LED Lights for Shipping Containers

What are LED Shipping Container Lights?

Shipping containers present unique lighting challenges due to their long, narrow dimensions and 8-foot ceiling height. After 17 years of designing commercial lighting solutions, I recommend surface mount linear fixtures as the optimal choice. Linear strips deliver even light distribution across the container's length while minimizing shadows and dark spots. Ceiling-mounted canopy lights or low bay fixtures work well as secondary options, particularly for task-specific areas within the container. All our fixtures require hard-wired electrical connections to your power source. For remote locations without electrical access, solar-powered systems with integrated batteries provide reliable operation.

What Power of LED Lights Should Be Used Inside a Shipping Container?

Container dimensions don't require high-wattage lighting systems. Most customers achieve excellent results with fixtures delivering 50-100 watts and 8,000-15,000 lumens per fixture. Higher wattages create uncomfortable glare in the confined space while wasting energy. We typically recommend starting with lower wattage options and adding fixtures if additional brightness is needed.

How Many LED Lights Do You Need to Properly Light a Shipping Container?

Fixture quantity depends on your specific brightness requirements and container usage. Based on our lighting design experience, follow these guidelines:

• 20-foot containers - 2 to 3 fixtures for general storage, 3 to 4 for detailed work
• 40-foot containers - 4 to 6 fixtures for general storage, 6 to 8 for workspace applications

Position fixtures evenly along the container's length to eliminate shadows and ensure consistent illumination throughout the space.

Do You Offer LED Wet Location Lighting for Shipping Containers?

Moisture protection becomes critical for shipping containers exposed to humidity, condensation, or direct water contact. Look for fixtures with IP65 or higher ratings to ensure complete protection against water ingress. Vapor-proof lighting provides superior moisture resistance with sealed housings and gasket protection. These fixtures withstand condensation, pressure washing, and humid storage conditions while maintaining consistent performance.

Do You Offer LED Lights for Hazardous Materials Stored Inside Shipping Containers?

Hazardous material storage requires specialized lighting solutions based on the specific risks present. For environments with explosive vapors or flammable gases, explosion-proof fixtures meet Class I, Division 1 requirements and prevent ignition sources. When dealing with corrosive but non-explosive vapors, vapor-proof fixtures offer chemical resistance without explosion-proof certification. Contact our design team to determine the appropriate fixture classification for your specific hazardous materials.

Voltage Compatibility and Installation Options

Our container lighting fixtures accommodate standard building voltages with drivers that automatically adjust to 120V-277V input. This universal compatibility simplifies installation whether you're connecting to residential, commercial, or industrial power sources. Most fixtures include 5-foot power cords for flexible positioning, while some models offer direct junction box mounting. Professional installation ensures proper grounding and compliance with electrical codes.

Color Temperature and Beam Angle Selection

Choose 4000K color temperature for general container storage as it provides natural white light without the harshness of daylight tones. For detailed work or inspection areas, 5000K offers crisp visibility. Beam angles between 90-120 degrees work best for container applications, providing wide coverage without spillage beyond the container walls. Narrower beam angles create hot spots, while wider angles waste light.

Energy Efficiency and Operating Costs

LED container lighting systems typically consume 75-80% less energy than traditional fluorescent or metal halide alternatives. A properly designed LED system for a 40-foot container operates for approximately $50-75 annually in electricity costs compared to $300-400 for conventional lighting. Our fixtures maintain consistent output for over 50,000 hours, eliminating frequent bulb replacements and reducing maintenance costs significantly.

Motion Sensors and Smart Controls

Integrated motion sensors extend fixture life while reducing energy consumption by activating lights only when needed. Most sensors detect movement within 20-25 feet and offer adjustable timeout settings from 30 seconds to 30 minutes. For containers with frequent access, photocell controls automatically adjust brightness based on ambient light levels. These smart features typically reduce energy usage by an additional 30-40% beyond standard LED efficiency gains.

Safety and Performance Certifications

All our fixtures carry essential certifications including DLC Premium, UL Listed, and ETL Listed approvals. These certifications ensure safety, performance, and energy efficiency while qualifying your project for utility rebates and tax incentives. DLC Premium certification guarantees the highest efficiency standards and maximum rebate eligibility.

