When a TM14 file is opened in PTB it is internally converted to an IES format photometric file. The primary difference between the TM14 and IES formats is the axis of rotation and the candela values in the TM14 file are normalized to one lamp with 1000 lumens. When the photometric file is used with European software, each candela value is multiplied by the number of lamps within the photometric file. The IES format uses candlepower data that encompasses the lamp lumens for all lamps in the photometric file, not just one. Therefore, to make TM14 files synchronize with the IES format, a multiplier is added to the photometric file equal to the number of lamps.
Axis Rotation
In the TM14 photometric format, the luminaire is positioned along the C 90-270 horizontal photometric testing plane as opposed to the 0-180 horizontal testing plane which is commonly used in IESNA testing.
Roadway type luminaires are typically tested (but not always) such that the luminaire is orientated along the curb line which is 90 degrees horizontal (we will call this a ‘curb oriented luminaire’). This differs from US data where the luminaire is oriented along the 0 degree horizontal line
Road Report data will not be correct for a curb oriented luminaire. ‘Street Side’ is considered to be from 0-90 degrees and 270-360 degrees. This ends up being the ‘right side’ of a curb oriented luminaire (or 270-90 degrees horizontal). The same problem applies to ‘House Side’
Luminaire tilt is always applied along 0 degrees horizontal. Therefore, when tilting a curb oriented luminaire, the luminaire is actually ‘rolled’
Before generating any reports, PLEASE check the orientation of the data (this can easily be done using the View or Template tools). If the data is not oriented correctly, or if you simply wish to reorient the data, use the Convert Tool and apply the desired orientation angle. Save the file as an IES file when you are done!
