When it comes to choosing a security light, it’s important to consider the brightness of the light. The brightness of a light is measured in lumens, which is a unit of measurement for the total amount of light emitted by a source. In general, a good rule of thumb is to look for security lights that offer at least 700 lumens.
Why 700 lumens? Well, security lights are meant to deter potential intruders and provide visibility in dark areas. They need to be brighter than your general-purpose lighting, such as your porch light or hallway light, in order to effectively illuminate the area and make it difficult for someone to go unnoticed.
Having a security light with at least 700 lumens ensures that it is bright enough to illuminate a large area and provide ample visibility. This is especially important if you have a large property or if you want to cover a wide range of angles with your security lighting.
However, it’s also important to find a balance and not go overboard with the brightness. You don’t want your security lights to be too bright, as it can cause discomfort or even be blinding to yourself or your neighbors. It’s important to consider the intended purpose of the light and the environment in which it will be installed.
For example, if you have a security light installed near a bedroom window, you may want to opt for a slightly lower lumen output to avoid disturbing sleep or causing glare. On the other hand, if you have a security light installed in a large open area, such as a backyard or parking lot, you may want to consider a higher lumen output to ensure maximum visibility.
In addition to the lumens, it’s also worth considering the beam angle and range of the security light. A narrower beam angle will provide a more focused and concentrated light, while a wider beam angle will provide a broader coverage area. The range of the light refers to how far it can reach, so if you have a large property, you may want to choose a light with a longer range.
Personal experience: I recently installed a security light in my backyard, and I opted for one with 1000 lumens. I found that this provided a good balance between brightness and comfort. It illuminated the entire backyard, making it difficult for anyone to approach without being noticed, but it wasn’t overly bright or blinding.
A good rule of thumb is to look for security lights that offer at least 700 lumens. This ensures that the light is bright enough to effectively deter intruders and provide visibility in dark areas. However, it’s important to find a balance and consider the intended purpose and environment of the light to avoid excessive brightness.