5 Year Warranty and Warranty Support

All our lights come with at least a 5-year warranty, and all warranty support is based in the USA. We take customer support seriously, and helping you with a warranty claim is important to us. Our experienced support team understands the importance of keeping your lighting operational and will work quickly to resolve any warranty issues.

LED Lights for Shipping Containers Frequently Asked Questions

What Type of LED Lights Work Best for Shipping Container Lighting?

Surface mount linear fixtures provide optimal illumination for shipping containers due to their long, narrow dimensions and 8-foot ceiling height. Linear strips deliver even light distribution across the container's length while minimizing shadows and dark spots. We recommend fixtures delivering 50-100 watts and 8,000-15,000 lumens to avoid uncomfortable glare while providing adequate brightness.

How Many LED Lights Do I Need for a 20-Foot vs 40-Foot Shipping Container?

20-foot containers require 2-3 fixtures for general storage or 3-4 for detailed work applications. 40-foot containers need 4-6 fixtures for storage use or 6-8 for workspace applications. Position fixtures evenly along the container's length to eliminate shadows and ensure consistent illumination throughout the space.

What IP Rating Do I Need for Shipping Container LED Lights?

Choose fixtures with IP65 or higher ratings for complete protection against water ingress, condensation, and humidity. Vapor-proof lighting provides superior moisture resistance with sealed housings and gasket protection. These fixtures withstand pressure washing and humid storage conditions while maintaining consistent performance over 50,000 hours.

Do LED Shipping Container Lights Work with Standard Building Voltage?

Our container lighting fixtures include drivers that automatically adjust to 120V-277V input, accommodating residential, commercial, and industrial power sources. Most fixtures include 5-foot power cords for flexible positioning during installation. Professional installation ensures proper grounding and compliance with electrical codes.

What Color Temperature Should I Choose for Shipping Container Storage?

4000K color temperature provides natural white light ideal for general container storage without harshness. For detailed work or inspection areas, 5000K offers crisp visibility with better contrast. Beam angles between 90-120 degrees work best, providing wide coverage without light spillage beyond container walls.

How Much Energy Do LED Shipping Container Lights Save Compared to Fluorescent?

LED container lighting systems consume 75-80% less energy than traditional fluorescent or metal halide alternatives. A properly designed LED system for a 40-foot container operates for approximately $50-75 annually in electricity costs compared to $300-400 for conventional lighting. Motion sensors can reduce energy usage by an additional 30-40% beyond standard LED efficiency.

What Certifications Should Shipping Container LED Lights Have?

Look for fixtures carrying DLC Premium, UL Listed, and ETL Listed certifications to ensure safety, performance, and energy efficiency. These certifications qualify your project for utility rebates and tax incentives while guaranteeing compliance with electrical codes. DLC Premium certification ensures the highest efficiency standards and maximum rebate eligibility.

Do I Need Explosion-Proof Lights for Hazardous Materials in Shipping Containers?

Hazardous material storage requires specialized lighting based on specific risks present. For environments with explosive vapors or flammable gases, explosion-proof fixtures meet Class I, Division 1 requirements and prevent ignition sources. For corrosive but non-explosive vapors, vapor-proof fixtures offer chemical resistance without explosion-proof certification requirements.

Can LED Container Lights Include Motion Sensors for Automatic Operation?

Integrated motion sensors detect movement within 20-25 feet and offer adjustable timeout settings from 30 seconds to 30 minutes. These sensors extend fixture life while reducing energy consumption by activating lights only when containers are accessed. Photocell controls automatically adjust brightness based on ambient light levels for containers with frequent daytime access.

Why Do Electricians Choose LED Lighting Supply for Container Lighting Projects?

We provide consultative technical guidance beyond just selling products, helping electricians specify the right fixtures for specific container applications and environmental conditions. Our team leverages experience from 25,000+ completed commercial and industrial projects to recommend optimal fixture placement, quantities, and certifications. All fixtures include comprehensive 5-year warranties with USA-based support to ensure reliable long-term performance.

What Warranty Coverage Do LED Shipping Container Lights Include?

All our container lighting fixtures include comprehensive 5-year warranties covering manufacturing defects, LED degradation, and driver failures. Our experienced USA-based support team handles warranty claims quickly to minimize downtime and keep lighting operational. We maintain replacement inventory to ensure rapid resolution of warranty issues for critical container applications.