Category: Lighting Installation

Mast lighting mantles at the stadium on a sunset background.

High Mast and Sports Lighting: What Makes It Different from Standard Commercial Lighting

Written by Red Sage on . Posted in Commercial Electric, Commercial Lighting, Electrical Design & Build, Electrical Lighting services, High Mast Lighting, Lighting Installation, Uncategorized.

Lighting a football field or a massive industrial yard is nothing like lighting an office or retail space. While both fall under commercial electrical work, high mast and sports lighting systems are built for a completely different level of performance, durability, and precision.

At Stewart Electric Company, Inc., we have seen firsthand how these systems require careful planning, strong coordination, and experienced installation. For facilities across Huntsville and North Alabama, understanding these differences helps owners, contractors, and developers make smarter decisions from the beginning.

How Standard Commercial Lighting Typically Works

Most commercial lighting systems are designed for interior spaces or moderately sized exterior areas. Think about:

  • Office buildings
  • Retail stores
  • Warehouses
  • Schools
  • Parking lots

Fixtures are usually mounted at accessible heights. Electrical loads are predictable. Maintenance can be performed with standard lifts. The goal is balanced illumination, energy efficiency, and code compliance.

These systems are important, but they are relatively straightforward compared to high mast and sports lighting applications.

What Is High Mast Lighting?

High mast lighting is designed to illuminate very large outdoor areas using tall poles that can reach 60 to 150 feet or more. You commonly see these systems at:

  • Major highway interchanges
  • Large distribution yards
  • Industrial plants
  • Airport facilities
  • Ports and shipping terminals
  • Correctional facilities

Instead of using many short poles, high mast lighting uses fewer poles placed much higher in the air. This approach creates broad, uniform coverage across wide areas.

What Makes High Mast Lighting Different?

  1. Pole Height and Structural Demands

These poles are not ordinary light poles. At 100 feet or more, they must be engineered to handle strong winds, storms, and long-term environmental stress. Foundations must be carefully designed based on soil conditions and wind load calculations.

A standard parking lot pole simply does not face the same structural requirements.

  1. Electrical Distribution and Load Planning

High mast lighting systems often involve higher wattage fixtures and longer conductor runs. Voltage drop becomes a serious consideration. Proper grounding and bonding are critical.

The electrical infrastructure supporting these systems must be designed for reliability, especially in industrial settings where lighting supports safety and operations.

  1. Maintenance Systems

Many high mast poles use a lowering system that allows fixtures to be serviced at ground level. Installing and testing these mechanisms requires precision and experience. If installed incorrectly, maintenance becomes difficult and potentially unsafe.

What Sets Sports Lighting Apart?

Sports lighting takes complexity even further. Athletic facilities demand lighting systems that perform under very specific standards. These systems are commonly installed at:

  • Football stadiums
  • Baseball and softball fields
  • Soccer complexes
  • Tennis courts
  • School athletic facilities

Unlike general outdoor lighting, sports lighting must provide consistent, high-quality illumination across a defined playing surface.

Key Differences in Sports Lighting

  1. Uniform Illumination

Athletes rely on even lighting across the entire field. Uneven brightness creates shadows and visibility problems that can affect performance and safety. Designers carefully aim and position fixtures to ensure consistent coverage.

  1. Glare Control

Glare is one of the biggest challenges in sports lighting. Players looking up to catch a ball cannot be blinded by improperly aimed fixtures. Advanced optics are used to focus light exactly where it is needed while minimizing glare.

  1. Higher Light Levels

Sports fields require much higher illumination levels than standard commercial spaces. If games are televised, lighting standards become even more demanding. These systems must meet strict performance requirements.

  1. Controlling Spill Light

Facilities must also consider surrounding neighborhoods and roadways. Poorly designed systems can spill light into adjacent properties. Proper aiming, shielding, and design planning help prevent this issue.

Environmental Factors in North Alabama

In Huntsville and throughout North Alabama, lighting systems must withstand local weather conditions. Severe storms, strong winds, and summer heat all affect performance and longevity.

Industrial facilities may also deal with vibration, dust, or corrosive environments. Choosing fixtures and materials suited for these conditions is essential for long-term reliability.

