LED technology has revolutionized outdoor lighting. Its durability, efficiency, and long lifespan make it superior to all other lighting technologies.
One of the newer features available for LED lighting is the ability to adjust the wattage and color temperature on the same fixture. This allows for more flexibility because you can customize the fixtures to suit your on-site lighting project requirements. This saves time and money during the design process.
This article will focus on the advantages of having adjustable wattage and color temperature options for fixtures used with light pole kits. It explains how these features allow for customizable LED lighting to meet various lighting requirements. It will also highlight scenarios where flexibility in lighting intensity and color temperature enhances functionality and energy efficiency.
Wattage and Color Temperature, A Quick Overview
- Wattage refers to the power that a light fixture consumes. In general, LED lights use less energy than other types of light, such as fluorescent and metal halide. This is measured in wattage (W). Higher wattage will usually equal brighter light.
- Color Temperature (CCT) refers to how warm (yellow), neutral (white), or cool (blue) a light appears. It is measured in Kelvin (K) and the ideal CCT that you want will depend on its application. A cool CCT (4500K – 5000K) is used for clear task lighting. A warm CCT (2500K – 3000K) is used for an inviting ambiance. A neutral CCT (3500K – 4000K) is used for everything in between. It is demonstrated here:
How Do Adjustable Wattage and Color Temperature Light Fixtures Work?
In most cases, a dial or switch is used to adjust the wattage and/or CCT setting. It’s typically located inside or outside the fixture housing. This setting should be made before installing the fixture. Here is an example:
When a selection is made for wattage, a signal is sent to the fixture’s LED driver that adjusts the voltage and current of the LED chips. This in turn alters the light output.
When a selection is made for CCT, a signal is sent to the fixture’s LED driver activating different LED chipsets associated with the color temperature selected.
The ability to toggle between different CCT settings comes at a small cost. These fixtures will have twice the number of LEDs than a standard LED fixture making them around 10% more expensive than standard fixtures.
Advantages and Benefits of Adjustable Wattage and Color Temperature Light Fixtures
Using outdoor light fixtures with adjustable wattage and color temperature for your lighting project has many advantages and benefits. And it’s not just the end users that enjoy them. They are beneficial to distributors and installers, as well.
Simplified Inventory and Purchasing Options
For distributors and end users, wattage/CCT selectable allows for a simplified sales process.
For example, a distributor sells an adjustable wattage/CCT light fixture with the following settings:
- 200W/240W/300W
- 3000K/4000K/5000K
This single light fixture can replace nine separate fixtures.
- 200W/3000K
- 200W/4000K
- 200W/5000K
- 240W/3000K
- 240W/4000K
- 240W/5000K
- 300W/3000K
- 300W/4000K
- 300W/5000K
For the distributor, this reduces the amount of inventory and SKUs that they’ll need to carry. For the buyer, it simplifies the product selection process and will almost guarantee they get what they need because they can adjust the light output settings as needed.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Adjustable wattage/CCT LED light fixtures come with advantages for installers. One big one is their flexibility.
Despite all the planning and design work a lighting layout might entail, it’s possible that a property owner might not be satisfied with the end result. Replacing the installed fixtures would be a major headache for installers and would add additional time and money to complete the project. With wattage/CCT adjustable fixtures, installers can simply adjust the settings and install them again.
Adjustable wattage/CCT LED light fixtures also allow you to adapt lighting for special events or temporary requirements without the need for additional fixtures.
Customized Lighting Solutions
With adjustable wattage/CCT LED light fixtures, you can match wattage and color temperature levels to the specific requirements of different zones, such as parking lots or pathways.
For example, pathways will not need to be as brightly lit as parking lots. They are restricted to pedestrian traffic while parking lots must be brightly lit to account for pedestrians and automobile traffic to ensure safety and security.
Including Adjustable Wattage and Color Temperature Light Fixtures with Light Pole Kits
Including adjustable wattage/CCT light fixtures with light pole kits makes the purchasing and installation processes even easier.
Light pole kits include the light pole, light fixture(s), and installation hardware (for anchor base poles). They may also include a decorative base (for direct burial installations) or a base cover (for anchor base installations).
Adjustable wattage LED 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. All of this leads to reduced installation time, leading to reduced labor costs and minimized downtime.
LightMart carries a variety of light pole kits that include wattage/CCT adjustable light fixtures.
- Our parking lot light pole kits are a great lighting solution for parking lots of all sizes. They include pole height options, photocells, and up to four light fixtures.
- Our decorative light pole kits add an aesthetic appeal to streets, parks, and pathways. Select from a variety of decorative poles and light fixtures.
- Our pickleball sports lighting systems are available in two- or four-light configurations and are a great solution to illuminate your courts.
Many of these light pole kits are in stock and ready to ship so you can begin your outdoor lighting project ASAP!
Get Started Today by Contacting LightMart
LightMart has everything you need to get started. Our sales staff have a wealth of knowledge and experience with outdoor lighting projects. We also carry individual wattage/CCT adjustable light fixtures. Choose from flood lights, area lights, acorn lights, lantern lights, and bollards. 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.