How to Save Money When Buying LED High Bay Light Solutions

LED High Bay Lights Buyers Guide

In warehouses, manufacturing plants, gymnasiums, and other large facilities, LED high bay lights are on the job, providing superior lighting quality, energy efficiency, and long-term savings. There's no doubt about it – installing LED high bay lights is a strategic decision that pays off in the long run.Let's explore the benefits of LED high bays. We'll break down the costs involved, and provide a step-by-step installation process. We'll also compare LED high bay lights to traditional lighting options, discuss essential maintenance tips, and help you choose the right type of lights for your specific needs. Finally, we'll show how The Expert can provide the best LED high bay lights for your facility. Whether you're considering an upgrade or optimizing your current setup, this comprehensive guide has you covered.

What are LED High Bay Lights?

Bay lighting is the name of lights used in commercial bays. Over time they became known as high bay for over 12 feet high and low bay lights for under 12 feet. Today LED High bay Lights are any fixtures hung at higher than 12' and over 10,000 lumens. They can be round, or rectangle and hang from one or two points.If you are looking for a smart and efficient way to light up your commercial space, you may want to consider LED high bay lights. LED high bay lights are special lights that are designed for spaces with high ceilings, such as warehouses, factories, stadiums, or gyms. They provide bright and uniform illumination for large areas, enhancing the visibility and safety of your space.LED High Bay Light Warehouse Installation - LED Light Expert

Benefits of Upgrading to High Bay LED Shop Lights

Switching to high bay LED shop lights is a smart move that brings advantages across multiple areas. Let's discuss why making the change is a smart decision for your facility:Energy Savings and EfficiencyLED high bay lights are champions of energy efficiency. They use a fraction of the power required for traditional lighting solutions like metal halide or fluorescent fixtures – yet they deliver superior brightness. This reduced energy consumption translates directly into lower utility bills, cutting lighting costs by as much as 75%. Over time, the savings accumulate, providing a quick return on investment (ROI) and freeing up resources for other operational needs.Improved Light Quality and BrightnessOne of the standout features of LED high bay lights is their exceptional light quality. LEDs offer a brighter, more uniform light distribution, eliminating dark spots and inconsistent illumination often found with older lighting technologies. The result is a more comfortable and productive environment, whether you're lighting up a warehouse floor, a gymnasium, or a retail space. The enhanced visibility improves safety, reduces eye strain, and can even boost morale in workspaces.Longevity and DurabilityLED high bay lights are built to last. With lifespans exceeding 50,000 hours, these lights outshine traditional fixtures by a wide margin. This means fewer replacements and lower maintenance costs over time. LED lights are also more durable, withstanding shocks, vibrations, and extreme temperatures much better than their predecessors. This durability makes them ideal for tough environments like manufacturing plants or outdoor facilities.Environmental Impact and SustainabilityLEDs are more eco-friendly than traditional lighting options for several reasons. First, their energy efficiency means a lower carbon footprint. Second, LEDs last much longer, which means fewer lamps are discarded and fewer are sitting in landfills. Third, LEDs produce less heat, which can contribute to a cooler work environment and reduce the need for additional cooling systems. Finally, LEDs contain no harmful substances like the mercury found in fluorescent lights. Follow these steps to successfully retrofit your high bay lights with LEDs:

1. Power Off: Always disconnect the power at the circuit breaker before starting any electrical work. Use a lockout/tagout kit to prevent accidental re-energization.
2. Remove Existing Fixtures: Disconnect the wiring by unscrewing the wire connectors and separating the wires. If the old fixtures are heavy, have someone assist you to avoid injury.
3. Install Mounting Hardware: Depending on your new high bay LED light fixtures, you may need to install new mounting brackets or chains. Secure the hardware to the ceiling, ensuring it can support the weight of the LED fixtures.
4. Connect the Wiring: Strip the insulation off the ends of the wires coming from the ceiling and the LED fixture. Connect the wires using wire connectors — typically, black to black (live), white to white (neutral), and green to green or bare copper (ground). Wrap the connections with electrical tape for added security.
5. Mount the LED Fixtures: Attach the LED high bay fixtures to the mounting hardware. Ensure the fixtures are securely fastened and the wiring is neatly tucked away.
6. Test the Lights: Once everything is in place, restore power at the electrical panel and test the lights. Check for any flickering or issues with brightness. If the lights don't turn on, switch off the power and double-check the wiring connections.

