What are Linear LED High Bays?

LED linear high bay fixtures are panel-style indoor fixtures that resemble the old-style F54/T5/HO or T8 fluorescent light and traditional lighting options they're designed to replace. They are square or rectangular and contain strips of LEDs embedded on the back of the fixture to provide the light source for higher ceiling applications. They are typically wire or chain-mounted, although pendant mounting options are available.

Distribution from a linear high bay light is typically wide providing uniform light distribution. By design, you will not often see an option to narrow down the beam angle with optics on these fixtures since the design does not easily accommodate optics. Mounting heights below 35 feet are recommended.

These high bays are available in standard voltage and high voltage configurations as well as color adjustable and wattage adjustable options.

What's the Difference between LED Linear High Bays and Fluorescent Fixtures?

There are many differences between LED Linear LED Bays and fluorescent fixtures. Here are what we believe are the major differences between them:

• Energy savings: You should expect upwards of 50% reduced energy costs when using linear LED bay fixtures over fluorescent linear lighting. There are additional energy efficiency savings when controls like motion sensors are used.
• Lighting Quality: LED lights are high CRI Light sources providing years of high-quality lighting and superior light distribution
• Lower Maintenance Costs: LED Linear fixtures are designed to run for a very long time without the need for bulb or ballast replacement.
• No strobing or humming: Fluorescent lights will strobe near the end of life.  This strobing can cause eye strain and headaches. Fluorescent ballasts hum, and this becomes quite loud near the end of the ballast’s life. With LED Lighting, no strobing or humming.
• LEDs are Instant On and Instant Off: Fluorescents are also quick, but take some time to warm up. This becomes a lot longer if the room they are installed in is cold.
• Works well with motion sensors. LED Linear Fixtures turn on and off quickly – and dim – so they work well with these energy savings controls. You need special ballasts to do this with fluorescent lighting.
• Dimming: Most LEDs (not all) can dim. In warehouses, this means you can dim the lighting when the space is empty. They work perfectly with dimming motion sensors. Fluorescent lighting needs special ballasts to dim.
• Recycling: With LED Technology, there are no expensive recycling processes because LEDs do not contain mercury or other harmful substances.

What are the Best Applications for Linear LED High Bays / Rectangular LED Lights?

These rectangular LED high bays are great for many commercial and industrial indoor spaces. We have customers who purchased these LED Fixtures for:

• factories and manufacturing facilities
• warehouses
• aircraft hangars
• industrial spaces
• gymnasiums
• conference halls and event centers
• rec facilities, gyms, and fitness centers
• retail stores

Recommended LED Lumens to Replace Fluorescent Fixtures

Below is a chart for the replacement of F54/T5/HO tubes with energy-efficient LED Fixtures. The actual lumens required will differ depending on the fixture’s mounting height.

Replacing linear lighting fixtures is quite simple. We can replace fluorescent fixtures with LED fixtures one-for-one. So, there is no need to add more lights. Our lights hang the same way fluorescent fixtures do. They mount by pendant mount or chain mounting/wire cables. They hook up to the power source and have only 3 wires to connect – line, neutral, and ground.

• 4 tube F54/T5/HO: 12,000 to 18,000 LED lumens
• 6 tube F54/T5/HO: 18,000 to 24,000 LED lumens
• 8 tube F54/T5/HO: 24,000 to 40,000 LED lumens

What Style of LED Linear High Bay Is Best for You?

Dimmable LED Linear High Bay	These are rectangular LED High Bay fixtures equipped with a dimmable LED Driver. The drivers are typically 0-10V or 1-10V trigger dimmable and work with a 0-10V dimmer. Dimmable LED Linear High Bay fixtures work well with motion sensor-equipped high bays. Some Linear fixtures with a dimmable LED Driver are not dimmable if equipped with a motion sensor as the motion sensor uses dimming wires.
Motion Sensor Linear High Bay LED	We offer both microwave motion sensor options as well as PIR (infrared) motion sensors. Microwave motion sensors are a newer technology not affected by dusty environments. So if your environment is dusty, choose a microwave motion sensor option. A motion sensor equipped with LED Linear High Bay needs to be dimmable.
Wattage Adjustable LED Linear High Bay	These linear high bay lights have onboard toggle switches that allow you to choose the wattage and lumen output. This will enable you to customize the light output to meet your needs on location.
Color Adjustable LED Linear High Bays	These LED Linear High Bays have onboard toggle switches that allow you to choose the color temperature. Typical options are between 3000K and 5000K. 3000K is a warm inviting light where as 5000K is a light that resembles the color temperature of metal halide high bays.
5000K LED Linear High Bays	5000K is the perfect color temperature as a metal halide replacement. It represents the color temperature most sold for applications using Linear High Bay fixtures. It is a bright clean light but without the intense blue lighting associated with higher kelvin temperatures
4000K LED Linear High Bays	4000K Linear High Bays are slightly warmer (tones of yellow warmth) than 5000K. 4000K is a good choice if you like the light output of fluorescent high bay fixtures.
High Voltage LED Linear High Bays	These Linear High bays are equipped with a 277-480V LED Driver. They automatically switch to the incoming voltage. These can be wired for single-phase and three-phase power.
Emergency Backup LED Linear High Bays	These Linear High bays are equipped with an Emergency Backup Battery that will keep the light powered in case of power interruption.

