Commercial spaces are largely public spaces which require a lot of lighting along all hours of the day. These spaces include schools, offices, shops, stores, apartments etc. each of these spaces require lighting setup which can facilitate the distinct function of these spaces. Most traditional options are fluorescent tubes which are a large part of lighting structure in these places. They can affix to the walls or ceiling surface and are easy to install in almost any space. The biggest drawback of installing fluorescent fixtures is their inefficiency and their inability to provide bright and ambient light.
LED manufacturers have worked on meeting all requirements associated with any space to produce fixtures which meet those requirements without being too expensive. The first ever innovation being LED tubes paved the way for better and much more efficient light fixtures for commercial spaces.
LED light fixtures for commercial spaces
LED lighting has revolutionised the way lighting is done in many spaces and now newer and better fixtures are available in the market to facilitate all the needs of commercial spaces. Check some of the most popular light fixtures for your commercial application here.
The common indoor and outdoor commercial lighting fixtures are:
- LED troffer lights
LED troffers are larger fixtures for most commercial spaces like schools, offices, gymnasiums, hospitals etc. They are linear and fix into modular grid ceilings but now there are other mounting options available as well. These troffer lights are square or rectangular and carry integrated LED lamps or retrofit LED lamps for older spaces. The lamp is covered by a reflector which spreads the light in an open space from the ceiling.
The light from LED troffers is glare free and does not interact with screens or cause headaches. Previously Troffer lights carried fluorescent tubes which was quite inefficient despite 4-10 tubes in a singular fixture and their maintenance was costly as well.
- LED panels
LED panels are the smartest innovation to date and they have a very slim design profile which can go almost anywhere. These panels come in all sizes and are mostly square, round or linear. Panel lights are around 100-1000mm thin and possess quite a compact structure. The slim LED panels produce brighter light than average fixtures as the light spreads over the thin open surface. It is covered by a lens and reflector which distribute light across all the edges of the panel. These panels can either recess in the ceiling or surface mounted which is why they can replace troffer lights easily.
The design profile is highly energy efficient and is fit for most commercial spaces especially schools and offices where they help overcome various concerns of quality lighting which enhances the task based environment.
LED panels are also customisable due to their guide plate option.
- LED tubes
LED tubes are the oldest one in the market and they were originally produced to replace fluorescent tubes. Retrofit LED tubes are highly relevant tubes which comply with the UL listings for effective replacement of older tubes. There are three different types of retrofit kits:
UL Type A
Type A LED tubes do not require any specific installation guidelines. They are easy to install and actually are compatible with older ballast. The installation process is just a swap between fluorescent tube and LED tube. Although it has certain drawbacks which can be inconvenient at times i.e the failure of ballast.
UL Type B
UL Type B LED tubes are mostly double ended LED tubes. They require the rewiring of the fixture to work. The rewiring connects the tube to the mains supply and has a shunted and non-shunted end. UL type B tubes are far more efficient than UL type A tubes and also last longer. It requires technical assistance for effective installation.
Ul Type C
UL Type C is the latest and smartest innovation in these tube types. They carry an LED driver which can power up to 40 tubes in a series. They are quite effective for large commercial setups and are quite efficient in terms of function and management.
UL type C tubes are also compatible with dimming control and other options. They reduce the maintenance and replacement cost entirely and produce bright and effective lighting.
For outdoors:
Commercial spaces are functional around night times as well and for this reason they require outdoor lighting setup as well. It enhances the ambiance and appeal of the place and reduces the risk factors associated with safety and security of the place.
Outdoor lighting fixtures are different from indoor options as they must be able to withstand the harsh or fluctuating climatic conditions. Most common outdoor fixtures for security lighting are:
- LED wall packs
LED wall packs are compact and very efficient security lights which affix on wall surfaces. They are available in modern and efficient designs for lighting as well as ambiance for outdoor spaces. The fixture adds extra light over entryways around footpaths, walkways or blind corners around the buildings. LED wall packs come in customisable options for better ambiance. They are also an effective element in outdoor decorative lighting.
- LED flood lights
LED flood light fixtures are excellent fixtures for outdoor lighting. As the name suggests they flood the area with light. These lights play an important role in providing light as well as security over a vast area. They affix on tall buildings, around the corners, on poles or tall trees to provide daylight like light for visibility as well as security.
LED flood lights have many different uses across different spaces and hence their customisation is vast. The basic function of these light is to provide visibility and security in all residential, commercial, industrial areas to facilitate the tasks/ activities carried out around night time.
In conclusion, LED light fixtures hold great importance for commercial spaces as they are energy efficient and allow easy customisation for all spaces. They have correlated colour temperature which can produce both warm and bright white light. The brightness is adjustable and also the light fixtures support a lot of other customisation which enhance the ambiance without any extra costs.
