7 Things to Remember Before Choosing LED High Bay Lights
2022-06-06
Over time, LED high bay lights have gained popularity for their cost-saving and eco-friendly features. However, despite these benefits, business owners often wonder if LEDs can replace lighting products they have been using for decades. Well, the answer is yes! Currently, LED lamps are the most versatile 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 application. Large spaces with high ceilings such as manufacturing unit warehouses, gyms and large recreational facilities are some challenging setups and you may need high power lights such as LED high bays for better visibility. LED high bay lights help illuminate large spaces efficiently and evenly.
Learn about LED High Bay Lights
As mentioned earlier, high bay LED lights are specially designed lights that are typically used in large spaces with ceiling heights ranging from 20 to 40 feet. Depending on your facility requirements and design, 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 method that works best for your commercial or industrial environment.
1. Analyze the layout
As a smart buyer, the first thing you must do is - analyze your setup layout, as the LED high bay light you choose will vary depending on the type of space you have. For example, a 30-foot-candle LED high bay is usually enough to light a storage room, however, you may need a 50-foot-candle LED high bay to evenly light a warehouse. Not only that, but retail stores may need brighter lights (about 80 foot candles) so that all products in the store are visible. Analyzing your facility'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.
2. Determine the required wattage and lumens
A watt is a measure of how much electricity a light consumes when it is in use, while a lumen is a measure of the amount of visible light produced by a light source. When it comes to these two, you have to decide on these two things before making your final buying decision. Also, consider the size and height of your facility before purchasing LED high bay lights, as different lights are considered suitable for different heights. If your space height is between:
10-15 feet, then the required bulb must produce 10,000 - 15,000 lumens
15-25 feet, then bulbs are required, must produce 16,000 - 25,000 lumens
30-35 feet, then the required bulb must produce 36,000 lumens or greater
3. Determine the number of lights needed
This is a step that pre-preparing the layout and determining lumens can prove beneficial. In addition, almost all reputable lighting brands offer free photometric layouts, which make it easier for you to determine how many lights your facility needs and the distance between each. Plus, this comprehensive pre-planning will save you a fortune by helping you avoid unnecessary fixture installations.
4. Determine the type of high bay light you need
As mentioned earlier, LED high bay lights are available in a variety of designs, which is why it can be difficult to choose the one that best suits your facility. Having said that, LED high bay lights are mainly 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 superior light distribution and are also larger compared to UFO luminaires. They are also considered an ideal replacement for traditional fluorescent lamps T5HO and T8 high bays.
On the other hand, UFO racks are an excellent choice for large warehouses and have an IP rating in wet locations. Also, when looking for a drop-in replacement for traditional metal halides, UFO overhead is the most suitable option. However, if you are undertaking a new construction project, your choice of LED high bay will be different. If the ceiling height is more than 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 lamps on the ceiling will also affect your choice of high bay lights.
5. Manage the voltage of the lamp
When looking for lighting options for commercial and industrial settings, you may occasionally need high voltage light fixtures. Well, with LED high bays, you rarely need to set the voltage as 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
6. Choose the 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. Color temperatures above 5500K are considered harsh by most people and can cause headaches. That's why in a home-like environment, no more than 3000K is recommended; however, if you're looking to replace metal halide fixtures in large industrial installations, LED high bay lights with color temperatures over 5000K are perfect.
7. 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 setups, however, for manufacturing units where color may play an important role; choose a light source with a higher CRI (80 - 90).
Since different applications require different LED high bay lights, these suggestions can come in handy in your decision-making process and help you properly light your space.
