What Is This Tool?
This tool converts illuminance measurements from lumen per square meter (lm/m^2), an SI derived unit also known as lux, to nox, a specialized unit for very low light levels. It allows users to represent and compare illumination under near-dark or night conditions using appropriate units.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the illuminance value in lumen per square meter (lm/m^2) in the input field
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Select lumen/square meter as the 'From' unit and nox as the 'To' unit
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Press the convert button to see the equivalent illumination value in nox
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Use the converted result to assist in lighting design, environmental monitoring, or optical sensor testing
Key Features
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Converts lumen/square meter [lm/m^2] to nox with a precise ratio
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Supports illumination measurements for diverse fields like lighting design and environmental science
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Browser-based and easy to use without installation
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Provides practical examples of unit conversions
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Facilitates understanding of low-light conditions for specialized applications
Examples
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2 lumen/square meter [lm/m^2] equals 2000 nox
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0.5 lumen/square meter [lm/m^2] equals 500 nox
Common Use Cases
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Setting and verifying appropriate lighting levels for workspaces and public areas
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Measuring exposure for photography, cinematography, and camera settings
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Determining light levels for horticulture and greenhouse growth
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Describing natural nighttime illumination such as moonlight and starlight in astronomy
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Planning lighting to preserve dark skies and limit light pollution
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Testing and calibrating optical sensors under very low illumination
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure illuminance is uniform when converting between units for accurate results
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Use this conversion when dealing with very low light intensities typical of night or near-dark scenes
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Confirm sensor sensitivity and environmental conditions to reduce noise in low illuminance measurements
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Apply the converter to support lighting designs that comply with dark-sky preservation goals
Limitations
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Nox is a specialized and mostly historical unit with limited support in modern systems
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Conversion assumes uniform illuminance which may not apply in uneven lighting environments
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Very low illumination readings may be influenced by sensor noise and environmental interference
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does lumen per square meter measure?
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Lumen per square meter (lm/m^2), also called lux, measures the amount of visible light incident on a surface area, reflecting the brightness perceived by the human eye.
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When should I use nox as a unit?
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Nox is ideal for describing extremely low illuminance levels, such as natural night light or minimal background lighting in environmental and astronomical contexts.
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How does this converter handle different lighting conditions?
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The converter assumes uniform illuminance; non-uniform or complex lighting setups may require additional analysis beyond simple unit conversion.
Key Terminology
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Lumen/square meter [lm/m^2]
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An SI derived unit of illuminance representing one lumen of luminous flux spread evenly over one square meter of surface, also known as lux.
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Nox
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A specialized, historical unit of illuminance equal to one millilux (0.001 lux), used mainly for describing very low light levels like moonlight.
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Illuminance
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The measure of luminous flux incident on a surface per unit area, indicating how much visible light reaches that surface.