Fiber optics

Material analysis

MasterFormat Number: 00 00 00

Definition

• Fiber Optic lighting uses "Internal Reflection" to transmit light though a transparent medium such as glass or plastic. The light travels inside the plastic repeatedly reflecting from side to side.
• Light rays that strike the core at the acceptance angle are reflected back and forth inside the core and travel to the other end of the fiber in a zigzag path of successive reflections(Gordon, "Interior Lighting for Designers")

Emerging uses / trends

• Interior lighting
• Exterior lighting
• Lighing effects and "sparkle"

Aesthetic qualities

• Many colors avalible
• Size of fiber varries according to the flexability and length needed

Cost analysis

• Plastic fibers are less expensive than glass.
• Few lamps needed to eluminate large number of fibers

Material properties

Primary structural use

• Non-structural

Manufacturing process and assembly

• Fiber optic lighting systems consist of (1) a light projector, (2) a tungsten-halogen or metal halide light source, (3) an optical-fiber harness, (4) a fitting for each of the bundles, and (5) the bundles or optical fibers. Silicone rubber sheathing gives the bundles protection without loss of flexability.

Environmental impact

• A single 70-watt metal halide lamp combined with fiber optics can provide as much lighting as eight 50-watt incandescent bulbs.
• EFO (efficient fiber optics)
• Whole Foods Market has replaced incandescent lights in its seafood departments at various stores with EFO. Not only is electricity consumption down, the ambient temperature of the seafood departments has dropped.

LEED

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Life Safety & Rating Standards

References

Notes

• Gordon, Gary. "Interior Lighting for Designers." New Jersey: Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2003.
• Thomas, Justin. "Fiber Optic Lighting: More Efficient Than Fluorescent." www.treehugger.com September, 8 2006.
• http://www.svision.com
• http://www.luciferlighting.com

Student contributions

• Heather Gray, Spring 2009