LED Shoebox Lights

What Are LED Shoebox Lights?

An LED shoebox fixture is a rectangular outdoor area light built specifically for pole applications. You’ll see them in parking lots, roadways, and commercial properties because they push light outward and downward in controlled patterns, instead of wasting output into the sky.

An LED shoebox light fixture uses high-output LED arrays and optics to spread light evenly across a wide space, with fewer dark spots between poles. That makes shoebox lighting one of the most common choices for commercial lot installs and retrofit projects. If you’ve ever quoted shoebox LED parking lot lights, you already know the goal: solid coverage, good uniformity, and a fixture that holds up long-term outdoors.

What Are the Different Types of LED Shoebox Lights?

Not every lot is laid out the same, so the real “secret sauce” on a shoebox install is matching the distribution pattern to the site. Mounting height, pole spacing, and where the fixtures sit on the property line all matter. Here are the common setups contractors use most often:

• Type II Distribution: Narrow spread for pathways, sidewalks, and tight perimeter runs along buildings.
• Type III Distribution: The most common choice for parking lots, with forward throw and a medium width spread.
• Type IV Distribution: Wider lateral spread, great near buildings or when you need light pushed outward.
• Type V Distribution: Symmetrical pattern for center-of-area mounting with uniform coverage in all directions.
• Wattage Options: Ranges from standard outputs up through fixtures like a 150w LED shoebox light for typical installs, plus higher wattage options for taller poles and wider spacing.

Where Are LED Shoebox Lights Used?

Most outdoor lot projects need two things: consistent coverage and predictable pole placement. That’s where LED shoebox lights earn their keep. They’re built for wide-area visibility, so contractors use them on properties where safety, traffic flow, and clean site lighting actually matter. Common applications include:

• Commercial parking lots
• Shopping center parking areas
• Office building parking
• Municipal streets and roadways
• Residential street lighting
• School and university parking
• Hospital and medical campus parking
• Airport parking structures
• Industrial facility parking
• Parks and recreation area pathways

With the right distribution and wattage, you’ll get even light between poles without blowing out the site with unnecessary spill.

Benefits of LED Shoebox Lights

The right shoebox spec gives contractors clean coverage now and fewer service calls later.

• Energy Efficient: Up to 75% savings vs. 400W–1000W HID fixtures
• Long Lifespan: 50,000–100,000 hours reduces maintenance
• Uniform Coverage: Optics help reduce dark spots between poles
• Multiple Distributions: Type II, III, IV, V for different lot layouts
• Easy Installation: Pole mount setup is fast with a slip fitter
• Instant On: No restrike delay like metal halide
• Photocell Ready: Receptacles support dusk-to-dawn control
• DLC Premium: Higher-tier rebates from many utilities
• Dimming Capable: 0–10V dimming for energy management

How Do You Connect LED Shoebox Lights?

Most shoebox installs are straightforward, but the key is mounting clean and making sure your wiring is protected the whole way up the pole. LED Shoebox Lights typically mount using a slip fitter bracket and hardwire to line voltage. Installation steps:

1. Shut off power at the pole base or breaker and verify
2. Open the fixture wiring compartment
3. Slide the slip fitter onto the pole (2”–5” diameter)
4. Tighten set screws to lock the fixture in place
5. Connect line voltage (120–277V or 347–480V) to the terminal block
6. Install photocell in the twist-lock receptacle if using dusk-to-dawn control
7. Close everything up, restore power, and test operation

Most lots run 277V or 480V for efficiency. Wiring typically comes up through the hollow pole from underground conduit. As always, follow NEC Article 410 and local code.

Maximum Run of LED Shoebox Lights

Because these fixtures are pole-based, every light is individually powered. There’s no daisy-chaining between poles, so circuit capacity drives the fixture count.

Circuit guidance (typical 150W loads):

• 20A circuit at 277V: roughly 28–35 fixtures
• 20A circuit at 480V: roughly 50–60 fixtures

Pole spacing depends on mounting height and distribution pattern:

• Type III at 20’ mounting height: 3:1 to 4:1 spacing (60’–80’)
• Type V at 25’ mounting height: around 4:1 spacing (100’)

A quick photometric plan will confirm the layout and help you hit target foot-candles for the site.

Why Buy LED Shoebox Lights from Duralec?

Contractors buy LED Shoebox Lights from Duralec because we make pole lighting simple. You get fixtures that spec correctly, install clean, and hold up outdoors without creating future headaches. Whether you’re replacing HID heads or building out a new lot, we stock LED shoebox light options that match real layouts and real pole heights, including outputs that cover everything from standard lots up through high-power packages.

This is also where IntrinsiX fits in nicely. Our IntrinsiX outdoor fixtures are built for consistent output and dependable long-term performance, which matters when you’re installing multiple poles across a property. IntrinsiX helps keep output and color consistent row to row, so the finished lot doesn’t look patchy or mismatched. That consistency is a big deal on larger commercial installs where the customer notices everything. IntrinsiX also comes backed by strong warranty support, so you’re not stuck chasing parts later.

We ship fast out of our Illinois warehouse and Commercial Accounts unlock preferred pricing and priority support – helpful when you’re quoting big parking upgrades or managing multi-site rollouts. You can also bundle full exterior packages through us, including wall packs, floods, and area lights, and keep everything in one order. If you’re hunting value, our Clearance Section often has discounted contractor favorites too.