Learning Lighting

Sports lighting is performance lighting. It must support play, safety, and visibility across the full surface. A photometric plan is how you verify that performance before installation. It predicts foot-candle levels, uniformity, and where the weak areas will be. This is useful for owners, architects, engineers, and contractors. It reduces fixture guesswork, helps with permitting, and prevents expensive changes after poles and wiring are installed. In this guide, you will learn what a sports lighting photometric plan includes, how IES Classes (I, II, III) affect targets, and what to check for common sports facilities. What a Sports Lighting Photometric Plan Includes A sports lighting photometric plan is a performance document. It combines a layout drawing with calculated light levels so you can confirm brightness and consistency before purchase and installation. Most plans include a foot-candle grid, pole locations, fixture quantities, mounting heights, and optics. Many also include summary metrics such as average, minimum, maximum, AVG/MIN, and MAX/MIN. These metrics help you judge uniformity and spot problem areas early. Do not judge a plan by average fc alone. A good average can hide dark pockets. Always check the minimum values and the uniformity ratios. These are the numbers that affect play quality and user complaints. How Sports Lighting Photometric Plans Work in Practice Sports lighting performance comes from geometry and optics. Pole height, setback, fixture aiming, and beam distribution control both coverage and glare. A photometric plan lets you test these variables and see the outcome before procurement. Two projects can use the same wattage and still perform very differently. The difference is usually in optics (symmetric vs asymmetric), aiming angles, and how well the layout matches the playing surface shape. What to Verify Before You Approve the Plan Use the plan to verify outcomes, not fixture count. Look for balanced distribution, strong minimum values and good uniformity. Then review aiming and spill control. Sports Lighting Types and IES Classes (I, II, III) Sports lighting requirements vary by field size, player speed, viewing distance, and level of competition. The IES Class system is commonly used to define performance expectations and typical foot-candle targets. The IES Class system is commonly used to define performance expectations for sports lighting. Class I applies to high-level competition and broadcast environments, while Class II supports organized leagues and competitive play. Class III is most often used for recreational and community facilities. The ranges below reflect typical planning targets and should always be verified with a photometric plan. Football and Soccer Field Lighting Football and soccer fields are large areas that rely on higher mounting heights and long-throw asymmetric optics. Uniform horizontal illuminance and consistent coverage across corners and sidelines are critical for safe play. Typical planning targets: IES Class III: ~30–50 fc IES Class II: ~50–75 fc IES Class I: 75+ fc Uniformity ratios and spill control are as important as the average level, especially for community fields near residential areas. Baseball and Softball Field Lighting Baseball and softball fields require different lighting priorities for the infield and outfield. Vertical illuminance is critical for tracking the ball, especially for batters and fielders looking upward. Typical planning targets: Infield (Class III): ~40–60 fc Outfield (Class III): ~20–30 fc Class II / Class I: higher targets with added vertical illuminance requirements Careful aiming and glare control are essential due to the directional nature of play and varied sight lines. Tennis Court Lighting Tennis is highly glare-sensitive. Players frequently look upward to track the ball, making optic control and aiming critical. Uniformity behind the baselines is often more important than peak light levels. Typical planning targets: IES Class III: ~30–50 fc IES Class II: ~50–75 fc IES Class I: 75+ fc Good tennis lighting minimizes high-angle glare while maintaining even coverage across the full court width. Basketball Courts (Indoor and Outdoor) Indoor basketball lighting focuses on glare control, vertical illuminance, and smooth uniformity from ceiling-mounted fixtures. Outdoor courts must also address spill light and neighborhood impact. Typical planning targets: Indoor Class III: ~30–50 fc Outdoor Class III: ~30–60 fc Class II / Class I: higher levels depending on competition and viewing requirements Optic selection and mounting height play a larger role than raw wattage in achieving good results. Pickleball Court Lighting Pickleball courts are compact but highly sensitive to glare. Lower mounting heights and close player proximity make fixture aiming and shielding critical. Typical planning targets: IES Class III: ~30–50 fc IES Class II: ~50–70 fc Consistent edge lighting and glare reduction often matter more than increasing overall brightness. Ice Hockey Arenas and Natatoriums Ice rinks and pool environments introduce reflective surfaces that increase glare and sparkle. Uniformity and careful fixture placement help control reflections and improve visibility. Typical planning targets: IES Class III: ~40–60 fc IES Class II / Class I: higher targets depending on viewing and broadcast needs False-color views and 3D renderings are especially valuable for evaluating these environments before installation. