General facility lighting must serve a large area, while workstation lighting can be positioned specifically around a smaller task. This allows the designer to control working distance, direction, distribution, and intensity more closely.
Task Lighting
Bring Useful Light Close to the Work
Assembly benches, inspection tables, electronics stations, repair areas, packaging benches, test stations, and measurement work can all benefit from localized lighting positioned around the actual working plane.
Illuminance
Evaluate Light at the Work Surface
Workstation lighting should be evaluated at the plane where the task occurs rather than only by the total output of the fixture.
Illuminance →Glare & Reflections
Bright Light Is Not Always Comfortable Light
Reflective metal, glossy plastic, glass, screens, tools, and polished parts can create strong reflections depending on fixture position.
Diffusion, fixture angle, shielding, beam control, and adjustable mounting can reduce distracting brightness while maintaining useful task light.
Shadows
Operator Position Changes the Lighting Geometry
Hands, tools, fixtures, parts, containers, and the operator can block light. Using longer fixtures, broader distributions, or lighting from more than one direction can reduce deep shadows where the task requires it.
Adjustment
Different Tasks May Need Different Lighting Angles
Adjustable arms, pivot brackets, linear rails, or movable fixtures can allow one workstation to support products of different sizes and shapes.
Color
Consider Color Temperature and Rendering
Work involving colored wires, labels, coatings, parts, markings, or surface inspection may benefit from careful source selection.
Selection