Industrial PRO LED High Bay lights

In environments with elevated ceilings, where efficiency and uniformity are key, UFO high bays have become a benchmark within industrial LED lighting. Their design optimizes thermal dissipation and luminous flux distribution, allowing for the illumination of large surfaces with fewer luminaires and lower consumption.

What are UFO high bays

UFO high bays are circular and compact LED industrial luminaires designed to be installed at height and provide direct lighting over large surfaces. Their name comes from their shape, similar to a disc or "saucer," which integrates the optical system, the heat sink, and the driver into a single body.

This design favors better heat management, which allows for the maintenance of luminous performance over time and extends the equipment's lifespan. Compared to other solutions, UFO high bays stand out for their robustness and their ability to work in demanding environments, being the most widespread format of industrial high bays.

Technical characteristics of UFO high bays

UFO high bays are designed to offer high performance in industrial conditions, combining power, efficiency, and resistance in a compact format.

Luminous flux and efficiency

Current models typically offer efficiencies between 130 and 170 lm/W. This means that a 150W high bay can generate between 20,000 and 25,000 lumens, while 200W models easily exceed 30,000 lm.

This relationship between power and flux allows for a reduction in the number of luminaires needed compared to traditional technologies, optimizing both the installation and energy consumption.

Optics and beam angles

The beam angle conditions the distribution of light. In UFO high bays, it is common to work with 60°, 90°, and 120° optics.

120° angles are used at medium heights (4–6 m) to cover more surface area, while 60° or 90° optics are more suitable for heights above 8–10 m, as they concentrate the flux and improve the arrival of light at the work plane.

An incorrect choice of angle can generate losses of up to 25–30% of the useful flux or cause areas with insufficient lighting.

Thermal dissipation and lifespan

The compact design of UFO high bays integrates aluminum heat sinks that allow for efficient heat evacuation. This is key to maintaining the stability of the luminous flux.

Under normal conditions, these luminaires are designed for a 50,000–100,000 hour lifespan (L80–L70), which is equivalent to more than 10 years in intensive use.

Protection and resistance

UFO high bays usually feature IP65 protection ratings or higher, guaranteeing resistance against dust and moisture. In industrial environments, it is also common to find IK08 or IK10 mechanical resistance levels.

This allows for their use in factories, warehouses, or workshops where demanding environmental conditions exist.

How to choose UFO high bays

The selection of a UFO high bay must be based on concrete technical parameters, as a poor choice can affect both performance and energy consumption.

Installation height

Height is one of the most determining factors. Based on it, both the power and the beam angle are defined:

• Between 4 and 6 m: 100–150W high bays with 90°–120° optics.
• Between 6 and 10 m: 150–200W powers with 90° angles.
• More than 10 m: 200–300W high bays with 60°–90° optics.

These ranges allow for the maintenance of adequate lighting levels without oversizing the installation.

Lighting level (lux)

The required lighting level depends on the activity to be carried out in the space:

• Warehouses: 150–300 lux.
• Production: 300–500 lux.
• Workshops or precision: 500–750 lux.

For example, in an 800 m² unit with a target of 300 lux, approximately 240,000 useful lumens are required. Considering loss factors (0.6), the actual installation should be around 400,000 lm, which is equivalent to 12–14 high bays of 30,000 lm.

Distribution and uniformity

Not only does total power matter, but also how it is distributed. A poor layout can generate zones with excess light and others with insufficient light.

The separation between luminaires is usually between 1 and 1.5 times the installation height. For example, at 8 meters, the distance between high bays typically ranges between 8 and 12 meters.

In industrial environments, the standard is to work between 4000K and 5000K. This range improves visibility and reduces eye strain.

In areas where greater precision is required, the use of neutral or cool light improves the perception of details and contrasts.

Applications of UFO high bays

UFO high bays are used in a wide variety of environments where powerful and efficient lighting is required.

Industrial units

In units with heights between 6 and 12 meters, UFO high bays allow for levels of 300–500 lux with uniform distribution.

Their format facilitates installation on high ceilings, reducing the number of light points needed and simplifying maintenance.

Logistics warehouses

In warehouses, their use is especially effective in open areas or order preparation zones. Combined with other solutions, they guarantee between 150 and 300 lux in work zones.

Workshops and technical zones

In workshops, where higher lighting levels are required, UFO high bays allow for reaching 500 lux or more, improving safety and precision in assembly or repair tasks.

High-ceiling commercial spaces

In large surfaces or shopping centers, these luminaires offer homogeneous lighting that improves the perception of the space and product visibility.

Advantages of UFO high bays

UFO high bays stand out for their balance between performance, durability, and ease of installation.

Their compact format allows for simple installation, reducing time and costs. Additionally, their high luminous performance allows for a reduction in the number of luminaires needed, optimizing the initial investment.

In energy terms, they allow for consumption reductions of 40% to 60% compared to traditional technologies, maintaining equivalent or superior lighting levels.

Their long lifespan and resistance to adverse conditions reduce maintenance, which is especially relevant in high-altitude installations.

Frequently asked questions about UFO high bays

What is the difference between UFO and linear high bays?

UFO high bays distribute light radially, making them more suitable for open areas. Linear ones, on the other hand, offer a longitudinal distribution, ideal for aisles or shelving.

How many lumens do I need with UFO high bays?

It depends on the required lux level. The calculation starts from a direct relationship: lux = lumens / m². For example, to reach 300 lux on a 1,000 m² surface, 300,000 useful lumens are needed on the work plane. However, in a real installation, there are losses due to height, surface reflection, and distribution (utilization and maintenance factor), which usually range between 0.5 and 0.7. Therefore, the total installed flux must be increased, resulting in between 450,000 and 600,000 installed lumens to ensure those 300 effective lux.

What power should I choose?

It depends on the height. Between 6 and 10 meters, it is standard to work with 150–200W high bays, while at greater heights, more powerful models are required.

What is their lifespan?

UFO high bays usually offer between 50,000 and 100,000 hours of lifespan (L80–L70 criteria), which can reduce the need for replacement by 3 to 6 times compared to conventional luminaires of 10,000 to 20,000 hours, especially in installations with intensive use of 10 to 12 hours daily.

Are they suitable for demanding environments?

Yes, thanks to their IP65 protection and robust construction, they are designed to function in environments with dust, moisture, or vibrations.