LED Lights for Shipping Containers

What are LED Shipping Container Lights?

Shipping containers have unique lighting needs due to their long, narrow shape and 8-foot ceiling height. With 15+ years of commercial lighting experience, I recommend linear surface-mount fixtures for most applications. Linear strips provide even light along the container's length and minimize shadows. Ceiling-mounted LED canopy lights or LED low bay lights are good secondary options for task areas. All fixtures require hard-wired electrical connections. For locations without power, solar-powered systems with integrated batteries are available.

Do You Offer LED Wet Location Lighting for Shipping Containers?

Moisture protection is important for containers exposed to humidity or water. Choose fixtures with IP65 or higher ratings for water resistance. LED vapor proof lighting offers sealed housings and gasket protection, handling condensation, pressure washing, and humid conditions.

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

Hazardous material storage needs specialized lighting. For explosive vapors or flammable gases, LED explosion proof lights meet Class I, Division 1 requirements and help prevent ignition. For corrosive but non-explosive vapors, vapor-proof fixtures provide chemical resistance. Contact our team to determine the right fixture classification for your materials.

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

Shipping containers do not need high-wattage lighting. Most users get excellent results with fixtures rated at 50 to 100 watts and 8,000 to 15,000 lumens per fixture. Higher wattages can cause glare and waste energy. Start with lower wattage and add fixtures if more brightness is needed.

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

The number of fixtures depends on your brightness needs and how you use the container. Based on our experience, use these guidelines:

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

Install fixtures evenly along the container to avoid shadows and ensure consistent lighting.

Color Temperature and Beam Angle Selection

For general storage, 4000K color temperature gives natural white light. For detailed work, 5000K offers crisp visibility. Beam angles of 90-120 degrees are usually best for containers, providing wide coverage without wasting light. Narrow angles create hot spots; wide angles can waste light outside the container.

Voltage Compatibility and Installation Options

Our fixtures support standard building voltages with drivers that auto-adjust to 120V-277V input. This makes installation easier for residential, commercial, or industrial power. Most fixtures include 5-foot power cords for flexible placement, and some allow direct junction box mounting. Professional installation is recommended for proper grounding and code compliance.

Motion Sensors and Smart Controls

Integrated motion sensors extend fixture life and save energy by turning lights on only when needed. Most sensors detect movement within 20-25 feet and have adjustable timeouts from 30 seconds to 30 minutes. For containers with frequent access, photocell controls can adjust brightness based on ambient light. These features can reduce energy use by an additional 30-40% beyond standard LED savings.

Safety and Performance Certifications

All our fixtures are DLC Premium, UL Listed, and ETL Listed. UL and ETL certifications verify electrical safety and product compliance. DLC Premium certifies energy efficiency and rebate eligibility. These certifications help ensure safety, performance, and access to utility rebates and tax incentives.

5 Year Warranty and Support

All our lights include a 5-year warranty, with USA-based support. Our team is committed to resolving warranty issues quickly and keeping your lighting operational.

Energy Efficiency and Operating Costs

LED container lighting uses 75-80% less energy than fluorescent or metal halide lights. A well-designed LED system for a 40-foot container typically costs $50-75 annually to operate, compared to $300-400 for traditional lighting (model dependent). Our fixtures last over 50,000 hours, reducing maintenance and bulb replacements.

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.