A Comprehensive Guide To Industrial Lighting 

Proper industrial lighting ensures smooth, safe, and efficient operation. So, do you want to learn everything about this before your next industrial lighting project? 

Well, you must have a complete understanding of industrial lighting for this. In this article, I will discuss the basics of industrial lighting, what to look for, and how to attain the utmost energy efficiency using them. Let’s start–

What Is Industrial Lighting?

Industrial lighting is a design for industrial sectors. Basically, the industrial fixtures are built with tough materials. So, they can withstand extreme conditions like dust, moisture, chemicals, impacts, and even explosives. Therefore, you can use them for factories, warehouses, cold storage units, food processing plants, etc.

Besides, they deliver bright, uniform, glare-free illumination to enhance visibility and safety. They often come with water-sealed bodies, high IK and IP ratings, and explosion-proof technology. In summary, industrial lighting is the key to better productivity and workplace coordination.

Technical Features Of Industrial Lighting

Here, I have mentioned the key technical features of industrial lighting. Take a look–

Durability & Construction

Industrial lights utilize heavy-duty materials such as steel, aluminum, and polycarbonate, along with sealed housings. This way, they resist damage and corrosion from any kind of harshness, like heavy dust and water ingress.

Luminous Efficacy

Modern industrial LEDs deliver a high efficacy of 120–150 lumens per watt or more. DOE reports that complete LED fixtures achieve 125–135 lm/W. The top LEDs can reach 160–170 lm/W.

Color Temperature (CCT)

Often, they use neutral/cool white light to maximize alertness. However, warmer light is usually reserved for comfort in office sectors.

Color Rendering Index (CRI)

CRI measures how accurately colors appear. If you want good industrial LEDs, you can choose a CRI of 80+. This will ensure safety markings and even small visible details.

IK/IP Ratings

Industrial fixtures carry standardized ratings. The IP or Ingress Protection rating quantifies dust/water resistance. On the other hand, the IK rating quantifies resistance to mechanical impacts. And you have to choose them based on your installation location and environment.

For instance, IK comes with a 0 to 10 rating, and select one based on the mechanical impact of the places. Whereas, if your location is cold, wet, and very dusty, choose IP rates between IP65 to IP68. 

High Lifespan

Industrial-grade LEDs often have lifespans of 50,000–100,000 hours or over 10 years at 12h/day. Therefore, you can use them for many years, which reduces the replacement issue. This way, you can save money by reducing maintenance costs. 

Roles Of Industrial Lighting

Industrial lighting primarily serves four types of lighting needs. They are–

1. General Lighting 

General industrial lighting ensures floors, workstations, aisles, etc., meet base lighting for safe, efficient operation. Generally, you can install overhead high-bay or low-bay fixtures for this. They provide even illumination across the workspace.

2. Task Lighting 

Unlike general lighting, task lighting focuses on specific work areas. Basically, downlights with moderate to high lumen ratings are used as task lights. It includes under-shelf, machine-mounted lamps, bench lights at assembly stations, and a quality check table. 

3. Accent Lighting 

Accent lights can highlight crucial zones or displays like product demo areas and safety signage. Here, you can use angled fixtures to illuminate aisle markers or warehouse storage labels. Also, they can be used on assembly line indicators or critical machines in manufacturing.

4. Emergency Lighting 

With generator or battery-based backup emergency lights, you can illuminate the exits, aisles, and stairways for a safe evacuation. However, industrial emergency lighting must be reliable and cover all exit routes. 

Benefits Of Industrial Lighting

The benefits of industrial lighting are many, some of them are– 

Utmost Safety

Industrial lighting fixtures are exposed to a lot of adverse conditions. These include oils, dampness, dust, poison, high temperatures, and pressures where regular lights can cause fires, cutoffs, or other serious mishaps. 

Also, industrial-grade lighting can withstand them to prevent hazards. They ensure high visibility in markups, hazard stripes, and emergency signs. Thus, they reduce injuries and ensure utmost safety.

More Productivity

Dim or flickering lights cause workers to slow down or make errors. And bright industrial lighting can create a positive working environment and make workers more alert. 

When you choose high-CRI, flicker-free industrial lighting, you ensure a comfortable visual environment for faster, more accurate work. Thus, it can boost output productivity up to 100%.

Energy Efficiency

Industrial sites are lit all day and night, making electricity bills a big concern. You can ease this concern by using modern industrial LEDs to cut energy use by 50–70%. 

And high-efficacy LEDs, plus smart controls like sensors and dimmers, drastically lower electricity bills. In addition, LEDs emit less waste heat. It helps to reduce HVAC loads in climate-controlled facilities.

