Light fittings (luminaires) are the total light delivery unit including lamps, lamp holders, reflectors, diffusers and control gear.

One of the critical factors affecting the choice of luminaire is the way light is distributed (how much is directed downwards, outwards and upwards). If this is not done correctly, lighting can create shadows, glare, flicker or chaotic patterns that can be distracting to employees.

The light distribution of luminaires can be:

• Direct: All the light is directed down to the working plane (eg. desk or work bench) as it is with recessed luminaires
• Semi-direct: Some light is directed down and some is allowed to reflect off the ceiling and walls to light the working plane and provide ambient lighting
• Indirect: All the light is reflected from walls and ceiling to the working plane and gives even levels of ambient lighting

For something in between, you might like to try pendant luminaires with uplight components. These can provide a good balance between direct and indirect lighting and due to their effective distribution of light, these are becoming common in many business applications.