Luminaire Position
Setback
Setback (X) is the perpendicular distance
form the lamp centre to the target surface, as shown below. Proper setback
is necessary to avoid excessive bright spots on the target surface, and
to take full advantage of the luminaires asymmetric distribution.

Proper setback depends on the throw distance
(D, see following section) and on whether the lamp source is a
point source or a linear source. The chart below shows guidelines for
determining proper setback based on these two factors:
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If the lamp source is a
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the setback
should be
at least
|
but not
less than
|
|
Point Source
(tungsten halogen, metal halide, quad
tube, hex tube fluorescent, long twin tube fluorescent in individually
mounted fixtures)
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1/4 D
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30 (760mm)
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Linear Source
(T8, T5 fluorescent)
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1/8 D
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8 (200mm)
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High Output Linear Source
(T5 HO, T12 HO/VHO,long twin tube fluorescent)
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1/8 D
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18 (460mm)
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Orientation
Elliptipar luminaires light ceiling or wall
planes from one edge, when oriented as shown below.

Proper placement of luminaires
is necessary to maximise uniformity on the lighted surface, as well as
reduce the potential of glare.
The following are general
guidelines for luminaire placement in terms if aiming, setback, spacing
and brightness control.
Aiming
Proper aiming is dependent on two factors:
the luminaires maximum candlepower and the length or height of the
surface to be lighted (the throw distance, see dimension D at right).
The luminaire should be aimed such that the line of maximum candle-power
strikes the lighted surface at approximately 3/4 to 7/8 across or down
the lighted surface. The angle of maximum candlepower may be found on
the luminaires photometric report.
Most Elliptipar luminaires
have adjustable reflectors, allowing them to be fine-tuned
during installation.
Spacing
On-centre spacing (Y, see diagrams below)
effects the lateral uniformity on the target surface. It is dependent
on the setback (x), and generally applies to point source luminaires
only. It is recommended that on-centre spacing of point sources be between
1-3/4 and 2 times the setback value.
Elliptipar recommends that linear source luminaires
be mounted end-to-end to form continuous rows. Socket shadows on the target
surface will be minimised provided recommended setbacks are maintained
(see above).
Brightness Control
Bright lenses or reflectors within an observers
normal field of view may result in glare. Therefore, controlling luminaire
brightness is very important to the success of an application. For uplighting,
the worst case viewing position is often the farthest and/or most elevated
position in the space. For wall washing, the worst case viewing position
is often near doorways or where people circulate around wall corners.
If luminaires cannot be located so as to conceal lens brightness from
view, elliptipar offers a variety of options and accessories which may
provide adequate shielding.
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