High Bay LED lights are specially designed lights that are often used in large spaces with ceiling heights ranging from 20 to 40 feet. However, there are several factors that may influence your choice of LED high bay light. In this case, following the points below can simplify the selection process for you.
Over time, LED high bay lights have gained popularity for their cost-saving and eco-friendly features. But despite these benefits, business owners often wonder if LEDs can replace lighting products they’ve been using for decades. Well, the answer is yes! At present, LED lights are the most widely used lighting products on the market. Whether you’re looking for panel lights for your office or floodlights for a large stadium, there are LED lighting solutions for every use. Large spaces with high ceilings such as manufacturing unit warehouses, gyms and large recreational equipment are some challenging setups and you may need high power lights such as LED high bays for better visibility. LED high bay lights help to illuminate large spaces efficiently and evenly, according to a study conducted by the World Journal of Ergonomics.
Learn about LED High Bay Lights
As mentioned earlier, high bay LED lights are specially designed lights that are generally used in large spaces with ceiling heights ranging from 20 to 40 feet. Depending on your equipment requirements and planning, you can use chains or attach these high bay lights directly to the ceiling.
Just like other LED lights, high bay lights are available in a variety of options, each specially designed to meet different needs. While distinguishing them can be a daunting task, the following points can help you choose the best method for your commercial or industrial environment.
Table of Contents
Dissecting the layout
The first thing you must do as a smart buyer is – dissect the layout of your setup, as the LED high bay light you pick will vary depending on the type of space you have. For example, a 30-foot-candle LED high bay is generally enough to light a storeroom, but you may need a 50-foot-candle LED bay light to evenly light a storeroom. Not only that, but retail stores may need brighter lights (about 80 foot candles) so that all products in the store are visible. Dissecting your equipment’s layout plan at the outset will help you ensure that you’re buying the right lights for your commercial or industrial setup, and nothing else.
Confirm the required wattage and lumens
A watt is a measure of the amount of electricity that light consumes when it is in use, while lumens are a measure of the amount of visible light produced by a light source. Speaking of the two, you need to confirm both of these things before making the final purchase decision. Also, consider the size and height of your equipment before purchasing an LED high bay light, as different lights are thought to be suitable for different heights. If your space height is between:
- 10-15 feet, then the demand for the bulb must produce 10,000 – 15,000 lumens
- 15-25 feet, then need bulbs, must produce 16,000 – 25,000 lumens
- 30-35 feet, then the demand for bulbs, it is necessary to produce greater than or equal to 36,000 lumens
Confirm the required number of lights
This is the process of preparing the layout in advance and confirming that lumens can prove to be beneficial. In addition, almost all well-known lighting brands offer free photometric layouts, which make it easier for you to determine how many lights you need for your installation and the spacing between each. Plus, this comprehensive pre-planning will help you prevent unnecessary fixtures, saving you a ton of money.
Confirm the type of high bay light required
As mentioned earlier, LED high bay lights are available in a variety of designs, which is why it can be difficult to pick the one that’s right for your installation. That being said, LED high bay lights are primarily divided into two sub-categories based on shape:
UFO overheads are circular; linear overheads are long.
Linear high bays, also known as panel high bays, provide excellent light distribution and are also larger than UFO luminaires. They are also considered an ideal replacement for the traditional fluorescent T5HO and T8 high bays.
On the other hand, UFO overhead is a great choice for large warehouses and has an IP rating in wet locations. Additionally, when looking for a drop-in replacement for traditional metal halides, UFO overhead is the most suitable choice. However, if the project you accept is a new build, your choice of LED high bay will be different. If the ceiling height exceeds 35 feet, UFO high bay lights are best because they have better light output and beam spread than linear LED high bay lights. In addition, the placement of lights on the ceiling will also affect your selection of high bay lights.
Manage the voltage of the light
When looking for lighting options for commercial and industrial settings, you may occasionally need high voltage fixtures. Well, with LED high bays, you rarely need to set the voltage because they automatically adjust to the input voltage. However, you can find LED high bay lights in the following voltage ranges:
- 100 – 277 volts
- 277 – 480 volts
- 347 – 480 volts
Pick a color temperature
Color temperature is a property of light measured on the Kelvin scale. Lights with higher numbers on the Kelvin scale are warmer and yellow, while lights with lower numbers are cool and blue. Most people think that color temperatures above 5500K are garish and may cause headaches. This is why in a home-like environment, it is recommended not to exceed 3000K; however, if you want to replace metal halide lights in large industrial equipment, LED high bay lights with a color temperature of more than 5000K are the perfect choice.
Consider CRI
Color Rendering Index (CRI) is the ability of a lighting product to display the actual color of different objects. A light source with a 70+ CRI is considered a good choice for large industrial settings, however, for manufacturing units where color may play an important role; choose a light source with a higher CRI (80 – 90).
Because different areas of use require different LED high bay lights, these propositions can come in handy in your decision-making process and help you properly light your space.