Security Lighting Calculator

Design perimeter and area security lighting per IES RP-33. Calculate fixture count, spacing, illuminance levels, and camera compatibility. Checks IESNA security lighting categories and uniformity ratios.

Site & Security Level

Perimeter / Area Length 300 ft

Zone Width 20 ft

Security Level

Camera Type

Mounting Height 20 ft

Fixture Lumens 15000

Fixture Wattage 100 W

Fixture Arrangement

Security Assessment

Security level—

Required illuminance—

Camera requirement—

Max pole spacing—

Fixtures / poles needed—

Actual spacing—

Total zone area—

Achieved illuminance—

Camera compatibility—

Total wattage—

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poles

Count

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ft spacing

Pole spacing

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fc avg

Illuminance

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kW total

System load

IES RP-33 Security Levels Reference

Level I — Low Risk

0.5 fc

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Level II — Medium Risk

1.0 fc

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Level III — High Risk

2.0 fc

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Level IV — Critical

5.0 fc

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Designing security lighting

Effective security lighting favors uniform, glare-free coverage over a few bright floodlights, because deep shadows next to bright spots actually help intruders and blind cameras. Guidelines such as IES RP-33 give recommended levels by area type; the goals are adequate horizontal light for movement and good vertical illuminance so faces and activity are visible to people and cameras. Use full-cutoff fixtures to cut glare and light trespass, place lighting to eliminate dark hiding spots near entries and along perimeters, and consider motion activation where constant light isn’t needed. Coordinate lighting with camera placement so the two reinforce each other rather than fighting glare.