highbay

Highbay refers to a class of lighting fixtures designed to illuminate large spaces with high ceilings, such as warehouses, factories, gymnasiums, and hangars. They are intended to provide uniform, high-intensity illumination from above, often with broad or narrow beam distributions to suit task areas.

Typical mounting heights range from about 15 to 60 feet (4.5 to 18 meters), with common industrial installations around 20 to 40 feet. Illumination design considers lux levels, uniformity, glare, and vertical illuminance on surfaces. Fixtures may be suspended by chains or mounted on ceilings; some are surface-mounted.

Historically, high bays used metal halide or high-pressure sodium lamps; modern high bays predominantly use LED technology due to higher efficacy, longer life, and controllability. LED high bays offer improved luminance per watt, adjustable color temperatures (often 4000K to 5700K), and options for dimming, occupancy sensing, and daylight harvesting.

Key considerations include beam angle or optic design to minimize hot spots, ambient temperature tolerance, IP ratings for dust and moisture, and mounting robustness. Energy efficiency and maintenance costs influence fixture selection for large spaces.

The term is used in electrical and lighting industry literature, with standards addressing photometric performance, safety, and electrical compliance (UL, CE, and related IEC standards). Selection of high bays is guided by space geometry, ceiling height, and required illuminance.