What are Stadium Lights?
A stadium light is a very powerful sports light that is installed very high and has a small angle of light, usually between 12-60 degrees. The smaller the beam angle, the higher the light intensity within that angle, enabling bright light to hit the ground from high up.
Depending on the venue, gym lights can be installed at different heights. The beam angle will vary with height. Some may be as low as 25 feet, but generally the height will be between 40 and 60 feet. Some stadium lights, such as those used in major stadiums, may be installed 100 feet high and still be able to generate over 300 candles on the ground, a truly stunning feat. By comparison, most street and parking lot lights are installed in the 20 to 30 feet range, with a significantly wider beam angle and 10 to 20 feet of illumination on the ground.
They are energy efficient, dynamic and easy to control. LED is the new leader in stadium lighting. You can use them to play basketball, baseball, soccer or soccer.
What You Need to Know About Stadium Lights
The cries of spectators, the cries of excitement and uncertainty – these are the attractions of watching sports live in large stadiums. There’s not much to see without the bright lights of the stadium.
Few people think about logistical details, like lighting in a crowded stadium. Many would think that they just have to be smart enough to show what’s going on, but that’s far from the truth. The dynamics of stadium lighting is very important, and if you want to properly light your stadium or pitch, you need to know what’s going on.
Let’s take a look at the power of stadium lights and their dynamics to provide players and fans with the best possible sports experience.
How Bright are LED Stadium Lights?
The brightness of LED stadium lights goes up from 60,000 lumens. We have built large stadiums for all kinds of sports, which are an important part of our entertainment activities. During the day, these outdoor stadiums are illuminated by the sun, but in order for sporting events to take place when we want, we need stadium lights.
What makes stadium lighting more meaningful than some bright bulbs that mimic the sun? Well-designed stadium lighting helps accentuate the dynamics of the game, providing a clear view of key matches without being oversaturated. If they just flooded the stadium with “enough” light, it wouldn’t have the soft focus that many take for granted.
The main aspects that affect all stadium lighting setups are beam angle, light color, glare and photometric studies.
Beam Angles
In stadium lighting, the beam angle is the most important. High-end optics on these lights determine the specific angle. CAD design and robotic fabrication of these super-optical lenses is difficult to do well, but in stadium lighting, getting light where it’s needed is also critical.
The right beam angle can get your stadium lights even across the pitch without missing patches or awkward angles. The wrong angle can ruin the effect and even cause blinding cross beams that can ruin the game. Depending on the size of the venue and your budget, you can get excellent overhead coverage. The precise angle of the edges helps keep objects visible.
What is the coverage area of an LED Stadium Light?
The most common stadium light is a 30 degree lens. NEMA 3 classification which is the same as a 1500 watt Metal halide sports lighter. At 30 feet it produces about a 50 foot diameter circle. At 50 feet it produces about a 70 foot circle of good light
How High should Stadium Lights be mounted?
Stadium lights should be mounted starting at 40 feet for a 500 watt and about 60ft and higher for the 1000 watt or 1200 watt
Here are 3 beam angles with a height of 30 degrees; 30 feet, 45 feet and 60 feet. The first graph shows us actual FC readings on a 45×45 foot grid. You can see how intense the light is at 30 feet, producing a very high FC in a very small area. At 45 feet and 60 feet, the light has a more natural pattern. The 45-foot-tall, in particular, is the perfect spot for sports field lighting. A height of 60 feet is best for a wider range of applications. In motion applications at 60 feet or higher, it is best to drop the lens down to a 750 watt, 1000 watt or 1200 watt 20 degree lens.
How to Choose the Best LED Stadium Lights?
Look for quality
There are clear advantages to using a quality product. When it comes to LED lights, look for the high-end components you’re buying. The most important component of any LED light is the LED driver, and using a high-end manufacturer like invitonics, Sosen or MeanWell means you have an LED light that will work for a long time. In the long run, a higher quality driver means less maintenance, as well as ensuring the lights work as planned without irregularities such as flickering and power outages. Luminaires equipped with high-end LED modules will also improve long-term durability and efficiency, so keep an eye out for some of the top brands like Osram, Seoul, Epistar, Preglux, Lumileds, Cree, and Nichia.
Ensure that the lights are weather proof
Stadium lights are usually set outdoors, and they are exposed to humidity, rain, humidity, etc., which can cause damage to electronic equipment. Make sure the light fixtures you buy have a weatherproof rating of IP65 or higher to ensure they can withstand wind and rain. UL-listed lights also let you know that the lights you’ve purchased have been certified for safety by an independent safety agency.
Look for higher Color Rendering Index
Color Rendering Index (CRI) measures the ability of a light to give an accurate color rendering of object. A high CRI means that objects colors seen under that light are very close to the color as it would be seen under ideal or natural light. Look for lights with CRI rating of 75 and higher.
Light Color
There are options in light color, but 5000K is pure white and the color of choice for sports. Lights color also known as Kelvin or Color Correlated Temperature (CCT). CCT is an often-overlooked measure in stadium lighting. The standard white beam color has been a staple, but depending on the effect you are aiming for you might want a softer tone.
Glare
Glare reduction is a major factor. Dazzling eyes will ruin the game, and too much will ruin the player’s gaming experience. All of our lights have built-in anti-glare measures, including high-end optical lenses and shields. You also need to properly understand the angle and intensity combinations of lights to reduce glare in specific stadium lighting layouts and situations.
Designing Your LED Stadium Light Setup
Your own LED stadium lights
Lighting is an art in itself, and stadium lighting is no exception. Sporting events are often a very personal affair, creating connections between friends and family, classmates and colleagues as they cheer on their favorite sporting events. Seeing it all clearly is an important part of the game.
The first question to ask yourself is: Existing lights and retrofits, or new installations; can existing lights create your ultimate stadium experience?
For the existing lights, we try to match the old sports lights, brighter if needed. For the past 40 years, 1500-watt metal halide sports lights have been the most common fixtures. To this end, a 500-watt LED stadium light was designed from the ground up to replace it, beam angle and more. Save 1000 watts of electricity and still be a little brighter. This one is very simple. We also have other exchanges. If it is determined that you need more light, rather than maintaining the same amount, we can also help you.
New Install?
Stadium lighting heights vary by application, which is why they offer different beam angles. A lamp placed at a height of 30-40 feet can use a beam angle of 30 degrees depending on the needs of the application. Choosing the right light and beam angle will depend on the size of the area covered by the light, the lumen requirements on the ground and the height of the light. Creating a proper lighting plan is important, so planning your application with a lighting expert is essential for a good outcome. Photometric studies are often used to ensure that the final result truly determines it. Lighting experts can design photographic studies, often for free.
Photometric Design
Photometry is the measurement of how we perceive light with our eyes. This measures brightness and changes in light due to movement or other forces.
For this, pre-measured test runs are a common practice. The right equipment will have powerful adjustment tools that allow you to monitor and change the lights as needed during testing.