Methods for Comparing and Optimizing Visual Illumination with Led Luminaires for Refinery Applications Revision 4/2019

In the past there have been a number of technical papers extolling the economic advantages of LED lighting for process applications (long life, reduced maintenance, lower electrical costs, etc.), but little attention or direction has been given to why LED lighting appears much brighter than conventional HPS and other lighting types and further how to specify and later verify that target lighting levels were actually achieved. This paper is intended to explain why LED lighting appears brighter to the human eye and how to specify and measure the "effective" light levels for process applications. Included are test cases in process facilities including, pre-installation simulations of projected light levels, before and after measurements, and end user feedback. Guidelines for improving visibility and reducing annoyance glare, as well as tips on selecting measurement devices are included.