LED High Bay Lights Installation - LED Light ExpertSafety Precautions During InstallationSafety is paramount when working with electrical systems. Follow these precautions to minimize risk:

• Make sure the power is off. Use a voltage tester to confirm that no electricity is flowing to the fixtures.
• Ensure your ladder or lift is stable and rated for the height you're working at. 
• Wear safety gloves and goggles to protect against electrical shocks and debris.
• Ensure that the circuit you're connecting the LED lights to can handle the load. If unsure, consult an electrician to verify the capacity.
• If the lights or tools are heavy or awkward, have someone assist you during the installation to prevent accidents.

Troubleshooting Common IssuesEven with careful installation, you might encounter a few issues. Here's how to troubleshoot common problems:

• Lights Won't Turn On: Double-check that the wiring connections are secure and correct. Ensure the circuit breaker is on and the voltage is present at the fixture.
• Flickering Lights: Flickering could indicate a loose connection or an incompatible dimmer switch. Tighten all connections and ensure the dimmer is compatible with LED lighting.
• Uneven Light Distribution: If the light appears uneven, check the alignment of the fixtures and ensure they're mounted at the correct height and distance.
• Excessive Heat: LEDs should not produce excessive heat. If they do, ensure they're not installed in an enclosed space or near other heat-producing devices. Verify that the fixture is rated for the environment.

Tips for Extending the Lifespan of LED High Bay LightsLED high bay lights are known for their long lifespan, but there are steps you can take to maximize their durability and performance:

• Install in Suitable Environments: Ensure the high bay LED light fixtures are installed in environments appropriate for their design. For example, if your facility has high humidity or extreme temperatures, choose LED fixtures rated for those conditions to prevent premature failure.
• Use Quality Fixtures and Components: Cheaper alternatives may save money upfront but often fail sooner and require more frequent replacements.
• Avoid Frequent Switching: Constantly turning LED lights on and off can shorten their lifespan. Minimize the number of times the lights are switched on and off. If your facility requires frequent on-off cycles, consider using LEDs with a high on-off cycle rating.
• Monitor and Maintain the Power Supply: Ensure the power supply is stable and within the recommended voltage range for your LED fixtures. Fluctuations in voltage can cause wear on the LEDs and reduce their lifespan. Installing surge protectors can help safeguard your lights from power spikes.

Actual Install 240 Watt Fixtures - LED High Bay Lights - LED Light Expert

Types of High Bay Lights and Their Ideal Applications

Below is an overview of the most common types of high bay lights and the facilities where they're best suited. You'll find all of these fixtures at LED Lighting Expert. Please get in touch with our helpful customer care team if you need anything.UFO High Bay LightsUFO high bay lights are circular, compact, and highly efficient. They're known for their robust design and excellent heat dissipation, making them a popular choice in industrial settings. Warehouses, manufacturing plants, and large retail stores benefit from UFO high bay lights due to their uniform light distribution and durability.Linear High Bay LightsLinear high bay lights are rectangular and replace traditional fluorescent tube lighting. They provide even illumination across large areas and are ideal for spaces with wide aisles.They're perfect for gymnasiums, auto dealerships, and other spaces requiring long, linear light distribution.Motion Sensor Warehouse LightsMotion sensor high bay lights are equipped with sensors that detect movement, automatically turning the lights on or off as needed. This feature maximizes energy savings by ensuring that lights are only used when necessary. Motion sensors are ideal for warehouses and manufacturing plants where areas are not continuously occupied.Dimmable High Bay LightsDimmable high bay lights offer adjustable brightness, allowing you to control the light levels based on the needs of the environment. This flexibility can further enhance energy savings and improve the overall lighting experience. They're often used by retail stores and gymnasiums, where varying light levels may be required throughout the day.High Voltage 480v Warehouse LightsThese high bay lights are designed for facilities with higher voltage requirements, ensuring consistent performance in demanding environments. Large-scale industrial facilities and warehouses with high ceilings and high voltage power systems often require 480v lights for optimal performance.Replacement 400-Watt Metal Halide400-watt replacements are used to upgrade from outdated 400-watt metal halide fixtures to LEDs. Facilities like auto dealerships, large retail stores, and warehouses that have traditionally used metal halide lights will benefit most from this upgrade.

