Security Lighting

Outdoor security lights can be found in residential, commercial, industrial and government buildings. Security lights are also used in construction sites and alleys, which are common targets for criminals when lighting conditions are poor.

Commercial outdoor security lighting fixtures must have a weatherproof enclosure, since they are often installed in exposed locations. They must also be tamper-resistant and impact-resistant, since trespassers may try to disable them. Traditional security lights have round heads, but there are also products with a square floodlight design. They are compatible with many sensors and controls, including photocells and PIR sensors (passive infrared).

What Are the Types of Security Lights?

• Traditional security lights have rounded heads, normally 1-3, which emit a potent light beam in the direction of interest. When the fixture has multiple heads, they can be pointed individually.

• Security floodlights have a rectangular shape, and there are also some fixture designs that include 2 or 3 pointable heads.

• Security wall packs have a housing that is designed for wall installation, as their name implies, and some models have built-in motion sensors.

• Dusk-to-dawn security lights, also known as barn lights, are designed to provide overhead lighting in the area of interest. They are typically installed on poles or walls with special mounting brackets.

Regardless of the type of security light, there are some features you should always look for. Since security lights are often installed outdoors, they should be damp-rated or wet-rated depending on site conditions. You should also look for a durable and impact-resistant product.

Security lights can also be classified by their lamp type - there are halogen, fluorescent, HID and LED versions. However, LEDs offer superior efficiency and reliability, while lasting much longer. The typical service life of an LED security light is 50,000-100,000 hours, and a 5-year warranty is standard in the industry when you purchase quality brands.

If you are looking for the best security lighting systems to keep your property safe, Lumenco offers an ample selection of light fixtures.

Recommendations When Purchasing Security Lights

When comparing security lights for your property, the following features are very important:

• The number of lights heads required: You may be able to cover a narrow walkway or parking area with single-head security lights. However, when dealing with wider areas, you may need fixtures with multiple heads for optimal coverage.

• The lumen output: Even if your security lights can cover the entire area, you must also ensure that their lighting output is enough. In general, you will need more lumens as the area increases, but also when security lights are installed high above the ground.

• The fixture construction: You should look for security lights with durable housings, and they should also be gasketed and rated for outdoor use.

LED security lights are strongly recommended, since they produce more lumens per watt of electricity consumed, and they also last much longer than halogen or HID lights. Also, their fast switching and durability make them more reliable.

Advantages of Motion Activated Security Lights

Motion sensor security lights save energy by switching off when the area is empty, without affecting their reliability and lighting power. Their sensors can detect access from any direction, not only the designated entrances and exits.

• Motion security lights normally have a built-in sensor, but many products are compatible with external sensors for increased coverage.

• For example, additional sensors can activate the security lights when someone approaches from a direction beyond the range of their built-in sensors.

• Security lights may also include a time delay switch, which keeps them on for a short time when their built-in sensors are no longer detecting motion.

LED security lights have an additional advantage: they activate instantly and at full brightness, with no warm-up period or flickering. Older lamp types also tend to lose effectiveness with distance, while LED security lights can focus a potent light beam at longer range. In addition, fluorescent and HID bulbs have a shorter service life when switched frequently, but this is not an issue with LEDs.

Which Sensors and Controls Can be Used with Security Lights?

Security lights are compatible with many accessories, but two switching methods are the most common:

• Photocells: Security lights stay on when there is no sunlight.

• Motion sensors: Security lights are only switched on when persons are detected in the area.

• Photocells and motion sensors can be combined to increase energy efficiency. This way, the security lights will only respond to human presence at night, while staying off during daytime.

Some security lights are also compatible with dimmers, allowing their brightness to be adjusted. Occupancy sensors are normally of the passive infrared type, since ultrasonic sensors may activate with sounds that are not produced by humans.