Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
o
residen tial
I STRUCTURAL
L IGHTI NG
I
o
rP-107
I LARGE LAMP
GENERAT @
DEPARTIVI ENT
EtEcTRtG
--1
What is
structural lighting?
Structural lighting is the term used by lighting designers
to describe light sources built into the home as a part of
its finished structure. Sometimes called "architectural" or
"built-in" lighting, it denotes a custom installation, de-
signed and assembled to fit a particular situation.
Because structural lighting is built right into walls and
o,(
ceilings, it can be designed to blend with any period de-
corative motif or color scheme. It can blend or contrast
with its background. Since it has very little styling, struc-
tural lighting does not become dated in appearance.
One of the major functions of structural lighting (Fig. 1)
is to lighten and enhance walls and ceilings. This is im-
portant because walls and ceilings account for three-
quarters, or more, of room surfaces in a home.
lil
The walls are the background of the home landscape.
Light, well-lighted walls appear to recede. Hence, wall
Iighting extends the visual area, increasing the apparent
space.
With structural lighting, colors of wall coverings and
draperies become more vivid and windows have daytime
charm, even after dark. Because the major source of light
in the room is the entire wall surface instead of a small
fixture or lamp, the resulting room lighting is soft and (
relativeiy shadolv-free. This "horizontal" lighting molds
forms and features in a more flattering way than light
from above or below.
rig. Fis.2b
vAtfiicr BIICl(ET
TABLE 1_RECOMMENDED TYPES AND SIZES OF STRUCTURAL LIGHTING Table 1 is a guide to the number
INSTALLATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL INTERIORS of feet of structural lighting neces-
sary for major areas of the home.
Iype (or mmb nat on) of
Struclural LiahnnR App cable
In many cases, the structural light-
ing technique is used instead of a
Va ance, coriice, wal brackel lighting fixture for general lighting.
Va ance cornrce, wal bracket
l85lo 250
over 250 sq
so It
ii
l6 fl.
In many rooms, added lixtures will
ghling lor every l5 be desired to provide specific task
Vil,n.e .orn.e wall brackei
or decorative illumination. Walls
4ir can also be lighted by recessed
louvered incandescent "hihat" fix-
3ii
tures. It is best to use ?5-watt R-30
3 It. Vrlai.e corfice wall brackel or 150-watt R-40 flood lamps. These
t25 to 225 sq It. 4 It. 8fl valai.e, corrice, wa!l brackel should be cenlered l0 inches from
0ver 225 sq. fr Valance. .orn.e, wa brackel a solid wall or 12 inches from a
40 1o 80 sq it 6fl window wall. One fixture is used
for every 32 inches of wall length.
DESIGN
INFORMATION
Valance
Lighting
The lighted valance is ahvays connected with the
window. It usually directs light both uprvard over
the ceiling and downward over the wall and
drapery.
I I
+
Jr"l.- I
6"
I
Fig. 7-Dropery irdcks should be kepi os close
1o ihe window woll cs possible. Droperies shoold
,1,
--
Wall Brackets i cHANNEL MoUNTED
EVEN WITH T()P
OF FACEB()ARD
The wall bracket is probably the single, most useful
structural lighting device in the home. It can be used
in any room of the house. Basically, there are two kinds
of wall brackets; the construction differs depending on
whether the bracket is to be used high on the wall for
general lighting, or lower on the wall for specific task
llslDE ..2/
lighting. ILAT,'
wlilTE
High Wall Brackels
A high wall bracket is really a valance without a
window. It is used as a source of general lighting for a
room. Quite often it will be used to balance the illumina- Fig. l0
tion from a matching valance at an opposite window.
Many of the same dimensions and construction tech-
t
10" tvtN.
v
I -6"_
niques must be observed as when installing a valance.
The inside of the faceboard must be white. The fluores- I
cent lamp and channel must be iocated as high up be-
hind the shielding board as possible so the light will
spread evenly and far out over the ceiling. The fluores-
cent tube should be at least 3 inches out from the wall
,r"j Floor
o
(Fig. 10) to provide a smooth distribution of light over
the rvall. This reduces the chance of hot streaks of
brightness above and below the shielding board.
A minimum of 10 inches between the top of the
"i
shielding board and the ceiling is recommended (Fig.
11), so no light is trapped above the bracket.
Fig. 12 and 13 illustrate trvo of the many uses of
high rvall brackets.
