Designing, optimizing and analyzing optical systems as part of the implementation process into production of modern luminaires require using advanced simulation and computational methods. The progressive miniaturization of LED (light emitting diode) chips and growth in maximum luminance values, achieving up to 108 cd/m2, require constructing very accurate geometries of reflector and lens systems producing complex luminous intensity distributions while reducing discomfort glare levels. Currently, the design process cannot function without advanced simulation methods. Today’s simulation methods in the lighting technology offer very good results as far as relatively large conventional light sources such as halogen lamps, metal halide lamps and high pressure sodium lamps are concerned. Unfortunately, they often fail in the case of chip-on-board LED light sources whose luminous surface dimensions are increasingly often contained inside a cube of the side length below 1mm. With the high sensitivity of such small chips and lenses with dimensions ranging from a just a few to between 10 and 20 mm, which is presented in this paper, modern luminance distribution measurement methods, luminance modelling and ray tracing methods should be used to minimize any errors arising from incorrectly projecting the design in the final physical model. Also, very importantly, focus should be directed towards reducing a chance of making a mistake while collimating the position of the light source inside the optical system. The paper presents a novel simulation calculation method enriched with an analysis of optical system sensitivity to a light source position. The results of simulation calculations are compared with the results of laboratory measurements for corresponding systems.

The paper presents the authors’ concept of an adaptive road lighting that is concurrent with vehicles moving on roads. The lighting system is based on luminaires with light emitting diodes. The authors describe the operation of the adaptive road lighting system and point out benefits and limitations of the solution. The theoretical considerations are supported by an analysis of the installed and working system that was implemented at Bożeny street in Poznan, Poland. The system was also evaluated by the residents living near the street.

General lighting is the most common way of illuminating interiors and the source of electricity consumption in buildings. This fact forces the search for lighting solutions effective both for people and the environment. In this study the impact of room and luminaire characteristics on general lighting conditions and energy efficiency in interiors is considered. In rooms of different sizes and reflectances, seventeen luminaire types with various light distributions were arranged in uniform layouts. The levels of average illuminance, uniformity and normalised power density related to two horizontal working planes were calculated. The impact of working plane reduction, room index and reflectances, lighting class and luminous intensity distribution of luminaire on the considered parameters was investigated. The use of the reduced working plane resulted in the increase in the average illuminance (7.7% on average), uniformity (33% on average) and normalised power density (23% on average). The impact of the room index and lighting class on the average illuminance and normalised power density was significant while the impact of the luminaire luminous intensity distribution and room reflectances was low. The normalised power density levels of the general electric lighting in interiors, with luminaire luminous efficacy of 100 lm/W, are in the following range: 1.08‒3.42 W/m² per 100 lx. Based on these results a normalised power density level of 2 W/m² per 100 lx is recommended for designing and assessing the new general electric lighting systems in buildings.

In the paper, an effective way to design asymmetrical optics for a uniform vertical surface illumination was presented. Assessment of the obtained distribution of luminance (illuminance) on the illuminated surface is done almost at the same time as designing the optical system elements. Advantage of the final application of the presented method in 3D will be independence from the implementation of time-consuming simulations in order to verify the already designed optics. Understanding the method and its application is simple and intuitive. Observing the luminance distribution, created on the illuminated surface almost at the same time as its design, allows to see the effect of adding the next elements of the optical system on this distribution.

In 2020, an international project on residential lighting started and was implemented in four countries (Poland, Sweden, UK and Turkey). This article presents the results of a survey carried out in Poland, in the winter term between November 2020 and January 2021. A total of 125 Polish residents (59 women, 65 men, one person did not wish to specify gender) participated in the survey. A variety of data was collected on the respondents and their assessments as well as on their satisfaction with day- and artificial lighting in residential living spaces. The results from questionnaires were analyzed with STATISTICA 13.3. Descriptive statistics and Spearman rank order correlations were adopted to identify the light-related aspects, lighting patterns, and respondents’ perception of day- and artificial lighting conditions in living areas. The results revealed that satisfaction with daylighting in the living area, both in summer and winter, was significantly correlated with daylighting level, daylighting uniformity, sunlight exposure and view-out. The results also revealed that satisfaction with artificial lighting was significantly correlated with artificial lighting level, artificial lighting uniformity and color rendering. The results provide valuable information on lighting and factors that influence the luminous environment in residential living spaces.

