Observations of the manual switching of lighting

Abstract

Observations of lighting switching behaviour were made in two offices during one week in winter and one week in summer. A number of consistent patterns of lighting switching were found although it was apparent that basically switching was a matter of individual initiative. When switching did occur the factors determining when and where, were the availability of daylight, the level of occupancy of the room, the conditions pertaining when people entered the room, the existence of sunlight as opposed to daylight and the ease with which switching could be accomplished and related to the organisation of the office. Some methods by which switching lighting in response to daylight variations may be encouraged are suggested.