Home      Company      Product Data      Training      Distributors      Sales      Sustainability      Contact      Floodlighting Home     Design Tips     Products     Light Levels     Lamp/Ballast     Technical Data

• Wattage
• Distribution
• Setback
• Spacing
• Aiming
• Fixtures

Depending on your pole height, flag size, and ambient light levels, the wattage of lamp used in the lighting fixture should be carefully considered when choosing the appropriate fixture for your flag lighting application. For typical conditions, the chart below shows the recommended wattage using floodlights with Metal Halide lamps:

The amount of light that actually is visible on the flag greatly depends upon the beam pattern of the light fixture illuminating the flag. Most often, a narrow distribution pattern such as a "spot" or "narrow flood" pattern would be the desired distribution for flag lighting. Such patterns would typically fall into the NEMA classification of Type II or Type III.

The recommended setback for lighting a flag is 1/3 times the pole height.  If the pole is 30' tall, the floodlight should be set back a distance of 10' away from the pole.

Setback distance = 1/3 x pole height
1/3 (30 ft.) = 10 ft.

Ideally, three fixtures should be used to cover all wind directions, vantage points, and provide the most even uniformity for flag illumination. The floodlights should be placed approximately 120° apart.

3 Floodlights Spaced 120° apart

Aiming

The recommended aiming point for each floodlight is the center of the flag or the top of the pole.  Mounting a full or upper visor to the floodlight can reduce unwanted spill light.