's cone cells, that are active under typical daylight conditions. A separate curve can be defined for dark/night conditions, modeling the response of rod cells without cones, known as scotopic vision. (Mesopic vision describes the transition zone in dim conditions, between photopic and scotopic, where both cones and rods are active.)

Photopic luminous efficacy of radiation has a maximum possible value of, for the case of monochromatic light at a wavelength of . Scotopic luminous efficacy of radiation reaches a maximum of for monochromatic light at a wavelength of .

Mathematical definition

Luminous efficacy (of radiation), denoted K, is defined as

K=

\Phiv
\Phie

=

infty
\intK(λ)\Phie,λdλ
0
infty
\int\Phie,λdλ
0

,

where

Examples

Photopic vision

TypeLuminous efficacy
of radiation (lm/W)
Luminous
efficiency
Tungsten light bulb, typical, 2800 K15[8] 2%
Class M star (Antares, Betelgeuse), 3300K304%
Black body, 4000 K, ideal54.78%
Class G star (Sun, Capella), 5800K9313.6%
Black-body, 7000 K, ideal9514%
Black-body, 5800 K, truncated to 400–700 nm (ideal "white" source)25137%
Black-body, 5800 K, truncated to ≥ 2% photopic sensitivity range292[9] 43%
Black-body, 2800 K, truncated to ≥ 2% photopic sensitivity range29944%
Black-body, 2800 K, truncated to ≥ 5% photopic sensitivity range34350%
Black-body, 5800 K, truncated to ≥ 5% photopic sensitivity range34851%
Monochromatic source at 683 (exact)99.9997%
Ideal monochromatic source: (in air)683.002[10] 100%

Lighting efficiency

See main article: Wall-plug efficiency. Artificial light sources are usually evaluated in terms of luminous efficacy of the source, also sometimes called wall-plug efficacy. This is the ratio between the total luminous flux emitted by a device and the total amount of input power (electrical, etc.) it consumes. The luminous efficacy of the source is a measure of the efficiency of the device with the output adjusted to account for the spectral response curve (the luminosity function). When expressed in dimensionless form (for example, as a fraction of the maximum possible luminous efficacy), this value may be called luminous efficiency of a source, overall luminous efficiency or lighting efficiency.

The main difference between the luminous efficacy of radiation and the luminous efficacy of a source is that the latter accounts for input energy that is lost as heat or otherwise exits the source as something other than electromagnetic radiation. Luminous efficacy of radiation is a property of the radiation emitted by a source. Luminous efficacy of a source is a property of the source as a whole.

Examples

The following table lists luminous efficacy of a source and efficiency for various light sources. Note that all lamps requiring electrical/electronic ballast are unless noted (see also voltage) listed without losses for that, reducing total efficiency.

CategoryTypedata-sort-type="number" Overall luminous
efficacy (lm/W)
data-sort-type="number" Overall luminous
efficiency
CombustionGas mantle1–2[13] 0.15–0.3%
Incandescent15, 40, 100W tungsten incandescent (230 V)8.0, 10.4, 13.8[14] [15] [16] [17] 1.2, 1.5, 2.0%
5, 40, 100W tungsten incandescent (120 V)5.0, 12.6, 17.5[18] 0.7, 1.8, 2.6%
Halogen incandescent100, 200, 500W tungsten halogen (230 V)16.7, 17.6, 19.8[19] 2.4, 2.6, 2.9%
2.6W tungsten halogen (5.2 V)19.2[20] 2.8%
Halogen-IR (120 V)17.7–24.5[21] 2.6–3.5%
Tungsten quartz halogen (12–24 V)243.5%
Photographic and projection lamps35[22] 5.1%
Light-emitting diodeLED screw base lamp (120 V)[23] [24] [25] %
5–16W LED screw base lamp (230V)75–212[26] [27] [28] 11–31%
21.5W LED retrofit for T8 fluorescent tube (230V)172[29] 25%
Theoretical limit for a white LED with phosphorescence color mixing[30] –%
Arc lampCarbon arc lamp2–7[31] 0.29–1.0%
Xenon arc lamp30–90[32] [33] [34] 4.4–13.5%
Mercury-xenon arc lamp50–557.3–8%
Ultra-high-pressure (UHP) mercury-vapor arc lamp, free mounted58–78[35] 8.5–11.4%
Ultra-high-pressure (UHP) mercury-vapor arc lamp, with reflector for projectors30–50[36] 4.4–7.3%
Fluorescent32W T12 tube with magnetic ballast60[37] 9%
9–32W compact fluorescent (with ballast)46–75[38] [39] 8–11.45%[40]
T8 tube with electronic ballast80–10012–15%
PL-S 11W U-tube, excluding ballast loss82[41] 12%
T5 tube70–104.2[42] [43] 10–15.63%
70–150W inductively-coupled electrodeless lighting system71–84[44] 10–12%
Gas discharge1400W sulfur lamp100[45] 15%
Metal-halide lamp65–115[46] 9.5–17%
High-pressure sodium lamp85–15012–22%
Low-pressure sodium lamp100–200[47] [48] [49] 15–29%
Plasma display panel2–10[50] 0.3–1.5%
CathodoluminescenceElectron-stimulated luminescence30–110[51] [52] 15%
Ideal sourcesTruncated 5800 K black-body25137%
Green light at (maximum possible luminous efficacy by definition)683.002[53] 100%

