Selecting the right light poles for your commercial lighting project is only part of the equation. Choosing the proper light fixtures for those poles is another important part. You’ll need to consider the lighting application, energy efficiency, local regulations, maintenance requirements, and compatibility, among other things.
This article will guide you through the process. It will describe the types of fixtures available and how they will best fit your project needs.
Understanding Light Pole Fixtures
A light fixture, (or luminaire) is an electrical device that contains a light source, and the components needed to make it work. It includes:
- The fixture body: The main structure of the light fixture
- The lamp: The light source, which can be in a socket for easy replacement or hard-wired in place
- Other components: These may include a reflector, shade cover, mounting hardware, or additional parts like ballasts, drivers, or transformers.
Types of light fixtures used with light poles and their applications
Flood lights
Flood lights have a broad beam distance and high lighting power. They are suitable for illuminating large areas such as parking lots, stadiums, and parks. A floodlight specifically refers to a light fixture designed to cast a very wide, diffused beam of light over a large area.
Area lights
Area lights are typically found on the side of roads, enhancing visibility for motorists and pedestrians. An area light is a broader term encompassing any light source used to illuminate a specific zone, which could include floodlights but also other types of lights with wider beam angles depending on the application.
Street lights
Street lights specifically illuminate roadways so they are safe to use at night. They are typically mounted on a polearm and are located on the side and/or in the middle of the street. They provide even lighting that should be glare-free. One typical example of a street light is a Cobra head light, shown above. They are mounted higher than flood or area lights.
Sports lights
Outdoor sports lighting is a type of site light fixture commonly used to illuminate large areas for sporting events or other large outdoor events and activities, such as concert venues. Sports light fixtures are usually mounted on very tall poles that are 40 to 100 feet. They generally have 1-12 fixtures mounted on each pole.
Decorative lights
Decorative lights provide an aesthetic appeal to outdoor lighting. They can be paired with decorative lamp posts to enhance their appeal. They are typically used for parks, city/residential streets, and pathways.
Key Considerations
Lumens and Foot Candles
Two key lighting terms that you’ll need to know are lumens and foot candles (FC). They are both units of measurement that describe light intensity, but it’s important to know the difference between them.
A lumen is a unit of measurement for light output or brightness. It measures the total light output for a light source. Foot candles are a measure of the amount of light that reaches a surface.
Another way to describe the difference between them is that the lumens for a given light source will not change, but the foot candles it delivers will vary depending on the distance of the light source from the surface that it’s illuminating. The further away it is from a surface, the less light will reach that surface. That’s why it’s important to know the light source’s mounting height.
Recommended lumens and foot candles will vary depending on their application.
Recommended lumens per application
Note: These are general recommendations. Please consult a lighting expert to determine your specific light fixture and application needs.
Parking Lots
Recommended lumens for parking lots will depend on the mounting height of the light fixture.
- 12,000 - 18,000 lumens for 15’-20’ fixture mounting heights.
- 20,000 - 30,000 lumens for 20’-25’ fixture mounting heights.
- 30,000 - 70K lumens for 25’-35’fixture mounting heights.
Street Lights
Recommended lumens for streets will depend on the size of the street and the volume of traffic on it. The height and spacing of street light poles will vary depending on the application. Typical heights are between 30 and 50 feet. In general, residential street light poles will have a shorter height and closer spacing when compared to those used on a wider city street or highway.
The types of luminaires that are used will be different also. Taller poles require more powerful (higher output) light fixtures. It’s also important to properly space the lights so that they illuminate streets evenly, preventing dark spaces between them.
- Minor streets require 2,500-3,000 lumens
- Busy streets require 10,000-15,000 lumens.
Sports Lighting
Recommended lumens for outdoor sports lighting will depend on the size of the venue and the type and level of activity in it. Another thing to consider is if the sporting event will be broadcast on television, which will require more illumination. Here are some general guidelines:
- For recreational or high school-level sports, you’ll need 400-600 lumens per square foot. For college or professional-level sports, you’ll need 1000 lumens per square foot.
- Sports courts, such as pickleball courts, tennis courts, and basketball, will require 20,000 – 80,000 lumens per fixture.
- Sports fields, such as baseball/softball fields or football/soccer fields will require 50,000 – 150,000 lumens per fixture.
- Sports stadiums, such as baseball or football/soccer stadiums will require 100,000 – 200,000 lumens per fixture.
Light Distribution
Light distribution can be generally described as wide, narrow, or somewhere in the middle.
Spotlights have a narrow beam, usually around 25° or less. The light reaches farther than a wide beam and is more focused.
Flood lights on the other hand have a wide beam, typically 45°-120°. Their light illuminates a larger area but does not reach as far.
In other words, the wider the beam gets, the shorter the beam's projection distance.
To determine the ideal beam angle for a fixture, you need to know the distance between where the light will be mounted and the area to be illuminated. A shorter distance means that a wide beam is needed. A longer distance means that a narrow beam is needed.
Energy Efficiency: LED vs. traditional fixtures, cost savings.
LED technology has revolutionized the lighting industry. In the past, HID lights, such as metal halide and high-pressure sodium, were used for outdoor lighting applications. These days, LED lights are the gold standard. They have a high-lumen efficacy and use less energy to emit the same amount of light as other sources. In most cases, LED lighting will save you 40-60% on energy costs.
Durability: Materials, weather resistance, lifespan.
LED lights have a long lifespan, usually 50,000 hours or more. They're also more resistant to damage, reducing the need for replacements. Outdoor LED pole light fixtures are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. They are highly resistant to extreme hot and cold temperatures. The advanced materials used in LED fixtures, such as high-quality aluminum and toughened glass, provide excellent resistance to corrosion, impact, and wear. These factors will drastically reduce maintenance costs by decreasing the time and effort spent on replacement.
Lighting Controls
Outdoor light pole fixtures can be equipped with controls that will turn them on/off or adjust their brightness. For example, they can be integrated with photocells that automatically turn them off during daylight hours and turn them on at night. This ensures that they are only used when needed, thus reducing energy consumption.
Environmental and Regulatory Compliance
When determining which light fixtures you’ll need for your projects, you’ll need to comply with state and local lighting codes and standards. These will differ depending on the location of your installation. These codes and standards aim to promote energy efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure public safety. Failure to comply can result in legal and financial consequences.
Light Pole Kit Solutions
Light pole kits are a quick and convenient way to ensure that light poles and their associated fixtures are compatible. Light pole kits include all the components needed for your outdoor lighting projects.
They come complete with the light pole, light fixture(s), bracket(s), pole cap, and handhole cover. Anchor base pole kits also include anchor bolts and an anchor bolt template.
Purchasing light pole kits is a great lighting solution because reduces the time you’ll spend sourcing individual components and coordinating with multiple suppliers.
Light pole kits simplify the process for commercial lighting projects. Because they come pre-packaged with all the necessary components, you don’t have to wait for separate items to arrive. It guarantees that all components are compatible and ensures that installers have everything they need to get started right away. This leads to reduced installation time, reduced labor costs, and minimized downtime.
Conclusion
LightMart provides a wide range of outdoor pole light fixtures tailored to meet diverse commercial needs. Our sales representatives possess the expertise and know-how to help you select the best products for your lighting project. Contact us today!
David DeWald is the E-Commerce Marketing Specialist at LightMart. He has been working in the industrial and commercial lighting industry since 2013 and is based in the greater Chicago area. David specializes in digital product management, web content writing, and product marketing. He regularly publishes lighting industry-related articles on the LightMart blog. You can visit his LinkedIn profile here.