Upscale lighting has been a popular choice for commercial and industrial users around the world for decades due to its relatively compact size and intense light output. In recent years, LED technology has dominated the high-brightness market due to improvements in energy efficiency and lifetime, as well as greatly improved color rendering accuracy. This advancement in wide span lighting technology has saved users significant operating and maintenance costs and improved jobsite safety and efficiency.
Often, novice buyers or even experienced buyers oftall LED shelvesThey are finding it difficult to understand and purchase these new bulbs due to differences in wattage to lumen ratios and a much wider range of options and choices than before. With that need for clarification in mind, we've put together one of the most comprehensive buyers' guides available to help you choose the best LED high bay for a variety of applications. We've also added information on the technical and performance benefits of LED lighting to help buyers understand why they should choose LEDs over traditional types of luminaires for their commercial and industrial applications.
The definition
LEADED– Abbreviation of “Light Emitting Diode”, which is aSolid state lighting typewith a semiconductor diode that lights up when voltage is applied. This type of light dates back to the early 1960's and has been widely used in electronic and computer equipment since its introduction. As technology has improved over the years, the lumen output of LEDs has increased exponentially and today they can outperform virtually any other type of light source on the market.
Lumen– This is a measure of the amount of visible light emitted by a source. In the past, lamp performance was typically quantified in watts rather than lumens. This was due to the linear relationship between wattage and lumen output in traditional incandescent lamps. Due to the large differences in the lumen output of LED lighting compared to conventional light sources, it is now the standard to compare luminaires based on their lumen output.
Performance– This is the standard measure of energy consumption in the lighting industry, often used in relation to the light output of luminaires to determine their energy efficiency. One watt is defined as the power required to do work when one ampere of current flows through an electrical potential difference of one volt. This can be expressed as [1W = 1V * A].
voltage– This is defined as the energy potential to move. Stress is considered analogous to water pressure because the properties of stress are similar to those of water flowing through a pipe under pressure from a pump.
Downloadable content included– Abbreviation for “Design Light Consortium” if it is a productlisted under this standardmeans it has been certified to operate under high levels of energy efficiency.
color temperature– To define the hue of a light, the color temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin on a scale of 1,000 K to 10,000 K, which is the closest match to daylight.
bay high lights– This is a specific class of luminaire designed to be mounted overhead to provide vertical space for day to day operations and provide full lighting capabilities. Tall bays have a high lumen output and are intended for industrial and commercial environments.
color rendering index– Also commonly known by the acronym “CRI”, this is the measurement scale used to determine the accuracy of a light and proper color rendering performance. This numerical scale ranges from zero to 100, which corresponds to the CRI of daylight and is considered the perfect light source. The higher the CRI of a light, the more accurately it will illuminate its surroundings.
See our completeCRI lighting articlefor more information.
Power selection for indoor LED spotlights
High Bays are available in a variety of different wattages to suit a variety of applications and lighting needs. In the past, lamp wattage was usually measured in watts, as wattage for certain wattage classes was very consistent between different manufacturers. This has made it easier for buyers to select replacement luminaires and plan the number and placement of luminaires in new construction.
In today's market, however, there are huge differences in performance between manufacturers, with some offering significantly more efficient lighting than others. LED lights require significantly less energy than traditional lighting, making it difficult for even those familiar with HID and Metal Halide technology to choose the right high-power LED for their application. The table below shows common HID power ranges for tall bays and how they match modern LED technology to ease the selection process.
Low voltage (30-90 watts)– On the lower end of the wattage scale, these bulbs are typically in the 30 to 90 watt range. They are most popular with users who want to light smaller areas as efficiently as possible. Many tall fixtures in this wattage range also have the benefit of being plug-in-play with existing outlets without the need for manual rewiring.
Medium power (100-230 watts)– In the middle of the range, these mid-power tall bays are by far the most popular with commercial and industrial users. Lamps in this wattage range offer the best balance of light output and power consumption for most applications and are commonly found in warehouses, commercial facilities and factories.