Power Infrastructure Considerations

High mast and sports lighting systems often tie into larger electrical systems within a facility. This can involve dedicated transformers, high voltage feeds, and surge protection.

Safety is always a priority. Proper arc flash analysis, grounding, and code compliance are critical during installation. These are not small-scale electrical jobs. They require a contractor who understands heavy duty commercial and industrial power systems.

The Role of Modern LED Technology

Today’s high mast and sports lighting systems typically rely on LED technology. Compared to older metal halide systems, LEDs provide:

  • Better energy efficiency
  • Instant on capability
  • Reduced maintenance
  • Improved light control
  • Longer lifespan

However, upgrading from older systems is not always simple. Electrical capacity, mounting hardware, and aiming angles must all be reviewed before retrofitting.

Coordination on Large Projects

High mast and sports lighting installations are usually part of larger construction or renovation projects. They may involve civil work, underground conduit installation, structural coordination, and tight construction schedules.

Close communication with general contractors, engineers, and project managers is essential. Proper planning prevents delays and costly adjustments later in the project.

Why Experience Makes the Difference

Installing tall poles and bright fixtures might sound straightforward, but these systems involve:

  • Structural awareness
  • Detailed load calculations
  • Code compliance expertise
  • Precision aiming and testing
  • Strong safety practices

Choosing an experienced commercial and industrial electrical contractor ensures that every component is installed correctly and built to last.

For facilities across North Alabama and Southern Middle Tennessee, high mast and sports lighting are long term investments in safety, visibility, and operational efficiency. When designed and installed properly, they provide reliable performance for decades.

If your project involves large scale outdoor lighting, partnering with a team that understands the technical and practical differences between standard commercial lighting and specialized systems will make all the difference. Contact Stewart Electric Company, Inc. at 256.536.4375 today or visit us online for more information!

lighting at a commercial business

Lighting Layout Mistakes That Reduce Workplace Productivity

Written by Red Sage on . Posted in 24/7 Electrical Services, Commercial Lighting, Electrical Lighting services, Lighting Installation, Uncategorized.

Most people think of lighting as a basic building feature. Flip the switch and the lights come on. But in commercial and industrial environments, lighting design has a direct effect on how efficiently people work. When lighting layouts are planned poorly, employees experience fatigue, frustration, and slower performance without always realizing lighting is the cause.

In busy facilities across North Alabama, every minute of productivity matters. Whether the space is a manufacturing floor, warehouse, office, or government building, lighting must support the tasks being performed. When it does not, output declines and errors increase. Understanding where lighting layouts go wrong is the first step toward improving workplace performance.

Treating Every Space the Same

A common lighting mistake is assuming that one lighting layout works for an entire facility. Different areas have different visual demands. A packaging station needs focused illumination. A hallway needs general visibility. An office requires balanced light for screens and paperwork. When all these spaces share the same lighting approach, some areas end up too bright while others feel dim.

This imbalance forces workers to adjust constantly. They may strain to see details or feel uncomfortable under harsh brightness. Both situations slow work and cause unnecessary stress. A thoughtful lighting plan adapts to each workspace instead of applying a single solution everywhere.

Creating Shadows Where Work Happens

Lighting fixtures that are placed without considering workstation positioning often create shadows in the very areas where people need to see clearly. This is common in industrial settings where equipment placement changes over time, but lighting layouts remain unchanged.

Shadows make tasks take longer and increase the chance of mistakes. Workers may lean or shift positions to compensate, which leads to discomfort and distraction. Proper fixture placement prevents this by ensuring even illumination across work surfaces and machinery.

Producing Glare That Distracts Workers

Glare is another productivity drain that often goes unnoticed. Lights that are too bright or angled incorrectly can shine directly into a worker’s eyes or reflect off glossy surfaces. This causes discomfort and visual fatigue throughout the day.

When employees are constantly adjusting their posture or squinting to reduce glare, concentration drops. A professional lighting layout avoids glare by selecting proper fixture angles, diffusers, and mounting heights that keep light where it is needed.

Using Light Levels That Are Too Low

Many older facilities still operate under lighting standards that no longer match modern work demands. Detailed assembly tasks, digital interfaces, inspection stations, and inventory systems all require stronger and more precise lighting than in the past.

