Light Meters & UV Monitors, Rent or Buy

Illuminance is the measure of the amount of light falling on a surface, expressed in lux (lx) or foot-candles (fc). In occupational hygiene and safety, inadequate lighting is a significant hazard contributing to eye strain, fatigue, headaches, and increased risk of slips, trips, falls, and errors. Conversely, excessive lighting or glare can also impair visual performance. Illuminance measurement is critical for workplace ergonomics assessments, hazardous area evaluations, construction site safety, and compliance with task-specific lighting requirements across industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and emergency response.

Illuminance is the amount of visible light on a work surface, typically measured in lux or foot-candles. Rent light meters from RAECO Rents to verify workplace lighting levels for safety, visibility, and task performance in industrial, commercial, and construction environments. For optical radiation evaluations, select instruments can also support UV and other light measurements to help assess specialty light source exposures.

Regulatory Exposure Limits

Updated on March 09, 2026

OSHA PEL

TWA: N/A

STEL: N/A

C: N/A

NIOSH REL

TWA: N/A

STEL: N/A

C: N/A

ACGIH TLV

TWA: N/A

STEL: N/A

C: N/A

Filters

Should I measure lighting in footcandles or lux?

Footcandles are used in the US; lux is the international (SI) unit. 1 footcandle = 10.76 lux. Which you use depends on your applicable standard or client requirement. OSHA references footcandles in older standards; IESNA/ASHRAE use footcandles for US applications. International projects typically use lux. Most modern light meters display both.

For a lighting survey, am I checking safety/compliance or troubleshooting light levels?

Safety/compliance surveys document that illumination levels meet minimum requirements (OSHA, ANSI/IES standards, or facility specs)—you measure at work surfaces, walkways, and emergency egress and compare to required minimums. Troubleshooting surveys identify why light levels are lower than expected (failed lamps, dirty fixtures, poor fixture placement) and guide corrective action. The measurement approach is similar, but compliance requires documentation of the standard applied and a pass/fail determination, while troubleshooting focuses on finding and fixing the problem.

Can glare be the real problem even if footcandle levels look fine?

Yes. High luminance contrast (glare) can cause visual discomfort and errors even when average illuminance meets guidelines. If workers report eye strain or difficulty seeing, consider a glare evaluation alongside footcandle readings.

Where should illuminance measurements be taken?

Measure at the task plane—typically the work surface height (desk, bench, or floor). For general assessments, use a grid pattern across the space. Take readings with the meter level and in the orientation workers use the surface.

How do I make illuminance readings repeatable across a facility?

Use a fixed measurement grid, consistent meter orientation, and stable lamp conditions (let fixtures warm up before measuring). Document the grid layout so measurements can be repeated in the same locations during follow-up surveys.

Should I use a handheld lux meter or a light data logger?

Use a handheld meter for spot surveys and compliance checks across multiple locations. Use a data logger when you need to document how light levels change over time—shift lighting variations, daylighting effects, or equipment cycling.