1. What is Foot Candles Calculation?

Foot candles (FC) is a unit of measurement for illuminance, representing the amount of light falling on a surface. It is calculated by dividing the total lumens (light output) by the area in square feet.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Foot Candles formula:

Where:

• \( FC \) — Foot Candles (illuminance)
• \( Lumens \) — Total light output (luminous flux)
• \( Area \) — Surface area in square feet

Explanation: This formula calculates the illuminance level by distributing the total light output evenly over the specified area.

3. Importance of Foot Candles Calculation

Details: Proper illuminance levels are crucial for various applications including workplace safety, visual comfort, energy efficiency, and meeting building code requirements for different types of spaces.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total lumens (light output) and area in square feet. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical foot candle requirements for different spaces?
A: Office spaces typically require 30-50 fc, retail spaces 50-100 fc, while detailed tasks may need 100-200 fc or more.

Q2: How does foot candles relate to lux?
A: 1 foot candle = 10.764 lux. Lux is the metric equivalent using square meters instead of square feet.

Q3: Why is proper illuminance important?
A: Proper lighting levels improve visibility, reduce eye strain, enhance safety, and can increase productivity in work environments.

Q4: What factors affect foot candle calculations?
A: Light fixture efficiency, reflectance of surfaces, mounting height, and light distribution patterns can all affect actual illuminance levels.

Q5: How often should lighting levels be measured?
A: Regular measurements are recommended as light output decreases over time due to lamp aging and dirt accumulation on fixtures.