High power tall bays (280–360 watts)– At the upper end of the power range, these lights provide the brightest possible illumination while offering the energy-efficient benefits of LED technology. It is most commonly used for sports arenas, stadiums and other high ceiling facilities that require high light levels.
Reasonable lumen rating
Choosing the correct lumen rating for your application is critical to providing the right lighting performance and ensuring the maximum return on your investment. In fact, in today's market, lumen output has replaced wattage as the primary measure of light output. Considering that most people still think of lighting output in terms of watts, transitioning to lumens as the primary measure of light output can be a confusing undertaking. However, this is how the lighting industry will measure performance for the foreseeable future, and therefore it is important to understand how lumen ratings translate to real-world performance.
With LED lighting, the number of lumens produced is generally proportional to the wattage of the bulb, although this varies by manufacturer. That's why we've listed several common lumen ranges to make the buying process easier:
Low lumens (4,000-20,000)– At the lower end of the lumen range, these lights are primarily intended for applications that demand quality light that is also exceptionally energy efficient. These lights are typically used to light small to medium sized areas in industrial and commercial facilities, or non-critical areas that do not require high intensity lighting.
Medium lumens (21,000-35,000)– By far the most popular lumen range, lights in this category are often used for large scale surgeries such asLagerand extensive commercial facilities. They are highly sought after for their balance of impressive lighting capability and energy efficiency. Furthermore, these lights are generally inexpensive and therefore accessible to a wide range of users.
High power bays (40,000-50,000)- Lamps in this category are by far the most powerful and are used when maximum lighting is the main objective. While these lights still offer the energy-efficient benefits of LED technology, they have the most wattage of any high-brightness light to deliver their lumen output. These lights are widely used in sports stadiums, arenas, public spaces and other areas that require precise and intense lighting.
color temperatures
In addition to choosing the right wattage and lumen output for your application, this is important.Determine the correct color temperatureFor your application. This depends on the overall purpose and purpose of the lighting. Certain color temperatures are better for keeping employees focused and efficient, while others are better for relaxing and creating a positive mood. Below, we've compiled a summary of the most common color temperatures available in high-brightness lighting today to help you through the buying process.
5.000.000– Indoor 5000 Kelvin LED spotlights are by far the most common. This color temperature projects cool white light that mimics daytime environments. It is ideal for general lighting in warehouses, manufacturing facilities and other commercial spaces that require precise lighting. This color temperature also works best with higher CRI lighting, as it is the most natural of all color temperatures.
4000.000– 4000 Kelvin LED lamps emit a natural colored light commonly found in work areas. While they are generally less common than 5000K fixtures, there are still many electrical contractors and building managers who prefer this color temperature. This is due to the warmer feel and close emulation of the color temperature of traditional lighting such as HID and fluorescent lighting. As a result, 4000K high bays are easy to find in the LED lighting market.
3.000.000- 3000 Kelvin is a warm LED light color mainly used in restaurants or homes. 3000K LED bulbs are rarely found in high span fixtures as these fixtures are designed for larger buildings such as warehouses and commercial gyms rather than residential or hospitality lighting applications.
Applications and Types
High Bay lights are used in a variety of commercial and industrial applications, from garages, machine shops, warehouses, factories, gyms, indoor sports arenas and even large retail stores. Their high power-to-size ratio makes them ideal for applications where conventional lighting is unable to provide adequate illumination. Below is a list of the most common types of hall light fixtures:
UFO high bays– Named for their resemblance to a stereotypical UFO, theseround shaped accessoriesThey are the dominant lighting option for warehouses, workshops and other industrial areas. Their popularity stems from several key factors that make them an excellent choice, including exceptional durability, high lumen output, and a compact design that's easy to set up and install. This design provides highly focused lighting while maintaining high energy efficiency and low maintenance costs.