Improved Quality Control

Color accuracy, temperature, and other quality parameters are essential for industrial manufacturing. LEDs with a CRI of 90 or higher are often used at inspection stations to ensure more accurate color matching.

Plus, they help spot flaws that would be missed under poor lighting. So, industrial lighting is necessary for fewer defective products and higher overall quality standards.

Longevity And Low maintenance

High-end industrial fixtures are far more durable than standard lights. They can operate without repair or replacement for years. It extends service intervals and lowers maintenance hassle. Not to mention, the long life reduces lamp disposal and replacement costs to improve ROI.

Types Of Industrial Lighting

Here are the most popular types of Industrial lights you can use according to your needs and preferences 

01. High-Intensity Discharge Lighting

HIDs produce intense light via an electric arc in gas-filled tubes. These lights are commonly seen in industrial spaces with high ceilings, such as warehouses and manufacturing plants. 

Typically, they offer high lumens but suffer from long warm-up times, color shifts, and lumen depreciation. Some HIDs lose up to 70% of their output after 10,000 hours. HID lighting can be classified into several types depending on the gases used. These include–

• Metal Halide (MH)
• Mercury Vapor (MV)
• High-Pressure Sodium (HPS)
• Low-Pressure Sodium (LPS)
• Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH)

02. Fluorescent Lighting

Fluorescent lights use 25–35% less energy and operate at a cooler temperature. These fixtures often serve as strip lights in warehouses, mills, factory production lines, workshops, offices, or troffer panels. Their calm tone and light color make them excellent for regions that demand daylighting. 

Furthermore, they come in various sizes, making them appropriate for multiple industrial lighting requirements. The most common types of fluorescent lighting are T5, T8, and T12. However, they contain mercury and need ballasts. 

03. Induction Lighting

Induction lighting produces high-quality white light using electromagnetic induction. These fixtures are popular because of their efficiency, long lifespan of about 100,000 hours, and low lumen depreciation. Because of minimal maintenance, you can use them for hard-to-reach areas like tunnels, warehouses, and parking garages. 

04. Tube Lights

You can use industrial tube lights in factories or parking garages, often in long, continuous rows for even coverage. They are also applicable for drop-ceiling offices, conference rooms, or clean rooms within industrial buildings. Tube lights come with features like color-selectable CCT or battery backup for emergencies.

05. Panel Lights

Panel lights luminaires with quick-connect technology and sleek aesthetics. These industrial lights create well-lit, comfortable environments in offices, industrial workstations, breakrooms, or low-clearance areas. Plus, they are preferred for simple installations, energy-efficient designs, and versatility.

06. Linear Lighting

Linear lighting is the long, narrow industrial light fixtures for expansive areas. They are ideal for aisles in retail stores, corridors in commercial buildings, and production lines. Their sleek, streamlined design ensures seamless integration into suspended and surface-mounted applications.

07. Pendant Lighting

Pendant lights offer task lighting for workstations, inspection areas, and retail displays. In industrial spaces, these fixtures can be metal-halide or LED high-bays suspended by chains or cords. You can use them above assembly stations or in areas where adjustable height fixtures are beneficial.

08. UFO High Bay Lights

These modern LED high-bay fixtures are round and compact, resembling a “UFO.” They provide a high lumen output of about 15,000+ lm in a compact form factor. These lights also come with efficient cooling fans and broad beam patterns. So, you can use UFO lights for warehouses and factories with high ceilings. 

09. Tri-Proof Lights

Tri-Proof refers to Waterproof, Dustproof, and Corrosion-Proof. They generally have IP65+ ratings and IK08+ impact protection. These fixtures are ideal for harsh environments like food processing, cold storage, car washes, parking garages, or outdoor areas exposed to rain and dust. These sealed lights can operate from -20°C to +50 °C and reduce energy use by up to 80%. 

10. Explosion-Proof Lights

Explosion-proof fixtures are for areas with flammable gases, vapors, or dust. Their structure fully contains any arc or spark from the lamp within a robust enclosure to prevent ignition outside. Hence, you can use them in petrochemical plants, refineries, paint booths, grain silos, and similar high-risk areas. 

11. LED Lighting

LED stands for light-emitting diodes. It is the most versatile lighting type, available in various shapes, sizes, and structures. The most common LED variants used in industrial areas are as follows-

• High Bay Fixtures

These fixtures are for very tall ceilings, like 20 ft or more, in warehouses or factories. They provide bright, even illumination over large areas. And their high-lumen outputs are ideal for covering entire spaces.

