Home Back

Candle Power Calculator

Candle Power Formula:

\[ CP = \frac{F}{\omega} \]

Lumen
Steradian

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From: To:

1. What is Candle Power?

Candle power is an older term used to describe the intensity of light emitted by a source, but it has largely been superseded by the SI unit candela for modern illumination measurements. It represents the luminous intensity in a specific direction.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Candle Power formula:

\[ CP = \frac{F}{\omega} \]

Where:

Explanation: Candle power is calculated by dividing the total luminous flux by the solid angle over which the light is distributed.

3. Importance of Candle Power Calculation

Details: Candle power measurement is important for understanding the directional intensity of light sources, which is crucial in lighting design, photometric testing, and comparing the performance of different light sources.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter luminous flux in lumens and solid angle in steradians. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between candle power and lumens?
A: Candle power measures luminous intensity in a specific direction, while lumens measure the total light output in all directions.

Q2: Why is candle power considered an older term?
A: Candle power has been largely replaced by the SI unit candela, which provides a more standardized and precise measurement of luminous intensity.

Q3: What is a solid angle in lighting measurements?
A: Solid angle measures the extent of a cone-shaped region in three-dimensional space, quantifying how much of the surrounding space is covered by the light beam.

Q4: How is candle power used in practical applications?
A: It's used in spotlight and directional lighting design, automotive headlight testing, and any application where directional light intensity is important.

Q5: Can candle power be converted to other light measurement units?
A: Yes, 1 candle power is approximately equal to 0.981 candela, though the conversion may vary slightly based on specific definitions and standards.

Candle Power Calculator© - All Rights Reserved 2025