Standardizing Shipboard Lighting: Light Fixtures and Light Bulbs on U.S. Navy Ships

Abstract

The intent of this investigation was to determine if light levels varied significantly depending upon the light bulb/fixture configuration. Three light bulb types and four fixture designs were evaluated at the HLW (maintenance level) and LLW (night time) lighting conditions. Two results found in this study are critical to the standardization of shipboard lighting. First, light levels produced by the Daylight bulb are significantly lower than the other two bulbs for all conditions. The lower intensity and spectral characteristics (bluish- gray light) of the Daylight light bulb provide a significant disruption in an otherwise homogenous light field composed of Coolwhite or White light bulbs. Therefore, the shipboard use of the Daylight bulb should discontinued. The second recommendation would be to discontinue the use of the clear fixture lens. This lens does not provide a homogenous field of light. Use of the clear lens in the LLW condition would provide a light significantly more intense than recommended levels thus disrupting the dark adaptation process. These recommendations are made with the intent to standardize shipboard lighting to optimize human performance. Further evaluations of surface ship lighting configurations should be conducted.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 16, 1992
Accession Number
ADA273682

Entities

People

  • D. A. Kobus
  • F. S. Elliott

Organizations

  • Naval Health Research Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Asthenopia
  • Daylight
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Illumination
  • Intensity
  • Light Sources
  • Navy
  • Optical Phenomena
  • Power Supplies
  • Radar
  • Ships
  • Standardization
  • Standards
  • Submarines
  • Test And Evaluation
  • White Light

Readers

  • Circadian Sleep-Wake Regulation and Chronobiology
  • Systems Analysis and Design