LED Guides
LED Flood Light vs High Mast: Choosing Industrial Area Lighting
23 February 2026 · 6 min read
Large open areas can be lit from many low poles or from a few tall masts. The right answer depends on the shape of the area, the obstruction on the ground and how you plan to maintain the fixtures.
When flood lights win
Flood lights on 6–12 m poles or wall brackets are the practical choice for perimeters, loading bays, parking rows and any area interrupted by sheds, racks or containers, because you can aim each fixture at the task.
- Perimeter and boundary walls: 50W–100W asymmetric floods every 20–25 m
- Loading bays: 150W–200W on 8 m brackets
- Parking areas: 100W–150W on 9 m poles
When high mast wins
Once an open yard exceeds roughly 60 x 60 m with clear sightlines, a 20–30 m high mast with a 6–12 fixture ring lights the area with far better uniformity and fewer foundations than a field of poles.
Always specify a raise-and-lower head. Maintaining fixtures at 25 m without one means hiring a crane every time a driver fails.
Total cost, not fixture cost
Compare complete systems: fixtures, poles, foundations, cabling runs, panel capacity and ten years of lamp replacement labour. High mast wins on cabling and civil work in large open areas; floods win wherever obstructions would cast shadows from a central mast.
Frequently asked questions
What wattage high mast light is needed for a factory yard?
A 20 m mast with eight 300W LED flood fixtures typically lights a 70 x 70 m yard to 20 lux average with good uniformity.
Can LED flood lights replace metal halide?
Yes — a 200W LED flood typically replaces a 400W metal halide fixture with better output, instant restrike and roughly 60% lower energy cost.
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