Design a Layout for Your High Bay Lights

LED high bay lights are a smart and efficient way to light up your commercial space. They provide bright and uniform illumination for large areas, enhancing the visibility and safety of your space. However, before you buy and install LED high bay lights, you need to plan the layout of your lights carefully. The layout of your lights depends on several factors, such as:What is The Purpose of Your Space?Different spaces have different lighting needs and preferences. For example, if you have a retail store, you may want a bright light to attract more customers and showcase your products. If you have a warehouse, you may want a moderate light to improve the work environment for your staff. If you have a storage, you may want a low light to save energy and reduce costs. The lighting needs of your space are measured in lux, which is the amount of light that falls on a surface per square meter. The recommended lux levels for different spaces are:

• Retail store: At least 800 lux/ 80 fc on the ground to create a vibrant and inviting atmosphere.
• Warehouse: Around 500 lux / 50 fc on the ground to provide enough visibility and comfort for your workers.
• Storage: Around 300 lux / 30 fc on the ground to provide sufficient lighting and save energy.

When you know the requirements, it is time to choose the wattage that has enough lumens to reach your desired lux or footcandle number.Wattage and Lumens - How to choose the correct amountHigh Bay LED lights are available in different watts, but its the lumens you need to keep an eye on. As LEDs get more efficient they will use less and less watts. You can easily choose one depending on the height where the high bay lights are installed. There are different watts for different levels of height:

• 10-15 feet – This height is ideal for lights with 10,000 to 15,000 lumens.
• 15-20 feet – This height is ideal for lights with 16,000 to 20,000 lumens.
• 25-35 feet – For this height, lights with 33,000 lumens are ideal.

LED High Bay Light Installation - LED Light Expert

FAQs About LED High Bay Lights

Below, we've addressed some common questions about LED high bay lights. Please contact us if you'd like more information about our products.How many LED high bay lights do I need?The number of LED high bay lights you need depends on the size of the area you're illuminating, the height of your ceilings, and the brightness level required for your specific application. A general rule of thumb is that for every 100 square feet, you need approximately 2,000-3,000 lumens. However, it's best to conduct a lighting assessment or use a lighting layout tool to determine the exact number of fixtures needed to achieve optimal illumination.What is the ideal distance between high bay lights?The spacing between high bay lights depends on the ceiling height and the beam angle of the fixtures. For ceilings that are 20-30 feet high, a spacing of 15-20 feet between fixtures is generally recommended. For ceilings over 30 feet, spacing of 20-30 feet is ideal. Proper spacing ensures even light distribution without dark spots or overly bright areas.Are LED high bay lights suitable for outdoor use?Some LED high bay lights are rated for outdoor use, but it's essential to check the IP rating of the fixtures. An IP rating indicates the level of protection against dust and moisture. For outdoor use, look for LED lights with an IP65 or higher rating to ensure they can withstand exposure to the elements. These lights are ideal for outdoor warehouses, loading docks, or large outdoor workspaces.

LED Warehouse Lights Explained

Dan demonstrates everything you need to know about LED high bay lighting.  

Introduction

Rising electricity costs and the negative impact of greenhouse gas emissions have led many businesses to adopt energy-efficient and environmentally friendly lighting solutions. Among them, LEDs are the most popular choice. LED lights proved to be a groundbreaking invention, thanks to their low energy consumption, fast startup time, and high-quality light. These ufo high bay led lights really help consumers save a lot of energy bills and keep their homes, businesses, and outdoor areas better lit.