Sources that depend on thermal emission from a solid filament, such as incandescent light bulbs, tend to have low overall efficacy because, as explained by Donald L. Klipstein, "An ideal thermal radiator produces visible light most efficiently at temperatures around 6300 °C (6600 K or 11,500 °F). Even at this high temperature, a lot of the radiation is either infrared or ultraviolet, and the theoretical luminous [efficacy] is 95 lumens per watt. No substance is solid and usable as a light bulb filament at temperatures anywhere close to this. The surface of the sun is not quite that hot." At temperatures where the tungsten filament of an ordinary light bulb remains solid (below 3683 kelvin), most of its emission is in the infrared.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Allen Stimson . Photometry and Radiometry for Engineers . Wiley and Son . New York . 1974. 1974wi...book.....S .
  2. Book: Optical Radiation Measurements, Vol 1 . Academic Press . New York . Franc Grum . Richard Becherer . 1979.
  3. Book: Radiometry and the Detection of Optical Radiation . Wiley and Son . New York . Robert Boyd . 1983.
  4. International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): International Electrotechnical Vocabulary, ref. 845-21-090, Luminous efficacy of radiation (for a specified photometric condition)
  5. International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): International Electrotechnical Vocabulary, ref. 845-21-089, Luminous efficacy (of a light source)
  6. Book: Photovoltaic systems engineering . limited . 2 . Roger A. Messenger . Jerry Ventre . CRC Press . 2004 . 978-0-8493-1793-4 . 123.
  7. Book: Color imaging: fundamentals and applications . limited . Erik Reinhard . Erum Arif Khan . Ahmet Oğuz Akyüz . Garrett Johnson . A K Peters, Ltd . 2008 . 978-1-56881-344-8 . 338.
  8. Web site: Maximum Efficiency of White Light . 2011-07-31.
  9. 10.1063/1.4721897. Maximum spectral luminous efficacy of white light. Journal of Applied Physics. 111 . 10 . 2012. Murphy . Thomas W.. 104909–104909–6. 1309.7039. 2012JAP...111j4909M. 6543030.
  10. Web site: BIPM statement: Information for users about the proposed revision of the SI. 5 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180121160000/https://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/SI-statement.pdf. 21 January 2018. live. dmy-all.
  11. Book: Kohei Narisada. Light Pollution Handbook. Duco Schreuder. Springer. 2004. 1-4020-2665-X.
  12. Book: Casimer DeCusatis. Handbook of Applied Photometry. Springer. 1998. 1-56396-416-3.
  13. Recent Developments in Gas Street Lighting . The American City . 22 . 5 . Civic Press . New York . 490 . F. V. . Westermaier . 1920 .
  14. Web site: Philips Classictone Standard 15 W clear.
  15. Web site: Philips Classictone Standard 40 W clear.
  16. Web site: Bulbs: Gluehbirne.ch: Philips Standard Lamps (German) . Bulbs.ch . 2013-05-17.
  17. http://www.lighting.philips.com/de_de/tools_downloads/pricelist_lamps/downloads/preisliste_dede_20081023.pdf Philips Product Catalog
  18. Web site: The Nature of Light . Keefe . T.J. . 2007 . 2016-04-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120118001547/http://www.ccri.edu/physics/keefe/light.htm . 2012-01-18.
  19. Web site: Osram halogen . osram.de . de . 2008-01-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071107054500/http://www.osram.de/_global/pdf/osram_de/tools_services/downloads/allgemeinbeleuchtung/halogenlampen/haloluxhalopar.pdf . November 7, 2007.
  20. Web site: Osram 6406330 Miniwatt-Halogen 5.2V . https://web.archive.org/web/20160213071457/http://www.bulbtronics.com/Search-The-Warehouse/ProductDetail.aspx?sid=0000747&pid=OS6406330&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 . dead . 2016-02-13 . bulbtronics.com . 2013-04-16 .
  21. Web site: GE Lighting HIR Plus Halogen PAR38s . ge.com . 2017-11-01.
  22. Web site: Klipstein, Donald L. . 1996 . The Great Internet Light Bulb Book, Part I . https://web.archive.org/web/20010909055127/http://freespace.virgin.net/tom.baldwin/bulbguide.html . dead . 2001-09-09 . 2006-04-16 .
  23. Web site: Toshiba E-CORE LED Lamp . item.rakuten.com . 2013-05-17.
  24. Web site: Toshiba E-CORE LED Lamp LDA5N-E17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719165551/http://www.tlt.co.jp/tlt/new/lamp/hp_led/minikry_lda5.htm . 2011-07-19.
  25. http://ledsreview.com/news/367/ Toshiba to release 93 lm/W LED bulb
  26. Web site: LED Bulb Filament A60 / E27 / 5 W (75 W) / 1 060 lm / neutral white EN EMOS . 2024-05-09 . en.b2b.emos.cz.
