What Is Needed For Warehouse Lighting Design?

I. Key Lighting Design Calculations (Practical Formulas)

1. Lumen Method Formula (Determining Fixture Quantity)

• $N$: Number of fixtures
• $E$: Target illuminance (lux)
• $A$: Area (m²)
• $\varphi$: Luminous flux per fixture (lumens, e.g., 24,000 lm for a 200W LED)
• $U$: Utilization factor (0.4–0.8; lower for high-bay warehouses due to light loss)
• $M$: Maintenance factor (0.7 for dusty environments)

2. Example Calculation

For a 1,000 m² picking zone (target: 500 lux), using 200W LED fixtures (24,000 lm), $U=0.6$U=0.6, $M=0.7$M=0.7:

$$N=\frac{500\times 1000}{24000\times 0.6\times 0.7}\approx 49\text{ fixtures}$$N=24000×0.6×0.7500×1000≈49 fixtures

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II. Critical Factors Affecting Lighting Requirements (Optimization Details)

1. Ceiling Height & Fixture Placement

• Low ceilings (<5m): Use wide-beam LEDs for uniform distribution.
• High ceilings (>10m): Deploy high-bay fixtures with narrow optics to minimize wasted light.

2. Reflectivity of Goods & Surfaces

• Dark-colored goods/racks: Increase illuminance by 20–30% (dark surfaces absorb light).
• Light-colored walls/floors (reflectivity >70%): Reduce illuminance by 10-15% (utilize reflected light).

3. Color Temperature & Visual Comfort

• Storage areas: 3000K–4000K (warm white, energy-efficient).
• Work zones: 4000K–5000K (neutral white, enhances focus and reduces fatigue).

4. Energy Efficiency & Smart Controls

• Zoned dimming: Motion sensors adjust brightness (e.g., aisles dim to 50% when unoccupied).
• Daylight harvesting: Automatic dimming in skylit areas to avoid over-illumination.

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III. Fixture Types & Recommendations (By Application)

Fixture Type	Efficacy (lm/W)	Lifespan (hrs)	Best For	Key Notes
LED High-Bay Lights	120–200	50,000+	General use, high ceilings	Anti-glare optics for operator comfort
LED Linear Strips	100–150	50,000+	Rack lighting, task areas	Recessed mounting to avoid glare
HID (High-Pressure Sodium)	80–100	20,000	Legacy warehouse retrofits	Poor CRI (<30), unsuitable for picking
Explosion-Proof Lights	80–150	30,000+	Hazardous/cold storage	Must meet ATEX/Ex II certification

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Key Takeaways

• Precision matters: Adjust calculations for ceiling height, reflectivity, and task requirements.
• LEDs dominate: Highest efficiency and longevity for warehouses.
• Smart controls = savings: Automated dimming can reduce energy use by 30–40%.

For complex layouts, use DIALux or similar software to simulate light distribution and eliminate dark spots.