• Low Bay Fixtures

Low bay fixtures are ideal if your space is small and the ceiling height is below 20 feet. These light fixtures have lower lumen ratings. As they provide focused illumination for specific work zones, you can use them for small manufacturing plants and assembly lines.

• Area Light Fixtures

Area light fixtures can be used outdoors to light yards, corridors, garage areas, or large lots in industrial zones. They are weatherproof or pole-mounted floodlights. 

• Floodlight Fixtures

Floodlights are exterior decorative and security lighting for industrial structures. Especially, broad-beamed floodlight fixtures can illuminate building facades, loading docks, parking lots, or signage. Similarly, you can use them as night illumination in front gates or boundary walls with CCTV cameras to highlight security features. 

• Streetlights

You can use streetlights for roads, alleys, storage areas, security lighting, and large parking areas of your factories. If you use high-performance LED street and roadway lights, you can reduce energy use by up to 70%. 

• LED Strip Lights

LED strip lights provide indirect accent, edge, or under-counter/task illumination in manufacturing labs or retail spaces. Mainly, they are perfect for warehouse aisles, shelves, and workstations that require targeted lighting. 

• Recessed Troffer Lights

Recessed troffer lights are ideal for general lighting in large industrial areas. You can install them in suspended grids or drop ceilings. They offer low glare, high uniformity, and a clean and tidy appearance. 

• Safety Lights

Chemically active industrial locations, such as pharmaceutical, food processing, and other manufacturing sectors, are more likely to explode. Here, you can use LED shock-proof, explosion-proof, and ignition-proof lights, as well as battery-backed emergency fixtures, etc.

• LED Tunnel Lights 

LED Tunnel Lights deliver efficient illumination in tunnels, underpasses, and more. Their high CRI helps to ensure safety and reduce eye strain in enclosed or dimly lit factories. 

Common Application Sectors Of Industrial Lighting

Here are the most common industrial areas where you must use industrial lighting–

Assembly Lines

You can industrial lighting provides precise illumination for machinery and handwork. As they offer even illumination, they prevent shadows on equipment and help workers identify colored parts and safety markings. It also minimizes glare and flicker around moving machinery.

Storage Areas

Aisles and high racks need uniform lighting so workers can safely pick inventory. And arehouses commonly use 5000K LED high bays to produce crisp light across rows of shelving. On the other hand, gangways and loading areas use supplemental downlights or aisle lights for clarity. 

Production Floors

Open production areas like food lines and fabricating shops blend manufacturing with industrial lighting features. For example, you can use high bays to illuminate general floor space, while task lights focus on workstations. 

Inspection Zones

Inspection benches and labs use bright, focused light sources like directional LED spotlights with very high CRI. It helps to distinguish fine color differences. You can use 90+ CRI LEDs to ensure accurate color matching and defect detection.

How To Select The Right Industrial Lighting?

Let’s see the ideas on how to choose the right industrial lighting–

01. Application And Lighting Layout

You have to start with a lighting plan: map floor dimensions, workspace zones, and material layouts. Then, consider sight lines, surface reflectance, and placement of machines or shelving that can cast shadows. 

Now, check which precise jobs and activities will be performed under the lighting. And if the place is hazardous, you have to follow this-

Hazard Zone	Definition	Lighting Requirements
Zone-0	Continuous and long-term explosive atmosphere.	Explosion-Proof Lighting
Zone-1	An explosive atmosphere is likely to occur under normal operating conditions.	Flameproof Enclosures
Zone-2	An explosive atmosphere only exists for a short time, but it is not common.	Increased Safety Fixture

02. Orientation & Surroundings

Determine if fixtures are indoor, outdoor, or semi-outdoor. Because, outdoor areas need higher IP ratings. Also, identify exposure to chemicals, water, or vibration that requires special-rated lights. 

03. Upgradeability And Controls

While choosing industrial fixtures, take into consideration dimming/driving capabilities, occupancy sensors, and more. This way, you will be able to save energy when areas are idle or naturally lit. However, controls must comply with local codes for daylighting and power factors. 

04. Color Temperature

You have to match CCT to the work to ensure the utmost comfort in the industry. For instance, cool white (4500–5000K) is standard for maximum alertness and color acuity in warehouses and factories. On the other hand, neutral white (4000K) balances clarity with comfort. Avoid very warm light in industrial settings unless hospitality is a factor.

05. Brightness And Burn Time

As adequate brightness is critical for safety and productivity, choose lumen output and wattage based on area size and required foot-candles. You should know that high lumens are needed for high ceilings or locations that require intricate work. 

