Moving on to another aspect of beam angle, let’s discuss the “throw distance.” The throw distance refers to the maximum length a light beam can travel before it starts to fade away.
The throw distance is an important aspect to consider when selecting between floodlights and spotlights, as it can significantly affect the effectiveness of the lighting solution. For example, the throw distance is the maximum length a light beam can travel before it begins to fade away or lose intensity. In other words, it is the maximum distance from the light source to the illuminated object or surface.
Spotlights typically have a longer throw distance than floodlights because they produce a more focused and intense beam spread. This makes spotlights ideal for lighting specific areas or objects from a distance, such as in retail or museum displays, or for highlighting architectural features from space. On the other hand, Floodlights have a shorter throw distance because they produce a wider beam spread, making them better suited for illuminating large areas from a closer distance.
It’s important to note that several factors can affect the throw distance of a light fixture, including the beam angle, intensity, wattage, and lumens. Other environmental factors, weather conditions, can also affect the throw distance. Therefore, when selecting between floodlights and spotlights, it’s crucial to consider the specific lighting needs and space to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
To better illustrate the difference between floodlights and spotlights, let’s consider the example of a car driving down a narrow road at night. The image below demonstrates the results of using a spotlight versus a floodlight in this scenario.
