Illumination refers to the amount of light falling on a surface per unit area. It is usually measured in units such as lux or foot-candles. Mean Horizontal Candle Power (MHCP) is a term used to describe the luminous intensity distribution of a light source in a horizontal plane. It represents the average luminous intensity emitted by a light source across a horizontal plane.
Luminous intensity is the amount of visible light emitted in a particular direction and is measured in candelas (cd). Mean Horizontal Candle Power takes into account the luminous intensity of a light source at various angles in the horizontal plane and calculates the average intensity.
The term "mean" implies that the average intensity is calculated by considering multiple measurement points across the horizontal plane. This helps provide a more comprehensive understanding of how the light source illuminates its surroundings.
In practical terms, Mean Horizontal Candle Power is often used in lighting design and engineering to assess how effectively a light source illuminates a specific area. It allows designers to evaluate how evenly light is distributed and whether certain areas receive more light than others.
Remember that advancements in lighting technology and measurement methods may have occurred since my last knowledge update in September 2021. If you're dealing with the most up-to-date information, I recommend consulting current lighting standards and resources.