linear high shelves- These long LED tube lights are popular in applications that require high brightness lighting that spreads over a larger area than a regular UFO light.linear high shelvesThey are popular in commercial establishments and storage areas, especially those who value simplicity and economy in their architectural lighting setup. They offer a wider beam angle than UFO-style tall bays, allowing you to illuminate a larger area with lower light intensity.
mounting options
yoke assembly- These brackets are used to mount UFO-style high-end lights to a flat surface, allowing for angle adjustments to accommodate slanted ceilings. They are also popular for ceiling mounted fixtures, particularly in installations with lower ceilings that still want to use high bay lighting.
hanger mounting hook– By far the most popular of all high span mounting systems, these brackets suspend a luminaire a variable distance from the ceiling, depending on application requirements. Although they require some level of adjustment to the suspension system, they are relatively easy to install and sometimes require no modification to the mounting point. They typically use cables or chains for their suspension system, although technically they can be mounted anywhere with a hook.
V-hooks- These are standard hooks used on tall light fixtures to hang them from the ceiling or other elevated surface. They are usually separate pieces that are screwed to the bracket itself using standard electrical wire type threads. Most also have a locking screw to secure them and prevent them from accidentally coming loose and falling out.
surface mounted– These are the narrowest brackets for applications that require maximum vertical clearance under the fixture itself. To achieve this, surface mounted lights have a flat fixed-angle bracket that brings the device as close as possible to the ceiling or mounting surface, leaving enough room for heat dissipation and mounting.
Rod and plate support- Similar to pendant mounts, this mounting system uses tubular rods to connect a tall light fixture to a ceiling-mounted metal mounting plate. These are the most elegant of all pendant or pendant mounting systems, offering the option to wrap the wiring in an elegant strip that can be painted or styled to match the facility's interior.
common questions
- What are indoor LED spotlights?
It is a type of luminaire designed to be mounted on a high ceiling. Typically used in large installations, these fixtures have a relatively narrow light pattern that provides intense illumination of the underlying surface. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, although circular or round UFO-style lights are the most popular due to their versatility. - How are tall shelves hung?
Tall fixtures can be hung or mounted in a variety of ways, depending on the needs of the application. The most common and easiest mounting option is to suspend luminaires from the ceiling using a cable, chain, or other method. This usually involves a V-hook or hook hanging from the back of the device to which the chain or cable attaches.
The other common option is direct mount with surface mount or yoke mount. Surface mount is the lowest profile and is popular for flat ceilings that do not require angle adjustment on the fixture. Yoke mounting is similar but allows adjustments for pitched roofs.
- How many hallway lights do I need?
The number of hallway lights you need for your specific project depends on a number of factors. The first is to determine the lumen requirements of the coverage area. You would then need to calculate how many lights would be needed to meet your application needs, which would depend on the number of lumens produced by each light. The height of the floor lamps also influences, as the higher the floor light, the greater the power required to ensure adequate lighting.
Obviously this can be a complex task and as such it is best to consult aCommercial LED lighting specialistto get your project right. Expert advice minimizes costs and maximizes lighting throughout your space.
- Why use LED for hall lighting?
The use of LED technology in high span luminaires offers several advantages. The main reason for most users is the drastically lower power consumption of LED lights compared to traditional lights such as HIDs. In addition, LED lamps are maintenance-free throughout their lifetime, resulting in significant savings in terms of parts costs and labor hours. They also produce a higher quality, more accurate light that improves visibility and safety compared to traditional light sources. - How are metal halides replaced by LEDs?
There are several ways in which lighting systems can beequipped with LEDs, depending on how your existing lighting setup is set up. In many cases, the simplest and easiest way to achieve this is to simply replace the existing luminaire with a new LED luminaire that offers equivalent light output. In other situations, it may be desirable to reconfigure the entire lighting system design to effectively upgrade to LED technology. There are even a select number of scenarios where it might be possible to upgrade your existing accessory with aKit retrofit LEDHowever, this requires some electrical knowledge to complete correctly.
Ref: https://commercialledlights.com/blog/high-bay-lighting/high-bay-buyers-guide/