In-ground: SL-23-20W-BT5-SPT

Column lighting with an in-ground

“I have several columns at the front of a new building façade that are 3’ wide and 30’ high. I would like to illuminate them with in-ground light fixtures. What is the most effective fixture and placement?”

When lightng columns using an in-ground light fixture a spot reflector is required. The width of the column and intensity of light required determine the beam width needed. The SL-23 as standard supports three different lamps with its spot optical package: BT5, E-17 and T6. The 20W BT5 is great for narrow columns up to 3ft wide and 20-30ft tall. It will give approximately 1fc at 30ft with and an average of 3fc. If more footcandles are required the T6 at 39 or 70W should be used. However the beam width will be wider and you will get more spill light. Note: you can greatly reduce the spill light using a device called a doughnut placed inside the fixture. It acts as a cutoff shield. The center of the fixture should be setback 1ft from the column and the optics aimed straight up, no tilt.

If the column is wider and or circular two or more fixtures may be required.

Column lighting fixtures are usually embedded in concrete in pedestrian walkways. Make sure that the lens temperature is appropriate and will not burn bare skin. Use the HPBB option if this is a problem.

The column can be represented by the statistical area (orange rectangle) as shown in the screen shot above.