Q1: How do I spec out which post top light I need?

Q2: What are the light distributions available for the post top fixtures?

Q3: What accessories and features are available for the post lights?

Q4: What are the benefits of switching from metal halide to LED for post lighting?

Q5: There are a lot of different post light styles. Which one best suits my area?

Q6: What color temperature should I choose for post top lighting?

Q7: How should I layout the post lights in my area?

Q8: How simple is it to install a post top light?

Q9: What are the local codes or regulations for post top lighting?

Q10: Is there anything I should do or consider before ordering my post top light?

Commercial LED Pole Lights

Upgrade your outdoor lighting today with Commercial LED pole lights – the beacon of efficiency and durability in the world of illumination. Your business deserves the best, and these fixtures are here to light the way to a brighter and more cost-effective future.

Why should I use LEDs for my commercial parking lot lights?

Most recently installed commercial parking lights use high-pressure sodium or metal-halide bulbs with significantly shorter life spans compared with LED bulbs. These also contain additional parts, such as brakes, which may be vulnerable to faulty operation. While such and similar types of lamps may compete with LEDs in brightness, similar illumination requires more energy and depletes it significantly faster than LED lights. LED street lights also have smaller and larger dimensions, making the devices easier to handle and maintain. Parking garage lights are a labor intensive expense that is easily controlled through strategic product selection.

What do I need to know about parking lot lighting?

The lighting of lighted parking lots has a number of important factors. The lighting you choose can vary depending on how your fixtures are placed. You have to be able to understand what you want from the parking area lighting itself. Take note of some of these variables:

What is the Best Pole Light?

Finding the best pole light involves considering various factors to ensure it meets your unique requirements. Brightness, color temperature, and durability are crucial aspects to examine. Commercial LED pole lights excel in all these areas.

They provide consistent and bright illumination, allowing for increased visibility, safety, and security throughout your premises. Additionally, these lights are available in different color temperatures, allowing you to create the desired ambiance and aesthetic for your space.

Why should I use LEDs for my commercial parking lot lights?

Most recently installed commercial parking lights use high-pressure sodium or metal-halide bulbs with significantly shorter life spans compared with LED bulbs. These also contain additional parts, such as brakes, which may be vulnerable to faulty operation. While such and similar types of lamps may compete with LEDs in brightness, similar illumination requires more energy and depletes it significantly faster than LED lights. LED lights have smaller and larger dimensions, making the devices easier to handle and maintain. Parking garage lights are a labor intensive expense that is easily controlled through strategic product selection.

Ratings for Outdoor Settings

LED parking light fixtures are not designed for sheltered use. Typically, lighting solutions aren’t durable enough to withstand changes in weather and other extreme conditions in the outdoors, meaning you need to pay attention to which parking lot lighting fixture is suitable for outdoor use. The lighting in the parking garages does differ in some areas. The lighting in the parking lot varies depending on the weather rating. Hot conditions like desert areas and dusty areas require light that has dustproofing capabilities and is resistant to dust evaporation and fading.

Different Types of LED Parking Lot Lights

Parking area LED lighting is available in several types. Several lighting systems on parking lots provide general illumination for the whole parking area or store, but others are fixed to posts or placed in canopies to provide better visibility in certain areas. There are LED parking lot lighting solutions that will suit your building. Learn more about parking lot lighting options and light types with E-cono Lights here.

Can I Use a Regular Switch with LED Lights?

Absolutely! One of the key advantages of LED technology is its compatibility with standard switches. Unlike some other lighting options, Commercial LED pole lights can be seamlessly integrated with your existing electrical systems.

This means you don’t need to invest in specialized equipment to operate these fixtures. Simply connect them to your regular switches, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of more energy efficient, and eco-friendly lighting with ease.

How Long Do LED Pole Lights Last?

When it comes to longevity, LED pole lights outshine traditional lighting solutions. LED technology is renowned for its extended lifespan, making it a cost-effective investment for your outdoor lighting needs.

On average, Commercial LED pole lights can last up to 50,000 hours or more, significantly reducing the frequency of replacements and maintenance. This translates to fewer disruptions to your operations and a decrease in overall maintenance costs.

How Many Parking Lot Lights Do I Need?

When you look at parking lot lighting, determining how many lights you will need will help ensure optimum levels of illumination. Although this question is fairly straightforward, it has no easy answers. The problem lies in the mounting height, pole spacing, and installation itself. Fixtures have varied rated wattages and beam angles that influence their positioning and quantity of LEDs.

How many lumens do you need to light a parking lot?

