Illumination Levels in Offices with Visual Display Units

Abstract

This paper investigates the optimal illumination levels for offices equipped with visual display units(VDUs). Twenty-four paid subjects keyed in typical word processing data for 6 min per condition. General illumination was provided by a mixture of indirect and direct lighting sources. This illumination was held at 350 lux at the workstation. The experimental variables for the 6 conditions were: (1) two illuminations of the room wall and (2) three illumination levels in the area directly ahead of the operator. When VDU workstations are illuminated at 350 lux to eliminate glare, operators prefer an intermediate illumination level (800 lux) in the office space to their front over 415 lux or 1170 lux. Operators also preferred increased brightness contrast on the wall. Design should consider not only the workstation itself but also the surrounding.

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