How to Choose Security Lighting
Lighting a space at night is critical not only for capturing high-quality surveillance footage but also for deterring crime. Whether you’re managing a large-scale commercial site or upgrading a home security setup, the right lighting can significantly enhance overall protection.
Below are key considerations to help you select the best lighting for your security system.
Wavelength
Choose the Right Light Type: Infrared, White, or Hybrid
Power Input
Match the Light’s Power Input to Your System
Range & Angle
Match your camera’s field of view (FOV) to the light’s range & angle.
1. Choose the Right Light Type: Infrared, White, or Hybrid
Infrared (IR Light) – Covert and Effective
Infrared lighting, typically at 850nm, is invisible to the human eye but clearly visible to most IR-capable security cameras. An IR Illuminator allows discreet, around-the-clock surveillance. Scenes illuminated with IR will appear well-lit in camera footage while remaining completely dark to human observers. Infrared is commonly used in residential or environmentally sensitive areas where continuous White lighting may be a nuisance or contribute to light pollution.
IR Light / IR Illuminators are ideal when:
See All: IR Illuminators
Note: In specialized situations where even the faint red glow at the source of a higher-power 850nm IR light is undesirable (e.g., close-range covert surveillance or rail systems), 940nm IR offers a completely glow-free option.
White Light – Visible Deterrence and Color Capture
White floodlights provide both a strong visual deterrent and full-color video footage. A brightly lit area discourages potential intruders. It also enables the capture of visual details, like clothing color or vehicle color that infrared cannot provide. However, continuous white lighting can be a nuisance in residential areas and contribute to light pollution. AXTON’s White Floodlights are designed for security systems and have I/O Ports that can be used to activate the Floodlight using sensors or other I/O Port capable systems devices.
See All: White LED Floodlights
Hybrid Lights – Best of Both Worlds
AXTON Hybrid lights combine both IR and white LEDs in a single unit, offering flexible functionality.
In standard operation, the light runs in IR mode for invisible camera illumination. When triggered by a system component, such as a motion detector, contact sensor, or camera via I/O ports, the white floodlight activates. The activation of the bright white floodlight signals intruders that they’ve been detected and often causes them to flee before any damage is done. After the event, the light returns to IR mode for continued covert surveillance.
See All: HYBRID Floodlights
2. Match the Light’s Power Input to Your System
Your lighting should match your existing power setup, especially if you’re trying to avoid complex wiring or costly trenching for outdoor installations.
Common Low Voltage Power Options – 12 or 24-36 VDC, 24 VAC & 90-264 Universal AC
Note: Panoramic lights are also available in 24–36 VDC/AC models. Universal AC is typically chosen for its flexibility in commercial or industrial installations requiring higher wattage (up to 170W max for AXTON Panoramics).
PoE (Power over Ethernet)
AXTON offers PoE, PoE+, and PoE++ lighting options. These simplify installation by using the same cabling infrastructure that powers other system components, no additional electrical wiring required.
PoE Power Levels:
PoE lights are backward-compatible: a PoE+ light can operate on a PoE++ network, but not vice versa.
See All: PoE Powered Lights
Off-Grid Security – Battery & Solar-Powered Lighting 9 to 28 VDC
For remote, mobile, or solar-powered sites, AXTON offers low input voltage floodlights and IR illuminators compatible with solar powered, batteries, generators, off-grid systems.
See All: Off-Grid Security Lighting
3. Determine the Distance and Width (Angle) of Illumination You Need
Lighting for a security camera should match your camera’s field of view (FOV) to ensure full coverage without wasting energy. Your lighting’s effectiveness is ultimately limited by your camera’s viewing angle and range.
White, IR, and hybrid lights are available in multiple beam angles and power levels. Higher wattage generally means greater range.
Understanding Beam Angles and Illumination Range
Choosing the correct beam angle for your lighting can significantly improve system effectiveness and reduce energy costs.
AXTON lights are available in multiple beam angles, depending on the product. To view the available angles and estimated range for a specific model, visit the product page the “Range” tab is located beneath the product images.
For General Security – Floodlight Use Cases
When planning general site security lighting:
TIP: If you are familiar with Google Earth it can be used measure your site’s area. For large security installations, AXTON offers free lighting plans to help you optimize light placement and performance.
Questions?
If you have questions about the best lighting for your site, feel free to contact us: call 801/519-0500 or email: support@axtontech.com