The lumen needed is determined by the size of the area the light covers. For instance, if it is 15 to 20 feet, select an outdoor parking light of 160,000-20,000 lumens. The maximum light intensity for an area of 20–30 feet will be about 40000 feet.

How bright should a parking lot light be?

When looking for a light with a wavelength of 15 to 20 meters, it should have about 16 to 250,000 lumens. Similarly, for covering 20-30ft square poles, 40,000 lumens would be the best option.

LED Parking Lot Lights with Photocell

Photocells are increasingly being used as parking lot lights due to the improved energy efficiency they offer. Although most systems use timers for switching different parking lot lights on or off, they may cause inefficiency. These are especially true long-term with seasonal changes that require regular adjustments to ensure that lights are on and off at dawn and at night. Photocells eliminate the guessing process of maintaining and saving both energy and space. Our range of parking lot lights includes integrated photocells and individual photocell lights as accessories.

Other Possible Types of Parking Lot Fixtures

Canopy LED Lighting – This is a canopy mount lamp for carports, walkways, or parking garage installations. The lens is dust-resistant and water resistant, and it blocks the elements while giving enough light transmission. Similar to canopy lights, LED walls are constructed and mounted on walls or other outside structures to provide illumination. They provide wide and intense lighting on parking and pedestrian streets adjacent to houses and security walls. Lamp Post Light. They’re intended for replacing traditional lamps in posts with existing other lighting fixtures with sockets. These are often used on parking spaces in the parking area and on walkways.

LED Light Distribution Types

Type III light distributions are type III LEDs that move the light forward, producing evaporative light flow. It has widespread use on road surfaces, parking areas, and perimeter lighting. Type IV beams- Type IV LED lights provide half circle illumination with minimal backlights. It is commonly used on the sides of buildings and walls to illuminate the perimeters of public and commercial parking. Type V Light Distribution Type V LEDs provide an umbrella-shaped pattern of lighting for inside pole positions led area lights.

Remember, your lighting choices impact more than just visibility; they shape the way your space is perceived and experienced. Make the smart choice today and illuminate your path to success with Commercial LED pole lights from Superior Lighting.

GUIDE 1: How to Choose the Right LED Post Top Fixture - The Basics On Lumens & Mounting Height

Selecting the correct LED post top light begins with evaluating the height and purpose of your installation. Lower mounting heights near 10-12 feet typically require lower lumens, between 6,000-12,000 lumens, while taller poles in parking lots or plazas benefit from higher lumen output of 15,000 or more for better coverage. Matching lumen levels to task requirements is key - too dim and visibility suffers, too bright and glare increases. Most commercial post top LED fixtures range from 6,000 to over 20,000 lumens. Choosing the right output ensures safe navigation, strong visual comfort, and efficient energy savings. Remember, when choosing light output, focus on lumens, not watts.

GUIDE 2: Understanding Type III vs. Type V Light Distribution for LED Post Tops

One of the main differences between LED post top fixtures is the beam distribution pattern. A Type III light distribution is similar to a flood light and is ideal for pathways and roads where light needs to spread outward in a forward direction, providing excellent coverage in front of the fixture. These would be installed to the side of the area you want to light. Post lights with a Type V light spread on the other hand, offers a symmetrical 360-degree distribution, making it perfect for open areas such as parks, courtyards, plazas, and campus spaces. Choosing the right beam pattern ensures the light is used efficiently and avoids wasted illumination. These fixtures would be mounted in the center of the intended illumination area.

GUIDE 3: The Advantages of Using Photocells and Sensors with LED Post Tops.

Pole lights with Photocells and motion sensor options can significantly enhance the efficiency of LED post top fixtures. A dusk-to-dawn photocell automatically turns the fixture on at night and off during the day, minimizing wasted energy and ensuring lights are operating only when needed. For larger properties and areas with low foot traffic, motion sensors can further reduce energy costs during low-traffic periods while increasing security at the same time.

GUIDE 4: Comparing LED Post Tops to Metal Halide - Energy Savings & Light Quality

LED post top lights outperform metal halide fixtures in nearly every category: brightness, color temperature, beam control, lifespan, and efficiency. Metal halide bulbs lose brightness over time quickly, generate excessive heat, and require frequent maintenance. LED post tops maintain consistent output for tens of thousands of hours while consuming up to 70% less energy. They also provide instant-on illumination, while metal halide lamps require warm-up time. The improved color clarity of LED lighting helps create safer, more inviting outdoor environments.