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them Most sports lighting failures are predictable. They happen when the design is based on wattage, fixture count, or a single average number. A proper photometric plan makes the weak spots visible before installation. What a Permit-Ready Sports Lighting Report Should Deliver A strong sports lighting report is easy to approve and easy to build. It clearly states the IES Class target, shows foot-candle grids, includes uniformity metrics, and provides visuals that non-technical stakeholders can understand. It also lists fixture types, mounting heights, and assumptions such as light loss factors. This is also where the plan becomes a contractor tool. Clear pole positions, aiming intent, and fixture schedules reduce field questions and keep installation aligned with the design. When you want confidence before purchase, a professional photometric plan is the fastest path. It aligns the owner, designer, and contractor on measurable performance. Get a Professional Photometric Plan We create accurate photometric plans ready for permitting, contractor installation, and real-world performance. Key Takeaways If you want a sports lighting layout that performs the first time, use a verified photometric

Foot-candles (fc) help you set lighting targets fast. They keep the design grounded in performance, not guesswork. Once you choose a target, you can check fixture count, spacing, and wattage with more confidence. This article is for designers, architects, and contractors who want quick numbers that work in real spaces. You will learn practical fc ranges, what changes them, and how to avoid the most common mistakes that lead to glare, hot spots, and dark gaps. What a Foot-Candle Target Really Means A foot-candle is the amount of light reaching a surface. In lighting design, the surface matters. Floors, countertops, desks, and vertical walls can have very different needs. That is why “one fc number for the whole room” usually fails. A kitchen might feel bright on the floor but still be too dim on the counters. A retail store might hit the average target but still look flat if the vertical lighting is weak. In practice, use foot-candles for two things. First, set a target for each key area. Second, use the target to check if your spacing and beam angles make sense. If you only chase an average number, you can still end up with an uncomfortable space. Real performance comes from the balance between average, minimum, uniformity, and glare control. Rules of Thumb: Foot-Candle Ranges by Space Use the ranges below as a starting point. They work well for early design, budgeting, and quick checks. Then adjust based on the task and the finishes. These ranges assume typical ceiling heights and light-colored finishes. If the space is dark, tall, or detail-heavy, you may need more light or better optics to reach the same perceived brightness. Practical Details That Change the Target Foot-candles are not the full story. Two designs can hit the same average fc and still look completely different. The difference is usually optics, spacing, and surface reflectance. Common Mistakes When People Ask “How Many Foot-Candles?” The question is good. The mistake is assuming the answer is one number. Most lighting problems come from ignoring where the task happens and how the light is distributed. Fixing these is usually simple. Set the target for the right surface, pick optics that match the mounting height, and verify distribution with a quick calculation. Real Project Application: A Simple Workflow That Works Here is a practical way to use foot-candles on real projects. This works for residential, office, retail, and many exterior layouts. Example scenario: a small office with open desks and a video-call area. The desks need a stable 30–50 fc on the workplane. The video-call area needs comfortable vertical light and low glare. The first layout hit the average target, but the minimum values were low near the perimeter and glare was visible at the main sightlines. The fix was not “more lumens everywhere.” The fix was better spacing, tighter control of optics near sightlines, and a small adjustment to aiming and placement so the light supported the desks and walls evenly. The result was smoother uniformity, better comfort, and a cleaner look with fewer surprises during installation. Get a Professional Photometric Plan We create accurate photometric plans ready for permitting, contractor installation, and real-world performance. Key Takeaways If you want to move faster and avoid guesswork, Stetra Lighting can create a complete photometric plan using your fixture IES files and real targets. This gives you a clear layout, verified foot-candles, and documentation that is ready for permitting and installation.

