Outdoor LED flood lights quickly replace traditional lighting systems across many spaces, including industries, stadiums, and parks.
The reason is that they are durable, more energy-efficient, and cheaper to maintain.
Moreover, they have a slimmer design meaning you need smaller space to install an LED flood light than an incandescent one.
In terms of performance, they are brighter despite consuming fewer watts, as their wattage-to-lumen conversion percentages are high.
If you have an outdoor lighting project and are wondering whether LED flood lights are ideal, worry not.
Here, we have the answers you need. Today’s article looks at what outdoor LED floodlights are, their mounting options, and their applications.
What Are Outdoor LED Flood Lights
(Outdoor security LED flood lights)
Outdoor LED flood lights have a broad beam; hence we often use them to illuminate large outdoor spaces.
Generally, you can opt for lights with focused directional lighting or one with broad lighting covering a larger space.
For instance, if you are illuminating a stadium, you are better off going with an LED flood light offering a balance of the two.
One, its light will reach all corners of the playing field without any fluctuations in brightness levels.
The wider spread allows the beams to cover a more expansive area without focusing the light on a single area.
Additionally, outdoor LED flood lights have several essential parts crucial for working.
First is the housing that prevents the light from spreading to undesired locations.
Furthermore, it has heat-reduction features that help regulate the LED flood light temperatures.
Second, the reflector directs light toward the flood lights’ opening or lens to create the lighting effect you desire. Third is the yoke that holds the outdoor LED flood lights in position.
Types of Outdoor LED Flood Light Bulbs
(A LED flood light on a roof)
Generally, we differentiate outdoor LED flood lights depending on their design and diameter.
Additionally, individual designs have uses and advantages, making them suitable for certain applications and not others. Here, we look at the types of outdoor LED flood lights.
R Bulbs
R bulbs are outdoor LED flood lights with a reflector coating that spreads light further in its illumination path. Consequently, they are brighter, and the light travels a greater distance than most LED lights.
However, due to this fact, manufacturers add frost covers to reduce glare and produce a softer light.
Moreover, they have rounded lenses to create fewer dark spots and suit them for lighting high-traffic areas in our homes and businesses.
AR Bulbs
Aluminum-faceted reflectors have multiple faces, allowing them to concentrate a light beam to around 8 degrees.
Typically, they have an exact beam angle making them suitable for flood light applications requiring the light to bring out certain features.
For instance, they are popular in large galleries where attention to detail is essential.
BR Bulbs
The bulged reflector outdoor LED bulbs offer a wider beam angle that may reach close to 120 degrees, depending on the design.
Generally, their wide light spread suits them for recessed lighting applications such as along roads.
Moreover, they are suitable for lighting outdoor spaces lacking space for installing protruding fixtures and mounts.
For instance, you can mount them inside stadium roofs, and they will provide sufficient illumination.
MR Bulbs
Multifaceted LED reflector bulbs have a diamond-shaped reflector that spreads light uniformly across a given space.
Traditionally, they were popular in slide projector applications, but they are more popular today in landscape and track lighting.
PAR Bulbs
The parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR) outdoor LED floodlights have a parabola-shaped reflector.
Consequently, it focuses and amplifies light in a single direction, suiting them for spotlighting.
Moreover, they have sturdier housing resistant to water, dust, and other adverse environmental conditions.
Applications of Outdoor LED Flood Lights
(Outdoor LED flood lights shining over a stadium)
LED lights are quickly replacing traditional light sources across many sectors in our industries.
The reason is that they are durable; hence one can install them in challenging areas where incandescent or fluorescent lights would need robust housing.
Moreover, they are power efficient as they have a high wattage-to-lumens conversion ratio.
Here are the applications of outdoor LED flood lights:
- Security lighting
- Landscape Lighting
- Lighting parking lots and garages for easier navigation
- Billboard and signage lighting
- Also, lighting sports fields and stadiums
- Industrial lighting
- Construction lighting
- Additionally, dusk-to-dawn lights
Outdoor LED Flood Light Mounting Options
(An LED flood light resting on a trunnion)
Your outdoor LED floodlights’ specific requirements and installation conditions determine the mounting options. Some mounting options at your disposal include the following:
Knuckle Mounts
A knuckle mount is a threaded mounting equipment with an adjustable design for installation into junction boxes and conduits.
Generally, we use it for lighter flood lights that cannot overwhelm the conduits.
Additionally, they are advantageous since they are hollow, meaning you can install wire connections without needing a junction box.
On the downside, you must have a conduit to utilize the knuckle mount option.
Slip Fitter
A slip fitter is an adjustable mounting accessory with an extension for attaching to the flood light.
Commonly, they have a hollow end that fits over a round pole that’s close to 2.5 inches.
Afterward, you will attach the fitter to the pole using screws depending on the height you deem sufficient.
Moreover, slip fitters and poles differ in shape and size, meaning you must be careful when purchasing to ensure they are compatible.
Yoke
The yoke, or the U bracket or trunnion, is a standard mounting option for outdoor LED floodlights due to their flexibility and versatility.
In most cases, the two ends of the U-shaped bracket attach to two ends of an LED light source, whereas the base attaches to a mounting surface.
Generally, installers use them when they want to avoid installing a junction box.
Pole/Wall Mount
Pole or wall mounts are simple LED light accessories that attach on one end to the light source while on the other end to a wall or mounting pole.
Due to their sturdy nature, they are preferable in mounting applications that don’t require fixture angle adjustment.
FAQs
Are outdoor LED floodlights weatherproof?
Generally, by design, outdoor LED flood lights are weatherproof and can withstand various outdoor conditions.
In fact, they wouldn’t weather the storm if they didn’t have excellent Ingress Protection ratings.
Moreover, they have a sealed construction to prevent the entry of dust, water, and debris that may ruin internal components.
Another reason for weatherproofing is to reduce the corrosion of cables and components due to pollution, humidity, and saltwater exposure.
How long do outdoor LED flood lights last?
Outdoor LED lights last more than 50,000 hours under proper care and maintenance.
Actually, the high-quality ones last close to 100,000 hours without experiencing any electrical or mechanical challenges.
The reason is that manufacturers make them from high-quality, durable, and rugged semiconductor materials.
The outdoor LED flood lights also have protective materials with excellent heat dissipation. Typically, LEDs degrade faster if you expose them to high-temperature conditions.
Can outdoor LED flood lights be dimmed?
Yes, you can dim outdoor LED flood lights. However, remember that not all LED flood lights are dimmable.
Moreover, the ability to dim the lights comes with the appliance straight from the manufacturer.
You cannot dim an incompatible outdoor LED by incorporating a dimmer into the setup. If you want to dim your lights, buy a dimmable LED flood light.
Second, ensure the dimmer circuitry is compatible b checking the manufacturer’s specifications.
Third, consider the dimming range to know the exact control you will have over your lights’ brightness level.
Conclusion
The most common applications of outdoor LED floodlights are in stadiums, security, and industries.
Across the field, they are popular despite providing unidirectional light that may be unsuitable for certain applications that need a greater light spread.
To overcome such, manufacturers design the light’s reflectors and lenses to spread the light as needed.
Moreover, outdoor LED flood lights are robust and support features like dimmers.