The FTF Group technical facility has two Photometric test laboratories which are used to evaluate the performance of luminaires. To measure the performance, it is necessary to obtain values of light intensity distribution from the luminaire. These light intensity distributions are used to mathematically model the lighting distribution envelope of a particular luminaire. This distribution along with the efficacy of the luminaire allows for the generation of a digital distribution that is the basis of the usual industry-standard electronic file format. To assess the efficacy of the luminaire, it is a requirement to compare the performance of the luminaire against either a calibrated light source for absolute output or against the "bare" light source for a relative performance ratio.
The industry uses both methods. Generally, absolute lumen outputs are used for solid-state lighting sources and relative lighting output ratios (LOR) are used for the more traditional sources. Where the LOR method is chosen then published Lamp manufacturer's data is used to calculate actual lighting levels in the design.
The intensity distribution is obtained by the use of a Goniophotometer to measure the intensity of light emitted from the surface of the fitting at pre-determined angles. The light intensity is measured using either a photometer with a corrective spectral response filter to match the CIE standard observer curves or our spectrometer for LED sources.
Luminaire outputs are measured using our integrating sphere for smaller luminaires or our large integrator room for large fittings and Multi-Service Chilled Beams. For both methods, we can use traceable calibrated radiant flux standards for absolute comparisons.
All tests use appropriate equipment to measure and control the characteristics of the luminaire and include air temperature measurements, luminaire supply voltage, luminaire current, and power. Thermal characteristics of luminaire components can be recorded during the testing process as required.
A full test report is compiled and supplied in a "locked" PDF format. Data is collected and correlated using applicable software and is presented electronically to suit, usually in Eulumdat, CIBSE TM14 or IESN standard file format.
The FTF Group technical facility also conducts photometric tests in accordance with CIE 127:2007 and BS EN 13032-1 and sound engineering practice as applicable. During the course of these tests, suitable temperature measurements of parts of LEDs can be recorded. These recorded and plotted temperature distributions can be used to provide feedback and help optimize the light output of solid-state light source based luminaires which are often found to be sensitive to junction temperatures.