If illumination levels are too low, workers slow down to compensate. They may rely on handheld lights or take extra time to confirm what they see. Increasing light levels through an updated layout improves accuracy and reduces eye strain.

Overlooking Light Color and Clarity

Lighting is not only about brightness. Color temperature and color rendering affect how clearly people see objects and read information. Outdated lighting that produces dull or yellow toned light can make spaces feel tired and reduce visual clarity.

Modern LED lighting provides crisp clean light that helps workers stay alert and improves recognition of colors and markings. When lighting layouts ignore light quality, facilities miss an easy opportunity to boost focus and comfort.

Forgetting How Daylight Changes Space

Buildings with windows and skylights benefit from natural light but only when artificial lighting is designed to work alongside it. Without proper planning, daylight creates bright zones and dim zones that shift throughout the day.

This inconsistency distracts workers and causes glare on screens and reflective surfaces. Integrating daylight into lighting design creates steady illumination from morning to evening which keeps a workspace comfortable.

Skipping Lighting Controls

Another frequent oversight is installing lighting that cannot adapt to how the space is used. Areas may stay fully lit even when empty while occupied zones lack flexibility for different tasks or shifts.

Lighting controls allow facilities to adjust brightness based on occupancy and time of day. When lighting responds to real use patterns, energy costs drop, and employees benefit from consistent lighting conditions.

Letting Maintenance Fall Behind

Even the best lighting layout loses effectiveness if fixtures are dirty, aging, or burned out. Uneven lighting slowly develops, and workers adapt without realizing visibility has declined.

A good lighting plan includes maintenance strategy from the start. Long life fixtures, accessible installation, and regular inspection keep lighting performance steady over time.

Better Lighting Leads to Better Performance

Fixing lighting layout mistakes is not simply replacing bulbs. It involves understanding how people move, where tasks occur, and what visual conditions are required for safe and efficient work. When lighting supports employees instead of working against them, productivity rises naturally.

Stewart Electric Company, Inc. provides professional commercial and industrial lighting design for facilities across North Alabama and Southern Middle Tennessee. From warehouse layouts to office upgrades and specialty industrial lighting, the right plan makes every workspace more effective.

When lighting is designed with purpose, people work better without even thinking about the lights above them. Contact Stewart Electric Company, Inc. at 256.536.4375 today or visit us online for more information!

hanging lights at commercial building

Lighting Upgrades for Commercial Spaces: Save Money and Improve Productivity

Written by Red Sage on . Posted in 24/7 Electrical Services, Commercial Electric, Commercial Lighting, Electrical Lighting services, Industrial Electrical Solutions, Lighting Installation, Uncategorized.

If you manage or own a commercial property, you know how quickly operating costs can add up. But there’s one area that’s often overlooked—and it could be costing you more than you think: your lighting.

At Stewart Electric Company, Inc., we’ve helped countless businesses across North Alabama and Southern-Middle Tennessee modernize their lighting systems. Why? Because it’s one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to boost efficiency and improve the environment your employees and customers experience every day.

The Problem with Outdated Lighting

If your facility still uses older fluorescent tubes or incandescent bulbs, you’re probably spending more on energy and maintenance than necessary. These fixtures are not only inefficient, but they also burn out faster and often don’t provide the quality of light modern commercial spaces need.

Dim lighting, flickering, or uneven coverage can make a space feel dated—and worse, it can affect how people work and interact in that environment.

Why LED Lighting Is a Smart Investment

Switching to LED isn’t just about saving electricity—it’s about upgrading your entire facility. LEDs are:

  • Up to 70% more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs
  • Long-lasting, which means fewer replacements and less maintenance
  • Cooler-running, which helps regulate indoor temperatures
  • Bright and consistent, providing better visibility throughout the space

When we install LED systems for our clients, they often see a noticeable drop in utility bills within the first month. And over the long term, the savings are substantial.

Lighting That Works Smarter, Not Harder

The real beauty of modern lighting systems lies in how adaptable they are. Smart lighting controls can automate when and where lights turn on, based on occupancy or natural daylight levels. That means you’re not paying to light empty rooms or sunlit spaces.

