too much light?

[NBN]

Is there such a thing as too much light in your shop?
I'm working in a 30x40 shop, 14' eave 20' ridge, so lights would be approximately at 16 feet.
I'm looking at 150w high bay ufo lighting and looking at figures, 6 units should provide adequate lighting. What if I go 8 or 9 units, too bright? I plan on setting them on at least 2 circuits and dimmable. But at that, am I just wasting money buying the extra lights?

 

[Shiftless]

There are quite a few variables besides square footage and height. Usage is just one.
And there are quite a few differences from person to person when judging “bright enough” or “too bright”.
Are you doing precision work in every square foot of that building?
Just parking vehicles or storing stuff on shelves doesn’t require nearly as much light as running a lathe or assembling small parts.
With that being said, as long as you like those glaringly bright UFO style 20,000 lumen fixtures, I’d say that 6 will be a good starting point and probably entirely adequate for just about anybody. You might be more comfortable with more fixtures of a lesser output to better spread out the light and better eliminate shadows.

 

[bbbarracuda]

As I’m getting older, there is no such thing as too bright. As we age, you probably need more light. So, it is a personal decision for you and your eyes.

 

[cybrdyke]

Alot of people kid around saying you can never have too much light. Truth is that the detrimental health effects of being exposed to too much light are well documented, and they can be very serious. Without boring everyone with specifics, the effects are physical, metabolic, and emotional. That said, I dont think that over-lighting your garage by 3 or 4 fixtures would send anyone to the hospital.
What you need is a lighting layout to show you how many fixtures would be best for what you intend to do in the space. There is probably already one done in the sticky in this forum for your dimensions.
General lighting practice is to use larger fixtures for general illumination to a median level and then more specific lighting in task areas. Also, to achieve evenness, its better to use more fixtures of lesser power than to use fewer high powered ones.
Good luck!
CD

 

[nadogail]

I am doubtful that there’s a one size fits everything answer to the question about required lighting levels.

 

[toyotadriver]

My shop started with 8 standard bulb base fixtures with a 4 ft florescent light over the engine area of each bay and one over the work bench. I thought that was awesome at one time. Now, I have those same 8 lights but 4 are 150 watt equivalent LEDs and 4 are 100 watt equivalent LEDs, then there are 4 2 ft LED lights between the bulbs, there's now 2 4 ft LEDs above the work bench, and there are 3 more 4 ft LED lights over the working/tool box area of the shop. I love all the light....and am thinking of adding more. Might add a few of these.

https://www.menards.com/main/electrical/light-bulbs/led-light-bulbs/triburst-240w-equivalent-3-panel-daylight-led-light-bulb/7090feg/p-2633905341370551-c-7482.htm?tid=-3081070454925747145&ipos=1