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If you have a large interior space that needs lighting (production facility, warehouse, factory, large department store, or gym), LED high bay lights are recommended. The powerful light of the LED High Bay Light provides just the right amount of light for large spaces with high ceilings. But LED high bay lights vary in size, color, and lumens, some via chains + hooks, some via lanyards, and some directly attached to the ceiling via brackets, so most people aren’t sure which light to buy. With LED Lighting Expert, you don’t have to worry at all. Here, we’ll discuss a complete buyer’s guide you can use to find the right LED light for your high bay application.

ZGSM is a professional expert in ufo light, more information visit Series M Ufo Led High Bay Light For Warehousing Lighting. ( Please review videos of LED UFO High Bay. )

What are LED High Bay Lights?

LED high bay fixtures illuminate a large area with a high ceiling. There are two main categories; high and low bay light. The primary characteristic used to tell them apart is the ceiling height. Normally high bay light means the installation height is over 12 feet. And its wattage is over 100W (lm), that’s why it’s called LED high bay light. ( Watch the video of the UFO LED high bay light. )

High bay lighting is an ideal solution when a large interior space needs to be illuminated. Considering that manufacturing facilities, gymnasiums, warehouses, large department stores, and factories are large and often cover a lot of vertical and horizontal space, they require powerful lighting to provide the right level of illumination to be adequately illuminated.

While high Bay LED lights create powerful illumination at long distances to improve visibility and focus light more directly than traditional incandescent fixtures. Then high bay lighting fixtures are suspended from the ceiling by hooks, chains, or pendants, or they can be fixed directly to the ceiling (similar to troffer lamps) to provide lighting for these applications.

Below are various industries and facilities that require high bay lighting.

Why LEDs for High Bay Lights?

Before we get into the details of choosing the right LED light, it is important to determine why you need to choose an LED light. High bay lights have the following advantages:

Energy saving

LED fixtures use less energy to create the same lumens as traditional fixtures. That means you’ll spend less money on your electricity bill when you choose LEDs versus metal halide or fluorescent lights. In addition to reducing electricity bills by 80%, LEDs combined with smart sensors can save even more money.

Different lighting distributions

With well-designed optics and layout of LED light, we can get better light uniformity which decreases the usage of the LED light. And we can also get good illuminance and a comfortable visual experience.

Long Life Span

LEDs last 10 times longer than traditional lights like HID metal halide and fluorescent lamps. The average lifespan of an LED is 100,000 hours. With LEDs the need to replace lamps is less frequent, so maintenance costs are reduced.

Durability

With IP66(What’s IP66) and IK10, LED High Bay Light Fixtures do not break easily and are virtually unbreakable.

Non-Toxicity

LEDs are currently not considered toxic and can be disposed of in regular landfills which is eco-friendly.

Color temperature (CCT)

CCT is used to describe the color appearance of a light source. In Kelvin (K), the CCT of a warm light source is about k. The CCT of neutral light sources is in the range of ~ k. The CCT of the cold light source is greater than k. Whether you want to choose a cool white high bay light or a warm light depends on your needs for the lighting environment

Different color temperatures give different visual experiences, please check the below table.

Appropriate color rendering

LEDs have different CRI (color rendering index) to choose from. If your industrial facility needs higher visual requirements, you can choose CRI80 or CRI90. If there are no special requirements, CRI70 can meet the basic lighting requirements.

Above are a few reasons why you need to choose LED lights. Now let’s turn to a buyer’s guide for LED high bay lights.

Which we should consider when choosing LED high bay lights?

Lighting standard for your buildings (industrial area)

If you have an area going to reform, below is an example of the illumination requirements.

