What are LED Linear High Bay Lights, and How Do They Work?
LED high bay linear lights are a type of high-bay lighting fixture designed for use in large indoor spaces with high ceilings (15 to 40 feet). Unlike traditional UFO-style high bays, linear high-bay lights are rectangular. They’re ideal for evenly lighting large spaces, warehouse aisles, workstations, manufacturing, industrial use, etc.
Common Linear High Bay Applications:
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Warehouses
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Manufacturing facilities
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Gymnasiums
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Retail stores
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Large commercial spaces
How Do Linear High Bay Lights Compare to UFO High Bay Lights?
- Linear high bay lights and UFO high bay lights are both lighting solutions for high-ceiling spaces. However, they differ in design and use. Linear high bays have a long, rectangular shape that provides wide, uniform light distribution, making them ideal for warehouses with aisles, retail stores, and gymnasiums. UFO high bays are compact, circular fixtures with a wide beam angle for illuminating large spaces, best suited for open spaces like factories, aircraft hangars, and sports arenas.
- Installation also sets them apart. Linear high bays are typically suspended or surface-mounted, while UFO high bays often include a mounting hook from which they hang.
- Choosing between them depends on the space layout—linear high bays excel in structured environments, while UFO high bays are better for open, high-ceiling areas.
Types of Linear High Bays
Standard High Bay
Standard linear high bays are used to replace outdated fluorescent or metal halide fixtures and in new installations. They evenly illuminate large spaces such as factories, warehouses, and grocery stores with powerful light output.
High-Temperature High Bay
High-temperature linear high bays can withstand high temperatures and won’t fail due to high heat. These linear LED light fixtures can operate in temperatures as high as 149°F, with a reduction in wattage when temperatures exceed 149°F. This makes them ideal for warehouses, distribution centers, cafeterias, and other areas subject to higher temperatures.
NSF-Certified High Bay
NSF washdown linear high bays ’ easy-to-clean design and construction reduce buildup and potential contamination. They are IP69K rated to handle high-pressure washdowns. The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) has certified these fixtures for installation in controlled environments and food zone, non-contact, splash zone, and non-food zone areas. They are usually installed in food processing plants, industrial kitchens, and other areas requiring frequent sanitization and cleaning. There are also NSF-certified linear high bays that are also high-temperature rated.
Sensor Ready High Bay
Sensor-ready linear high bays can be paired with compatible sensors to reduce energy use. Use microwave sensors to detect movement through obstacles like shelves or PIR sensors, which primarily detect people and feature adjustable time-delay settings. Some also include photocells for daylight harvesting, automatically dimming based on ambient light levels.
For advanced control, pair your fixtures with the Keilton PIR Daylight Harvesting Motion Sensor for Network Lighting Controls. This app-enabled sensor supports wireless communication and allows group control of multiple units.
What are the Benefits of Using Linear High Bay LED Lights?
There are a variety of benefits of using linear high bay LED lights, such as:
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Uniform Light Distribution – Provides large areas with powerful, even light coverage.
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High Performance & Safety – Most of our LED linear high bay lights are certified by UL and have DLC 5.1 Premium certification, ensuring performance and safety standards are met.
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Energy-Efficient – Uses significantly less power to obtain the same lumen output as HID or fluorescent alternatives.
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Various Wattages & Lumens – Available in a range of outputs to meet different brightness requirements.
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Multiple Mounting Options – Can be suspended from chains, mounted directly to ceilings, or attached using brackets.
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Dimmable & Sensor-Compatible – Often compatible with 0-10V dimming and occupancy sensors for increased energy savings.
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Durable Construction – LED linear high bay lights are constructed with aluminum housings and polycarbonate lenses. They are solid-state and don’t have fragile inner components like filaments, making them a good choice for many industrial and commercial applications.
Factors to Consider
Ceiling Height
Ceiling height and room size determine how many linear high bays you need and their spacing. Higher ceilings allow wider spacing, while lower ceilings require more fixtures for even lighting. As ceiling height increases, use higher-wattage, higher-lumen fixtures to maintain light intensity.
We typically recommend the following:
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Ceilings under 20 feet to space lights 12-15 feet apart
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Ceilings between 20-30 feet to space lights 15-20 feet apart
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Ceilings taller than 30 feet to space lights 20-30 feet apart
The image to the right illustrates light distribution as height increases.
Metal Halide and LED Comparable Wattages
Our LED linear high bays are listed with metal halide comparable wattages to make shopping easier. Since LEDs produce the same lumen level with lower wattage, choosing your new LED linear high bay to match your existing wattage isn’t an option. We list the following common metal halide wattage equivalents for easy navigation:
Color Temperature
Consider the CCT you want for LED linear high bays. We sell high bays with CCTs of 4000K (natural white) and 5000K (cool white). A few of our products come with selectable CCTs, so you can choose between the CCTs based on your preference.
Beam Angle
LED linear high bay beam angles affect light distribution. Most linear high bays feature medium-wide to wide beam angles, ranging from 90° to 120°. This ensures even light distribution throughout the area.
Installation
A verified electrician must install all linear high bay lights. The exact installation will vary depending on the mounting kit you choose. Check out the user manual for specific details regarding installation.
Mounting Options
Most LED linear high bays come with the suspension kit, but we offer 3 different mounting methods:
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Surface mounts install the light fixture directly onto the surface. You typically need to buy the surface mounting kit separately.
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Suspension mounts use v-hooks and chains to hang the light from the ceiling. Most linear high bays include a suspension mounting kit with the purchase.. You can also purchase a pendant bracket (a type of suspension mount) separately to install the high bay.
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Pendant brackets serve the same purpose as suspension brackets, but the pendant provides a sleek, modern look. The bracket can connect to the high bay light and a conduit to hang from the ceiling.
Surface Mount
Suspension Mount
Pendant Mounting Bracket
