What are the key considerations when selecting and installing LED floodlights? Simon Shenton, Head of LED Lighting Development at Luceco Lighting, looks at some of the common mistakes when selecting/installing LED floodlights and how to avoid them.
When specifying an LED floodlight, the first consideration is where it will be installed.
Generally, floodlights are categorised for either domestic or commercial use. Using a domestic floodlight in a commercial setting, where the light will be left on for longer and often encounter more arduous conditions, is a false economy and will shorten its lifespan. It’s important, therefore, that they’re specified correctly.
Correct position
Secondly, floodlights must be installed from the horizontal – not pointing upwards or fitted upside down. Wrong positioning can cause water to pool in places that it shouldn’t, which can lead to the failure of the fitting due to water ingress.
While LED floodlights are IP rated, which ensures they can be used outdoors safely, IP testing is conducted on the fitting as it should be installed and doesn’t account for incorrect installation. This is why, even when using a product with a waterproof IP rating, it’s vital that a floodlight is installed in the position it’s designed to suit.
There are certain features to look for when specifying an LED floodlight. Fins on the back of the unit help to dissipate the heat generated by LEDs. It is vital that the floodlight is installed in the correct position, otherwise the effectiveness of the fins to cool the LEDs is compromised, which reduces the lifespan of the fitting.
Light pollution
The final consideration is that floodlights pointed into the sky contribute to light pollution. Fitting LED floodlights correctly reduce the amount of light spilling into nearby properties, which will ensure better neighbour relations.
The good news is there are ways to overcome the rigidity of the required installation.
The new Castra range of residential LED floodlights, for example, have been redesigned with innovative features to aid installation. Floodlight positioning can be adjusted with the use of a unique, patented-pending, ‘fit, turn and tilt’ rotatable ball joint bracket, which enables not only up-and-down adjustment but also side-to-side.
In addition, the optic of the reflector is designed to throw light forward, as well as down. This helps to cast the light over a large area and reduce glare, as well as removing the need to tilt the fitting up to obtain the desired spread of light over a large area.
When combined with the rotatable ball joint bracket, both features help the contractor to accurately position the floodlights at exactly the right position for each installation – reducing light pollution and the risk of disturbance to neighbours.
Castra LED floodlights also offer a high llm/W output and include an adjustable PIR with settings and override functionality, allowing dusk till dawn use only. Both the floodlight and PIR are IP65 rated and are supplied pre-wired with 1 metre of cable to save installation time.
When installed correctly and in the right applications, the new Castra range of LED floodlights will provide years of high-performance, aiding security and safety.
TO GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE CASTRA FLOODLIGHTS RANGE CLICK HERE
