Iesna Outdoor Lighting Distribution Types

Essential Aspects of Iesna Outdoor Lighting Distribution Types

Lighting distribution types are essential for designing effective outdoor lighting systems. By understanding the different types of distribution, you can create lighting schemes that provide the desired amount of light in the right places while minimizing light pollution.

The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) has developed a system for classifying outdoor lighting distribution types. The IESNA system uses a series of letters and numbers to describe the distribution of light from a luminaire. The first letter indicates the general distribution pattern, while the numbers indicate the percentage of light that is emitted within certain angles.

There are four main types of IESNA outdoor lighting distribution types:

Type I: Short, wide distribution
Type II: Medium, wide distribution
Type III: Long, narrow distribution
Type IV: Asymmetrical distribution

Each type of distribution has its own advantages and disadvantages. Type I distributions are ideal for lighting areas that are close to the luminaire, such as sidewalks and parking lots. Type II distributions are good for lighting areas that are further away from the luminaire, such as streets and highways. Type III distributions are used for lighting areas that require a long, narrow beam of light, such as sports fields and tennis courts. Type IV distributions are used for lighting areas that require an asymmetrical beam of light, such as intersections and pedestrian crossings.

In addition to the four main types of distributions, there are also a number of other factors that can affect the distribution of light from a luminaire. These factors include the type of lamp, the size and shape of the luminaire, and the mounting height. By considering all of these factors, you can design an outdoor lighting system that meets your specific needs.