GUIDE 5: Choosing the Right Design - Acorn, Modern, Decorative & Architectural Post Tops

LED post top fixtures come in multiple design styles ranging from traditional acorn tops to sleek, modern architectural housings. Acorn-style fixtures maintain a classic appearance, making them perfect for historic districts, downtown walkways, and residential communities. Modern designs, on the other hand, typically deliver reduced glare with a cleaner look - ideal for campuses, business parks, commercial properties, or areas that have higher restrictions on light distribution. Selecting the right aesthetic helps maintain the visual appeal of your property while improving lighting performance.

GUIDE 6: Choosing The Best Color Temperature To Suit Different Applications

Even though color temperatures do fall under a more personal preference category, there are certain guidelines to help customers choose the best color temperature depending on their intended use for post top lighting. The standard color temperatures provided by the majority of our LED fixtures is 3000K Soft White, 4000K Cool White, and 5000K Daylight.

3000K Soft White is a warmer yellowish tone, closest to traditional halogen bulbs. This color temperature is best suited for residential areas, hospitality zones, parks, and to generally create an inviting environment.
4000K Cool White is a pure white color tone. This color temperature has mixed usage, being suitable for a variety of applications from modern residential landscapes, office building exteriors, and outdoor malls. This helps increase visibility without being too harsh.
5000K daylight provides a slightly bluish white tone. A daylight color temperature is the best color temperature for areas that require high visibility, espeically for security and working areas. They are typically used in commercial buildings, parking lots, loading zones, and car dealerships.

GUIDE 7: How to Properly Space and Position LED Post Top Fixtures for Maximum Coverage

One of the most common questions and important steps in designing an effective outdoor lighting layout is determining how far apart LED post top fixtures should be placed. Proper spacing ensures smooth, uniform light without dark pockets, glare, or wasted energy. Because LED post tops come in various wattages and beam patterns, the ideal spacing will depend on the height of your poles and the distribution type of your fixture.

For most installations using 10-20 foot poles, spacing typically ranges between 30 and 45 feet for general illumination. Type V light distribution is best for open areas where light needs to spread evenly in every direction, while Type III distribution allows for slightly wider spacing along pathways or drive lanes since it pushes light forward more efficiently. Matching fixture output, pole height, and beam distribution ensures consistent visibility and a safer, more comfortable environment for pedestrians and drivers.

GUIDE 8: Post Top Light Installation Made Easy

With modern innovations and updates to our LED fixtures, installing one of our post top fixtures is incredibly easy. Our fixtures have the drivers preinstalled and wired to the LED module, so the only thing that needs to be done is connect the line voltage wires to the driver and setup your mount. Only in some cases are there options to wire a 0-10V dimmer for better control on the output. However, newer fixtures now come with a watt and color selectable feature using dip switches on the driver. These allow you to select the output without the need of a dimmer, while also giving you a chance to decide which color temperature suits your application best.

GUIDE 9: Local Codes And Regulations Pertaining To Post Top Lighting

We highly recommend checking with your local inspector for particular codes that affect your post light installation. The most common requirement is the EPA, or Effective Projected Area, which explains how a post light's surface area would be effected by high winds. This is highly important in areas that are susceptible to strong storms, and helps customers ensure that the pole that is holding the light is strong enough to withstand such conditions. For specific EPA ratings, please check the pec sheets included in the listing, or you can speak to one of our sales representatives for more info.

There is also glare regulations and dark sky compliancy that may be required in certain applications. In tight residential areas, a common concern is the glare produced by strong lights that may affect neighboring buildings. Many fixtures we provide have a downward projection, with beam spreads keeping to 120 degrees or less, not spreading the light too outwards that may bother residents. Also, many areas have a dark sky requirement, which is different depending on the location. This is intended to eliminate or minimize the amount of light pollution produced. Requirements may include a limit on the beam angle, the color temperature used, the lumen output, glare shields, and/or timers. Dark sky requirements are also a matter that must be checked with your local inspector.

GUIDE 10: What Customers Should Do Before Ordering A Post Top Light

Assess the space - Is it a small lot, medium commercial lot, or large area? How far apart will each post be?
Decide the purpose - Is the need general lighting (parking lot/street), safety and security, uniform area lighting, or a mix?
Choose output & fixture type accordingly - Match lumen output and distribution to your site’s size and light-coverage needs. Keep in mind, not every post top light offers different light distributions.
Check fixture features and specs - Would you benefit from a pole light that uses a photocell or motion sensor? Do you know which color temperature you want or could you use a color selectable post light? Do you need to comply with certain local codes and regulations? Lastly, be sure that the slipfitter will be compatible with the diameter of your post. Clicking here will direct you to different tenon adapters to accommodate different pole diameters.

LED Post Light Fixtures Questions and Answers