What Is This Tool?
This unit converter helps you transform illumination units from foot-candle, a common non-SI lighting measure in North America, to candela steradian per square meter, which is equivalent to the SI unit lux, used globally in lighting design and measurement.
How to Use This Tool?
-
Enter the value in foot-candle (ft*c or fc) you want to convert
-
Select candela steradian per square meter as the target unit
-
Click convert to get the equivalent illuminance in cd·sr·m⁻²
-
Use the result for standardizing lighting levels according to international norms
Key Features
-
Converts foot-candle values to candela steradian/sq. meter accurately
-
Supports illumination units used in architectural, photographic, and horticultural lighting
-
Browser-based tool accessible without installation
-
Useful for translating North American lighting standards to international SI units
-
Includes example conversions for quick reference
Examples
-
5 foot-candle converts to approximately 53.82 candela steradian per square meter
-
0.5 foot-candle converts to about 5.38 candela steradian per square meter
Common Use Cases
-
Specifying ambient and task lighting levels in offices and retail environments
-
Measuring and setting correct exposure for photography, film, and stage lighting
-
Designing lighting for museums, galleries, and greenhouse horticulture
-
Converting North American lighting measurements into SI units for global standards
-
Calibrating and verifying light meters in instrument calibration procedures
Tips & Best Practices
-
Always ensure the measurement conditions such as surface reflectance are consistent to maintain accuracy
-
Use the converter to align lighting values with international standards
-
Refer to example conversions to verify your results
-
Understand that foot-candle units are mainly used in North America so conversion helps for worldwide compatibility
Limitations
-
Foot-candle is a non-SI unit mainly used in North America; clear conversion is necessary for global standards
-
Illuminance depends on measurement conditions that can affect practical application
-
Variability in light source distribution and surface reflectance may influence readings
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is a foot-candle?
-
A foot-candle is a non-SI unit measuring illuminance equal to one lumen per square foot, commonly used in North American lighting practices.
-
What does candela steradian per square meter measure?
-
It measures illuminance and is numerically equivalent to the lux, reflecting luminous flux per area in photometric contexts.
-
Why convert foot-candle to candela steradian per square meter?
-
Converting allows translating North American lighting units into SI-based units for international lighting standards and applications.
Key Terminology
-
Foot-candle
-
A non-SI unit of illuminance equal to one lumen per square foot, used mainly in North America.
-
Candela steradian per square meter
-
A unit measuring illuminance, equivalent to lux, representing luminous flux per unit area.
-
Illuminance
-
The luminous flux incident on a surface per unit area.