What Is This Tool?
This converter allows users to transform luminance values expressed in candela per square centimeter, a unit used for small, intense light sources, into lumen per square foot per steradian, a unit commonly applied in U.S. customary measurement contexts. It’s ideal for professionals who need to translate luminance data between SI and non-SI units for various technical and design applications.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the luminance value in candela per square centimeter.
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Select candela/square centimeter as the source unit.
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Choose lumen/square foot/steradian as the target unit.
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Click the convert button to view the result.
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Use the output for analysis or reporting in non-SI customary units.
Key Features
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Converts between candela/square centimeter and lumen/square foot/steradian units accurately.
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Supports luminance measurements for both small-scale display elements and large outdoor lighting.
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Facilitates integration of scientific and commercial photometric data across unit systems.
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Provides a straightforward interface for quick and easy unit conversion.
Examples
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2 candela/square centimeters converts to 1858.0608 lumen/square foot/steradian.
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0.5 candela/square centimeters converts to 464.5152 lumen/square foot/steradian.
Common Use Cases
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Specifying brightness for small high-intensity displays like camera viewfinders and LED indicators.
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Measuring luminance of display components such as CRT phosphors and OLED subpixels.
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Assessing the brightness of signs, billboards, and large outdoor displays in feet-based units.
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Performing architectural lighting design evaluations focusing on glare control and visual comfort.
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Calibrating and reporting luminance measurements from instruments that use customary units.
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure consistent unit choices when comparing luminance values across different projects.
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Be mindful of the different area units involved to understand the scale of the value change.
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Use the conversion mainly for small to medium luminance sources to maintain relevance.
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Consider the context and precision needed to handle rounding and conversion approximations.
Limitations
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Conversion between units involves different area dimensions (centimeters versus feet), which may affect precision.
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Unit appropriateness may vary depending on the size and diffusion of the light source.
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Potential rounding errors can impact high-precision applications.
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Some luminance scenarios may require additional contextual scaling beyond direct conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does candela per square centimeter measure?
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Candela per square centimeter measures luminance as luminous intensity emitted per projected area of a surface, commonly used for small, intense light sources.
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Why convert candela/square centimeter to lumen/square foot/steradian?
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The conversion helps translate luminance readings into U.S. customary units, facilitating use in architectural design, signage measurements, and photometric calibration.
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Are these units interchangeable for all lighting situations?
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No, these units are suited to specific contexts; differences in area units and source sizes mean conversions should be applied thoughtfully.
Key Terminology
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Candela per square centimeter
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A luminance unit indicating luminous intensity per projected area, often used for small, high-intensity surfaces like LEDs.
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Lumen per square foot per steradian
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A non-SI luminance unit that quantifies luminous flux per unit area per unit solid angle, frequently applied in U.S. customary measurements.
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Luminance
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A photometric measure of the luminous intensity emitted or reflected by a surface in a particular direction per unit area.