Commercial Wall Pack Lighting Selection and Specification Guide

When should a full cutoff wall pack be specified instead of a traditional wall pack?

Specify full cutoff when uplight and glare must be minimized, especially near property lines, residential adjacencies, and dark-sky regulated zones. Full cutoff optics concentrate light below the horizontal plane to reduce sky glow and light trespass while maintaining perimeter visibility.

What mounting height range is typical for commercial wall packs?

Many commercial installations place wall packs roughly 8–20 feet above grade, depending on the application and the wall geometry. Confirm mounting height early because it drives lumen package selection, forward throw, and glare risk.

How should lumen output be sized for a wall pack application?

Size lumens to the mounting height, target area, and desired uniformity rather than selecting by wattage alone. Use fixture photometrics (IES) to validate horizontal and vertical illuminance on the walking surface and at the wall line, then adjust spacing and output to avoid hot spots and dark zones.

What distribution patterns matter most for wall pack performance?

For perimeter walkways and service corridors, forward-throw optics that keep light near the building line help maintain uniformity and reduce wasted spill. In wider service yards or loading-side conditions, select a distribution that projects outward without producing excessive brightness at the source.

How can glare be controlled with wall packs mounted at eye-level sensitive locations?

Use cutoff optics, internal shielding, and appropriate mounting height to keep high-angle brightness out of normal sightlines. Avoid placing high-output fixtures near doors and pedestrian queues without glare control, and verify the luminaire’s high-angle photometric behavior in the IES file.

What ingress and environmental ratings should be verified for exterior wall packs?

Verify the fixture is suitable for the exposure conditions at the site, including rain, wind-driven dust, and washdown where applicable. Confirm wet-location suitability when the luminaire is directly exposed to weather, and verify gasket and housing construction intended for long-term sealing.

What corrosion considerations apply for wall packs near coastal or industrial environments?

Confirm housing material and finish are appropriate for corrosive exposure and verify the manufacturer’s corrosion protection approach for fasteners, brackets, and seams. For harsh environments, prioritize fixtures designed for sustained exterior exposure and inspect mounting hardware and seals as part of routine maintenance.

What electrical specifications should be confirmed before ordering wall packs?

Confirm input voltage range (commonly 120–277V in commercial exteriors), driver type, surge protection level, and wiring access. If the project includes emergency power or generator circuits, verify compatibility and any requirements for labeling or dedicated control behavior.

When are photocells vs. time scheduling vs. network controls the better choice?

Photocells are commonly used for dusk-to-dawn operation where simple autonomous control is required. Time scheduling is preferred when operating hours need consistent cutback periods and centralized adjustment. Network controls are justified when sites require monitoring, fault reporting, scene scheduling, and coordinated dimming across zones.

When should motion sensing be used on wall packs?

Motion sensing is appropriate where occupancy is intermittent and a lower background level can be maintained without compromising safety. Confirm detection coverage, mounting location, and the selected dimming behavior so the system avoids nuisance switching and maintains predictable light levels on approach paths.

How should wall pack spacing be determined?

Start with mounting height and the fixture’s distribution, then use photometric data to verify uniformity and target illuminance along the path or perimeter zone. Spacing based only on distance rules of thumb often produces either excessive overlap and glare or gaps in coverage.

What color temperature and CRI are typical for commercial exterior wall packs?

4000K is common for general commercial exteriors where neutral visibility is preferred, while 5000K is sometimes used for higher visual acuity in security and task-forward areas. CRI targets are typically driven by the application; confirm requirements when color recognition for cameras or identification tasks is important.

What maintenance checks keep wall packs performing as designed over time?

Inspect lenses for dirt accumulation, confirm the housing and gasket integrity, and verify mounting hardware remains secure. Periodically confirm control settings (photocell response, schedules, and sensor dim levels) and check for any water ingress or seal degradation after severe weather events.