If you have ever attended a night sports event, you might have noticed a large, powerful light that illuminates the entire area. This light is called a floodlight, and it is a vital piece of equipment for sports arenas, outdoor concerts, and even construction sites. In this blog, we will explore what a floodlight is, how it works, and its uses.
Why Are They Called Floodlights?
Floodlights cast a wide beam of artificial light and can be found in areas that receive much artificial illumination, such as large parking lots, venues hosting events like concerts or theater halls, and outdoor playing fields.
Professional sports require stadiums to install floodlights to host games. Floodlights not only improve visibility during matches, but they can also enhance television broadcasts. While most sports grounds already have floodlights installed, some also feature temporary floodlights for extra coverage.
Although floodlights are usually used to refer to powerful beams of light, they can also refer to outdoor fixtures that provide illumination in your backyard.
How Floodlights Work
Floodlights use a combination of bulbs, reflectors, and lenses to create a powerful beam of light. The most common type of floodlight uses a high-intensity discharge (HID) bulb, such as a metal halide or high-pressure sodium bulb. These bulbs produce a large amount of light and are ideal for outdoor applications.
The bulb is typically housed in a reflector, which is designed to direct the light in a specific direction. The reflector can be made of various materials, such as aluminum or polished steel, and its shape can be customized to achieve a specific lighting pattern.
In addition to the reflector, floodlights also use lenses to focus the light and reduce glare. The lenses can be made of glass, plastic, or acrylic, and they can be clear or frosted, depending on the desired lighting effect.
Purpose
Outdoor floodlights are used primarily for security and nighttime illumination. To enhance security, opt for models with motion sensors and cameras that record when there is activity.
These lights are equipped with sensors that detect movement within a certain radius. When activated, the lights will turn on and illuminate to give you a better view of what’s going on outside your home. Floodlights with cameras record video footage at the moment the sensor triggers so you have evidence of what’s happening at any given time.
Bulbs
Although the principle behind floodlighting remains unchanged, how it functions depends on factors like the type of bulbs used. LEDs and halogens both offer advantages and drawbacks; so you must determine which option is best suited to your needs. Floodlight failure could be due to an incorrect bulb selection.
Types
Solar-powered floodlights feature a small solar panel attached. When placed correctly, these solar panels can absorb energy from the sun. The battery is only one part of what makes up a floodlight; at night it uses stored energy stored within its battery to illuminate its bulbs.
Location
Selecting the ideal solar floodlight can be problematic in areas where sunlight is scarce or when not placed correctly to absorb as much as possible. A motion-activated floodlight should be dimmed to reduce its light intensity; this helps conserve energy since it won’t be running at full brightness all the time, or at least, not at its full output.
Choosing Floodlights
When shopping for outdoor floodlights, there are a few things to take into account. Here are the essential points:
- The range of light that can be cast is known as the range. This distance should not be underestimated; floodlights that are too powerful may illuminate neighbors’ yards, leading to much inconvenience and disrupting someone’s sleep pattern.
- When lighting an area with one floodlight, a lamp with a large detection zone is necessary. On the other hand, those who only need to illuminate one object won’t require such an extensive detection zone.
- When purchasing outdoor lighting, the IP factor (also known as “ingress protection”) should be taken into account. This rating indicates the light’s resistance to weather elements such as water and other substances. Two numbers are essential for IP ratings. The initial number indicates how well-protected a fixture is against solid elements like debris. A number 1 means it is shielded against objects larger than 50mm while a 5 indicates protection from small particles like dust. The IP rating is the number that protects a light fixture from moisture damage. If the rating’s second number is 1, it will protect the lamp against vertically falling water drops. A number closer to 8 suggests that the fixture has been fully protected and should not be submerged in water.
- You can DIY floodlight systems, though we recommend consulting an expert if you are unfamiliar with their operation or operation. Nonetheless, this is a great idea.
Get A FREE Estimate
If you are looking to enhance the beauty and functionality of your outdoor living space, consider landscape installation with LD Lighting. Our team of experts can design and install a customized lighting system that includes flood lights, pool lights, driveway lights, and more. With our high-quality products and professional installation, you can transform your outdoor area into a stunning and inviting space that you can enjoy day and night. Contact LD Lighting today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward creating your dream outdoor oasis.
Products and Services We Offer
As the best landscape lighting company, we promise to give you the best quality of work and bring your ideas to life. We offer the following services:
- Screen Enclosure Lighting
- Landscape Lighting
- Permanent Holiday Lights
- Strip Lighting Systems
- Audio Systems
- CCTV Home Security
We offer other quality products as well.