ABSTRACT
Background: To determine if illumination in the workplace complies with regulations and standards, illuminance meters are used to quantify the amount of light illuminating an object, surface, or general workplace. For accurate measurements, the calibration conditions and spectral response of the illuminance meter, and the characteristics of the light source being measured, must be considered.
Objectives: We compared the performance of the Goldilux auto-ranging illuminance meter (GL), the Goldilux-LED auto-ranging illuminance meter (GL-LED), and the Konica Minolta CL-70f (KM CL-70f ) illuminance meter in measuring light emitted by halogen incandescent lamps (hICLs), compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Methods: The three meters were used to measure illuminance from low-, medium , and highpowered hICLs, CFLs, and LEDs, one metre away from the outer casings of the lamps.
Results: Results from the three meters were similar when measuring low- and medium-powered hICLs. Substantial differences in illuminance values were observed when measuring highpowered hICLs, and all CFLs and LEDs.
Conclusion: The GL, GL-LED, and KM CL-70f meters measured statistically significant differences in illuminance of hICLs, CFLs, and LEDs. To achieve accurate illuminance measurements, illuminance meters with low spectral mismatch uncertainties, spectral responses capable of measuring the entire visible spectrum, and which are calibrated to measure modern lamps, should be used. The South African National Standard (SANS 10114-1:2020) should be revised to include guidelines for the types of illuminance meters used, to promote accurate measurements in the workplace.