lighting needs

I'm doing up a room in my basement that is 13 by 17 (221 square feet.) I have 6 recessed lights, each has a 50watt bulb. Will I have enough lighting if I just install 4 of the lights (200watts) for a room that size?

how many lux you want, how far below the ceiling?

milkman2010 said:

I'm doing up a room in my basement
each has a 50watt bulb

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Floodlights or spots?

resi. living room 50 lux
resi. toilets, hallways, 80 to 100
School classrooms, Kitchen work areas, office lighting 300 to 500
Garment manufacture - sewing, Supermarket 750
Instrument assembly 1500

A 50w halogen flood might give you 1100 lux in a 4' dia. circle 5' below the ceiling.

To check your existing light levels you need a camera
With ISO 100 speed film, an Exposure Value (EV) of 6 equals 160 lux, 7 = 320, 8 = 640.

milkman2010 said:

I'm doing up a room in my basement that is 13 by 17 (221 square feet.) I have 6 recessed lights, each has a 50watt bulb. Will I have enough lighting if I just install 4 of the lights (200watts) for a room that size?

Click to expand...

Yes for code compliance, no if you like lots of light. Go LED

LED's are still expen$ive
I keep looking but at $20-30 a bulb I'll stick with free CFL's (after instant coupon)

If unfinished area (open ceiling)
I connected a couple recessed cans with power cords & then plugged them in to see how the area would look
I used 6" cans so that I can use any bulb I want
If you are going with the MR16 fixtures I would not do it