Lighting technologies developed significantly in the last decade. New LED light sources, dedicated luminaires and improved lighting control techniques gave rise to new possibilities in improving energy efficiency of lighting solutions. The article is an overview of interior, road and exterior architectural object lighting design strategies. It also presents design considerations that directly impact lighting conditions and energy efficiency. Practical examples of the application of basic design strategies, accompanied by the obtained energy results, are also depicted. Issues discussed in the article may be useful in researching and designing interior and road lighting, as well as floodlighting. They can also be useful in planning and implementing strategies aimed at improving lighting conditions and energy efficiency of lighting solutions.

This paper presents modern methods for designing optical systems for luminaires in the context of long years of light sources development. It shows that the development of technology for producing increasingly precise optical systems has led to an evolution in the construction of luminaires with increased efficacy and utilizing more efficiently the features of a specific family of light sources. Methods for designing and modelling optical systems with the use of mathematical curves as well as advanced the free-forming method are described. The paper also shows methods for modelling light sources features, especially luminance ones, designed to make precise simulation calculations required in any luminaire design process. Knowledge of luminance distributions of light sources and precise luminance distributions of optical systems for luminaires raises the design process to a very high level, enabling positive modern light source features, such as high luminance and their small dimensions, to be used consciously while minimizing negative ones, such as discomfort glare, caused by luminaires. The paper presents the results of simulation calculations and laboratory measurements for a selected case of luminaire equipped with a discharge lamp of maximum luminance exceeding 30 million cd/m².

This article is focused on considerations based on experimental studies concerning changes of selected parameters of identical compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) intended for use in buildings during their operation. The studies constituted a long-term experiment whose goal was an evaluation of selected operating parameters of the CFLs in terms of meeting the requirements set out in the specified regulations as well as the issue of marking the lamps with the energy efficiency class. The measurements were performed with the authors’ experimental setup consisting of original equipment designed and made especially for the purpose of the measurements. The studies covered registration of the luminous flux as well as selected electrical parameters such as active power, current and the power factor during the so-called “start-up time” and operation time equal to 100 h, 500 h, 1000 h, 2000 h, etc. with a 1000 h step. The studies were finished with the moment of natural burnout of the CFLs tested. The results showed that the biggest drawback of CFLs is lack of preservation of the required time to reach 60% of the stabilized luminous flux just after short time of lamp operation. Similarly when assessing the conformity of the parameters declared by the manufacturer that have been verified, it can be stated that they are true only at the initial stage of lamp operation.

This article is focused on considerations based on experimental studies concerning changes of selected parameters of identical compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) intended for use in buildings during their operation. The studies constituted a long-term experiment whose goal was an evaluation of selected operating parameters of the CFLs in terms of meeting the requirements set out in the specified regulations as well as the issue of marking the lamps with the energy efficiency class. The measurements were performed with the authors’ experimental setup consisting of original equipment designed and made especially for the purpose of the measurements. The studies covered registration of the luminous flux as well as selected electrical parameters such as active power, current and the power factor during the so-called “start-up time” and operation time equal to 100 h, 500 h, 1000 h, 2000 h, etc. with a 1000 h step. The studies were finished with the moment of natural burnout of the CFLs tested. The results showed that the biggest drawback of CFLs is lack of preservation of the required time to reach 60% of the stabilized luminous flux just after short time of lamp operation. Similarly when assessing the conformity of the parameters declared by the manufacturer that have been verified, it can be stated that they are true only at the initial stage of lamp operation.

The development of technology and design of light management systems remains dynamic. Among all the benefits offered by these systems, the most valuable might definitely be the possibility of saving energy consumption. Knowing the value of energy savings is the key factor that users need to know before deciding to use a lighting management system (the type of light management system). For this purpose, it is useful to simulate the operation of the lighting control system, for example in the DIALux program. Such simulation helps evaluate potential savings in electricity consumption using the proposed lighting control system. In the DIALux program, it is possible to change the luminous flux value of luminaires. In such a case, it becomes possible to semi-simulate the light management system’s operation as we don’t receive actual information on reducing installed power of the lighting system during reduction of the luminous flux value of luminaires. This article shows what type of technical data are important to use for the DIALux program to properly and accurately simulate light management systems and to receive accurate data on energy saving. It also presents the results of photometrical and electric parameter measurements (Φ – luminous flux, P – power, PF – power factor, THDi – total harmonic distortion of current). The article discusses the power control characteristics obtained on the basis of these measurements and explores the source of differences between simulation of energy saving calculations and real measured energy savings. An existing lighting control system installed in an office reception area was used to compare calculations with the real value of energy consumption reduction. The impact of electronic power and control systems on electrical network parameters is also an important problem mentioned in this article. It also explores the effect of power regulation of LED luminaires and LED modules on the value of the power factor and total harmonic distortion (current) value (THDi).