Fig ll
Fig. 12-Woll brockets con be used to provide senerol lishling. Fi9. l3 A high woll bro.kel finished to mokh its bocksround
Here, the brdck€t dir€ds!sef!l liqhi into wd I cdbineis os well os produces o brishr welcomifs lishr in ihe enlry hol . lr olso mokes
5predding ight generously out ove. rhe ceilins oreo. Addiiionol the eniire spdce 5ecm lorger. Woll brockers ore exce lenr for hol-
lishl musr be provided, however, qr rhe counier iops. woy ighlin9, but in mony coses mun be shielded or lolvered ot
the bottom 1o hide the light source when viewed lenglhwise.
Low VVall Brackets lor
Local Lighting
The lorv wall bracket is a "rvorking light" com-
monly used where specific seeing tasks are per-
Iormed close to a rvall. They are used to highlight
fireplaces, pictures; to provide functional lighting
over desks. soIas, etc. For most of these low-on-the-
lvall uses, the bracket is mounted no higher than
5 feet 5 inches from the floor. Table 2 gives height
location for lorv wall brackets and the type lamp
that should be used.
"N0TE:30 wall amps are 36 riches ong 40 watl enrps a'e 48 inches long.
IN0TE: Less il top oi *al br.cket s.losed
Fig. l6 Low wolbrockels shoud nor hove lomps higher lhon 2
inches obove th. bottom of the shieldins boord. By plocins ihe lomp
ow ln rhe brocler, rhc llsht has o brocd spreod downword which 2" 0pening for upward light
wi I cov., Jhe l.sk lo be il umi.oied
1
15" to 18"
I 6" Mll{.
The lighted cornice is positioned on the
ceiling at the iunction between the wall and
ceiling. All of its light is directed downward
to light the wall surface below. For this
reasonJ the lighting effect produced is a
dramatic one. It emphasizes wall textures,
wall coverings, and will light pictures and
other wall hangings. Also, because the wall
is emphasized. the cornice gi\es an impres-
Fls. l8-These key points should be followed when insidllins o.ornice: sion of greater ceiling height. Cornices are,
l. There slould be 2 inches (preferobly 3 inches) between the center of rhe
fluoresceni lomp qnd the surfoce to be lishied.2. Pdint ihe inside of the therefore, ideally suited for low ceiling
foceboord flor while.3. lhe chonnel should be positioned os close io the rooms such as basement recreation rooms.
foceboord qs possibie. The fqceboqrd should be at leosi 6 inches deep.
The cornice is about the simplest of all
structural lighting elements to build. There
are, however, a few points to note as shown
in Fig. 18. Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate several
possibilities $ ith cornice lighrjng.
It _
,r#Frr
Lir
l' ,':?.
fig. l9-The downword lighiing froh this cornice gives droholic emplosi5
to ihe m!rol wollpoper. This srozins onsle lighiifs is olso effective over
ston€, brick, wood, ond flocked or textured wollpope6. When.ornices ore
viewed lengthwise. cover ihe bonom opening wiih lo!ve6 or di{f!sin9 plostic.
(
Praperies Tips For Besl Pertormance
Valances should not be less than four Fluorescent chan-
feet in length. It is often advisable to ex- nels with sockets
tend the valance beyond the window by mounted at the ex-
6 to 12 inches on each side to allow for treme ends of the i:-!
davtime stacking of draperies. Two small channel are requir-
windows separated by a narrow section ed. Butt the chan-
t
of wall may be joined by one valance
which visually ties them together and
gives the impression of one large window.
nels so the lamp-
holders are back-to-
back. as shown in
I Ii 'fll
r
1r
',l
'f
F'g. ?4-Polished aluminum reflecrors behind o slighty etched
vertical surface (such as a face in front of a mirror) sloss pdnel direcl light to ihe lofo wilh o minimud brightness
as shown in Fig. 25. The proper installation of to other viewers;n the room.
lamps for soffit lighting is shorvn in Fig. 26.
o*-f**,'I
Location Use Aluminu rn Bottom
*.*,. Finish Lamps Reflectors Closure
'10
Fig. 3l Bosemeni ,ecreotion rooms
wnh low- c6ilinss often hove their lishi
ing recessed in ihe ceilins. Her€, be-
tween-the.ioisk lishiing unirs o,e spoced
)
l!