  27. Web site: Philips - LED bulbs. 2020-03-14.
  28. Web site: LED CLA 60W A60 E27 4000K CL EELA SRT4 null. 2021-09-26. www.lighting.philips.co.uk. en-gb.
  29. Web site: MAS LEDtube 1500mm UE 21.5W 840 T8. 2018-01-10.
  30. Web site: Zyga . Lisa . White LEDs with super-high luminous efficacy could satisfy all general lighting needs . . 17 November 2021 . en . 2010-08-31.
  31. Web site: Arc Lamps . Edison Tech Center . 2015-08-20.
  32. Web site: Technical Information on Lamps . Optical Building Blocks . 2010-05-01. Note that the figure of 150 lm/W given for xenon lamps appears to be a typo. The page contains other useful information.
  33. Book: OSRAM Sylvania Lamp and Ballast Catalog. 2007.
  34. Web site: XENARC ORIGINAL D1S OSRAM Automotive. 2021-09-30. www.osram.com.
  35. http://www.koti.mbnet.fi/jahonen/Electronics/Stuff/UHP_Lamp.pdf REVIEW ARTICLE: UHP lamp systems for projection applications
  36. http://www.beamerlampen.biz/EASYLAMP_OSRAM_VIP_Projector_Lamp.pdf OSRAM P-VIP PROJECTOR LAMPS
  37. How to buy an energy-efficient fluorescent tube lamp . https://web.archive.org/web/20070702014038/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/procurement/eep_fluortube_lamp.html . dead . 2007-07-02 . Federal Energy Management Program . U.S. Department of Energy . December 2000 .
  38. Web site: Low Mercury CFLs . Energy Federation Incorporated . 2008-12-23 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081013115302/http://www.energyfederation.org/consumer/default.php/cPath/25_44_3006 . October 13, 2008 .
  39. Web site: Conventional CFLs . Energy Federation Incorporated . 2008-12-23 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081014010312/http://www.energyfederation.org/consumer/default.php/cPath/25_44_784 . October 14, 2008 .
  40. Web site: Global bulbs . 1000Bulbs.com . 2010-02-20.
  41. Web site: Phillips . Phillips Master . 2010-12-21.
  42. Web site: Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australia . Energy Labelling—Lamps . 2008-08-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080723003909/http://www.energyrating.gov.au//appsearch/download.asp . July 23, 2008 .
  43. Web site: BulbAmerica.com . . 2010-02-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121201003233/http://www.bulbamerica.com/osram-24w-t5-miniature-bi-pin-compact-fluorescent-light-bulb-1.html . December 1, 2012 .
  44. Web site: SYLVANIA . Sylvania Icetron Quicktronic Design Guide . 2015-06-10.
  45. News: 1000-watt sulfur lamp now ready . IAEEL newsletter . 1996 . 1 . IAEEL . https://web.archive.org/web/20030818061414/http://195.178.164.205/IAEEL/iaeel/newsl/1996/ett1996/LiTech_b_1_96.html . 2003-08-18.
  46. Web site: The Metal Halide Advantage . 2007 . Venture Lighting . 2008-08-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120215041921/http://www.venturelighting.com/techcenter/metal-halide-techintro.html . 2012-02-15 . dead .
  47. Web site: LED or Neon? A scientific comparison .
  48. Web site: Why is lightning coloured? (gas excitations) . webexhibits.org.
  49. Book: 10.1109/PLASMA.1997.605090 . The low-pressure sodium lamp . IEEE Conference Record - Abstracts. 1997 IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science . 1997 . Hooker . J.D. . 289 . 0-7803-3990-8 . 102792535 .
  50. Web site: Future Looks Bright for Plasma TVs . Panasonic . 2007 . 2013-02-10.
  51. Web site: TV-Tube Technology Builds an Efficient Light Bulb . OSA . 2019 . 2020-09-12.
  52. Prototype of cathodoluminescent lamp for general lighting using carbon fiber field emission cathode . AVS . 2019 . 10.1116/1.5070108 . 2020-09-12. Sheshin . Evgenii P. . Kolodyazhnyj . Artem Yu. . Chadaev . Nikolai N. . Getman . Alexandr O. . Danilkin . Mikhail I. . Ozol . Dmitry I. . Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B . 37 . 3 . 031213 . 2019JVSTB..37c1213S . 155496503 .
  53. Book: Choudhury , Asim Kumar Roy . 2014 . Principles of Colour and Appearance Measurement: Object appearance, colour perception and instrumental measurement . 1 . Characteristics of light sources: luminous efficacy of lamps . Woodhead Publishing . 41 . 978-0-85709-229-8 . 10.1533/9780857099242.1 . If the lamp emits all radiation at 555 nm (where Vλ = 1), the luminous efficacy will be of about 680 lm W−1, the theoretical maximum value. The lamp efficacy will be 26 and 73 lm W−1, when the whole light is emitted at 450 and 650 nm respectively. The luminous coefficient is luminous efficiency expressed as a value between zero and one, with one corresponding to an efficacy of 683 lm W−1..