Even if your shop is well lit or you only go to work sites during the day, it’s still important to have work lights.
They can help brighten dim areas and illuminate the project you are working on. Work lights aren’t just your everyday, household lights. They are designed to be durable and work in many settings.
Lighting is not one-size-fits-all. So how do you determine the perfect lighting solution to get for your shop or job site? There are a few factors to consider.
Light Output
To determine which lights could work best for you, decide how much light output you need. Light output is measured in lumens, which are the amount of light visible to the human eye. The higher the lumen rating is, the brighter the light.
You may be wondering how many lumens make a good work light, but there isn’t just one answer. A good work light can have a lumen rating in the hundreds or thousands. But just because a light doesn’t have the highest lumen rating doesn’t mean it’s inferior. Depending on the project and the factors below, you might not need lights with a high lumen rating.
Location
It’s important to consider the location you will be using the work lights. For example, heavy or large lights might be better suited for a shop or long projects at a work site. Meanwhile, small, lightweight lights are a good option if you are frequently on the go or visiting different job sites. A work light like the Quantum™ Pivot 2, is great because it is compact, which makes it easy to carry or store in a toolbox.
Additionally, you’ll want to consider the size of the space you are trying to illuminate. If you are trying to illuminate a large area, you might consider getting a work light with a high lumen rating like the Portable LED Light, which has 12,000 lumens. If you only need light for a small area, a light with a lower lumen rating would be sufficient.
One big factor to also consider is access to electricity. If you have access to electricity, a light that plugs in like the 360° Work Light with Stand is a great option. It provides a bright light, and you don’t have to worry about recharging it or replacing the batteries.
If a location has limited electricity, consider a light that runs on batteries. You can also opt to use a rechargeable work light that can run for several hours off one charge. These lights are also perfect for moving around because they don’t require an outlet.
Environmental Conditions
Once you have determined where you might want to use your work lights, look at the conditions in that environment.
Depending on the shop or job site, there’s a chance it could be cluttered or packed with people. This is an important factor to consider when choosing a light. For example, if a space is busy, a large light stand might get in the way. People might bump or move it, or even trip over the power cord.
If a job site is outdoors or a shop is exposed to different elements, you’ll have to take that into consideration, as well. Work lights in these settings will need to provide protection from the elements, like dust or water. The Quantum™ Charge 2 is perfect for these types of environments. Its sealed construction provides protection from water splashing and dust intrusion and can be used in inclement weather and demanding shop environments.
If you are interested in learning more about work lights or which ones might work best for you, a Kimball Midwest sales representative can shed some light. They can assess your needs and find the right lights for you. If you don’t already have a rep, we can help you