Sports Lighting

Sports Lighting:

Lighting for sports facility looks for comfort of four user groups namely Players, Officials, Spectators and Media. Players and officials should see clearly in the play area to produce best possible results the object used in the game. Spectators should follow the performance of the players. In addition to play area surroundings also need to be illuminated. Lighting should be such that it enables safe entry and exit. With increasing crowd level safety becomes more and more important. Media include TV and film, for which lighting should provide lighting such that conditions are suitable for color picture quality as per CIE 83. This should be suitable for both general pictures as well as close up of players and spectators. Additionally, it should have provisions for emergency power supply to provide continuous transmission.

Criteria relevant for sports lighting are Horizontal Illuminance, Vertical Illuminance, Illuminance

Uniformity, Glare restrictions, Modeling & shadows and Color appearance & rendering

Energy efficiency lamps:

Horizontal Illuminance:

This becomes important as major part of view is illuminated playing area. Illuminance on the horizontal plane serves adaptation of the eye. It acts as a background, so adequate illuminance is important. For safe entry and exit adequate illumination is required in the circulation area also.

Vertical Illuminance:

Sufficient contrast across players’ body is essential for the identification of the player. This is possible only if sufficient vertical illumination is there. This is characterized by both magnitude and direction. Players need adequate vertical illumination, from all directions. Spectators and Media need illumination only in defined directions. Generally, if horizontal illuminance is taken care, vertical illuminance levels become adequate. Usually vertical illuminance is specified or measured at a vertical height 1.5 m above the play area. Apart from player recognition and picture quality vertical illuminance should enable observation of movement of ball (or object moving in the sport concerned) above the playing field by both players and spectators. Spectator’s stands are also part of the environment and must also have adequate vertical illuminance, more from the safety point of view.

Illuminance Uniformity:

Good illuminance is important in both the horizontal and vertical planes. If it be good it does away need for continuous adjustment of cameras. This is achieved by having Illuminance Uniformity.