A good lighting plan for a workshop does not start with the lamp, but with the work you are performing. For fine assembly work, you need more and more targeted light than for general maintenance or mechanical work. At the same time, the lighting must limit shadows and glare and provide a light colour that keeps details, markings and colours clearly visible. Below you can see step-by-step how to go from lux and lumens to a practical choice for, for example, high-bay or light line, batten and LED tube solutions. Are you unsure about the correct fixtures for your ceiling height? View our choosing high-bays by height.
Start with the work, the machines and the space
First, make a simple floor plan and divide the workshop into zones, such as workbenches, machine areas, storage, walkways and inspection areas. Note per zone what work takes place and how precise that work is.This prevents you from planning the entire workshop at the same light level when requirements vary significantly. Also account for fixed obstacles, such as machinery, shelving, ceiling height, and windows. These determine where light is blocked, where additional task lighting is needed, and where daylight helps or causes contrast. Always work from four objectives: safe working conditions, clearly seeing details, comfortable viewing, and avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.
Determine how many lux you really need per zone
Lux indicates how much light reaches the work surface; lumen is the total light output of a lamp or fixture. For your lighting plan, you should therefore first look at the workplace lighting: standards and lux values per zone.
| Work zone | Practical guideline value | Initial calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Rough maintenance or mechanical work | approx. 500 lux | surface area in m² × 500 |
| Fine mechanical work, assembly or inspection | approx. 1000 lux | surface area in m² × 1000 |
The result serves as a starting point in lumens for that zone. Then divide this across the number of fixtures and adjust for mounting height, depreciation, reflections, and practical light loss. When testing against the workplace lighting standard, NEN-EN 12464-1 can be used as a useful reference point, but the exact value ultimately depends on your specific activities and layout.
Distribute the light evenly across each work zone
Sufficient light is not enough if it is unevenly distributed.Large differences between bright and dark spots force your eyes to constantly readjust, causing faster fatigue and increasing the risk of errors. Therefore, do not only look at the total number of lumens, but also at the distance between fixtures, the overlap of light beams, and the ratio between general lighting and task lighting. Pay special attention to workbenches, walkways, and the edges of the room: that is precisely where dark zones often occur when only the middle is well lit.
Prevent shadows and glare around machines and workbenches
Shadows often occur in precisely the wrong place: behind a machine, next to a shelving unit, or directly on the workbench because you are blocking the light yourself. Therefore, the position of fixtures is just as important as their light intensity. Position general lighting so that light comes from multiple directions and, if necessary, use additional task lighting above precise workstations. At the same time, watch out for glare.Too bright fixtures in plain sight or annoying reflections on metal surfaces make working restless and less safe. UGR is the standard metric for assessing annoying glare. Less shadow and less glare in practice usually mean faster work, fewer errors, and a safer working environment.
Choose a light color that is pleasant to work with and renders colors well
The light color also determines how useful your workshop lighting truly is.
- For many workshops, neutral to cool white light works most pleasantly, typically around 4000K to 6500K. This helps with alertness and detail visibility.
- Do not only look at color temperature, but also at color rendering. For parts, wiring, markings, and material differences, a CRI/Ra of above 80 is a useful lower limit.
- If you are replacing existing fluorescent lighting, the familiar color codes are helpful: 840 roughly corresponds to 4000K and 865 to approximately 6500K.
- Always choose the light color based on the task, the materials used, and the duration of the work, rather than solely on personal preference.
Translate your lighting plan into the correct LED fixtures
The choice of fixture follows from your zones, mounting height, and working environment. In practice, this classification for workshop lighting often works well:
| Fixture type | When logical | What to look out for |
|---|---|---|
| LED high-bay | Higher workshops or halls where a high volume of light is required from a greater height | Select based on height, beam angle, and uniformity, ensuring the light reaches the work floor and workbench effectively.For medium-high ceilings, LED high-bays 4–6 m are a logical choice. |
| Industrial LED light lines | Long workbenches, wide production zones and straight aisles | Suitable for a sleek and even light distribution over longer lengths. Preferably choose continuous industrial light lines for uniform lighting above workstations and walking routes. |
| LED battens | Smaller to medium-sized areas, auxiliary rooms, and practical basic lighting | Convenient if you want to illuminate multiple lines or sections quickly and clearly |
| LED T8 tubes or complete fluorescent fixtures | Replacement or renewal of existing fluorescent setups | In dusty or humid workshops, waterproof fluorescent fixtures are often a suitable choice |
A single fixture type is rarely ideal everywhere. Therefore, combine per zone, only switch on what is actually being used, and tailor sensors or switching to the work rhythm in the space. If you need business advice, LedLoket can think along with you regarding suitable LED fixtures and provide a free lighting calculation for your project.