Facade lighting shapes the visual identity of a building at night. A single facade can look flat, dramatic, or premium depending on the technique. This guide explains the main types of facade lighting and what each one is used for. It is written for architects, designers, and owners who want a clear direction before selecting fixtures or requesting a photometric plan. Linear and Reveal Lighting Designers use linear facade lighting to outline geometry. It works best in roof lines, soffits, reveals, and shadow gaps. When the detail is right, it looks clean and quiet. Without control, it creates glare and visible dots. Use linear lighting when the architecture has strong edges and clean planes. Keep output low and controlled. Add shielding and diffusers where the source could be visible from normal viewing angles. Wall Washing vs Wall Grazing Wall washing creates a smooth, even facade. By contrast, wall grazing emphasizes texture and contrast. Both approaches can work well, but they require different mounting positions, optics, and beam angles. Practical Details Start with the surface. Smooth plaster typically benefits from washing. Stone, wood slats, and brick often look better with grazing. In practice, the goal is control, not brightness. Keep light on the facade and off the viewer’s eyes. Accent, Uplighting, and Glass Facade Lighting Not every facade needs even light. Many projects look better with selective accents. For example, you can highlight entrances, columns, canopies, and key architectural elements. Glass facades are a special case because reflections and interior brightness change the appearance. Get a Professional Photometric Plan We create accurate photometric plans ready for permitting, contractor installation, and real-world performance. Key Takeaways If you want facade lighting that looks right and performs correctly, start with the technique and verify it with real photometric data. Stetra Lighting can produce a complete facade lighting photometric plan using your fixtures and IES files.

Foot-candles and lux measure the same thing: illuminance on a surface. The difference is the unit system. In the U.S., plans and specifications often use foot-candles. In most other countries and many fixture tools, you will see lux. This guide shows the difference between foot candles vs lux, the exact conversion, and quick tables you can copy into real lighting work. What Foot-Candles and Lux Actually Mean Both units describe how much light reaches a surface. Think of it as “light on the table,” not “light coming out of the fixture.” This matters in photometric plans, lighting calculations, and code compliance. Here is the core idea: If you read a photometric plan and the notes say “30 fc average,” that is the same target as about “323 lux average.” The design intent is identical. Exact Conversion Formula and Quick Tables The conversion is fixed. No assumptions are needed. Practical Details Use the exact factor when you document results for permitting or client reports. Use the quick estimate only when you are sketching early concepts. Quick reference table (foot-candles to lux): Foot-candles (fc) Lux (lx) Typical use (example) 5 54 Low ambient / circulation 10 108 General background lighting 20 215 Hallways, basic task zones 30 323 Kitchens, offices (common targets) 50 538 Detailed tasks, higher visual demand 100 1076 Precision tasks / high visibility areas Common conversion points for foot candles vs lux (rounded to whole lux). Reverse reference table (lux to foot-candles): Lux (lx) Foot-candles (fc) Where you might see it 100 9.3 Metric notes in product tools 200 18.6 Interior targets in EU-based references 300 27.9 General task lighting targets 500 46.5 Work areas, stronger task lighting 750 69.7 High-visibility task zones 1000 92.9 Very bright / specialized tasks Lux to foot-candles quick checks (rounded to 0.1 fc). Common Mistakes When Comparing Foot-Candles vs Lux Most errors happen when units are missing, mixed, or assumed. These small mistakes can cause wrong targets, wrong expectations, and rework on site. If you are creating a photometric plan, the safest workflow is: set the target in the unit your client or AHJ expects, run the calculation, then add the converted value as a note. Get a Professional Photometric Plan We create accurate photometric plans ready for permitting, contractor installation, and real-world performance. Key Takeaways If you want these targets verified with real fixtures, IES files, and correct mounting heights, Stetra Lighting can produce a complete photometric plan for your project.