' -1,'
*+
I
I
;n o pditern to provide 30 fooicondes
for gone ploying in the center of the
&ni t l
0'111'
-t
I
NOTE
Chonnels should be mounted on fireproof moterioL o.
mounted on spocers to o low dlr clrc!lotion behind the fis.32-lt is impo,tdnt to locote dmps 3 to 5 inches fron
.honnel. Never mounl o chonnel directly on low density boitom dif{user or ou"er. Hishly tr.nsl!ceni diffusers will lroP
lighi ond be lower in brighlness froo normol viewi.s Poritions
?;a* ,
'il
/'; ,. o'
."'tl
I
)I
et ii+.*til:*i*i-{ir*:."'",'.l''-#)
are
resceni lomps used.
Coves (which are usually mounted high on the
wall) direct all of their light upward to the ceiling
where it is, in turn, reflected back into the room.
The cove is known as a source of "indirect light-
ing." The illumination effect produced by cove
lighting is soft, unlform and comfortable. Since
there is no light directed downward into the room
from a cove, however, the resulting lighting effect
is relatively flat and lifeless. For this reason, cove
lighting should be supplemented by other lamps
ris.35-Alihoush this cove is mounied well down from rhe ceilins
ond direcrs it! lishr for out overrhe ceiling, ihe room locks iniererr and lighting fixtures to give the room interest and
ond hishlishi. provide lighting for seeing tasks.
19
Lurninous
Wall Elements
Self-luminous walls and wall panels are an effective
way to make rooms appear brighter, cheerier, and even
larger.
The best lighting results are obtained when a special
reflecting cavity can be built 10 to 14 inches deep in the
wall. This permits mounting fluorescent channels well
back from the front diffuser to give the panel an even
distribution of light and a comfortable brightness. The
inside of the cavity should be painted flat white and the
opening covered by a good (even rather dense) diffuser.
Lamp rows should be spaced no further apart than one-
and-one-half times the distance from the lamp to plastic. fig. 38 Bold or.hitecturol use of this lighted Ponel
-
emphosizes the sodring height of this cdthedrol ceiling.
It is difficult, however, to find a space 10 to 14 inches A rh;n fibergloss diffuser is used behind on overloy o{
deep in a residential interior. This means that luminous woven fiber cdne which minimizes the non-uniform lighting
effect from the two rorher widely spoced rows of lomps.
panels have to be made to fit into the existing 2 by 4
inch or 2 by 6 inch stud wall. This can be done, but some
uniformity of lighting will be 10st. Patterned plastic
diffusers and/or a grillwork overlay will, however, make
this non-uniformity scarcely noticeable.
When lamps are moun ed in 2 by 4 inch or 2 by 6 inch
stud spaces, it is possible for brightness on the diffuser to
run as high as 450 footlamberts (where a maximum of 50
footlamberts is recognized as being barely comfortable to
the eye for long periods of time). These high brightnesses
can be reduced to comfortable levels by the following
methods: 1. Put lamps on dimmer control. 2. Mask part
of the lamp with black electrician's tape. 3. Use a dense,
patternetl cliffuser. 4. Use an overlay of grillwork on.the
diffuser. fig.38,39, and 40 illustrate several possible
architectulal uses of luminous wail elements.
'13
GRILLES and DIFFUSERS
A wide variety of decorative plastics, and a large of fluorescent lamps placed parallel to the
selection of decorative grilles and screens, can be corrugations.
purchased from lumber dealers, builder supply
houses, decorator supply shops, exhibit houses and
glass and plaslic supply oullets. Things lo Remember
\ /hen Selecling crilles
Things lo Remember All open grilles require a lightweight diffuser
\Arhen Selecting E'illusers behind them.
Diffusers which have opaque rnaterials laminated Almost all grilles and latticework look better with
into them will show in silhouette. This will often some front lighting, particularly with grazing light.
cause them to lose the color they had when viewed Otherwise, when seen in silhouette thev will lose
unlighted. Often these opaque patterns will benefit their color and character.
by the use of colored light from behind. Very fine mesh patterns, such as expanded metal
Diffusers which have laminated patterns of light" and punched metal, tend to lose their identity
transmitting material are most effectively lighted when viewed from any distance.
with white light which will show up their true Grilles with Iarge openings, (at least 1 inch),
colors to best advantage. retain their appearance and character even at dis-
Large luminous panels should not be made up tant viewing positions.
entirely of very strong-colored or vividly patterned In medium or large-size grille openings, depth of
materials. Some of these do add emphasis to a wall, the grille material is important. Additional depth
but are best used as accents for a grid or module provides more shielding comfort and a change of
pattern. effect with every change of viewing position. Shad-
Corrugated diffusers can produce interesting ings of light and shadow on the sides of the grille
color effects when they are lighted with two colors also add interest.
Eo
blocking.
