Types of UFO High Bay Lighting
Standard High Bay
UFO high bays replace metal halide fixtures in larger areas with high ceilings. These round light fixtures provide uniform lighting. They can be installed in large, open spaces such as gymnasiums, supercenters, warehouses, and factories.
High-Temperature High Bay
High-temperature UFO high bays are suitable for warmer environments and will not be affected by extreme heat. Our high-temperature high bays can operate at an ambient temperature of up to 149°F. You need these in warehouses and factories located in areas subject to high heat or where you’re performing tasks that cause hotter internal temperatures, such as metal smelting and refining facilities.
NSF Washdown High Bay
The NSF washdown UFO high bays are weatherproof and can handle high-pressure washdowns. These fixtures are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) for installation in areas that concern public health, such as industrial kitchens, agricultural processing facilities, and food processing plants.
Sensor Ready High Bay
Sensor-ready high bays are energy-efficient and have integrated ports so motion sensors can be installed. Attaching motion sensors allows the lights to be adjusted to turn automatically off after a set period of time and turn back on after motion is detected. For increased energy savings, choose a sensor-ready LED UFO high bay and pair it with one of our compatible motion sensors. There are two common sensors used for these high bays. Microwave motion sensors detect motion. If the microwave motion sensor has a built-in photocell, it can detect daylight. The sensors power the light on when there is movement and dims after a period of time. PIR daylight harvesting motion sensors detect movement and use photocells to adjust the light output based on the daylight available. This Keilton Network Controlled Motion Sensor can be installed in any sensor-ready UFO and is energy-efficient. These Networked Lighting Controls are wireless and can operate via an app that allows you to control the sensors simultaneously from your phone. It also has a plug-and-play design for simple installation. You can learn more about our Networked Lighting Controls under the “Additional Features” section.
How Many UFO High Bays Should I Install?
The number of UFO high bays needed for your installation will vary depending on the size of the area you are lighting, the beam angle of the lights, and the height of your ceilings. You must adjust the spacing based on the ceiling height to ensure the lighting is sufficient to cover the amount of space but doesn’t overlap too much. Since the specifications for UFO fixtures differ, we provide an IES file for each product. This will help you determine what light you need and the amount of fixtures to purchase to meet specific lighting requirements. We also feature a Lighting Layout Tool on each product listing page, which you can utilize as a guide to help you understand product placement.
Type of Space
The general purpose of the commercial space will determine the number of UFOs you should install. If you use the UFO fixtures for task lighting and need sufficient lighting in areas where you’re completing specific activities, such as packing stations, you might need to install more UFOs and space them closer together. If the UFO fixtures are overhead lighting in a warehouse or factory, they can be spaced farther apart and adjusted based on the ceiling height.
Ceiling Height
For 15-20 feet tall ceilings, you will need to space your lights closer together. This is usually 12 to 15 feet between each light. For ceilings 20-30 feet tall, you can have more space between the lights. We recommend 15 to 20 feet between the lights. The lights can be the farthest apart for ceilings 30-40 feet. Spacing between the lights should be at least 20 to 30 feet. However, when spacing lights farther apart on higher ceilings, you must install UFOs with a higher wattage.
Lumen Output
You must ensure the UFO high bays you install have enough lumens to light the space. The higher the ceilings, the greater the lumens a fixture needs. If you are lighting a larger area, such as a warehouse with tall ceilings, we recommend choosing fixtures with at least 15,000 lumens and can space the lights 25 to 30 feet apart. If the area you’re lighting has lower ceilings or is smaller, you can get away with fewer lumens, usually between 10,000-15,000, with spacing 12-15 feet apart.
Beam Angle
Understanding the beam angle needed for a UFO high bay is necessary for proper light distribution. Most of our beam angles are between 80-120°. If you choose to install lights with wider beam angles, you’ll need to install fewer fixtures than if you’re installing lights with narrower beam angles. The larger the area you want the light to cover, the wider the beam area needed. You might prefer a wider beam angle in larger areas such as supercenters or factories. You can choose a narrow beam angle when lighting smaller areas or if using the high bays to focus directly on a specific area. The area the beam covers will change based on the height of the ceiling. The higher your ceilings, the wider the coverage.
Uniform Lighting
It’s critical in all lighting installations to ensure uniform lighting throughout the space. Proper overlap guarantees that the fixtures will create no gaps or shadows. Overlap varies for each installation based on the area's ceiling height and the fixture's lumens and beam angle. Uniformity is essential in industrial and commercial spaces, and you must ensure adequate lighting to see when working. Uniform lighting also reduces eye strain and enhances productivity.
Benefits of UFO High Bays
- Simple Installation: UFO high bays must be installed by an electrician. Installation usually requires installing the bolt or mounting bracket, hanging the light on the hook, attaching the safety cable, and installing the wiring. Each specific installation will vary. If you’re uncertain, check the user manual for more information.
- Longevity: Installing LED UFO high bays is a sure way to increase the lifespan of your commercial lights. UFO high bays usually have up to 2-3x the lifespan of metal halide fixtures.
- Cost-effectiveness: UFO high bays will save you money in the long run. They are energy-efficient and require fewer replacement costs. Plus, these bulbs have a higher lumen output with a lower wattage, delivering more light with fewer fixtures.
Additional Features Affecting Which UFO LED High Bay Light You Need
You must consider the following features when considering the best high bay LED light for you.
- Wattage and Lumens: Since LEDs use less energy than traditional lighting solutions, all high bays on our website feature an ‘equivalent wattage.’ This is the wattage required for an LED to emit the same amount of light as a metal halide. Lumens are a more accurate comparison when considering the brightness of the light. If you are lighting a larger space, you might choose a bulb with a larger amount of lumens to create a brighter light.
- Networked Lighting Controls: Networked lighting controls allow you to control the lights from your phone via Bluetooth. Choosing a fixture with networked lighting controls has multiple benefits, including grouping your lights into zones and groups to control several fixtures simultaneously and add fixtures over time. Automation and scheduling are available to operate the fixtures at specific times. Opting for a product with a Bluetooth Mesh network allows the fixtures to send and receive signals from one another to create a self-healing network. This allows for communication between multiple devices and helps relay messages to devices farther away from each other. Read this blog to learn more about network lighting controls in businesses.
- Reflectors: Installing a high bay with a reflector evenly distributes the light downward while minimizing glare. Reflector lenses also give these fixtures the traditional metal halide high bay appearance. The reflectors are removable if you decide you don’t like the light distribution.
- Emergency Backup Drivers are available for UFO high bays. Drivers help ensure that some of your lights will still operate during a power outage in your commercial or industrial space.
Read our High Bay LED Lights Buyer’s Guide for more information.
