How LED High Bay Lights Handle High-Temperature Industrial Environments

Many industrial environments use LED high bay lights because of their high power, high efficiency, and low energy consumption. Unfortunately, the environments of pulp and paper mills, iron and steel plants, and numerous industrial facilities are harsh and oppressive. Stable lighting performance is seriously endangered by harsh industrial environments like high temperatures, a lot of dust, and vibrations. However, some LED high bay lights claimed they could be used in industrial settings with high temperatures.

Robust Heat Sink

When choosing the best high bay LED lights for industrial applications, consider the features of a robust heat sink. High bay LED lighting will reduce lumen depreciation and maximize working life in industrial environments. In addition, most high bay lights are designed with vertical cooling ribs to minimize thermal resistance and prevent dust from depositing.

An LED high bay design should provide adequate separation between individual LED modules and allow sufficient airflow. Otherwise, dust will collect between the fins and compromise heat dissipation. Also, the LEDs must be protected against high ambient temperatures, which could damage the light source and reduce its lifespan.

High-temperature industrial environments call for a robust heat sink to ensure maximum efficiency. This component is an essential part of LED heat dissipation. The heat sink transfers heat away from LEDs to the ambient air, reducing the risk of excessive heat buildup on LED junctions and PCBs. It must also be made of a material that is highly conductive to prevent thermal buildup. An aluminum alloy, for example, is an excellent choice, as its high thermal conductivity ensures an efficient cooling solution.

Aluminum Housing

High bay lights require a good housing system to maintain heat resistance and thermal control. Many manufacturers use aluminum housing for these lights because they are easy to manufacture and withstand high temperatures. The higher the purity of aluminum, the better its thermal conductivity, but it can also be quite expensive. The surface finish of the housing is also important because it can protect against corrosion. Some high bay light housings are coated with acrylic powder cost finish for better corrosion resistance.

LED high bay lights can be installed differently, depending on their intended use. The mounting type is important, as different environments require different light distribution angles. For instance, a higher mounting height requires a narrower beam angle. Choosing the right design for your industrial environment is important, but you should also consider the lighting needs of the place where you plan to install the lighting.

LEDs are known for their high directional light output. High-bay lighting fixtures often incorporate secondary optics to control beam size and achieve high efficiency. These lenses consist of multiple small optic units that direct the luminous flux from individual LEDs through key planes. Some of the best lens optics are total internal reflection (TIR) optics, which can narrow divergence angles down to ten degrees. These lenses have a high efficiency of more than ninety percent.

Cooling Ribs

The cooling ribs in LED high bay lights help reduce warm radiation and prevent dust accumulation. The ribs are usually vertical in design to reduce the barriers between the LEDs and the air. Moreover, the design helps reduce the chances of condensation and improves its resistance to high temperatures.

The cooling ribs of LED luminaires help minimize the impact of ambient temperatures and provide maximum light output. They also provide additional cooling through airflow past the segments. The LED segments are separated from the device’s aluminum housing. This design ensures excellent heat dissipation. LED luminaires should be made with high-quality LEDs.

LED High Bay luminaires can be fixed or plug-and-play (PNP) fixtures. They are easy to use and cost-effective. LED High Bay lights come in a single or three-lamp design. Depending on the desired light output, they can be dimmed to control surface temperature and improve energy efficiency.

Thermal Transfer Path

High-power LEDs require an effective thermal design to keep them cool. One method is to utilize passive cooling systems such as heat pipe-based assemblies. These systems use a two-phase heat transfer process to dissipate the heat generated by LEDs. Additionally, active cooling devices are available to radiate heat from the LEDs. Finally, forced air convection can increase heat transfer to the ambient environment.

LED light output is affected by the temperature at the junction of the LED die and the substrate. The junction temperature is the highest in the device and can indicate its heat dissipation performance. To mitigate the impact of this temperature change, LEDs  have conductive heat paths that move heat from the junction point to the solder point, typically located on the interface between the LED package and the PCB or a stand-alone heatsink.

LED high bay lighting in high-temperature industrial environments should be designed with thermal management. Because the ambient temperature around LEDs can reach up to 100 degrees Celsius, appropriate thermal management solutions are necessary. This is especially true if LED fixtures are mounted near the ceiling.

Dwayne Kula

Dwayne Kula is the President of LED Lighting Supply. On any given day, Dwayne is writing content for the site and helps manage the marketing initiatives that are ongoing. He has a Software Engineering degree and still dabbles in writing software for the company as needed. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, working out, playing the occasional game of golf, and exploring New England.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwaynekula/