LED Lights for Billboards and Outdoor Signage

What are LED Billboard Lights?

LED Lighting Supply billboard lighting solutions are precision-engineered floodlights designed for outdoor advertising. Unlike standard flood fixtures, these lights use specialized optics to deliver bright, uniform illumination across billboards of all sizes. Fixtures are typically positioned at the top or bottom of the sign, set back 4 to 8 feet from the billboard face for optimal light distribution.

Replacing metal halide billboard lighting with LED technology reduces energy costs and maintenance. We recommend starting with a lighting plan to map your billboard dimensions and mounting constraints. Our photometric analysis determines fixture placement and tilt angles for balanced illumination across your advertising surface.

Key Advantages of Our LED Billboard Lighting

With 15+ years of experience designing billboard lighting systems, we focus on the most important performance factors for outdoor advertising.

• Energy Efficiency: Achieve 60 percent energy savings compared to metal halide systems (model-dependent). Most customers see payback within 18-24 months from utility savings.
• Maintenance Reduction: LED technology eliminates ballast failures and frequent lamp replacements common with HID systems. Fixtures operate reliably for years with minimal service.
• Superior Color Quality: Our fixtures use high CRI LEDs rated above 80 to render advertising graphics with accurate, vibrant colors when properly specified.
• Immediate Full Output: Full brightness activates in under one second with no warm-up. This is essential for timer-controlled or motion-activated displays.
• Extended Operating Life: Rated for 50,000+ hours of operation with minimal lumen depreciation. In typical use (12 hours daily), fixtures maintain performance for over a decade.
• Flexible Color Temperature: Choose 4000K neutral white for warmer tones or 5000K daylight for crisp, clean light that enhances blues and cooler graphics.

Optimal Illumination Levels for Billboard Applications

Illumination requirements vary by location and viewing conditions. We have modeled systems from 20 foot-candles for rural areas to over 100 foot-candles for high-traffic urban intersections. 50 foot-candles is ideal for most applications, balancing visibility with energy use and glare.

Large billboards may need higher illumination due to vehicle speed and viewing distance. Urban sites often require lower levels to meet local ordinances. Our lighting plans consider ambient light, viewing angles, and local regulations to determine your target illumination, subject to local requirements.

Technical Specifications and Installation Considerations

Our billboard fixtures operate on 120V to 277V input with integrated drivers that adjust to your electrical system. Wattages range from 80 watts to 300 watts depending on billboard size and illumination needs (verify on spec sheet). Multiple fixtures are often used for uniform coverage on large surfaces.

Beam angle selection is critical. We offer 60-degree, 90-degree, and 120-degree beam spreads to match different setback distances and billboard sizes. Narrow beams suit fixtures mounted farther from the face; wider beams are best for closer or shorter billboards.

All fixtures have IP65 ratings for protection against dust and water jets. Durable aluminum housings and tempered glass lenses withstand years of outdoor exposure.

Mounting Options and Fixture Positioning

Proper fixture positioning impacts light uniformity and energy efficiency. Top-mounted configurations usually provide the most even illumination, especially for tall billboards. Bottom-mounted installations work for smaller signs or where top mounting is not possible.

Adjustable mounting brackets allow precise aiming. Yoke mounts offer flexibility for targeting specific sections. Slip-fitter mounts are used on existing poles, while wall-mount brackets attach directly to billboard structures.

Fixture spacing depends on beam angle and mounting distance. Our lighting plans calculate placement to eliminate hot spots and dark zones, ensuring consistent illumination across your graphics.

Safety and Performance Certifications

All our fixtures carry essential certifications: DLC Premium (energy efficiency and rebate eligibility), UL Listed and ETL Listed (electrical safety and performance). These certifications help qualify your project for utility rebates and tax incentives.

5-Year Warranty and Warranty Support

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

Expert Support That Maximizes Your ROI

Our product specialists provide detailed energy savings calculations based on your utility rates and operating schedule, showing exact savings and payback timelines for your billboard lighting upgrade. We create custom lighting plans at no cost, tailored to your billboard dimensions, mounting, and local requirements.

