LED spike lights

01

Set light output and beam spread

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC), whose qualified-product list is used in DLC members' energy-efficiency rebate and incentive programmes, defines landscape/accent flood and spot luminaires as small, low-lumen, directional luminaires intended to highlight objects and areas outdoors, with beam spread declared to NEMA guidelines. [2] Its SSL V5.1 tables set this category at 250–1,000 lm, with at least 85% of the light in the 0–90° zone (82% with tolerance). Manufacturers must declare the NEMA beam classification in two planes, which DLC checks against IES files: type 1 is 10–18°, 2 is 18–29°, 3 is 29–46°, 4 is 46–70°, 5 is 70–100°, 6 is 100–130° and 7 is 130° or more. Outdoor luminaires need efficacy of 105 lm/W for DLC Standard and 120 lm/W for Premium; landscape/accent luminaires are exempt from BUG reporting and from the outdoor dimming requirement. [1]

Editorial calculation: at 105 lm/W the category's 250–1,000 lm range corresponds to about 2.4–9.5 W; ask the supplier for tested lumens and the NEMA beam class of each optic so you can match beam spread to the object size and distance. [1]

Give the supplier the object lit and distance, lumen output and wattage, beam angle or NEMA class (and interchangeable optics), CCT and CRI, supply (low-voltage AC/DC or mains) with transformer and cable, IP rating, housing, lens and spike materials, head adjustment, glare shield or louvre, DLC listing version, warranty, and quantity.

02

Check colour, lifetime, power quality and warranty

Under DLC SSL V5.1, all outdoor products must meet a 7-step chromaticity quadrangle for a nominal CCT of 2200–6500 K and Ra ≥70 (or TM-30 Rf ≥70 and Rg ≥89) with R9 reported, lumen maintenance of L70 ≥50,000 hours (L90 ≥36,000 hours for Premium), power factor ≥0.9 and total harmonic distortion ≤20%, and a minimum 5-year warranty covering the complete luminaire. [1] DLC has since published SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 and says products not updated to them will be delisted, so ask which version any listing is qualified under. [3]

Editorial note: for small low-voltage fixtures, ask how power factor and THD are met — at the fixture or at the transformer — and which component the warranty and IP rating cover.

03

Check a catalogue spike light against the DLC figures

Two low-voltage spike lights published by Super Bright LEDs show what a catalogue listing states and where it falls short of the DLC qualification data. The LFB-S04-6W is a solid brass spot light with a glass lens, 450 lumens at 2700K, a 25° beam, 6 W, 500 mA at 12 VDC on 12V AC/DC, IP65, an ambient operating range of −20 to 65 °C, a 200° adjustable knuckle, an ABS ground stake, 18 AWG pigtail and a lifetime warranty; the page says a low-voltage transformer is required. [4] The SPL-XK5W is an aluminium spot light with a tempered glass lens, 250 lumens, a 50° beam, 5 W, 415 mA, a listed efficacy of 50 lm/W, IP65, ETL listing, not dimmable, a 180° adjustable head, a 6 in metal spike, 20 AWG pigtail and a 3-year warranty. [5]

Editorial calculation: 450 lm ÷ 6 W = 75 lm/W, and the SPL-XK5W lists 50 lm/W; both outputs fall inside DLC's 250–1,000 lm landscape/accent category, but both are below the 105 lm/W DLC Standard efficacy for outdoor luminaires. Neither page states a power factor, THD, lumen-maintenance figure or NEMA beam class, so ask for an IES file and lumen-maintenance test data if the project needs DLC listing. [4] [5] [1]

Editorial calculation: ten LFB-S04-6W fixtures at 500 mA draw 5 A at 12 VDC, about 60 W, which sets the transformer rating and cable gauge before voltage drop is checked. [4]

04

Compare what suppliers offer

Suppliers matched to this product could not all be verified during review; see the open checks below before ordering.

Ask any supplier for tested fixture lumens, IES files with NEMA beam class, IP test reports, transformer compatibility and warranty terms.

05

Trace what the fixture must deliver

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 spike 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 object, beam and supply together

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

Object: [tree; shrub; wall; sign; distance]
Output: [lm; W]
Beam: [angle; NEMA class]
Colour: [CCT; Ra]
Supply: [low-voltage; mains; transformer]
Build: [IP; materials; spike]
Quantity: [units]

See manufacturer records Send an enquiry through CNFX