A Guide For Lighting Design In Industrial Applications

April 25, 2025

Industrial lighting design goes far beyond simply illuminating a workspace. It involves balancing technical requirements, energy efficiency, and visual comfort while adhering to regulatory standards. Whether you’re outfitting a warehouse, manufacturing plant, or a multi-purpose industrial facility, a well-designed lighting system can transform operational efficiency and worker well-being.

Fundamentals of Industrial Lighting Design

Understanding Lumen Requirements

1. What are lumens?

Lumens measure the total amount of visible light emitted by a source. Unlike wattage, which indicates energy consumption, lumens quantify brightness. Industrial settings often require higher lumen levels to ensure adequate visibility for detailed tasks or large spaces. At Nexis Lighting we utilise high lumen products to ensure our customers not only get the light levels they require but also see a reduction in their energy consumption.

2. Determining Lumen Needs

Factors like the type of work, ceiling height, and space size influence lumen requirements. For example, precision assembly tasks may need 1,000+ lux (lumens per square meter), whereas general warehouse areas might suffice with 300 lux or 150 lux down racking aisles. Using specialist design software, we can ensure these requirements are met by our products.

3. Colour Temperature

The colour temperature of a LED light is measured in Kelvin (K). This describes the appearance of light ranging for warm being an orange tone to cool being a blueish white.

Warm White (3,000k) – Ideal for relaxation and comfort. This makes it a good choice for residential environments.

Neutral White (4,000K) – Named neutral white as it falls between warm and daylight giving at a balanced tone. This makes it popular in working environments such as warehouses and office spaces.

Cool White (5,000 – 6,500K) – High temperature lighting is often preferred for detailed tasks that require high precision.

4. Colour Rendering Index (CRI)

The colour rendering index (CRI) is a scale that measures how accurately a light source shows colours compared to natural light. It is measured on a scale of 1 to 100.

In an industry setting a high CRI of 80+ can be critical in environments light manufacturing where colour differentiation can affect a products quality and safety. As Standard all products we use here at Nexis meet this minimum requirement.

5. Uniformity and Glare

Uniformity is a measurement that shows how the light is distributed across a given area. Uneven lighting will create shadows that can reduce visibility and potentially lead to the cause of an accident. A full lighting design will need to be carried out to ensure the chosen product distributes the light evenly across the working area.

Glare can lead to eye strain and discomfort. The use of diffusers, shields and optics can help to minimise glare whilst still being able to maintain the brightness needed for a task.

6. Industry Standards and Guidelines

In the UK, industrial lighting must comply with standards such as the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) guidelines and BS EN 12464-1 Light and lighting. Lighting of workplaces - Indoor workplaces

Adequate lighting reduces the risk of accidents, enhances focus, and improves worker well-being. Emergency lighting provisions are also a legal requirement.

By applying these core principles, we at Nexis Lighting can design and implement a lighting system tailored to your needs.

For more information or to discuss how we can assist you on your lighting journey, please contact us at sales@nexislighting.co.uk Our expert technical sales engineers are ready to help you design the perfect lighting solution for your needs.

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