Lux & Light Meters — South Africa
Digital lux meters for measuring illuminance in lux or foot-candles — across LED, fluorescent, incandescent and natural daylight sources. For workplace lighting compliance, retail, agriculture, photography and industrial applications.
What is a lux meter and why does light measurement matter?
A lux meter (also called a light meter or illuminance meter) measures the intensity of visible light falling on a surface, expressed in lux (lx) — the SI unit of illuminance — or foot-candles (fc), the imperial equivalent. Unlike a simple brightness estimate, a calibrated lux meter gives an objective, repeatable reading that can be checked against occupational health standards, design specifications, or horticultural lighting targets.
Because different light sources (LED, fluorescent, incandescent, sodium vapour) emit light across different wavelength distributions, an accurate lux meter applies a correction factor specific to the source being measured — without this, readings can be off by 20% or more under modern LED lighting.
SI unit
Lux (lx)One lumen of light spread over one square metre — the metric standard for illuminance
Imperial unit
Foot-candle1 fc = 10.764 lux — still used in some US-influenced specifications and equipment
Office lighting target
300–500 lxTypical recommended illuminance for general desk-based office work per SANS guidance
Direct sunlight
~100,000 lxFull midday sun — both meters on this page measure well beyond this range
Digital Lux & Light Meters
Ecotao stocks two digital lux meters suited to general lighting verification, workplace compliance checks, and LED/fluorescent troubleshooting.
A versatile digital lux meter with user-adjustable parameters for special light sources, a removable probe for easy access to hard-to-reach fixtures, and cosine and colour corrected measurements for accurate readings under any light type — standard incandescent, LED (white and coloured), fluorescent, or special sources.
- Measuring range: 0.0 to 199,900 lux — automatic or manual range selection
- Resolution: 0.1 lx / 0.01 fc | Accuracy: ±3% rdg, 5 digits (standard A light source)
- Cosine corrected: 10°±1%, 30°±2%, 60°±5%, 80°±20% angle deviation
- Removable probe on cable for access to the light source
- Min/Max/Average recording with auto power off
- Large LCD display for easy reading
- User-adjustable parameter for special light sources
- Lead time: 4 weeks
A precision digital light meter measuring all visible light and a wide variety of LED light sources, with a documented set of light-source correction multipliers built into the unit for L0 (standard) through L9 (user-adjustable) — including dedicated factors for red, green, blue, amber, and purple LEDs.
- Measuring range: up to 199,990 lux / 19,999 foot-candle
- Spectral response close to CIE luminous spectral efficiency
- Silicon photo-diode sensor with spectral response filter (400–700nm)
- Light source selection: L0 standard, L1 LED white, L2 LED red, L3 LED amber, L4 LED green, L5 LED blue, L6 LED purple, L7–L9 user-adjustable
- Large backlit colour LCD display with bar graph
- Max/Min, Average and Hold functions
- High and Low alarm with visual indication
- Auto zero adjustment and cosine angular correction
- Complete with carry case, sensor cover and batteries
Looking for Extech light meters?
Ecotao also stocks the Extech Instruments range of professional light meters — explore the full Extech light meter lineup on our Civil Engineering instrumentation pages.
Typical lux levels — a quick reference scale
Use this scale to interpret your meter reading against common real-world lighting conditions.
0.1 – 1 lx
Moonlight
Full moon on a clear night
20 – 100 lx
Dim indoor
Hallways, candlelit rooms
150 – 300 lx
General indoor
Living rooms, corridors, restaurants
300 – 750 lx
Task lighting
Offices, classrooms, retail, fine work
1,000 – 10,000 lx
Daylight (shade)
Overcast day, shaded outdoor areas
32,000 – 130,000 lx
Direct sunlight
Clear sky, midday sun
C531 vs TA632A — which lux meter is right for you?
Both meters cover general lighting verification work. Use this comparison to choose based on display style, range, and the type of light sources you measure most often.
← Scroll to see full table →
| Feature | C531 | TA632A |
|---|---|---|
| Measuring range | 0.0 to 199,900 lux | Up to 199,990 lux / 19,999 fc |
| Display | Large LCD | Large backlit colour LCD with bar graph |
| Probe type | Removable probe on cable | Built-in sensor with cover |
| Light source correction | User-adjustable for special sources | L0–L9 documented multipliers, incl. LED colour-specific |
| Alarm function | — | High/Low alarm with visual indication |
| Recording functions | Min/Max/Average, auto power off | Max/Min, Average, Hold |
| Cosine correction | Yes — documented angle deviation spec | Yes — auto zero adjustment |
| Included accessories | Probe with protective cover | Carry case, sensor cover, batteries |
Where lux meters are used
Light measurement matters anywhere visibility, productivity, plant growth, or compliance depends on consistent illumination.
Workplace compliance
Verify office, warehouse, and factory lighting meets OHS and SANS 10114 illuminance recommendations for the task being performed.
Retail & hospitality
Check display and shopfront lighting levels to ensure merchandise is well lit and consistent across a store or branch network.
Agriculture & horticulture
Measure light levels in greenhouses, grow tunnels, and propagation areas to optimise photosynthetic light availability for crops.
Photography & film
Set consistent lighting levels across a studio or location shoot, and match light intensity between multiple fixtures.
LED & lighting installers
Verify new LED installations deliver the specified lux levels and troubleshoot complaints about insufficient or excessive lighting.
Schools & institutions
Confirm classroom and library lighting supports reading and detailed work, particularly for compliance audits and renovations.
How to choose the right lux meter
Ask these questions to find the right instrument for your lighting measurement task.
What type of light source will you measure most often?
If you primarily work with LED lighting in various colours, the TA632A's documented L0–L9 source corrections (including colour-specific LED multipliers) make it easier to get accurate readings quickly. For general-purpose work across mixed light types, the C531's user-adjustable parameter offers similar flexibility.
Do you need to access hard-to-reach fixtures?
The C531's removable probe on a cable lets you position the sensor directly under or inside fixtures that the meter body itself can't reach — useful for recessed lighting, ceiling fixtures, or enclosed equipment.
Do you need alarm thresholds for compliance checks?
If you're conducting repeated workplace compliance audits and want immediate visual feedback when a reading falls outside an acceptable range, the TA632A's built-in high/low alarm with visual indication speeds up the process.
What range of lighting conditions will you measure?
Both meters comfortably cover everything from dim indoor lighting through to full direct sunlight. If your work spans very low-light environments (security lighting audits, dark warehouse corners) alongside bright outdoor measurement, confirm the automatic range-switching behaviour suits your workflow.
Frequently asked questions about lux and light meters
Common questions from facility managers, lighting installers, and compliance officers — answered in plain language.