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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
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    Brisbane
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    Default Shed Lighting - Number of Lights

    Hi,

    I have been looking through the forum for information on lighting, lots of good information so far.

    I have recently built a shed, which I want to use as a workshop, and I am trying to work out how to light it.
    I have settled on an aim of 1,000lm per m2. The space is 9mx6m, with a ceiling about 3.2m high.

    I have a question on the number of lights, I have two choices before me.
    I can get a small number of bright lights, say 4x 120W 18,000lm, 120deg beam. (They are also dimable.)
    Or, I can get a large number of batten lights, say 28-36x 20W 2,000lm battens. (And I would put this on a couple of circuits).

    The four lights would be easier to install, and would be cheaper.
    I would also consider a couple of extra lights near tools where it might be needed.

    Do just a couple of lights work in a workshop situation? ie in regards to shadows etc.
    Or would it be better to flood the space with light from a lot of different directions?

    With 120deg beam these lights have around a 10m dia circle, so they would all overlap with each other.

    Can anyone give me some advice?
    Thanks,
    Ash

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Mooroopna, Victoria, Australia
    Age
    33
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    228

    Default

    I can't really comment on lighting, but lined and white painted walls and ceilings help bounce light around better, improving whatever light is available. I'd suggest contacting your preferred electrician and asking them.
    I cut it twice and it's still to short.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
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    Default

    Just because 1000 lux (lumens/m^2) are installed in a shed does not mean 1000 lux will reach the work heights/benches/machines in a shed.
    This is because the light intensity diminishes with distance from the source, how evenly spread the lights are, how much equipment and storage throw shadows, and how much reflectance is obtained from walls and ceiling etc..

    In my study/electronics workshop I have ~10,000 lumens installed about 1m above my main workbench which is about 2m^2 in area so I should have ~5000 lux in the middle of the bench, however, the most I can measure is about 2400 lux

    I also have an average of 1000 lux installed in my 2.4 - 2.7m high shed but have a look at this thread to see what this 1000 lux translates to in practice.
    Some actual shed illuminance measurements.

    The situation will be slightly worse in your shed with the 3.2m ceiling height unless he lights are suspended lower down.

    To get about 1000 real lux on a bench will need about twice as much installed lumens, but 1000 real lux is not needed in most parts of a shed. I'd go with the 1000 lux installed and that will given you about half that in practice at a bench height and then install extra lighting or fixed spots above important machinery and benches to give you extra lighting. Don't bother with relying on moveable spots as you'll eventually not move them. I have a couple of moveable spots that rarely get moved. I also have a couple of my lights on dimmers but have never used them.

    PJM16 about light walls etc is a good point, my walls and roof as silver or white but mine are covered in so much (dark) crap that it doesn't help much.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    549

    Default

    I've ordered some plug in LED battens to improve my shed lighting. They are only about $21 each for 1200lumens.
    LEDVANCE LEDVALUE 1200mm Linear Linkable Batten 12W 220-240V 4K | 6.5K — The Light Guys

    Some power points in the ceiling will allow you to easily add lights later if needed.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Brisbane
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    5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    To get about 1000 real lux on a bench will need about twice as much installed lumens, but 1000 real lux is not needed in most parts of a shed. I'd go with the 1000 lux installed and that will given you about half that in practice at a bench height and then install extra lighting or fixed spots above important machinery and benches to give you extra lighting. Don't bother with relying on moveable spots as you'll eventually not move them. I have a couple of moveable spots that rarely get moved. I also have a couple of my lights on dimmers but have never used them.

    PJM16 about light walls etc is a good point, my walls and roof as silver or white but mine are covered in so much (dark) crap that it doesn't help much.
    Thanks.
    This gives me some confidence I am not putting in too much light.
    I actually can't see very well in low light (my eye sight goes out of focus), and I need even the storage areas to be pretty well lit.

    I think I will go with the 4x 18,000lm lights to fill in the shed, and additional lights where ever I need them.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Rockhampton
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    275

    Default

    Hi Ash

    I built a shed of very similar size to yours and went with 500lux in down lights. Personally I think it is fine, I have no issues working in there at night time. Probably the main thing I have found is the multiple smaller lights really help remove any shadows which would make me question going with the fewer bigger lights.