Wall Washing vs Wall Grazing Wall washing and wall grazing are two of the most used techniques in architectural lighting. They look similar in photos, but they are designed for different goals. If you pick the wrong one, the wall can look patchy, harsh, or flat. This guide is for designers, architects, and contractors who want a clean result on real surfaces. It focuses on interior wall wash lighting design, fixture placement, and the practical checks that prevent scallops and hotspots. Both techniques are commonly specified as part of professional lighting design services, where fixture optics, spacing, and surface finishes are coordinated. Wall Washing vs Wall Grazing: The Core Difference Wall washing is about making a wall look evenly bright. Wall grazing is about making a wall look textured. The difference is not the wall. It is the fixture position, beam control, and how steep the light hits the surface. Use wall washing when you want calm, uniform brightness. Use wall grazing when the material is the feature. Texture that looks amazing with grazing can look messy if the wall is uneven or the spacing is wrong. How It Works in Practice: Placement, Optics, and Controls The visual result comes from geometry. The same lumens can look “premium” or “cheap” depending on offset from the wall, mounting height, and beam spread. Interior wall wash lighting design is mainly about controlling angles and uniformity. Practical Details Start by deciding what the wall needs to look like. Then build the layout around that. For washing, prioritize uniform vertical illuminance. For grazing, prioritize controlled contrast without harsh glare. Common Mistakes and Visual Comparisons Most “bad wall washing” is actually a spacing and aiming problem. Most “bad wall grazing” is a surface tolerance problem. Use these visual checks before you lock a layout. Real Project Application: Choosing the Right Method Here is a simple way to decide. If the wall is a backdrop for circulation, signs, or artwork, choose washing. If the wall material is the feature, choose grazing. In both cases, confirm the result with a photometric plan using the exact IES file for the selected fixture. When you want confidence before installation, verify spacing, angles, and brightness on the wall. That is where a professional photometric plan saves time, avoids rework, and prevents visual surprises on site. Get a Professional Photometric Plan We create accurate photometric plans ready for permitting, contractor installation, and real-world performance. Key Takeaways If you want a clean result the first time, plan the wall effect early. Then validate fixture choice, offsets, and spacing in a photometric plan. If you need help, Stetra Lighting can model your exact surfaces and fixtures and deliver a permit-ready layout.

A photometric plan is a lighting layout backed by calculated light levels. It shows how bright a site or room will be, how evenly light is distributed, and whether the design meets project requirements. This overview is for architects, engineers, contractors, and owners who need to understand what a photometric plan includes and how to use it for design decisions and permitting. When a photometric plan is required for permits, inspections, or construction documents, it should be prepared as a professional photometric plan using accurate IES data and verified calculations. What a Photometric Plan Shows and Why It Matters Most lighting questions come down to the same issue: “Will this lighting work in the real space?” A photometric plan answers that with numbers and visuals. It helps you avoid dark zones, glare problems, and missed lighting targets before anything is installed. Photometric plans are typically developed as part of professional lighting design services, where performance, spacing, and compliance are evaluated before installation. Faster approvals and fewer field changes A clear photometric plan supports permit reviews and coordination. It gives the team a shared reference for light levels, spacing, and performance. It also reduces last-minute fixture swaps that create delays and added cost. What’s Included in a Photometric Plan A photometric plan is typically produced from the fixture photometric data (often an IES file) and a model of the space. The output combines the drawing view with calculated results so the design can be reviewed and verified. Key metrics to check before you approve the design When reviewing a photometric plan, focus on the values that impact safety, visibility, and comfort. The goal is not just “enough light,” but the right light, placed correctly, with acceptable uniformity and control of glare. When You Need a Photometric Plan Photometric plans are used anywhere lighting performance needs to be proven, coordinated, or optimized. This includes permitting, value engineering, and projects where uniformity and glare control matter. Get a Professional Photometric Plan Key Takeaways A photometric plan is a performance document. It helps you confirm light levels, uniformity, and coverage before installation. It also improves coordination between design, engineering, and construction teams. If you need a photometric plan for permitting or to validate a lighting design, Stetra Lighting can produce a clear, contractor-ready package based on your layout, mounting heights, and selected fixtures.