When it comes to warehouse lighting, balancing worker safety and operational efficiency is paramount. Selecting the ideal lighting fixtures plays a pivotal role in achieving this equilibrium. LED lights, renowned for their cost-saving benefits and safety enhancements, emerge as a savvy choice. Dive into the world of warehouse lighting fixtures and gain essential insights for informed purchasing.
What are the types of warehouse lighting fixtures?
High Bay Lights:
- Types: Round High Bay Lights (wide beam spread for open areas), Slim High Bay (compact, rectangular distribution for specific aisles and shelving), and Vapor Tight High Bay in refrigerated or industrial environments for durability and reliability.
- Ideal for: large warehouses, manufacturing plants, airport hangers, and amphitheaters.
- Available in metric sizes (custom). Note: Low Bay lights can be an alternative for ceilings under 20 feet in height.
Wall Pack Lights:
- Types: LED Wall Pack Lights (wider beam spread for entryways), Full Cutoff Wall Pack Lights (direct light downward to prevent light pollution), Slim Wall Pack (adjustable beam angle for greater versatility with light projection).
- Ideal for: Loading docks, utility sheds, storage areas, and walkways.
- Standard Sizes: Range from 6" to 18" in length, depending on the style.
Troffer Lights (Drop-Ceiling Lights):
- Types: Recessed troffer lights, surface-mounted troffer lights, dual recessed troffer, parabolic troffer lights, lay-in troffer lights, LED troffer lights, linear LED troffer lights, dimming troffer lights.
- Ideal for: Warehouse office spaces, breakrooms, and storage areas.
- Available in metric and custom sizes.
Industrial Strip Lights:
- Types: Retrofit Kit Strip LED, Slim Profile Strip, High Output Strip
- Mounting option: Staggered, pendant-mounted, surface-mounted, wall-mounted, side-mounted.
- Ideal for: Storage and utility areas, retail locations, factory floors, stairwells, and hallways.
- Standard Sizes: 2', 4', or 8' in length.
Commercial Panel Lights:
- Types: Backlit Flat Panel Lights (lights placed in the back of the frame to minimize glare), Edgelit Flat Panel Lights (lights placed on the side for a thinner profile).
- Ideal for: Warehouses, offices, conference halls, auditoriums, and retail locations.
- Standard Sizes: 1' x 4', 2' x 4', and 2' x 2'.
In addition to these warehouse lighting fixtures, you have different lighting technologies to consider for warehouse applications:
LED Lighting:
- Highly efficient and long-lasting (up to 100,000 hours).
- Does not burn out but dims with time.
- Environmentally friendly, no toxic chemicals.
- Becoming a better investment over time.
Halogen Lighting:
- Bright, white lamps with focusable light beams.
- Lifespan: 2,000 to 4,000 hours.
- Energy Efficiency: 16 to 29 lumens per watt (LM/W).
- Ideal for: residential entry or exit, commercial, outdoor lighting solution, special application.
Incandescent Lighting:
- Traditional bulbs with a relatively short lifespan.
- Lifespan: 750 to 1,500 hours.
- Energy Efficiency: 12 to 18 LM/W.
Fluorescent Lighting:
- Highly efficient and durable.
- Lifespan: Typically, 20,000 hours.
- Energy Efficiency: Up to 100 LM/W.
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting:
- Powerful light production, suitable for various applications.
- Ideal for general, landscape, and outdoor lighting.
What are the things one should know before buying warehouse lighting?
Before purchasing warehouse lighting, there are several important considerations to ensure you make the right choice for your specific needs. Here are the key factors to keep in mind:
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Operational Hours and Motion Sensors: Many warehouses operate around the clock. Opt for heavy-duty warehouse lights equipped with motion sensors to maximize utility and reduce energy consumption. Motion sensors can efficiently distribute lighting throughout different areas of the warehouse, saving energy when not needed.
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Color Temperature: Color temperature plays a crucial role in eye comfort, visibility, and creating a productive work environment. A standard choice is between 4,000K and 5,000K, providing comfortable glare for workers and operators.
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Wattage and Fixture Placement: Consider the horizontal and vertical space of your warehouse to determine the appropriate wattage and the number of fixtures required. For wider coverage with brighter lighting, 150-watt high bay lights are suitable for 15 feet wide spaces.
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Energy Efficiency (Lumen Flux): Energy consumption is a significant concern for warehouse lighting. Lumen flux measures the overall quality of illumination, with higher lumens indicating brighter lighting. Energy-saving options, like LED lights, offer fewer fixtures with higher lumens, such as replacing a 100-watt CFL light with an LED light with 1600 lumens. LED lights also prevent overheating, unlike typical CFL lights.
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LED High Bay Lights: LED high bay lights are a top choice for warehouse lighting due to their maximum energy efficiency. They also offer advantages such as reduced maintenance requirements and fewer fixtures needed. LED high bay lights provide a favorable Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) balance with lower wattage fixtures and higher lumens, contributing to longevity and lower maintenance costs.
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Limiting Glare: When using LED lights, be mindful of potential glare issues. Position the lights properly, and consider using glare reflectors to prevent blinding glare that can lead to accidents.
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Fixture Compatibility with Warehouse Layout: Warehouses typically have high ceilings, which may pose challenges for lighting. Ensure that the chosen lighting fixtures are compatible with the warehouse's height and layout to provide adequate illumination.
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Color Rendering Index (CRI): Pay attention to the Color Rendering Index (CRI) rating to evaluate a lighting system's ability to display natural colors accurately. A higher CRI rating, ideally above 85, is important for tasks that require accurate color representation, such as reading labels.
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Energy Efficiency: Opt for energy-efficient lighting systems, such as LED, to minimize long-term energy consumption and reduce utility bills. While LED lighting may have higher initial costs, the energy savings over time make them a cost-effective choice.
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Professional Guidance: If you are uncertain about which lighting fixtures to choose, consider consulting a lighting professional. They can assess your specific needs and recommend the most suitable solution for your warehouse.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it's essential to have a solid understanding of the key factors to consider before buying warehouse lighting. This knowledge will help you make a smart purchase, leading to improved productivity in the warehouse and ensuring the safety of your workers. When workers can't see properly due to inadequate lighting, it can significantly hamper overall productivity. So, choosing the right lighting isn't just about brightening up the space; it's about ensuring both efficiency and the well-being of your workforce.
The XtraLight brand has proudly stood for lighting expertise, innovation, and genuine customer satisfaction for over 37 years. Always striving to provide the most efficient lighting to our customers, we pivoted to focus the bulk of our efforts on LED at the turn of the century where we will continually invest in the latest LED technology, and are committed to providing the best LED fixtures on the market.
