​Choosing the appropriate lighting system in industrial and commercial settings isn't just about providing the needed illumination. The light you chose should also be energy-efficient and designed to improve visibility.

This is why LED high bay lights are extremely popular in indoor industrial applications. However, deciding on the number of light fixtures needed for your facility can be challenging to calculate.

So, How many high bay lights do I need? Keep reading to find out.

What is LED High Bay Light?

High bay lights are designed to illuminate a large area with a high ceiling. These lights reduce glare and provide the needed visibility in indoor settings, allowing users to focus on details without straining their eyes. High bay lights are usually installed when the ceiling height is between 20 and 45 feet.

The other type of bay light is low bay lights, which are installed on lower ceilings. At the same time, low bay lights have a lower wattage compared to high bay lights. If your ceiling is 20 feet high or less, these lights will work for you.

LED high bay lights are energy-efficient, especially when used in larger spaces compared to other lighting technologies. They also provide a long range of light to enhance visibility and increase security without confusing users.

Moreover, compared to metal halide, induction, or fluorescent lights, high bay lights are considered a better investment because they have a longer life. They're also more versatile and maneuverable, so you can mount them in several ways depending on your needs.

LED high bay lights come with different beam angles to ensure better light output, depending on your needs. For example, a 60-degree beam angle provides more lux and produces a focused light. This can be used in areas where you need light to be stronger and brighter for detailed work.

A 90-degree angle and a 120-degree angle high bay light will diffuse the light to cast it over a larger area. The result is better illumination with fewer shadows, where the light doesn't cause strain or discomfort when used for extended periods. A wider beam angle will also work better when the ceiling height isn't that high for better light distribution.

Where Should You Use LED High Bay Lights?

LED high bay lights come with reflectors to ensure better distribution of the light so that it's not wasted. Here are some settings where using LED high bay lights is the best option.

· Storage facilities

· Workshops

· Warehouses

· Airport hangars

· Municipal facilities

· Train stations

· Courthouses and hospitals

· School and university gymnasiums

· Theaters

· Indoor stadiums

How are LED High Bay Lights Mounted?

LED high bay lights are mounted to increase visibility in indoor settings, so come offer different mounting methods depending on the purpose.

In most cases, the light fixture is mounted using a hook or a chain, hanging directly from the ceiling. Different fixtures are distributed over the area to provide better visibility.

In small areas, the light can be fixed to the ceiling or a wall to produce light directed towards a specific direction, as long as there are no obstacles that stop the beam. In some cases, the light can also be floor-mounted and directed upwards.

How Many High Bay Lights Do I Need?

Whether you're designing your industrial or commercial facility's lighting from scratch or upgrading your current lighting system, you should calculate the number of LED high bay lights to install. Careful planning will not only increase your facility's visibility but also reduce the energy bill in the long run.

In case of refitting your warehouse or retail store with new LED high bay lights, the one-for-one replacement won't work. This refers to the process of removing older metal halide or fluorescent lights and replacing them with new LED lights.

This doesn't work because LED lights provide more illumination. The produced light can be too bright for your indoor application and negatively impact visibility in your industrial or commercial facility.

However, you can replace your existing lights based on the lumens. For example, if you have 10 bulbs, each of 1000W and a brightness of 50 lumens, the total lumens will be 500 lumens. 5 LED bulbs of 100 lumens each will provide you with the same brightness and for fewer wattages.

In general, the number of lights and lumens can be calculated according to this mathematical method:

Total lumens needed / lumen per LED bulb = Number of bulbs needed

You also need to know the beam angle to calculate the beamwidth of every LED bulb you install. This can be calculated according to this method:

Beam angle X 0.018 X distance from light bulb = Beamwidth

In order to calculate the total lumens needed to illuminate your facility, you need to consider the ceiling height. You should also consider the spacing between light fixtures. For example, installing light bulbs with 12 feet of space between fixtures will increase illumination and visibility. Increasing the space to 15 feet between fixtures produces more natural light with less eye strain.

The higher the ceiling, the more space you should consider between light fixtures to ensure better light output distribution. The bigger distance allows the light to travel and diffuse for improved visibility.

When the space is too small, the light can be too bright and sometimes uncomfortable, especially with extended use. Here's a table that explains the recommended lumens and spacing between fixtures, depending on the ceiling's height.

Conclusion

LED high bay lights are suitable for various indoor commercial and industrial applications. These lights are designed to illuminate areas with high ceilings without increasing the energy bill. However, you need to calculate the number of high bay lights needed for your facility based on the ceiling height and purpose of lighting for the best results.