What Is a Canopy Luminaire? Types and Selection Criteria
A canopy luminaire is a high-output LED luminaire mounted on the ceiling of a covered open area, such as a fuel station canopy, to light the ground from above.
A canopy luminaire is a high-output LED luminaire mounted on the ceiling of a covered open area, such as a fuel station canopy, to light the ground from above. It is used at fuel and vehicle charging stations, at car park and facility entrances, at loading ramps and under wide eaves.
Types of canopy luminaires
- Recessed canopy luminaire: Sits in a cut-out in the canopy ceiling cladding; the body stays above the ceiling and only the glass surface is visible from below.
- Surface-mounted canopy luminaire: Fixed directly to the ceiling; used where the ceiling has no cladding or cannot be cut.
A canopy luminaire is mounted horizontally and lights downward. It differs from an LED floodlight, which is fixed at an angle to a pole or facade, and from a high-bay luminaire made for enclosed high-ceiling halls.
Selection criteria
- Luminous flux: Compare luminaires by lumens (lm), not watts. Two luminaires with the same power deliver different amounts of light depending on their efficacy (lm/W).
- Mounting height and layout: The higher the canopy, the less light reaches the ground; the same level needs either a higher-output luminaire or a denser layout. The number and spacing are set by a lighting calculation using the luminaire's photometric file; lighting levels for outdoor work places are designed to EN 12464-2.
- Colour temperature: 3000 K is warm white, 4000 K neutral white and 6500 K cool white. Use a single colour temperature under one canopy.
- Water and impact resistance: The area under a canopy is exposed to wind-driven rain; check the protection rating (IP) and the ceiling cut-out size on the product page. The ACK models in the catalogue use 4 mm tempered glass.
- Options: DALI, 1-10 V dimming and a 3-hour emergency lighting kit are options offered by the manufacturer; specify them when ordering if needed, and confirm the brand of the LED and driver fitted.
Common mistakes
- Replacing an old luminaire watt for watt: What matters is the light reaching the ground; compare lumens and distribution.
- Ignoring the explosive atmosphere zone: The area around a fuel dispenser can be classified as an explosive atmosphere zone. If the luminaire is inside that zone, an Ex-certified luminaire is required; the names of the ACK AT38 models in the catalogue carry no Ex marking.
- Leaving the cut-out and cable entry open: In recessed mounting, if the gasket does not seat or the cable entry is not sealed, water gets into the ceiling void and the luminaire.
- Tilting a floodlight up to the ceiling: A floodlight gives a wide, angled beam; under a canopy it causes glare and part of the light spills outside the area.
Canopy luminaires in the Welibaba catalogue
All 9 active products in the Canopy Luminaires category are from the ACK AT38 series. The catalogue data gives the luminous flux by power:
| Power | Luminous flux | Efficacy | 3000 K | 4000 K | 6500 K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 W | 8400 lm | ≈140 lm/W | AT38-06000 | AT38-06010 | AT38-06030 |
| 75 W | 11624 lm | ≈155 lm/W | AT38-07500 | AT38-07510 | AT38-07530 |
| 90 W | 13436 lm | ≈149 lm/W | AT38-09000 | AT38-09010 | AT38-09030 |
For pole and facade lighting, see the LED Floodlights category; for enclosed warehouses and halls, see the LED High-Bay Luminaires category.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts should a canopy luminaire be?
Power alone does not decide it; the required luminous flux is found by a lighting calculation based on the canopy height, the area and the required lighting level. The ACK AT38 models in the catalogue come in 60 W (8400 lm), 75 W (11624 lm) and 90 W (13436 lm).
What is the difference between a canopy luminaire and an LED floodlight?
A canopy luminaire is mounted horizontally on the canopy ceiling and lights straight down. An LED floodlight is fixed at an angle to a pole or facade and throws light into the distance.
Which colour temperature should I choose for a canopy luminaire?
3000 K gives warm, 4000 K neutral and 6500 K cool white light. The choice depends on how the area is used and on the surrounding lighting; do not mix colours under one canopy.
Can emergency lighting be added to a canopy luminaire?
ACK offers a 3-hour emergency lighting kit as an option. The kit is ordered with the luminaire; check with the manufacturer whether it can be added to an existing luminaire later.