You can even control lighting zones from a centralized system—perfect for larger facilities or multi-building properties.

More Than Just a Utility Upgrade

Improving your lighting does more than save money—it directly impacts your team’s performance. Studies show that employees are more alert and productive in well-lit environments. Good lighting also reduces eye strain, improves mood, and increases overall satisfaction in the workplace.

In manufacturing or industrial settings, better lighting can even improve safety by reducing shadows and enhancing visibility in work areas.

Don’t Leave Incentives on the Table

Depending on your location and utility provider, you may be eligible for rebates or incentives for upgrading to energy-efficient lighting. These programs can cover a portion of the cost, making your return on investment even faster. Our team at Stewart Electric can help you explore what’s available and guide you through the application process.

Start with a Lighting Assessment

Every building is different. That’s why we always start with a custom lighting assessment. Whether you need to overhaul an entire warehouse or simply upgrade the lighting in a few office suites, we’ll recommend the best solutions for your layout, usage patterns, and budget.

If you’re ready to cut costs, improve your building’s function, and create a better environment for the people inside it, upgrading your lighting is a great place to start.

Call Stewart Electric Company, Inc. today at 256-536-4375 or reach out for a quote and let’s find the right lighting solution for your commercial space.

light pole on blusky background

High-Mast Lighting: A Bright Solution for Industrial and Commercial Properties

Written by Red Sage on . Posted in Commercial Electric, Commercial Lighting, Electrical Design & Build, Electrical Lighting services, High Mast Lighting, Industrial Electrical Solutions, Lighting Installation, Uncategorized.

When it comes to illuminating large spaces, high-mast lighting is the gold standard. From industrial yards to commercial parking lots, this specialized lighting solution provides the visibility and safety required for optimal functionality. In this article, we’ll dive into the applications, benefits, and reasons why high-mast lighting is a smart investment for your property.

What Is High-Mast Lighting?

High-mast lighting refers to lighting systems mounted on tall poles, often ranging from 40 to 150 feet in height. These poles support multiple light fixtures, strategically placed to deliver bright, uniform illumination across expansive areas. Their elevated design makes them ideal for sites where broad coverage is a necessity.

Where Is High-Mast Lighting Used?

High-mast lighting is the go-to choice for locations requiring reliable and comprehensive illumination, including:

  • Industrial Facilities: Loading docks, production yards, and storage areas need dependable lighting to ensure safety and productivity during evening hours.
  • Commercial Parking Lots: Large parking lots benefit from the expansive reach of high-mast lighting, which helps deter theft and enhances customer and employee safety.
  • Airports and Runways: For airports, clear visibility is crucial. High-mast lighting ensures safe operations, even in challenging weather conditions.
  • Sports Venues: Stadiums and arenas depend on high-mast systems to evenly light playing fields and seating areas, creating an enjoyable experience for fans and players alike.
  • Roadways and Intersections: Highways and major intersections utilize high-mast lighting to improve visibility for drivers, reducing accidents and increasing traffic flow.
  • Ports and Shipping Yards: The large-scale operations at ports require powerful lighting to maintain security and operational efficiency after dark.

The Benefits of High-Mast Lighting

The elevated position of high-mast lights provides even and widespread illumination, reducing shadows and dark spots that can pose safety risks. Modern high-mast lighting systems, particularly LED-based ones, use significantly less energy while delivering excellent brightness and performance. High-mast lights are built to last. Their durable construction withstands extreme weather conditions, ensuring long-term reliability with minimal maintenance.

Why Partner with Stewart Electric?

At Stewart Electric, we bring decades of expertise in industrial and commercial electrical systems, including high-mast lighting installations. Our team understands the unique requirements of large-scale lighting projects and works closely with clients to deliver customized solutions that balance performance, efficiency, and cost.

Contact Stewart Electric today at 256.536.4375 to learn more about our lighting services and how we can enhance safety, efficiency, and visibility for your industrial or commercial site. Let us help you shine brighter!

Stewart Electric Company, Inc. is proud to be a member of instrumental industrial associations:

Location

1009 A Cleaner Way
Huntsville, AL 35805

Mail

PO Box 14485
Huntsville, AL 35815

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