1. What is Specific Consumption?

Specific Consumption is defined as the ratio of electric power input to its average candle power. It represents the efficiency of a lighting system in terms of energy consumption per unit of light output.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Specific Consumption formula:

Where:

• \( S.C. \) — Specific Consumption
• \( P_{in} \) — Input Power (Watt)
• \( CP \) — Candle Power (Candela)

Explanation: The formula calculates the specific consumption by doubling the input power and dividing it by the candle power measurement.

3. Importance of Specific Consumption Calculation

Details: Specific consumption measurement is important for evaluating the energy efficiency of lighting systems and comparing different lighting technologies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter input power in watts and candle power in candela. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the significance of the factor 2 in the formula?
A: The factor 2 accounts for specific measurement conditions and conversion factors in traditional lighting calculations.

Q2: How does specific consumption relate to energy efficiency?
A: Lower specific consumption values indicate more efficient lighting systems that produce more light output per unit of electrical input.

Q3: Is candle power still used in modern lighting measurements?
A: While candle power is an older term, it has been largely superseded by the SI unit candela for modern illumination measurements.

Q4: What are typical specific consumption values for different lighting technologies?
A: Specific consumption varies significantly between incandescent, fluorescent, LED, and other lighting technologies, with LEDs typically having the lowest values.

Q5: Can this calculation be used for all types of lighting systems?
A: This formula is primarily used for traditional lighting efficiency comparisons and may need adjustments for modern lighting systems with different characteristics.