High Temperature LED Lights

What Are High-Temperature LED Lights?

Most LED products fail in temperatures that are higher than what they’re designed for. This means that the lumen output of LED lights in a hot environment will decrease at a much faster rate than it would at cooler temperatures. There is a simple explanation for why. Most LED products work at the upper end of what the LED chips and drivers are capable of performing. These components have an upper range of what is a safe operating temperature they need to be below. Take the sum of the heat the lights produce and the ambient heat of the surrounding environment. This must be below the stated upper operating temperature of the fixture. When it is not, it reduces the expected life of the fixture and voids the warranty. LED lights in high-heat industrial environments such as steel mills or foundries with operating temperatures of up to 205° F are tested. The main advantage is these high-temperature fixtures have the ability to maintain optimal lumen output as temperatures climb in these high-temperature environments. The light is also designed to provide a long operating life with minimal fixture maintenance.

LED High Temperature Lighting Definition

LED Lights for High-Temperature Areas refer to lights capable of operating in hot environments. Our high heat-resistant LED lights can operate in temperatures up to 212F. Above these temperatures, these high-heat LED lights would experience a shortened lifespan. High-temperature LEDs can operate in temperatures well above 150F. We also have fixtures that operate up to 212F.

Proof Our High Temperature LED Lights Work in Hot Environments

We have scientific lab data tested by engineers. We also have our High Temp Industrial Lighting installed in nuclear power plants on top of the reactors on the refueling floors. In the months of summer, ambient temperatures are very high in these areas. We have many installations with high-temperature LED fixtures mounted near induction and natural gas furnaces. These lights have operated in these environments for years without issue.

Difference between High Temperature and Heat Resistant LED Lighting

They are two ways of saying the same thing. Our high-temperature LED fixtures are also heat-resistant lighting.

High Temp LED Fixtures Also Work in Extreme Cold

While most of what we talk about are hot environments, the reverse is also true. These lights can handle extreme cold as well, whereas normal LED lights would fail. The same lights that handle 194F and 212F can also operate at -85F. So in many respects, these are also Cold Temperature LED Lights.

High-Temperature LED Lights Can Work Up to 212 F - 100 C

We do, our high heat-resistant LED lights are capable of temperatures of 212F, or 100C. We also offer lights that can handle upper temperatures of 60C, 70C, 80C, and 90C (140F - 212F).

Best Applications for High Temperature LED Lights

We have sold LED lights for hot, demanding environments to many industrial facilities and warm regions around the world. These include the deserts of California, Arizona, Las Vegas, and the Middle East. We have many nuclear and fossil fuel power generation facilities that use our lights. also, our lights are installed in facilities that use blast and induction furnaces in their manufacturing use our lights. Here are some great applications for LED lights for hot environments:

• electricity generation (steam turbines)
• nuclear power plants
• aluminum manufacturing
• paper mills
• steel mills
• gas plants
• glass factories
• metal foundries
• arc furnaces
• heavy industrial plants

We advise you to check out our Industrial LED Lighting Design Guide

Light Performance If Heat Goes Above Rated Temperature

If the heat goes above the rated temperature, then you can expect the light to have a shortened lifespan. Please note, that the warranty is void in this case.

High Temperature Rated Emergency Exit Sign

We do sell explosion-proof rated emergency exit signs. They're rated to withstand temperatures of up to 185F.

Life Expectancy of High Temperature LED Lights

We warranty these heat-resistant LED lights for 5 years. In normal operating conditions, you can expect that lifespan. The range depends on

• how high the temperature is
• how many days a year that temperature exists
• how many hours a day the lights are on

All are factors in determining the actual lifespan of these fixtures. In most cases, you can expect 10+ years out of a fixture.

High Temperature Light Warranty

The warranty under “normal” operating conditions (not exceeding max temperature) is 5 years. They are all UL/ETL Listed and many are rebate-eligible.

Optimal Operating Temperature of LED Lights

The optimal operating temperature is below the rated temperature of the lights. If a light’s rated at 140F, and you place it in a room that’s always 140F, you’re probably better with a light that’s rated at 150F or above.

Lighting Plans for High-Temperature LED Fixtures

Want a lighting plan? We offer free lighting plans for our commercial and industrial customers. We can do a high-temperature lighting plan for you. We can model your indoor space with lighting software. We can add in different models until we meet your requirements. That way, when we ship you those lights, there are no surprises.

High-Temperature Fixtures for Industrial Applications

Yes. Most, if not all, of these industrial LED lighting fixtures, are designed for high-temperature industrial applications.

High-Temperature LED Lights Operate for 24 / 7

They can. We would want to know about the environment in which they will operate. If the max temperature is constant, then we need to supply a light capable of working in that environment.

Dimming High-Temperature Fixtures

Some of the fixtures can be, this is a special order. There is a problem with trying to dim a high-temperature fixture. The switch or motion sensor used for the dimming also needs to be high temp temp-rated. We are not aware of any commercial lighting options available that support this.

High-Temperature Fixtures Testing

Engineers place the lights in a very hot oven at the highest temperature ratings for long periods. The engineers calculate LED and driver life degradation based on these tests. It's the same way they determine the lifespan of LED lights. The only difference is the testing temperatures for these lights are much higher.

Is the Power Cord Rated for High Temperatures?

Everything we supply will meet the temperature rating is designed to operate in. This includes the wire whip.

Class 1 Div 1 / Class 1 Div 2 LED Lights for Hot Environments

They do, as long as the upper range of the temperature does not exceed 140F. The temperatures could rise above that, for short periods, and the lights will still be fine.

How Many High-Temperature Lights Do I Need?

That depends on your building size and your lighting requirements. Are you adding new lights or replacing existing lights, 1 for 1?

Voltage Support for High-Temperature Fixtures

We offer both 100-277V and 277-480V driver options on most high-temperature fixtures.

High-Temperature LED Lights Installation

There is nothing special about the mounting. They are in many ways the same as a normal high bay light. For nuclear power customers, we offer safety cables to meet their standards.  

High-Temperature Fixture Mounts

The same as a typical high bay or flood fixture. We offer

• eye hooks
• pendant and wire mounting
• trunnion/yoke mount for ceiling/wall mount applications