• Retail Store: If you have a retail store, you need bright light to attract more customers. At a minimum, you need 500 lux on the ground to illuminate the retail store. The same applies to led high bay gym lighting.
• Workshop: For high-precision machining workshops, it is important to choose 500 lux so that the work environment for a worker could be improved. For ordinary machining workshops, generally choosing 300 lux can basically meet the needs of the work.
• Warehouse: In the case of the warehouse for transmission or storage, a light with 200 lux is normally ok. If the warehouse includes the work area, then 300lux is suitable for this area.

Standards according to Chinese standard GB

Type of LED high bay light

High bay lights can be round in shape and are now commonly referred to as UFO high bay lights. There are also some elongated or rectangular, commonly known as linear high bay lights. Modern LED technology allows for a lot of light in a small unit, so lighting distribution has little to do with the shape which means you can choose it as you prefer.

Round High Bay Lights

Round high bay lights are also known as UFO high bay lights because it has a circular light panel and a smaller driver on top. They are the easiest high bay lights to install as they only need to be hung at one point. Round ufo led high bays are ideal for installation on high ceilings. With its outstanding performance, heavy-duty structure, round design, and powerful beams, UFO LED high bay light is considered to have a strong, durable appearance that is aesthetically attractive in modern applications.

For more information, please visit Lampshining.

Linear High Bay Lights

Linear LED high bay is a linear structured luminaire whose light source is LED. They are the lights you see in almost every grocery store and warehouse. These high bay lights are designed to look like T8 bulbs, but they don’t have anything in common. Linear high bay lights are great for larger buildings because they light up more space at once. They can be long and wide or long and thin. If your space has a lot of aisles or shelves, long linear high bay lights are the best option. You can install lights on each aisle so that all your products on the shelves are illuminated.

Wattage and lumens

High bay LED lights come in different wattages, but the one you need to focus on is lumens. As LEDs become more efficient, they will have less and less wattage. You can easily choose a high bay light installation depending on the height. Different heights have different watts (lumen output). The following are examples.

• 12-16 feet, This height is ideal for lights with 12,000 to 15,000 lumens. If we suggest the efficiency is 150lm/W, the wattage is from 80W to 100W.
• 18-23 feet, This height is ideal for lights with 16,000 to 23,000 lumens. If we suggest the efficiency is 150lm/W, the wattage is from 120W to 150W.
• 25-35 feet, This height is ideal for lights with 25,000 to 36,000 lumens. If we suggest the efficiency is 150lm/W, the wattage is from 160W to 240W.

Spacing between lights

The spacing between lights is also an important factor to consider when choosing LED high bay lighting. Here are the four most common cases, and you can find the best spacing for your space.

• At 15 feet height, about 12 feet spacing is for getting a high brightness and uniform light. However, if you need normal brightness, a space of 15 feet should be ok.
• At 20 feet height, about 15 feet spacing is for getting a high brightness and uniform light. However, if you need normal brightness, a space of 20 feet should be ok.
• At 25 feet height, about 20 feet spacing is for getting a high brightness and uniform light. However, if you need normal brightness, a space of 25 feet should be ok.
• At 30 feet height, about 25 feet spacing is for getting a high brightness and uniform light. However, if you need normal brightness, a space of 30 feet should be ok.

And we have listed the below table for you to quickly check the ideal spacing for your project.

Lighting distribution

The above arrangement of lamps is based on the lighting distribution of 110°-120° (Type 5S), but this optics is not suitable for warehouse lighting with shelves. Because such warehouses often have long and narrow aisles, it will cause a lot of light to shine above the shelves if the 110° optics is still used. And these lightings are not necessary or useless. Therefore lighting distribution is also very important for high bay lights. As shown in the figure below, we list the applications of two common lighting distributions in shelf lighting. Obviously LED high bay lights with a rectangular spectrum are suitable for this type of lighting.

Lighting design reference

Once you’ve determined the wattage, spacing between lights, and lighting distribution, it’s easy to know how many lights you need. The number of lights depends on the size of the space and the lighting requirements, and after confirming these two points, you can know how many high bay lights you will need. Of course, you can also create a lighting simulation to calculate how many fixtures you need.

