Re: Can bundled fiber optics efficiently bring natural light into a basement?

Greetings Darcy:

Reference: http://www.fiberstars.com/commerical_lighting/products_and_i nstallation/index.html

Fiberoptic lighting in commercial buildings, museums, churches, swimming pools
etc. is a growing industry. The referenced Fiberstars web page is a typical
example of a company supplying fiberoptic lighting components that can be used
to light basements and for other lighting applications.

The Fiberstars web site (http://fiberstars.com) claims that fiberoptics lighting has the following
advantages over conventional lighting systems.

Fiberoptic Lighting Advantages

· Fiberoptic strands do not conduct electricity. This means that there is no
electrical or fire hazard at the location of the fiberoptic fixture. In hazardous
or sensitive locations, fiberoptic lighting is the safest way to provide
illumination.

· Fiberoptic strands do not conduct ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Almost all
materials are degraded by UV radiation (paint, wood, fabrics... ). Museum
exhibits in particular try to limit the amount of UV radiation reaching their
artifacts or works of art.

· Fiberoptic strands do not conduct infra-red (IR) radiation. This means
that no heat is conducted through the fiberoptic system. In many applications,
such as casework lighting, the added heat of traditional lighting technology
is unacceptable.

· Fiberoptic lighting fixtures, due to the small size of the strands used
to carry visible light, may be designed for very intense and controlled light
output. With fiberoptic lighting you can light, in a controlled manner, areas
that could not be easily illuminated before. Edge lighting applications in
particular demonstrate the significance of a carefully focused and intense
light source.

· The light source for a fiberoptic lighting system is located away from the
actual fixture. This means that lamp replacement need not effect the object
or area being lit. Additionally, controlling the light from the source allows
for synchronized changes (color, intensity, or effects) of many fixtures.

Best regards, Your Mad Scientist
Adrian Popa