Illuminance
Illuminance simulations are used to determine light levels in units of Lux or foot-candles, Daylight Factor or Sky Factor. Simulations can be performed using the following options:
- Standard Image – creates a standard illuminance image.
- WP View Image - creates an image of the working plane (WP) for as many spaces as required on one storey. Uses the rtrace method.
- WP Zone Image – creates a working plane Illuminance image for a selected zone. The working plane is specified by the user. Uses the rtrace method.
- WP Zone Data – Creates a .wpd file showing Lux or DF on a grid – the results are displayed in the WP Grid tab. This option uses the rtrace method.
- WP Zone Data (Dynamic) - Creates a .wpd file showing Lux or DF on a grid – the results are displayed in the WP Grid tab. This option uses the rcontrib (Daylight Coefficient) method. Dynamic quality should be selected with this option. This can be used to assist with the assessment of average daylight factors, for example for BREEAM Hea01 credits
As with luminance images, if the Show Summary box is checked, a summary window will pop-up when you click on Simulate.
If IES’s LEED v4 Navigator is used, it will automate the illuminance simulations at 9am and 3pm on a clear-sky day at the equinox for each regularly occupied space. The four results are then averaged as required to demonstrate illuminance levels are between 300 lux and 3,000 lux (28 ft.cd – 279 ft.cd) for compliance with LEED Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Daylight (Option 2).