What is wall washing? What is wall wiping?

Indoor lighting is a major category within lighting. When discussing indoor lighting, it is essential to mention facade lighting, also known as wall lighting. Wall lighting is further divided into two types based on different requirements: wall washing and wall sweeping. The comparison between wall washing and wall sweeping can be clearly seen in the figure below. (As shown in the figure)

Advantages and disadvantages of wall washing

Wall washing is generally achieved through the large-angle polarization of light spots or the swing angle of the luminaire itself to deflect the light spot to one side (as shown in the figure). Wall washing lights are generally used on smooth walls or walls with decorations that need to be evenly illuminated.

1. Polarized wall-washing lighting fixtures with wall-washing light distribution

2. Wall-washing lights achieved through the angle of the luminaire

However, both types of polarized wall-washing lights have the disadvantage of excessive deflection angles, causing a significant portion of the light to concentrate in one area, resulting in poor coverage and low uniformity. (See figure)

The dark area near the ceiling is too large, and there are also dark areas on both sides.

A good polarized wall-washing optical system, using our Firefly Kirin optical system as an example.

Fire-Kirin-Wall washing

ven when the golden ratio for wall washing (distance from wall/wall washing height = 1/3) is exceeded, extremely high uniformity can still be achieved, and there are virtually no dark areas on the wall (as shown in the figure).

Advantages and disadvantages of wall washing

Wall-washing lighting generally involves directing a portion of the light beam vertically downward or upward so that it grazes the wall, thereby enhancing the three-dimensional effect of the wall surface. Wall-washing lighting is typically positioned close to the wall, at a distance of 200mm to 300mm.

However, relying solely on the light from the light spot itself to illuminate the wall results in uneven illumination. Light that does not hit the wall causes efficiency waste, low light spot utilization, and increases the UGR of the luminaire.

A good wall-scanning optical system should ideally have a slight polarization angle, which not only improves spot utilization but also greatly enhances uniformity.

Take our Skyline series as an example.

Small-angle deflection optics can greatly improve the wall coverage and uniformity of the light spot. (As shown in the figure)

If you have any needs related to wall washing optics or any optical questions that need answering, please contact us.

Chengdu HercuLux Optics Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise dedicated to providing system solutions for LED lighting, UV curing, laser projection, AOI machine vision inspection and other applications to provide system solutions for high-tech enterprises.

TEL:0755-29371541
Email:sales@herculux.com

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