Here is an example

If we have a 40 x 60 meters workshop which is going to be lighted. The lights are currently at 27 feet above the floor. And we want to convert from old lighting with 200-watt High Bay UFO lights or 150-watt high Bay UFO lights. Would this be appropriate? How many would I need and what is the spacing.

• For standard solution, you can go with 200 watts with a 120 wide-angle at 27 feet height and luminaire spacing is 27 feet.
• For saving energy solution, you can go with our 150W with LEDs and the spacing is still 27 feet, and the result is the same.
• For a more brightness solutions, you can also go with 200W with a closer space which normally is 20 feet. This means you need more lights.

Then we have three options listed in the below table.

The above is just an estimate. But we are somewhere in there.

How many LED high bay lights are required?

When setting up your high-ceiling warehouse or factory, the question arises: How many LED high bay lights do you need? Properly illuminating such spaces requires careful planning. As a leading expert in LED lighting, ZGSM can guide you through estimating the number of LED high bay lights needed.

Two scenarios dictate the number of lights needed: retrofitting existing fixtures and new installations.

For retrofit projects:
Adopt the one-for-one replacement approach, considering the total lumens produced by the original fixtures. For instance, if 10 pieces metal halide lamps 100W, each with 80lm/w efficiency, generate 800,000 lumens, you’d need around 10 pieces LED high bay lights 40W with 140lm/w efficiency and just 400 watts considering that some of the light in the MH lamp may be trapped inside the lamp and not fully projected. So in the retrofit project, we need same quantity LED high bay to replace the old MH lamps but less wattage is needed.

For new installations:
Focus on lumens rather than wattage, factoring in ceiling height:
– For heights of 10-15 feet, aim for 10,000 to 15,000 lumens.
– Heights of 15-20 feet necessitate 16,000 to 20,000 lumens.
– Heights of 25-35 feet warrant around 33,000 lumens.

Spacing between lights is vital:
– At 15 feet height, around 12 feet spacing provides sufficient light, while 15 feet ensures normal lighting.
– For 20 feet height, 18 feet spacing is normal, 15 feet gives bright light.
– At 30 feet height, 25 feet spacing yields comfortable lighting, while 20 feet ensures brightness.
Based on above we can get the quantity and wattage of LED high bay lights we need.

Project reference

ZGSM has completed a variety of high bay lighting in nearly 17 years of lighting, applications include workshops, warehouses, stations, shelves, gymnasium, food processing plants, etc. Below is the application of our H series high bay lights in the UAE factory. The project was completed in , with a total of 400 pieces of LED high bay lights designed with our 3rd modules. The customer replaced the original 400W traditional high-pressure sodium lamp in the workshop, saving up to 80% in maintenance and energy costs.

For different areas of the workshop, customers use different wattages to save electricity consumption as much as possible while meeting application requirements. The new high bay clamp creates a safe, comfortable, and productive work environment for all workers, which is a cost-effective option. Below is a picture of the project, I hope this project can bring you some inspiration.

But how many LED high bay lights do I need? Actually it depends on the area size and the brightness you need as we said before. Take a 40 x 60 meter workshop for example, the quick formula is 40*60*300lux (as per your requirement) /wattage/lamp efficacy/maintenance factor. Then if we can go with 200 watts high bay light with 160lm/w, a 4×8 pattern layout is 28 pieces for getting basic lighting which is about 300lux when we space them out every 20-27 feet (@27 feet height). Or 6×8 pattern layout is 48 pieces for getting high brightness which is about 500lux.

For energy saving solution, you can go with less wattage for example 28 pieces 150W to get 200lux on ground.

Summary

When it comes to industrial lighting, staying up-to-date with guidelines is critical. Through the above introduction about the high bay light and its due, I hope you will have your own idea of the ideal industrial lighting solution. If you would like us to help you with a high bay lighting plan, you can contact our lighting team with your application type, ceiling height, space dimensions, Roof frame, wire connection, and any questions, we are available 24/7.

For more LED High Bay Light Solutionsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

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