Commercial LED Wall Pack Lights Buying Guide: Cutoff Types, Forward Throw, Glare Control, and Dark-Sky Compliance

Commercial LED wall packs are specified for perimeter zones where forward throw, cutoff control, and mounting geometry determine coverage quality, glare risk, and boundary spill. Selection begins with the distribution and cutoff classification, then validates mounting height, spacing, and site constraints such as property-line exposure, approach sightlines, and any local restrictions on uplight, glare, and color temperature.

These fixtures are commonly used to replace legacy MH and HPS wall-mounted systems on building perimeters, loading approaches, service corridors, and back-of-house drives where consistent exterior illumination and predictable maintenance intervals are required.

Related exterior fixture families: LED Wall Lights LED Area Lights LED Flood Lights LED Canopy Lights

Common Applications: Gas Stations & Canopies Building Perimeters Commercial Outdoor Lighting

Wall pack cutoff, compliance, and perimeter control context

Selecting the Correct LED Wall Pack Cutoff Type Full Cutoff vs Semi-Cutoff Wall Packs for Exterior Compliance BUG Ratings and Glare Control for LED Wall Packs Meeting 3000K Dark-Sky Requirements

Planning references: Commercial lighting specification guides Commercial site lighting buying guide

Wall pack spec workflow: cutoff selection, forward throw checks, and documentation routing

Use this workflow to select wall packs by cutoff classification, mounting height, and forward throw requirements, then confirm glare and light-trespass constraints before commissioning. The sections below reflect decision points used in perimeter specifications, including documentation routing for photometrics, submittals, shipping visibility, and closeout.

Wall pack specification workflow showing cutoff selection, forward throw validation, glare and trespass preflight, controls strategy, and closeout documentation.
Workflow used to specify wall packs for perimeter security while controlling glare, trespass, and ordinance compliance.

Wall pack lighting specification guidance

Wall pack performance depends on mounting height, cutoff classification, forward throw distance, glare control, and surrounding site conditions. Incorrect selection commonly results in boundary spill, harsh glare at driver or pedestrian eye level, uneven facade coverage, or ordinance exposure.

For broader exterior strategy across pole-mounted and structure-mounted systems, reference the commercial site lighting buying guide. When perimeter coverage must coordinate with pole lighting to prevent brightness discontinuities across parking rows and drives, align spacing assumptions with the area lights buying guide. For targeted security zones such as docks, laydown yards, and service entrances where aiming geometry determines usable light, use the flood lights buying guide.

Typical failure modes are driven by optic mismatch, unverified forward reach, and placement that puts peak intensity into approach sightlines.

Technical selection guide for commercial LED wall packs

Wall packs are selected for perimeter zones where forward throw, cutoff control, and mounting geometry determine whether coverage supports the target plane or creates glare and trespass issues. Use the sections below to align optic type, mounting height, and layout spacing with site constraints.

Cutoff types and selection rules

Cutoff classification defines high-angle brightness and whether the distribution is optimized for maximum forward throw or controlled downlight. Cutoff selection drives glare risk, trespass risk, and ordinance exposure.

Selection rule: specify traditional wall packs where maximum forward throw is required and boundary exposure is low. Specify full cutoff wall packs where glare control, boundary containment, BUG limitations, or Dark Sky policies apply.

Wall pack cutoff selection matrix comparing traditional, full cutoff, and selectable models by perimeter visibility, glare control, and light-trespass compliance.
Cutoff selection shortcut: traditional for maximum forward throw, full cutoff for glare and trespass control and ordinance-driven compliance.
Wall pack cutoff selection: match optic type to perimeter visibility needs, glare control, and light-trespass requirements.
Wall pack type What it prioritizes Best-fit locations Primary risk Spec check
Traditional (non-cutoff) Maximum forward throw and broad perimeter brightness Loading areas, alleyways, back-of-house drives, open perimeters Glare and spill light near property lines or pedestrian approaches Confirm ordinance exposure and neighbor viewpoints
Full cutoff Downlight control for reduced glare and reduced trespass Sites near property lines, residential adjacency, ordinance zones Under-lighting if spacing is too wide or output is undersized Validate forward throw distance and spacing using photometrics when constraints exist
Selectable / configurable Standardization with tunable output and CCT Facilities with mixed constraints across buildings Inconsistent settings create mismatch across zones Document final settings by zone at closeout

If perimeter lighting must transition into pole-mounted parking zones, coordinate cutoff strategy with the area lights buying guide to avoid hot spots and dark transitions.

