Interior Lighting for Designers

ded into other materials without loss of light
from the sides.
Optical fibers are combined in two kinds
of bundles: coherent and incoherent.Coher-
ent bundlescontain fibers that are identi-
cally positioned at the point of light entrance
and light exit. Because each fiber conducts a
portion of the light pattern to the same point
on the receiving end of a bundle, images can
be transmitted through the bundle.Incoher-
ent bundlescontain a random arrangement
of fibers that can be used to transmit light
but not images.
A typical fiber-optic lighting system con-
sists of: (1) a light projector, (2) a tungsten-
halogen or metal halide light source, (3) an
optical-fiber harness, (4) a fitting for each of
the bundles, and (5) the bundles of optical
fibers themselves. Silicone rubber sheathing
gives the bundles protection without loss of
flexibility.

Glare Control

Sometimes the lens or reflector that is pro-
viding the light control is also used to
achieve concurrent glare control and lamp

concealment. At other times separate ele-

ments are used.

Baffles and Louvers

Baffles and louvers shield glare at normal

viewing angles, thereby contributing to visual

comfort.

Bafflesprovide shielding in one direc-

tion, along a single axis (figure 9.22). For

small-aperture luminaires, a baffle around

INTERIOR LIGHTING FOR DESIGNERS

Figure 9.26Transmitting materials: translucent white and colored plastic or glass, perforated metal. High-reflectance

finish: lightly etched metal, light wood, light-colored paint. Low-reflectance finish: matte black finish, dark wood finish,

dark-colored paint.

Figure 9.27Shielding as an aspect of contour design.