Choosing Between LED Linear and UFO High Bay Lights

Similarities

• both are a good choice for high bay applications like warehouses, gymnasiums, workshops, and aircraft hangars
• both are available in wattage-adjustable and color-adjustable configurations
• both have EMB and motion sensor options
• both are available in standard voltage (100-277V) and high voltage options (277-480V)
• both deliver high-quality, energy-efficient lighting that requires little if any, maintenance
• both are rebate eligible (DLC), UL or ETL Listed
• both offer a 5-year warranty

Differences

• UFOs are round and are a good fit to replace metal halide fixtures. Linear high bays are rectangular and are a good option to replace fluorescent fixtures
• UFOs are IP65+ rated for wet location applications, linear fixtures are not
• UFOs have high impact ratings (IK08 or above), and linear fixtures do not
• UFOs offer optic packages for mounting heights above 30 feet. Linear fixtures do not.

Need Help? Talk to an LED Linear High Bay Expert.

With so many options and fixtures available, it's hard to decide what option is going to meet your needs and requirements. The sales engineers of LED Lighting Supply are experts in Linear High Bay Lighting. Use our experience and tell us your needs, and we will provide you with the best LED Linear High Bay lighting options for your project or application. We can provide you with a free lighting plan to make sure the area is well-lit and the lighting is balanced.

Some Completed Customer Projects using LED Lighting Supply LED Linear High Bay Fixtures

LED Linear High Bays FAQ

What are Linear LED High Bays?

Linear LED light high bays are panel-style indoor fixtures that resemble the old style F54/T5/HO or T8 fluorescent light and traditional lighting options it's designed to replace. They are square or rectangular and contain strips of LEDs embedded on the back of the fixture to provide the light source for higher ceiling applications. They are typically wire or chain-mounted, although there are pendant mounting options available. Distribution is typically wide providing uniform illumination. By design, it is not often you will see an option to narrow down the beam angle with optics on these fixtures since the design does not easily accommodate optics. Mounting heights below 35 feet are recommended.

How Many Linear High Bay Lights Do You Need?

This depends on the size of your facility and your lighting needs. The best place to start is to determine the lighting levels needed and then produce a lighting plan., A lighting plan will model your indoor area using lighting software. A lighting plan will detail brightness and balance across the space.

The lighting plan will also calculate the number of fixtures you will need to achieve the light levels required. In the case you have existing lights that you are replacing, then a one-for-one replacement will work allowing you to take advantage of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure. A lighting plan will confirm the light chosen will provide the proper light levels across the space.

What Benefits Should I Expect When Using Linear High Bay Lights?

These fixtures are ideal for many applications. They will consume 50% to 70% less energy than the same fluorescent or HID fixture. They will provide years of bright, high-quality, maintenance-free lighting without the need to replace fluorescent bulbs and ballasts. They produce significantly less heat than fluorescent bulbs, reducing HVAC loads. They will never flicker or hum.

How Can You Select the Best Linear High Bay For Your Application?

Determine the number of foot candles you need. Then, create a lighting plan for your indoor space. A lighting plan will help find the right combination of fixture and lumen output. The goal is to achieve the right amount of lighting that is balanced across the entire space. Other helpful information is voltage (100-277V) or high voltage (277-480V), the type of mount you need: wire/chain, or pendant mount, and whether you need a motion sensor. You should also determine if you need dimming and decide what color temperature you want. Also, determine whether you will need lights with emergency backup.

How Many LED Lumens to Replace Fluorescent High Bays?

• 4 tube F54/T5/HO: 12,000 to 18,000 LED lumens
• 6 tube F54/T5/HO: 18,000 to 24,000 LED lumens
• 8 tube F54/T5/HO: 24,000 to 40,000 LED lumens

How High Should You Hang Linear Lights?

Since these are high bays, they should be mounted in ceiling heights above 20 feet high. We would not recommend hanging linear fixtures above 40 feet, however.

Linear LED High Bays do not have optic/beam angle packages, so focusing the light from high mounting heights is not an option. If that is a requirement, you should choose a UFO High Bay with optic options.

What Types of Controls are Commonly Used on Linear High Bays?

The most common type of control is motion sensors. They will turn the Linear High Bay to full power when motion is detected, and dim the High Bay when the area is void of motion.

Are Emergency Backup Batteries Available on Linear High Bays?

Yes, they are. These EMBs will work for up to 90 minutes when the power is interrupted.

What are Wattage Adjustable and Color Adjustable Linear LED High Bay Lights?

These lights have onboard toggle switches that allow you to select the light output and the color temperature on the UFO light. This takes the guesswork and risk out of selecting the right power and color temperature.