    Cheers

  8. #7
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    Jul 2015
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    Hunter Valley
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    56
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    Quote Originally Posted by ashwright View Post
    I think I will go with the 4x 18,000lm lights to fill in the shed, and additional lights where ever I need them.
    The only doubt in my mind with 4 sources of light in a large space is how many times you're going to be creating your own shadow when working on a bench/machine etc.

    I'd echo Jonsey's comment - spread your light sources out as much as you can to eliminate shadows. Mind, I'm still researching and building my own shed, so I'm speaking from that point of view, not practical implementation/experience (though I've worked in my job with poor lighting, and it's frustrating as all heck).

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
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    Default

    My shop is about 58.5 m2. When it was being built in 2016 I also settled on 1,000lm m2. I bought direct from China because there were almost none available here. I got 16, 4,000lm, 6,000K batten lights. They are in 4 rows of 4 battons each. They are wired to 2 switches. I found out after having them installed they could be dimmed if they were not linked through one another. Had they each gone directly to boxes (say 4 lights radiating like spokes from one box then they could be dimmed. With them linked that feature couldn't be used. I like the bright even light throughout the shop. My younger wife thinks they are too bright.

    Pete

  10. #9
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    Aug 2015
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    Brisbane
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    Default

    Thanks. It does seem like more light sources gives a more consistent light.

  11. #10
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    Jun 2005
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    Helensburgh
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    I think the first fundamental question to be asked is how old are you because old eyes need way more light.
    CHRIS

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Parks View Post
    I think the first fundamental question to be asked is how old are you because old eyes need way more light.
    I am 35, but I had eye surgery late last year, and my low light vision is now quite bad.
    As an example I replaced all the globes in the house as they were no longer bright enough to be comfortable in the lounge and bedrooms. And I couldn't see well enough in the kitchen to cook. The kitchen now has a 30W led, and the bigger lounge room has 3x 30W leds. If I am doing detail work at the desk in the lounge room, I have a couple of additional lamps mounted to the desk.

    So I am leaning towards more light is better. But I like having dimmers available to dial in the right amount.

    For the lamps I am looking at, they come in 80W, 120W and higher. But the 80W & 120W are basically the same price.
    The positioning would be about a 2x3.5m grid. They would end up 2m off the three walls on the work end of the shed. And looking at the wide angle (120*) there would be massive overlap.

    I think this would give me great light in the middle of the shed, where I would be doing most of the work.
    If I have a tool near the wall, the light is only going to be about 1m behind me (and 3m high ceiling), so I think the shadowing would be minimal. If it is a problem, I have no probably getting some additional lights installed in those places it is needed.

    That's my thought process.

  13. #12
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    Feb 2006
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    Perth
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    Quote Originally Posted by ashwright View Post
    If I have a tool near the wall, the light is only going to be about 1m behind me (and 3m high ceiling), so I think the shadowing would be minimal. If it is a problem, I have no probably getting some additional lights installed in those places it is needed.
    That should be OK in terms of shadows but being up at 3m you will definitely lose intensity because of distance above the work surfaces. My lights are at 2.4m height from the floor, so about 1.4m above machine or bench and the light intensity is still diminished.

    If you have fixed machine positions its better to get additional lights put directly above them and lower down if you can.
    My spots are usually <500 mm from the workpiece. On my TS the spotlight is inside the OH dust guard so ~200 mm above the table - that's how I get 17000 lux at this point!

    Guard2.jpg

  14. #13
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    Aug 2015
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    That should be OK in terms of shadows but being up at 3m you will definitely lose intensity because of distance above the work surfaces. My lights are at 2.4m height from the floor, so about 1.4m above machine or bench and the light intensity is still diminished.

    If you have fixed machine positions its better to get additional lights put directly above them and lower down if you can.
    That's my thinking as well. Instead of filling up the ceiling with 16-32 light fittings, I will just add a couple of additional lights where I need them.

  15. #14
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    Apr 2006
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    ...

    PJM16 about light walls etc is a good point, my walls and roof as silver or white but mine are covered in so much (dark) crap that it doesn't help much.

    Good advice. My shed has a ceiling and one wall made from estapolled pine VJ, two wall of brick painted pink primer, and the other wall is a grey rolladoor. I thought it looked good, but they really are great light absorbing colours. I should have paineted everything white or a very light colour. Now there is so much stuff in the shed that it is "too hard".

    Almost everyone adds more light to their sheds. I have never heard anyone take lights out unless it to add more or bigger lights. Suggest that you get your sparky to wire the lights to sockets so that it is easier to rearrange and to add more lights.

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