Also consider duty cycle: 24/7 operations need long-burning time sources. The chart below will help you determine the optimum brightness for your location–

Industrial Locations	Suggested Lux level
Production Floors	200 to 500 lux
Warehouses and Storage Areas	100 to 300 lux
Loading Docks	300 to 750 lux
Outdoor Areas	20 to 50 lux
Emergency Exit	10 lux or higher
Quality Control and Inspection Stations	500 to 1,000 lux

06. Beam Angle And Distribution

Another essential factor to consider while choosing industrial lighting is the beam angle. A narrow beam angle (30–60°)is ideal for creating focused aisles or task lights. On the other hand, the wider angles (60–120°) cover larger areas like high ceilings. You can also use a combination of wide, high bays and some narrow accent lights for uniformity.

07. Lighting Needs and Installation Height

The size of the space, ceiling height, and indoor/outdoor areas are all essential concerns here. You have to first determine the proper mounting height depending on the ceiling height and desired light coverage area. Then choose high bays for tall areas, low bays, or panel lights for lower ceilings. And here are some light types for different ceiling heights of industrial spaces–

Ceiling Height	Light Type Suggestion
Under 20 feet	Low bay light, recessed troffer light, Fluorescent fixtures
20 feet to 30 feet	Linear High Bay LED Lights, Induction High Bays
Over 30 feet	LED High Bay Lights, Metal Halide High Bays

08. Fixture Type

Calculate the ideal spacing between fixtures to provide even lighting distribution. The chart below suggests numerous fixture types for different industrial spaces:

Industrial Spaces	Recommended Fixture
Warehouses and Manufacturing Plants	High-Bay Lighting Fixtures
Workshops and Assembly Lines	Fluorescent Fixtures
Storage area or Machine Enclosures	LED Strip Lights
Laboratories and Cleanrooms	LED Troffer Lights
Automotive Manufacturing Plants	Linear High Bay LED Lights
Foundries and Metalworking Facilities	Metal Halide High Bays or LED High Bays
Textile Manufacturing	T5 or T8 Fluorescent Fixtures
Chemical Processing Plants, Oil Refineries, and Mining Operations	Explosion-Proof LED Fixtures

09. IK  And IP Rating 

IK stands for ‘Impact Progress,’ or the level of protection your light fixture can provide against mechanical impacts. The levels range from IK00 to IK10. Choose IK ratings based on the environment, the location of the light, and the risk of mechanical impact. 

IP refers to ‘Ingress Protection,’ or your light fixture’s level of protection against solid and liquid entry. Typically, industrial environments require a higher IP rating. However, these ratings will vary according to moisture content, dust, and the first level. 

10. Quality And Color Rendering Index (CRI)

You have to select high-quality components to use in industries. Also, consider how varied color temperatures affect worker comfort and productivity. You should choose lighting fixtures with a high CRI to ensure accurate color rendering and a natural appearance. 

The Illuminating Engineering Society recommends CRI≥80 for most tasks, with ≥90 for color-critical work. And you should know that CRI affects the visibility of safety markings and product quality. 

11. Energy Consumption And Efficiency

When it comes to energy efficiency, nothing beats LED lighting. It consumes 50–80% less energy than standard incandescent, fluorescent, HID, and induction lighting. On average, an LED light can generate 120 lumens per watt.

At the same time, advanced or high-grade LEDs can produce more than 200 lumens per watt.  So, choosing LED lighting for your industrial location will save you money on energy supplies and electricity bills.

Safety And Environmental Considerations Of Industrial Lighting 

Here, I have included some safety and environmental considerations of industrial lights–

Health And Safety Standards

To ensure safety in industrial environments, it is essential to follow established health and safety standards for lighting. For instance, those set by OSHA, NFPA, and IES. And you have to maintain the manufacturer-recommended distance from flammable materials. 

Where required, use intrinsically safe or explosion-proof luminaires to eliminate fire risk. In addition to the above standards, you must abide by more international industrial lighting regulations. These include the European Union (EU) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standards.

Install Emergency Lights

It can be dangerous if the light goes out during an industrial or chemical reaction. So, you should have emergency or battery-powered illumination that lights up as the power goes out. 

Therefore, all exit routes, stairways, and pathways must have properly rated emergency lights. An emergency light could let them exit the building safely. Test emergency lights every month to ensure battery health.

Minimum Light Glaring 

A slight loss of visibility due to glare could lead to a serious accident in high-risk areas. Use diffusers, louvers, or linear lenses to direct light onto work surfaces, not into workers’ eyes. 

