This fixture type goes by many names depending on the manufacturer, such as “volumetric lighting” and “diffuse lighting,” but a premium troffer is a fluorescent troffer with a photometric distribution including a small amount of light in the 60- to 90-degree zone, which smoothly fades as the angle gets closer to 90 degrees. It’s also the subject of my latest contribution to Electrical Contractor Magazine, published in August.
Premium troffers can make a room feel brighter and bigger while reducing energy consumption. Lighting quality is improved over conventional parabolics because soft, uniform illumination is placed on the high vertical surfaces in the space, as shown here in this comparison between a room lighted with 3-lamp parabolics (left) and 2-lamp high-efficiency premium troffers (right). Photos courtesy of Day-Brite Lighting.
The light source, which may be T5, T5HO, T8 or compact fluorescent, is concealed behind diffuse shielding. Downward distribution typical of direct lighting is combined with light emitted in directions approaching horizontal that is more typical of indirect lighting. This combination produces several interesting results: First, light is distributed uniformly on high vertical surfaces in the space, making the space appear larger, brighter and more open while eliminating the cave effect. Second, shadows are softer, and facial recognition may be improved. Third, the light is distributed more uniformly, which is important when office workstations are moved around later.
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