Dusk To Dawn Area Lights

Typically, dusk-to-dawn flood lights illuminate space from above and have a built-in photocell that automates the operation of the light. The photocell (or photo control) senses the amount of ambient light and turns the light on or off depending on the current conditions. This is superior to something like a timer as it needs no adjustment throughout the year and will even function during inclement weather without additional input.

There is still a fractional amount of power required to operate the photocell sensor, but this is typically less than 1 W on most sensors. 

Photocells are typically built-in/included as they greatly increase the efficiency of the lights and save energy without the need for any direct interaction or external control. These sensors can be bypassed so the light will function with normal external controls as needed in any case though. If you’re looking for a lower wattage area light solution, dusk-to-dawn flood lights are an excellent choice.

As with any flood lights or outdoor security lighting, safety certifications from UL or ETL are a must to ensure reliability and code compliance. DLC certification is also a great thing to have for peace of mind and to potentially be eligible for utility rebates.

The first thing to do is make sure you know everything about local restrictions and codes in terms of light color/temperature (CCT) and allowable uplight and glare. Once that is determined, then simply find the light with the appropriate light output and the quantity you need for the job.

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