Upgrading to High-Intensity Fluorescent (HIF) Lighting for High-Bay Applications
Today's HID fluorescent fixtures designed for high-bay (high-ceiling) applications have many advantages over comparable HID fixtures:
- reduced energy consumption
- lower lumen depreciation rates
- more dimming options
- faster start-up / restrike
- better color rendition
- more pupil lumens
- reduced glare
These benefits add up to real cost savings over the life of the product. As an added bonus, HID fluorescents do a tremendous job of lighting large spaces. High-intensity fluorescent fixture designs
As you'll see below, the majority of today’s HIF fixtures employ T8 or high-output T5 linear fluorescent lamps. These tubes last longer, are most efficient and have lower lumen depreciation than twin-tube lamps and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Their innovative reflector designs make HIFs ideal for any ceiling height, so they are an excellent replacement for HID lamps.
HIF fixtures are typically square or rectangular, although an alternative design has been shown to be effective for wide-open spaces. The “star” fixture uses CFLs or twin-tube T5s mounted to 2-foot extensions that radiate out from a central housing that usually contains the ballasts. Its circular light distribution successfully illuminates such applications as skating rinks.
Where HID technology once had a performance advantage with respect to wide temperature ranges, HIFs have caught up. Amalgam technology – where certain metals are mixed with the mercury inside the lamp – enables HIFs to sustain maximum output levels throughout temperature extremes. The one drawback is that amalgam lamps are not dimmable.
How to Make the Best Choice
The Color Rendering Index of fluorescent and HID lamps
The color rendering index (CRI) indicates a light's ability to accurately render a sample of eight standard colors relative to a standard source. Measured on a scale of 0 to 100, the higher the CRI value, the better a light will render color.
Light Source | CRI |
---|---|
T5 Fluorescent | 75-98 |
T8 Fluorescent | 75-98 |
High-color-rendering metal halide | 80–93 |
White high-pressure sodium | 60–85 |
Standard metal halide | 60–70 |
Pulse-start metal halide | 65–70 |
High-pressure sodium | 27 |
Low-pressure sodium | 5 |
Conversion factors for lumens to pupil lumens
Pupil lumens per watt measures how effectively the eye sees emitted light. We achieve this figure by applying correction factors to conventional lumens per watt values. Pupils are more receptive to light at the blue end of the spectrum.
Light source | Conventional lumens per watt | Correction factor (P/S Ratio) | Pupil lumens per watt |
---|---|---|---|
Low-pressure sodium | 165 | 0.38 | 63 |
5,000-K T5 fluorescent | 104 | 1.83 | 190 |
4,100-K T5 fluorescent | 90 | 1.62 | 145 |
Clear metal halide | 85 | 1.49 | 126 |
5,000-K pure triphosphor fluorescent | 70 | 1.58 | 111 |
3,500-K pure triphosphor fluorescent | 69 | 1.24 | 85 |
50-watt high-pressure sodium | 65 | 0.76 | 49 |
2,900-K warm white fluorescent | 65 | 0.98 | 64 |
Daylight fluorescent | 55 | 1.72 | 95 |
35-watt high-pressure sodium | 55 | 0.57 | 31 |
Daylight fluorescent | 55 | 1.72 | 95 |
35-watt high-pressure sodium | 55 | 0.57 | 31 |
5,000-I 90 CRI fluorescent | 46 | 1.7 | 78 |
Vitalite fluorescent | 46 | 1.71 | 79 |
Deluxe mercury vapor | 40 | 0.86 | 34 |
Standard incandescent | 15 | 1.26 | 19 |
Tungsten halogen | 22 | 1.32 | 29 |
Condor Premium 2FT LED Linear High Bay Fixture, 85 Watt, 11560 Lumens, CCT Selectable 4000K/5000K, Comparable to 4 lamp T5, 6 Lamp 32W T8 or 250 watt HID
Condor G3 Premium 2FT LED High Bay 155 Watt, 21080 Lumens, 5000K, Comparable to 4 Lamp T5HO, 6 Lamp T8 or 320-400 Watt Fixture, 120-277v
Aries LED UFO High Bay, 100 Watt, 120-277V, 15000 Lumen, 4000K, White Finish, 2023 Best Seller
Aries G3 LED UFO High Bay, 80/100/150 Wattage Selectable, 120-277V, 21,000 Lumen, CCT Selectable, Black Finish, Comparable to 320-400 Watt Fixture
Browse our vast collection of LED linear high bay lights at Warehouse-Lighting.com. Linear high bay LED lights are a practical and affordable alternative replacement to fluorescent lighting. These linear LED high bay fixtures use 80 percent less energy and lasting over 100,000 hours and are maintenance free. Order your linear high bay LED lights fixtures from Warehouse Lighting today.
View (111) ProductsAt Warehouse Lighting, experts will help you shop for LED UFO high bay lights online. Round UFO LED high bay lights offer a great alternative to traditional metal halides. They are designed to last up to 100,000 hours, keeping you working and not worrying about replacing lights. UFO fixtures can have hook-type mounting for easy fixture upgrades or can be wired with energy-saving sensors with a plug and cord as an option. Order LED UFO high bay lights from Warehouse Lighting today!
View (82) ProductsShop High Bay LED Lights from Warehouse-Lighting.com. Our High Bay LED Lights offer superior illumination and energy efficiency, perfect for large industrial spaces. Shop High Bay LED Lights from Warehouse-Lighting.com!
View (210) ProductsRetro a Fluorescent Strip Fixture to LED
When it comes to saving energy and money with your lighting solutions, LED technology is the way to go. If you already have fixtures in place that you are looking to convert for energy-savings, ...
Watch VideoWhat Are Fluorescent Lighting Electronic Ballasts?
Watch our What Are Fluorescent Lighting Electronic Ballasts? video. Our videos will educate you so that you can confidently purchase and install LED light fixtures, whether they are for a new insta...
Watch VideoDifference Between T5 and T8 Low Bay Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures
Finding the right lighting solution for your location means comparing your options. When choosing between two types of lighting, there are many factors you may want to consider. For your l...
Watch Video