GGJIA / LIGHTING JOURNAL

What Is Needed For Warehouse Lighting Design?

Published By ArlenConanReading time 2 min Back to articles
What Is Needed For Warehouse Lighting Design?

I. Key Lighting Design Calculations (Practical Formulas)

1. Lumen Method Formula (Determining Fixture Quantity)

\[ N = \frac{E \times A}{\varphi \times U \times M} \]
  • N: Number of fixtures
  • E: Target illuminance (lux)
  • A: Area (m²)
  • ϕ: 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 (0.7for dusty environments)

2. Example Calculation

For a1,000 m² picking zone(target:500 lux), using200W LED fixtures(24,000 lm),U=0.6U=0.6,M=0.7M=0.7:

N=500×100024000×0.6×0.7≈49 fixturesN=24000×0.6×0.7500×1000≈49 fixtures

 

Warehouse lighting calculation example and photometric simulation software

II. Critical Factors Affecting Lighting Requirements (Optimization Details)

1. Ceiling Height & Fixture Placement

  • Low ceilings (<5m): Usewide-beam LEDsfor uniform distribution.
  • High ceilings (>10m): Deployhigh-bay fixtureswithnarrow opticsto minimize wasted light.

2. Reflectivity of Goods & Surfaces

  • Dark-colored goods/racks: Increase illuminance by20–30%(dark surfaces absorb light).
  • Light-colored walls/floors (reflectivity >70%): Reduce illuminance by10-15%(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).
LED correlated color temperature comparison 2700K to 5000K

4. Energy Efficiency & Smart Controls

  • Zoned dimming: Motion sensors adjust brightness (e.g., aisles dim to50%when unoccupied).
  • Daylight harvesting: Automatic dimming in skylit areas to avoid over-illumination.
UFO LED high bay light with smart energy-saving controls

III. Fixture Types & Recommendations (By Application)

Fixture Type
Efficacy (lm/W)
Lifespan (hrs)
Best For
Key Notes
120–200
50,000+
General use, high ceilings
Anti-glare optics for operator comfort
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 meetATEX/Ex IIcertification

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 by30–40%.

For complex layouts, useDIALuxor similar software to simulate light distribution and eliminate dark spots.

Find the right light for your space.

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