So,  you have to minimize glare and shadows to prevent eye strain and accidents. Task lights should be shielded to prevent direct illumination of workers.

Cord Or Cable Management

Due to their high density, industrial workstations are more prone to tripping over cables. So, you must secure cords and cables for lighting. If using portable lamps or retrofit kits, route all cords safely. Moreover, you can use cord covers or overhead drops.

Proper Installation 

You have to ensure proper installation by qualified electricians. Mounting hardware and suspension must be rated for the fixture weight. Also, ensure that metal parts are properly grounded. All components, like ballasts and drivers, should meet UL or CE safety standards. 

Maintenance And Cleanliness

Dirty lenses and fixtures can dramatically reduce light output and cause outages. So, schedule regular cleaning of fixtures, especially in dusty or oily environments.  Replace failed bulbs immediately.

Energy Efficiency And Maintenance Consideration

Here are the keys to the most energy-saving and proper maintenance of Industrial lighting-

Planning And Design

Begin with energy-conscious design. It will help to increase safety and productivity while cutting energy costs. Also, incorporate daylight harvesting and occupancy sensors wherever possible.

Upgrade To LEDs

Upgrading to LED tubes or retrofit kits can save 60–70% of energy. When replacing old HID or fluorescent fixtures, match lumen levels to previous systems and capitalize on LED color-tunability. 

Replace Burnt-out Bulbs

You can use a log to track lamp life cycles. Preemptively replace multiple lamps in the same fixture to ensure uniform lighting. For example, change all tubes simultaneously.

Test Emergency Lighting

NFPA 101 requires monthly visual and annual full-duration tests for emergency lights. It will help you ensure that exit pathways remain lit during failures. Plus, you can keep records as proof of compliance.

Industrial Lighting Vs. Commercial Lighting

Feature	Industrial Lighting	Commercial Lighting
Durability	Heavy-duty construction with high IP/IK ratings; built for dust, water, and impacts.	Lighter construction; focus on aesthetics; lower IP/IK (e.g., IP20, IK02).
Brightness	Very high lumen output.	Moderate lumen levels
Fixture Type	High bays, floodlights, UFO lights, explosion-proof units, etc.	Troffers, downlights, pendants, decorative fixtures.
Controls	Focus on motion sensors, high-bay dimming, and robust switches.	Sophisticated lighting control systems.
Standards	Governed by OSHA and ANSI/IES industrial standards (e.g., ANSI/IES RP-7).	Governed by building codes and commercial standards (e.g., ASHRAE/IES RP-8).

Conclusion

Choosing the proper industrial lighting is an investment in your workspace’s safety, productivity, and energy efficiency. By carefully considering the factors in this guide, you can elevate your industrial sectors and save costs. Also, the right lighting can increase workers’ productivity and enhance sales.

The right industrial manufacturers can complete the process by supplying you with the proper lighting. To get top-notch strip lights to install in industries, contact us right away.

FAQs

What is the best lighting for the industry? 

Today, high-efficiency LED fixtures are generally the best choice for industrial spaces. LEDs deliver very high lumen output with low energy use and long life. Selecting LED high bays or floodlights with the proper beam angle and CRI will yield the best visibility and cost savings results. Get the best LES at MylikeLED.

Can you use industrial lighting in cold storage?

Yes, but only if the fixtures are rated for low temperatures. Many industrial LEDs and fluorescent tubes are designed to operate in cold climates (some down to –20 °C). Also, the Tri-proof or vapor-tight fixtures are often used in refrigerated areas. So, always check the manufacturer’s temperature rating before installing it in cold storage.

What is the best type of lighting for outdoor industrial spaces?

Outdoor industrial areas like yards, loading docks, and parking lots need high-intensity LED floodlights or area lights with high IP ratings. LED site lights and floodlights provide the broad, bright coverage needed. However, the fixtures should be waterproof and corrosion-resistant for durability.

How can I improve safety with outdoor industrial lighting?

Use bright, uniform lighting at all access points. For example, you should install full-cut-off LED floodlights and pole-mounted area lights on building exteriors. Then, ensure all entryways, ramps, and staircases have adequate foot-candles. Also, maintaining proper light distribution should be used to eliminate dark spots that can hide hazards or unauthorized entry.

Are explosion-proof lights necessary for all industrial settings?

No. They are only for the risky industrial places like petrochemical plants, paint-spray booths, grain silos, etc. Basically, explosion-proof lights prevent ignition of flammable gases, dust, or fibers. Therefore, standard fixtures with good IP/IK ratings are sufficient in typical industrial environments.