When browsing for LED wall packs for use on commercial buildings, parking areas, and perimeter fence lighting or for use on loading bays and docks, there are several different terms that can be confusing.
One of the terms that will be important to understand is the term “non-cutoff wall pack. “The term “non-cutoff” doesn’t seem to be associated with anything to do with lighting, but it really is a good descriptor once it is understood.
A Quick Explanation
All wall packs are designed to mount on a wall and provide light outwards from the lens. As these use LED lighting, the number of lumens for the bulb will determine the amount of light produced.
The term non-cutoff means the light itself shines out as well as down from the lens. In other words, the light is not cut off to shine only downward. This will provide the level and quality of lighting that is ideal to expand visibility in a much wider area than directly under the fixture.
With semi-cutoff or full cutoff types of LED wall pack fixtures, the same amount of illumination is found under the light, but the outward coverage area of the light is much less. For walkways that are away from the side of a building or for larger areas such as parking garages or dock areas, the extra light provided by the non-cutoff wall pack is an important consideration.
Installation Tips
The added light radius allows for greater freedom when installing the non-cutoff wall pack. Different manufacturers will offer different height recommendations, but typically 12 to 20 feet is standard.
The one consideration to keep in mind with the non-cutoff designs is to ensure the light will not be shining directly into other buildings. As there will be full visibility of the lens, this is a consideration in urban areas where lights can impact other business or residential properties.
