LED linear lights

01

Set light output per foot and efficacy

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC), whose qualified-product list is used by utility rebate programmes, defines direct linear ambient luminaires as suspended, surface-mounted or recessed luminaires no wider than 12 inches that provide direct lighting indoors and may be installed end to end in long chains; utilitarian strip fixtures are included, while a separate category covers linear ambient luminaires with an intentional indirect component, and cove lighting is not eligible. [2] Its SSL V5.1 Technical Requirements Tables set linear ambient luminaires and retrofit kits at a minimum light output of 375 lm per foot and a minimum efficacy of 115 lm/W for DLC Standard and 130 lm/W for DLC Premium. Direct linear ambient luminaires must also put at least 40% of their light in the 0–60° zone (37% with tolerance), and linear ambient luminaires with an indirect component need 500 lm per foot with at least 35% of their light in the 90–150° zone (32% with tolerance). [1]

Editorial calculation: a 4 ft direct linear luminaire meeting the 375 lm/ft minimum gives at least 1,500 lm (about 1,230 lm per metre); at 115 lm/W that output needs no more than about 13 W, and at the 130 lm/W Premium level about 11.5 W. [1]

DLC has since published SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 requirements and says products not updated to them will be delisted from its qualified-product list; the V5.1 figures here are the version reviewed, so ask suppliers which version their listing is qualified under. [3]

Give the supplier the length and run configuration (single, continuous, pattern), mounting (suspended, surface, recessed), distribution (direct, direct-indirect), lumens per foot or per luminaire, efficacy target, CCT and colour rendering, UGR limit, input voltage and dimming (0–10 V, DALI, phase), emergency option, power factor and THD, housing material and finish, IP rating, rebate programme and DLC version required, warranty, and quantity.

02

Check colour, glare, lifetime and power quality

Under DLC SSL V5.1, indoor products other than high-bay must meet TM-30 values of Rf ≥70 and Rg ≥89 or CIE 13.3 values of Ra ≥80 with R9 ≥0, and must sit within a 4-step chromaticity quadrangle for a nominal CCT from 2200 K to 6500 K. Lumen maintenance must reach L70 ≥50,000 hours for Standard and L90 ≥36,000 hours for Premium, using LM-80 data and TM-21 projections or luminaire-level TM-28. All qualified luminaires need power factor ≥0.9 and total harmonic distortion ≤20%, and a minimum 5-year warranty covering the complete luminaire, including light source, housing, power supplies and optics. Premium also requires continuous dimming and UGR below 22 for linear ambient luminaires. [1]

For continuous runs, DLC treats end-cap variations as non-optical for family grouping only if end caps are less than 3 inches wide. [1] The tables also note that DLC does not verify warranty claims processes or field failure rates, and urge buyers to review warranty terms themselves. [1]

03

Choose length, wattage and CCT for the space

LEDVANCE's product guide to its commercial LED strip light fixtures states an efficacy of 130 lm/W and offers each fixture with field-selectable colour temperatures of 3,500, 4,000 and 5,000 K and selectable wattages of 15, 20, 25 and 30 W, in 2 ft, 4 ft and 8 ft lengths. It suggests 2 ft or 4 ft for narrow or shelving aisles, 4 ft for gypsum-board ceilings and as the standard commercial choice, 8 ft for workshops, warehouses and continuous runs with fewer mounting points, and combining 2 ft and 4 ft where pipes or grids are in the way. Its application table pairs offices with 4,000 K and 20–40 W, retail and supermarkets with 3,500–4,000 K and 30–50 W, warehouses and factories with 5,000 K and 40–80 W, and parking garages with 4,000–5,000 K and 20–60 W; by ceiling height it advises 20–40 W below 3 m, 50–80 W at 3–5 m and over 100 W above 5 m. LEDVANCE also states that replacing fluorescent fixtures saves 30–60% of energy, with payback in 1–3 years depending on hours, tariffs and the system replaced; these are the maker's estimates. [4]

Editorial calculation: at 130 lm/W, a 4 ft fixture set to 30 W gives about 3,900 lm, or 975 lm/ft, and set to 20 W about 2,600 lm, or 650 lm/ft, both above the DLC 375 lm/ft minimum for direct linear luminaires; the 130 lm/W figure equals the DLC Premium efficacy level above. Ask the supplier for the tested lumens and efficacy at each wattage and CCT setting, not only at the highest one. [4] [1]

04

Compare what suppliers offer

Suppliers linked to this page list LED linear lights or battens; each card links to the page reviewed.

Listings include LED linear lights and batten lights, customisable linear lights with aluminium profiles, and UGR-rated and slim T8-style batten lights; ask each for tested lumens, efficacy, CRI and R9, UGR, LM-80 data and the warranty terms.

05

Trace the luminaire build

This is a functional reference built from the sources cited; it is not one maker's design.

06

Fill the specification fields with values for your project

An LED linear light quotation needs values for your project. The table explains each field, gives published values where a reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.

07

Send the space, output and run layout together

Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.

Space: [office; school; retail; warehouse; mounting height]
Output: [lm/ft; distribution]
Quality: [CCT; Ra/R9; UGR]
Runs: [lengths; continuous; patterns]
Power: [voltage; dimming; emergency]
Compliance: [DLC version; PF; THD; warranty]
Quantity: [luminaires; metres]

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