The basic lighting fixture used in struc-
tural lighting is the simple wiring channel
which is merely a narrow metal box contain- Fi9.45
ing all the parts necessary for the operation
of the lamp. Fig.44 shows the several parts
in detail. Conlinuous Rows
In every case where lamps are to be used
in continuous rows it is important to select
channels that have their sockets mounted at
the extreme ends of the fixture. These may be
butted back-to'back to provide a continuous
O smooth line of light with minimum socket
shadows.
Dimming
Fis. 44
There are numerous occasions when the
flexibility afforded by dimming is e{fective
1. Metal channel maintains socket spacing, safety in adjusting the lighting to fit the mood. A
contains electrical parts, aids in lamp starting. number of practical dimmers are available for
2. Ballast is required to stabilize lamp operation. the control of fluorescent lamps in residential
Desirable Ieatures are "certilied" label, "high installations. They all will fit into 2-by-4 inch
power factor" and "A" or "8" sound rating. stud walls and are easy to install and operate.
l,
3: Starter is required with conventional ballasts Dimming fluorescent lamps is easy and
and lamps. Specify "certified" starters FS-2 for
2o'watt lamps, FS-4 for 4o-watt lamps. practical, but there are a few points to re-
member:
4. Lampholders should be llush with ends of
channel so they will be back-to-back in continuous 1. As a general rtle, fluorescent dimmers require
rows. White Iampholders are recommended. a three wire cable connection from the dimmer to
the fluorescent channels.
5. FluoresceDt lamps should be 1% inches in 2. Special dimming ballasts are required for each
diameter (T-12 size). Deluxe Warm White color channel and lamp.
is recommended.
3. Dimmer systems perlorm best when their cir-
cuits are grounded.
Cluick Starting
4. Dimming systems will operate the 30-watt or
Some channels are availabLe equipped with the 40-watt rapid start lamps, but will not operate
special ballasts that provide quick starting them satisfactorily on the same circuit.
without a separate starter in the circuit. In the It is advisable to follow the manufacturers' in-
15 and z0-watt sizes "trigger start" ballasts structions carefully for best results.
I
GENERAL ELECTRIC LARGE LAMP SALES AND SERVICE DISTRICT OFFICES
SERVICE OtSTRICTS
sA!ES DtSTAICTS (ll aJtul.r Lr d lr 0b1. r S r rD ,i lilonrrir rr.
r.r r
(TD 0 ni r 5i ,j ir d l.r i i lilori.l il) i, r V/r,rhr !e Sl,:[. i,. fli rrl ai I ]rs-" P. r ts)
t I if:i: i.r lr. ll:!8 4t.'ilt5 E lirrS.,rr D:l !lNrdrit .!l,Btt'tr lY 1rll0 856 0300
l: I llll./ ll ir t.r3:t !i5 r!.:l :)il lrlr ,r L ,rE t'0 E0: l3lrlr iLli:)] li5 l92l
BALTIMOFE, T'ID. ilLil li l..r nil P 0 Bi 1 i4lr ilil l i\f lLl P 0 tl.r lr:r 1l;2i ll2 5i00
'il lrilr,ilr r I ilLrlrr Ll)ir'li 5 lilis5 lla'la r :l r: lriij ir ,l r:r r I irr llrrlr' lrrr:r ti is i.! rli'15': 132 62.10
i.5lJl irrirc lre I r:rrl tJi r:r l !:r Fj,lr.r r ,.5l :::i0 85'( 0!0il
