What Is This Tool?
This converter helps you change illuminance values from lumen per square meter, the SI derived unit, to foot-candle, a commonly used non-SI unit in North America. It facilitates lighting design, exposure settings, and compliance with regional standards.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the illuminance value in lumen per square meter.
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Select the target unit as foot-candle.
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Click the convert button to get the equivalent foot-candle value.
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Review the results and apply them to your lighting or exposure needs.
Key Features
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Converts illumination levels between lumen/square meter and foot-candle units.
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Suitable for lighting design, photography exposure, horticulture, and building code compliance.
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Uses accurate conversion factor based on established standards.
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Browser-based and easy to use for quick unit conversion.
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Includes example conversions for practical understanding.
Examples
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Convert 10 lumen/square meter to foot-candle resulting in 0.9290304 foot-candle.
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Convert 50 lumen/square meter to foot-candle giving 4.645152 foot-candle.
Common Use Cases
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Verifying lighting levels in workspaces, classrooms, and public areas.
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Adjusting exposure settings in photography and cinematography.
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Controlling light delivery in horticulture and greenhouse environments.
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Specifying task and ambient lighting in offices and retail spaces.
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Managing lighting setups in museums and galleries.
Tips & Best Practices
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Use this conversion tool to harmonize lighting values between SI and North American units.
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Consider the measurement environment, including angle and surface reflectance, when interpreting results.
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Cross-check lighting specifications depending on regional codes and standards.
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Apply conversions carefully to maintain compliance in international projects.
Limitations
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Foot-candle is a non-SI unit mainly used in North America which may cause challenges in international contexts.
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Rounding during conversion can affect precision of illuminance values.
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Measurement results can vary due to factors like incident light angle and surface reflectance.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does lumen per square meter measure?
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It measures illuminance as the amount of luminous flux incident uniformly on one square meter of surface and is equivalent to the lux.
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Why use foot-candle instead of lumen/square meter?
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Foot-candle is commonly used in North America for lighting design and standards, especially in offices, retail, and building codes.
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Can measurement conditions affect conversion results?
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Yes, factors like the angle of light incidence and surface reflectance can influence illuminance readings during conversion.
Key Terminology
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Lumen/square meter [lm/m^2]
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The SI derived unit of illuminance equal to one lumen of luminous flux incident uniformly on a square meter surface, equivalent to lux.
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Foot-candle [ft*c, fc]
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A non-SI unit of illuminance equal to one lumen per square foot, commonly used in North America.