The Difference Between Spotlight and Floodlight

What is spotlight

Spotlight is a light fixture that specifies that the illuminance on the illuminated surface is higher than the surrounding environment. Generally, it can aim in any direction and has a structure that is not affected by climatic conditions. It is mainly used for large-area operation sites and mines, building outlines, stadiums, overpasses, monuments, parks and flower beds, etc. Therefore, almost all large-area lighting fixtures used outdoors can be regarded as spotlights. The beam angle of the spotlight is wide or narrow, and the range of variation is between 0°～180°. Among them, the narrow beam is called a searchlight.

 

The spotlight is composed of 3 parts: optical parts, mechanical parts and electrical parts. The optical components are mainly reflectors and light-shielding grids that limit light. The mechanical parts are mainly the housing, and the focusing mechanism for fixing and adjusting the position of the light source, the bracket and the base for fixing the lamp, and the parts with angle indication to adjust the beam projection direction of the lamp.

For most of the sealed spotlights, there are protective glass and various sealing rings for mechanical parts. According to the needs of the use environment, some also have a metal mesh cover. The well-performing spotlight is also equipped with an air filter. The electrical components are mainly ballasts, capacitors and triggers (designed according to the needs of the light source) and so on.

What is floodlight

The floodlight is a point light source that can evenly illuminate in all directions. Its illumination range can be adjusted arbitrarily, and it appears as a regular octahedron icon in the scene. Floodlights are the most widely used light source in the production of renderings. Standard floodlights are used to illuminate the entire scene. Multiple floodlights can be used in the scene. In order to produce a better effect, the light bulb for shooting is installed in a large reflecting umbrella for use as a high-brightness diffused light source. Although it is indispensable for indoor lighting, it can also be regarded as one of the light sources with good lighting effects for ordinary amateur indoor photography.

Floodlights are not spotlights, projection lights, or par lights. Floodlights produce highly diffuse, non-directional light instead of clear beams, resulting in soft and transparent shadows. When used to illuminate objects, the speed of lighting attenuation is much slower than when using spotlights. Even some floodlights with very slow lighting attenuation look like a light source that does not produce shadows. The spotlight projects a directional, well-defined beam to illuminate a specific area.

The difference between spotlights and floodlights

Spotlights and floodlights are commonly used lighting equipment in lighting projects, but there are certain differences between spotlights and floodlights, and the two complement each other to make the lines of the building clear and beautiful. So what is the difference between spotlights and floodlights?

 

1. Different forms of irradiation

First of all, the illumination form of the floodlight is diffuse, so when it is turned on, it will project light in all directions, and the area within the illumination range of the floodlight will be illuminated, so it can be used to illuminate the entire scene. However, the spotlight has a light-gathering effect, so it can be directionally illuminated. When the quality-guaranteed floodlight is turned on, its light will be directed to the designated direction.

 

2. The angle of the irradiation section is different

The illumination angle of the floodlight cannot be adjusted, so no matter what kind of floodlight you buy to use, although the illumination range can be adjusted arbitrarily after lighting, it is spread around the lamp itself, while the spotlight’s The projection angle can be selected according to actual requirements, and usually any angle can be selected within one hundred and eighty degrees.

 

3. Different scenes used

Because floodlights can produce scattered light sources in a large area, if multiple floodlights are used in combination, they can provide high-brightness diffused light sources for the studio. Spotlights are usually used for lighting in buildings, squares, flower beds, parks and other places, which can make the outline of these buildings clearer at night and increase the beauty of the town at night.

Brief introduction of LED flood light

LED floodlights can also be called projection lights and billboard lights. There are three series of Tachyon floodlights: stadium floodlights, high temperature floodlights and explosion-proof floodlights. The floodlight can aim in any direction and has a structure that is not affected by weather conditions. Therefore, almost all large-area lighting fixtures used outdoors can be regarded as floodlights.

The projection light source adopts imported American Bridgelux, CREE chips, long life, high safety factor, high luminous efficiency, unique shape, better luminous effect, 120-degree luminous surface. The power supply is MEAN WELL power supply, using intelligent constant current control circuit, stable performance, very suitable for the light source used in high-level product exhibitions, and meets CE and RoHS requirements. The advancement of LED floodlights is determined by the heat dissipation technology of LED lamps. A good heat dissipation structure will reduce the temperature of the LED chip, improve the efficiency of light conversion, reduce the light decay rate of the LED chip and extend the life of the LED chip.

Floodlights can save energy up to 60% to 70% or more. They are packaged with high-quality chips and integrated with high-brightness SMD as the light source. Different color temperature segments correspond to different light colors.

The LED flood light does not contain harmful substances, which protects the environment and does not cause harm to the human body. With a recoverable rate of over 99%, it is a true environmentally friendly green light source.

The light color of the lamp is soft, showing the natural color of the illuminated object. The installation is simple and convenient, and it can be installed in any position without restriction.

The flood light has a short response time and can adapt to frequent switching and high-frequency operation occasions. It has good versatility and can directly replace traditional metal halide lamps and high-pressure sodium floodlights.

It can be widely used in workshops, warehouses, large indoor stadiums, exhibition halls and other places, squares, intersections, high-pole lights, tunnel lights, tunnel lighting, billboard lighting, etc. It can also be used for building lighting, overpasses, city squares, large sculpture lighting, parks, stage lighting, billboard lighting, tree lighting, landscape avenue lighting and green belt lighting. Suitable for outdoor environment, waterproof and dustproof.

What occasions are the floodlights with lenses often used

Consumers may be relatively unfamiliar with the term floodlight lens, and its frequency in daily life is still extremely high. Professional floodlight lenses are favored by most customers, with their own quality level and long-term use. The service life has been recognized by everyone for the lens of the projector. For some unfamiliar consumers, in addition to understanding the characteristics of the floodlight lens, they should also have a general understanding of the types of occasions they often appear.

1. The exterior wall lighting of historical buildings with symbolic significance

Floodlight lenses are often installed on the outer walls of historical buildings, such as the ancient city walls left behind in ancient China. In order to show the magnificence of ancient buildings and convey cultural information, the outer walls will install evenly arranged floodlights. Under the contrast of horizontal or vertical rows of lights, the entire outline of the building is outlined very clearly and becomes a unique symbol of the city.

 

2. Green landscape lighting used to guide the direction

Floodlight lenses are also often used for large-area green landscape lighting, such as major parks in the city, and other supporting facilities for newly-built communities. In order to allow consumers to visit the park at night, floodlights will be installed on the main road in the green area to play the two-way role of lighting and guidance to prevent pedestrians from getting lost.

 

3. Exterior lighting of the building that is convenient for entry and exit at night

Projector lenses are also used in various types of architectural buildings, which can show the extraordinary vibe of the building, and make it easier for consumers to identify and distinguish. This part of the building is usually located in the middle of the city and other areas. The staff in it sometimes work overtime until late at night. With the guidance of the floodlight, it helps the staff who return home late at night to identify the direction.

Floodlight lenses often appear on the three occasions mentioned above. In addition, the interiors of entertainment facilities such as bars and karaoke bars will also be applied to the floodlight lenses to create brilliant and colorful lighting effects. All in all, the wide application range of floodlights, coupled with their long service life, is becoming more and more popular among consumers.