CHAFLOTTE. N. C. ilirLTrrfr\., :1, i:r l'0 lir,. l'lil Llll L 'rrc'r-ie qa P 0 Fr. ll.ll ll2Ai 3ir, ii5!5
CHICAGO. ILL. l6! lr Cr r !l ]:irl !. lr,tl Rr 61632 251 lllill
CiNCiNNATI- OHIO 9 r1l l.r!ir r 5L l5:0l] ,l I lj:l 19 C,i l , ire 'illDl J2l 0810
CLEVELAND. OHIO l:!lI iill lLL, | 0. tio rlll lrlll iLil r:li Ll,gli irliAN. P| 8.! lil. illl2 :61 ,1lrl1
DALLAS, TEXAS iilril a,ll S r' r, s lir ir:lt .lr r lrr, a5tt l:rlr: Sr: ris Fa ! 0 Lrr il5.lil5 i,lr5 151 li25
DE VEB. C0LO. 65al E iil l,: 81216 38! liill
DETBOIT, MICH. 1tll5 F., : r lN: .1!rl0l 883 0:00
HOUSTON. TEXAS Jr lo rl r frr d Arr l'0 Brr 2ll!l 5ill Arr i rr 'Lr' P0 9r': l!:i5 ii0:l 923:t19
INDIANAFOLIS.INO. t5i I L 1] ril larilt t l,r r5ll C r r,: Slr t) !: 19 Ce I . A!. C ri r:l , 0 ,i52!? 111 6810
N KNHSAS CIIY. MO. llllr r..l lillr Air all16 ,ril35lE irrLi r-rrl lal irl 1,1116 ,li1l56e
LOS ,4I]G ELTS. CALIF. 171i Srrtr I'ir r Aril rrlrrj, i2l 25'rl 2i'1, 1:r rl Lrl, I AlL llljlr ill 25rL
ii E M PIIIS. TEN N- :.r1l Sr Li1h.r r Sl 33lit! !ts r.( r2 :,r:l S., L.l r. r 5: .l!109 llri lii12
MIAMI. FLA. lll0 [ W i1L] Si P.0 Br],:,r 196 :1314 i /'r, :rl3i l3il'iYi 7lllr5i, P0 Brr,1r79d 3ili7 itl 8lu1
MILWAUKEE. WIS. 5l!0[ 5 arf.nU!i 532"19 .t6i i!6ll 53|i rl 5 .r ri r U !d. 5l:lr! 16r' 1360
MINNEAPOLIS. MINN. 500 Slirsor B r'o t5,113 ir.r I ltr5u 5rl0 Sl rs.i I lil 55llil 331 ,1X50
NEWARK. N. J. :lh !t.i r,r'r,r Sl ti51 0i.i:r ll l 0,r0ti lli1 5t,ilJ lll Btj. 51 0il0l El4 !100
NEW HAVEN. COhN. 135 C. e.e St 06510 56r, 9E/| t!Y Ser! Di.l itll!,iidrr!ifBrd,Ceid.c NY 112:7 896-6000
1!0lr ! !.ri ld t 0 Eo. l0::lh illzl 33! 6':i 1 i:rrn k rp, Ri P c Bi: lir.la 70121 835 612i
NEW YOBK. IT- Y. 2l I li,t i.] ruri 10017 i5t rllr ,! 11Wr!. ri,.n E vi 6.rd.. !.Y l1::',r 1t221 896 6000
OAKI.AND, CALIF. !!!r l!1r A!l !'ir:03 5f! J4r,rl !!l !.rl lru 9/6i3 569 3122
PHILAOELPHIA. PA. hL :lr2 .r Lirrreij,rr P 0 Iti 299 13106 it8 5!11) R: lil: rl Li,ress,1.! P 0 B.r i!r9 191c6 683 5900
I n, ri Prusi a Pi Ir],rJ Prrs: ri
.lrl t/ Crrrr r 51 15219 lrl 9l)11 238W Cri5.r l-it l5zlq lil 11050
PORTLAND, OIIE. 9i2lu )tJ )1n1 18!D N vr ll: i Sl gizlil /lil2101
RICHMOND, VA, Itll ViL riLl L:Ir] Dri!. P0. uoi!1i2, :32:6 :;' itl. B; L rlre Sr',' U si P.0 Brr r'11,', Br I r".re, d 1ll2l 212 il00
aoc( rsLAN0, tLL. 1ll llll P 0. Bo1 lii 6l:ti I it!.t1ll5 [' r,.,ulLe ! ] ! I .1 5ilr0 lr. Slrrnra r B vd ].i109 161 lE60
^lo
SEATTLE, WASH. rilC S rlh A!. alL lr !dl3r 622 8t8l 'lliil]lj illr Ar.r Sfrrr !1t3r 522 8081
sT. L0uts. M0. l53a Fi rrl.rv A!.. 6.1131, ,119 6930 l5l0 Fi lrr A,r. t3r
6l ,::q 6qt0
TAMPA. FLA. t 5 flrr ,hlr:il P0 Brr 5lli il60ri 2 t lLTl 315 il: I r 16lh Sl l0 Brr 51]i 3laut :,r8 1174
r iCd L.r tr lhr Sr F! 0 str rt lleidqr.rrirs . I - !led rhora G L L.dD si .srrn ;re reiidert
,tlllhc fill,r: C.rsut!D!r lsr.!rlore direr.r! Lrd.r G.n.r. F.rri,Crnrr,rryLrrDiDi!sor.
cenera Of{ices: l',lela Perk. Cleveland, Ahio 44112
rP,L07
oc t. 1964