Area lights are designed to provide broad, efficient illumination across large outdoor commercial spaces. Commonly mounted on poles or elevated structures, LED area lights are widely used for parking lots, driveways, commercial properties, dealerships, industrial yards, and other locations where consistent nighttime visibility is important.
Area Lights
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AREA LIGHTS GUIDE
Where Are Area Lights Used?
LED area lights are commonly installed in:
- Parking lots
- Commercial plazas
- Industrial yards
- Warehouses and distribution centres
- Car dealerships
- Driveways and access roads
- School and institutional properties
- Building perimeters
- Loading and service areas
- Large outdoor work areas
The correct fixture depends on the size and shape of the area, mounting height, required brightness, and desired light distribution.
Choosing the Right LED Area Light
Selecting an area light involves more than simply choosing the highest wattage.
Important factors include:
- Lumen Output: Determines how much light the fixture produces.
- Mounting Height: Higher poles generally require greater light output and carefully selected optics.
- Light Distribution: Determines where the light is directed across the property.
- Fixture Spacing: Proper spacing helps achieve uniform illumination and reduce dark areas.
- Colour Temperature: Influences visibility and the overall appearance of the property.
- Controls: Photocells, motion sensors, and dimming can help reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
Understanding Area Light Distribution
Commercial area lights are available with different optical distribution patterns. Choosing the correct distribution can improve coverage and reduce wasted light.
Common distributions include:
- Type II: Often used for roadways, pathways, and narrower areas where light needs to extend along a longer path.
- Type III: Frequently used around parking areas and property edges where light needs to project forward and outward.
- Type IV: Suitable for perimeter applications where fixtures are mounted near the edge of the area being illuminated.
- Type V: Provides broad, more symmetrical distribution and is commonly used when fixtures are positioned within larger open areas.
The appropriate distribution depends on pole location, property layout, and required coverage.
Mounting Height & Fixture Spacing
Mounting height has a major effect on how an area light performs.
Fixtures mounted higher can illuminate a larger area, but they may require greater lumen output or a different optical distribution to maintain the desired light level at ground level.
Proper fixture spacing is equally important. Fixtures placed too far apart can create dark areas, while excessive fixture quantities can increase glare and energy consumption.
Lumens vs. Wattage
When comparing LED area lights, focus primarily on lumen output and efficiency rather than wattage alone.
Wattage indicates electricity consumption, while lumens measure the amount of light produced. Modern LED fixtures can provide strong illumination with substantially lower energy consumption than older metal halide or high-pressure sodium fixtures.
Photocells & Lighting Controls
Because area lights typically operate throughout the night, automatic controls can significantly improve energy efficiency.
Depending on the fixture, options may include:
- Dusk-to-dawn photocells
- Motion or occupancy sensors
- Dimming controls
- Programmable schedules
- Networked lighting controls
A photocell automatically turns the fixture on when daylight levels decrease and switches it off when sufficient daylight returns.
Need Help Choosing Area Lights?
Sparkle Light can help you compare LED area lights based on your property size, pole height, required coverage, lumen output, light distribution, controls, and project requirements. Proper fixture selection and placement can provide effective outdoor illumination while improving energy efficiency and reducing unnecessary glare.
AREA LIGHTS FAQ
What are area lights used for?
Area lights are designed to illuminate large outdoor spaces such as parking lots, commercial plazas, industrial yards, driveways, dealerships, loading areas, and building perimeters.
How do I choose the right LED area light?
Consider the size of the area, mounting height, required lumen output, fixture spacing, optical distribution, colour temperature, outdoor rating, and available controls such as photocells or motion sensors.
What is the difference between an area light and a flood light?
An area light is generally designed to provide broad, controlled illumination across a large outdoor space. A flood light is typically adjustable and aimed toward a specific area, surface, sign, or building feature.
What mounting height is best for area lights?
The appropriate mounting height depends on the size of the property, fixture output, optical distribution, and required light levels. Higher mounting positions can provide broader coverage but may require greater lumen output.
How far apart should area lights be installed?
Fixture spacing depends on mounting height, lumen output, optical distribution, pole placement, and desired uniformity. For larger properties, a photometric lighting plan is recommended to determine proper spacing.
What do Type II, Type III, Type IV, and Type V light distributions mean?
These classifications describe how the fixture distributes light. Type II is often used for narrow pathways or roadways, Type III for parking areas and property edges, Type IV for perimeter applications, and Type V for broad, symmetrical coverage in open areas.
How many area lights do I need for a parking lot?
The number of fixtures depends on the parking lot dimensions, pole height, fixture output, optical distribution, required light levels, and desired uniformity. A photometric calculation can help determine the appropriate quantity and placement.
Can Sparkle Light help me choose commercial area lights?
Yes. Sparkle Light can help you compare LED area lights based on your property size, pole height, required coverage, light distribution, controls, and overall project requirements.