Description
Calculate signed fixture hours since a recorded service reading.
Vertical-farm records distinguish nominal growing area from floor footprint, occupied cells from healthy seedlings, and supplied lighting power from photon flux. Energy accumulates power over time, while flux per area is an instantaneous spatial basis. Counts, runtime readings and water shares need consistent periods and references before they can describe a real facility.
Calculate signed fixture hours since a recorded service reading.
When to use this tool
Use Vertical Farm Fixture Hour Since Service when you already have serviceHourReading, currentHourReading and need to calculate signed fixture hours since a recorded service reading.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter serviceHourReading, currentHourReading. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read signedGap. Use the output convention below.
Return currentHourReading-serviceHourReading in the same runtime-counter unit.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| serviceHourReading | Service Hour Reading | Required. Finite number. |
| currentHourReading | Current Hour Reading | Required. Finite number. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| signedGap | Signed Gap | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"serviceHourReading": 12,
"currentHourReading": 17
},
"output": {
"signedGap": 5
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Negative differences are retained; resets, rollover, maintenance needs and fixture condition are not inferred.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use measured fixture input and runtime logs for energy, a spatially sampled light map for illumination, and verified tray inventories for occupancy. Reconcile volumes and reference periods before extending one local share to a whole facility.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Vertical Farm Lighting Hour Energy
Calculate lighting energy from supplied power and runtime.
- Animal Collar Service Record Date Gap
Measure signed calendar days since an animal collar's recorded service date.