Our team has designed many billboard lighting systems for various locations, from rural highways to urban environments. This experience allows us to recommend optimal fixture configurations that minimize energy costs and maximize advertising visibility. You receive professional-grade photometric analysis to help ensure your investment delivers long-term value when properly specified.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many billboard lighting retrofits fail when contractors skip planning or guess on fixture specs. Problems often arise from using generic flood lighting approaches without understanding billboard requirements.

• Skipping a photometric plan leads to uneven lighting and hot spots. Always get a proper lighting layout before ordering.
• Incorrect beam angles are common. Narrow beams on close setbacks create bright spots; wide beams on distant mounts waste light.
• Mounting fixtures too close to the billboard face causes uniformity problems. Maintain at least 4 feet of setback, more for larger signs.
• Using standard flood lights instead of billboard-specific fixtures results in poor color rendering and insufficient light levels.
• Ignoring local dark sky ordinances can result in code enforcement issues. Check municipal lighting requirements before design.
• Undersized electrical protection can lead to driver failures during storms. Billboard locations are vulnerable to power surges.
• Not filing rebate paperwork can forfeit utility incentives. DLC Premium fixtures qualify for substantial rebates if filed correctly.

LED Lights for Billboards and Outdoor Signage Frequently Asked Questions

What are LED billboard lights?

LED billboard lights are precision-engineered floodlights with specialized optics that provide bright, uniform illumination across billboard surfaces. Most installations position fixtures at the top or bottom of the sign, set back 4 to 8 feet from the billboard face for optimal light distribution.

What wattage do I need for billboard lighting?

Available wattages range from 80 watts to 300 watts depending on billboard size and illumination requirements. Most installations use multiple fixtures to achieve uniform coverage across large advertising surfaces - verify specific wattage on the spec sheet.

What beam angles are available for billboard fixtures?

Fixtures are available with 60-degree, 90-degree, and 120-degree beam spreads. Narrow beam angles work best when fixtures mount far from the billboard face, while wider beams suit closer mounting positions or shorter billboards.

What illumination level should I target for my billboard?

50 foot-candles represents the target for most applications. Requirements vary by location - rural locations may need 20 foot-candles while high-traffic urban intersections may require over 100 foot-candles, subject to local requirements.

What color temperature options are available?

Choose 4000K neutral white for warmer illumination that complements earth tones, or 5000K daylight for crisp, clean light that enhances blues and cooler graphics.

What certifications do these billboard fixtures carry?

Fixtures carry DLC Premium, UL Listed, and ETL Listed approvals. DLC Premium certification qualifies your project for utility rebates and tax incentives.

Are these fixtures rated for outdoor use?

All billboard fixtures carry IP65 ratings for complete protection against dust infiltration and water jets from any direction. Robust aluminum housings and tempered glass lenses withstand years of weather exposure.

What voltage do billboard LED fixtures require?

Fixtures operate on standard 120V to 277V input with integrated drivers that automatically adjust to your building''s electrical system.

How long do LED billboard lights last?

Fixtures are rated for 50,000+ hours of operation with minimal lumen depreciation. In applications running 12 hours daily, fixtures maintain peak performance for over a decade.

What mounting options are available?

Yoke mounts offer flexibility in targeting specific billboard sections. Slip-fitter mounts work for existing poles, while wall-mount brackets suit direct attachment to billboard structures.

How much energy can I save switching from metal halide?

Expect 60 percent energy savings compared to metal halide systems (model-dependent). LED technology also eliminates ballast failures and frequent lamp replacements.

What is the CRI rating on these fixtures?

Fixtures use high CRI LEDs rated above 80 to render advertising graphics with accurate, vibrant colors when properly specified.

What warranty comes with billboard LED fixtures?

All lights come with at least a 5-year warranty with USA-based warranty support.

Do I need a photometric plan for billboard lighting?

A photometric plan determines precise fixture placement and tilt angles needed to achieve balanced illumination. Installing fixtures without a photometric plan creates uneven lighting and hot spots.

What are common billboard lighting mistakes to avoid?

Mounting fixtures too close to the billboard face causes severe uniformity problems - you need at least 4 feet of setback. Wrong beam angles create bright spots or waste light into the sky.