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Mounting height and forward throw checks

Mounting height changes both forward reach and direct-view brightness at typical approach angles. Lower mounting increases glare risk at pedestrian sightlines and reduces throw. Higher mounting can increase boundary exposure if the distribution is not contained.

Mounting height and forward throw outcome map showing how low vs high mounting changes coverage, glare risk, and property-line spill for wall packs.
Mounting height changes both throw distance and eye-level glare. Validate forward reach and avoid hot spots at doors and walk paths.
Wall pack mounting height and forward throw checks.
Condition What happens Spec fix Photometric validation trigger
Mounted too low Short throw and increased glare Increase height or use full cutoff optics Validate near entries and walk paths
Mounted too high Increased spill and window exposure risk Use full cutoff optics and refine spacing Required when property line constraints exist
Forward throw must reach drive lane Edge zones go dark if distribution is too tight Select distribution for required reach Validate at corners and dock approaches
Facade hot spots Bright pools with dark gaps Adjust spacing and output Validate when uniformity is required

For door planes, docks, and service yards where directional aiming is required, confirm reach assumptions with the flood lights buying guide.

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Glare and light-trespass control

Wall-mounted fixtures create glare when peak intensity lands in approach sightlines and boundary spill when the distribution is not contained. Cutoff optics, mounting height, and spacing work together to keep light on target planes.

Driver-eye glare and light trespass preflight for wall packs showing approach sightlines and boundary exposure checks.
Preflight: check driver approaches and property lines before finalizing cutoff type and spacing.

Where perimeter lighting integrates with architectural facade lighting or entry fixtures, maintain consistent glare strategy with the wall lights buying guide.

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Controls and operating strategy

Perimeter wall packs commonly run dusk-to-dawn. Where policy allows, scheduled reductions and bi-level operation can reduce energy use while maintaining a visible baseline.

Wall pack controls strategy selector comparing photocell dusk-to-dawn, timeclock scheduling, and bi-level dimming.
Controls selection: photocell for baseline, schedule for predictable hours, bi-level for late-night reduction.

For multi-fixture exterior environments requiring synchronized operation across poles and structures, validate control zoning using the commercial site lighting buying guide.

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Durability and exposure conditions

Outdoor wall packs should be selected for sealing integrity, corrosion resistance where required, and impact resilience in traffic areas. Housing integrity and environmental exposure drive long-term driver survival and service intervals.

Wall pack durability and exposure risk map showing wet location sealing, dust exposure, corrosion risk, and impact zones.
Durability checks: sealing, corrosion control, and impact resistance.

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FAQs

How do I choose between traditional and full-cutoff wall packs?

Start with the site constraint, not the lumen number. Use traditional wall packs when maximum forward throw is required and there are no practical boundary or glare restrictions. Use full-cutoff wall packs when driver-eye glare, neighbor window exposure, property-line spill, BUG limits, or dark-sky policies apply.

What mounting height should I use for wall packs?

Mounting height is determined by the target plane and the required forward throw. Lower mounting heights increase direct-view brightness at pedestrian sightlines and can create hot spots at doors and walk paths.

What causes glare complaints with wall-mounted exterior lighting?

Glare complaints typically occur when peak intensity is visible from common approach angles such as drive lanes, walk paths, and entry lines.

When should I specify 3000K for wall packs?

Specify 3000K when local ordinances, dark-sky requirements, or residential adjacency limits higher CCT exterior lighting.

Do wall packs need photocells or controls?

Perimeter wall packs are commonly controlled dusk-to-dawn to eliminate daytime burn hours and keep operation consistent.

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