What is the difference between a floodlight and a high mast light?

Floodlights and high pole lights are often used when lighting large outdoor spaces. While they look similar at first glance, there are some key differences between these two lighting solutions.

Let’s start with the floodlights. A floodlight is a powerful artificial light with a wide beam, usually used to illuminate a specific area or object. They are generally designed to provide broad and uniform lighting coverage over large areas. Floodlights are commonly used to illuminate sports fields, outdoor events, building facades and parking lots. They are available in various sizes and wattages for flexible adjustment of lighting intensity. Flood lights are usually installed on utility poles or buildings of medium height.

High mast lights, on the other hand, are much taller and are designed to light a larger area. These lights are typically mounted on poles 30 to 120 feet high. High mast lights are often used in areas that require intense lighting, such as highways, airports, seaports, industrial complexes, and large outdoor gathering spaces. Their height allows for increased lighting range and improved visibility at long distances.

Another difference between flood lights and high mast lights is their beam angle. Flood lights typically have a wider beam angle, usually between 90 and 120 degrees, which helps to provide more even lighting over a wide area. High mast lights, on the other hand, have a narrower beam angle, usually between 30 and 60 degrees. This narrower beam angle helps focus the light in a specific direction, providing more focused and intense illumination at greater distances.

In terms of installation and maintenance, flood lights are generally easier to install and maintain due to their lower height and more accessible installation location. On the other hand, due to the high requirements on height and structure, high mast lights require specialized equipment and trained personnel for installation and maintenance.

To sum up, floodlights and high pole lights have different uses and have their own characteristics. Flood lights are versatile and provide broad and even coverage of light in a specific area, while mast lights are taller and designed for illuminating large areas from a distance. Knowing these differences will help you choose the right lighting solution for your specific needs.