How to Choose the Beam Pattern of an LED Work Light

Beam Patterns Define the Job the Light Does

A flood beam spreads light widely across a close area, ideal for illuminating a work zone around a forklift or excavator. A spot beam concentrates light into a narrow cone, best for seeing far ahead on a truck or train. A combo beam combines both patterns, offering coverage near and at distance. A driving beam is a narrow spot pattern designed for forward visibility on off-road vehicles and engineering machinery.

Flood Beams for Close Work Around Machines

Flood beams deliver wide coverage at low angles. These beams are used on forklift safety lights and work lights where the operator works within 1 to 3 meters of the light source.

Spot Beams for Distance Ahead of the Machine

Spot beams focus light into a narrow beam. This level of output is suitable for seeing obstacles or road signs ahead on a full size SUV or mining machinery operating at night.

Combo Beams for Mixed Tasks

Combo beams combine a central spot with a wider flood. A 12 inch LED light bar with combo pattern delivers 80 lux at 1 meter and 60 lux at 50 meters. This allows a single light to support both close inspection and long-range visibility, making it ideal for trucks and engineering vehicles that switch between tasks.

Driving Beams for Forward Visibility on Off-Road Vehicles

Driving beams are optimized for long-distance forward visibility. This beam pattern is used on 4x4 accessory brands and fleet operators' vehicles where clear sightlines beyond 50 meters are required.

Matching Beam Pattern to Machine Use Case

Choose the beam pattern based on the machine's task. Use flood for close work on forklifts and cranes. Use spot or driving for long-range visibility on trucks and off-road vehicles. Use combo when both close and distant lighting are needed. The beam pattern is fixed per model and cannot be adjusted after manufacture.

Verifying Beam Performance in Real Conditions

SUNLITEC measures beam output using an integrating sphere, one of the in-house test machines. These values are listed on the product page and are consistent across production batches.

What to Specify in Your Purchase Order

Every SUNLITEC product page lists these fields where available, making it easy to copy them directly into a procurement document.