Wattage Selectable Lights

How Wattage Selectable Technology Works

Wattage selectable fixtures include a DIP switch, rotary dial, or slide selector — typically located on the fixture housing or inside the wiring compartment — that adjusts the LED driver's output. Each position on the selector corresponds to a specific wattage and lumen combination. A high bay fixture might offer 100W, 150W, and 200W settings, allowing the installer to choose the output that best matches the ceiling height and spacing of the installation.

Selecting a lower wattage reduces both light output and energy consumption proportionally. A fixture set to its lowest wattage option draws less power and produces fewer lumens, making it appropriate for spaces with lower foot-candle requirements or supplemental lighting from windows and skylights. The ability to dial down output also prevents over-lighting, which wastes energy and can create uncomfortable glare in occupied spaces.

Inventory and Procurement Advantages

For contractors and facility managers purchasing fixtures for multi-site projects or buildings with varying ceiling heights and room sizes, wattage selectable lights eliminate the need to specify and stock multiple models. One fixture serves applications that would otherwise require two or three distinct products. This simplifies ordering, reduces the risk of receiving the wrong fixture for a specific location, and minimizes leftover inventory from projects where exact lighting calculations change during construction.

Selecting the Right Wattage for Your Application

Choosing the correct wattage setting depends on the specific lighting requirements of each space. Start with the target foot-candle level recommended by IES (Illuminating Engineering Society) guidelines for the intended use — warehouses, retail floors, parking areas, and office spaces all have different illumination standards. A photometric study can identify the optimal wattage setting for each fixture location based on mounting height, spacing, and surface reflectance.

Higher wattage settings deliver more lumens and are appropriate for tall ceiling applications (30+ feet), wide-area outdoor coverage, and spaces requiring high visibility for safety or detailed task work. Lower wattage settings suit standard ceiling heights, hallways, storage areas, and supplemental lighting zones where full output would be excessive.

Post-Installation Adjustability

Most wattage selectable fixtures allow adjustment after installation — a significant advantage when actual lighting conditions differ from initial design assumptions. If a space proves brighter than expected, the wattage can be reduced to save energy. If additional brightness is needed, the setting can be increased without replacing the fixture. Some models require power to be disconnected before adjusting the selector, while others can be changed with the fixture energized — always consult the manufacturer's installation instructions for the correct procedure.