The answer in two lines
Choose an outdoor LED floodlight by the lumens the area needs, not by watts alone: watts are consumption, lumens are light output. Small units (30 W) suit paths, gardens and small facades; 100 and 200 W suit larger areas; 400 W suits car parks and security lighting. Look for IP65 (dust-tight and protected against water jets), warm 3000K around homes and white 6500K for functional areas, and have a qualified electrician or engineer install it.
"I am fitting a floodlight for the yard, fence and garage: 30, 100 or 200 W?" We hear it often. In this guide, Tawredaat (توريدات), an electrical and finishing materials store in Cairo and Giza (see also our FAQ), explains how to compare power ratings, what IP65 means and warm versus white light outdoors. Every technical figure names its source at the end; where there is no public source we say so instead of guessing.
30, 100, 200 or 400 W? Quick comparison
This comparison uses the product descriptions on Tawredaat (Luma floodlights) plus example lumen figures from LEDVANCE catalogs to show the difference between watts and lumens. The LEDVANCE figures belong to another brand, not to Luma, because the Luma listings do not state lumens.
| Power | Use per product description | Example lumens from LEDVANCE (3000K / 6500K) | Luma on Tawredaat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 W | Gardens, pathways, building facades and small outdoor spaces | 2700 / 3000 | 30 W warm 3000K |
| 100 W | Outdoor spaces, gardens, pathways, building exteriors | 9000 / 10000 | 100 W warm 3000K |
| 200 W | Gardens, building exteriors, parking areas | 18000 / 20000 (22000 / 25000 in the Performance range) | 200 W warm 3000K |
| 400 W | Large outdoor areas, parking lots, warehouses, security lighting | No 400 W model in the catalogs we reviewed | 400 W white 6500K · 400 W warm 3000K |
How do I size it for my area?
We found no published rule from a manufacturer or recognised body that gives "X watts per square metre" for outdoor floodlights, so we will not invent one. The result depends on the unit's own lumens, mounting height, beam angle and the site. The LEDVANCE catalogs we reviewed list a 100° beam for these floodlights. Ask an electrician or lighting designer, with the lumens printed on the unit you plan to buy.
Note that watts are not brightness. In the LEDVANCE catalog the same 30 W unit gives 2700 lm in 3000K and 3000 lm in 6500K, so the warm version gives slightly less light for the same consumption.
What does IP65 mean?
IP is the protection code defined in the international standard IEC 60529 (European EN 60529). It is read as two digits:
- ✔ Digit 6 (dust): dust-tight, dust must not enter at all.
- ✔ Digit 5 (water): water jets from any direction must have no harmful effect. The test uses a 6.3 mm nozzle, 12.5 litres per minute, from 2.5 to 3 m, for 3 minutes.
- ⚠ This is a water-jet test, not immersion, and the rating applies to the unit as supplied; it does not account for ageing or temperature changes. Correct installation matters.
All the Luma floodlights above are listed as IP65 and for outdoor use.
Warm 3000K or white 6500K outdoors?
| Warm 3000K | White 6500K (daylight) | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Comfortable and inviting, per the product description | Bright, daylight-like, per the product description |
| Suggested use | Gardens, paths, house facades, yards | Parking, warehouses, security (400 W listing) |
| DarkSky guidance | "Use warmer-color lights where possible"; suppliers quote 3000K as the ceiling | Cooler than the quoted ceiling |
Our suggestion: use warm light around homes and neighbours, and white for functional areas away from windows. This is guidance, not a mandatory rule: DarkSky International says "Use warmer-color lights where possible", and the 3000K figure comes from a lighting supplier's blog (Montreal Lighting) summarising the DarkSky/IES principles, because the DarkSky page itself gives no number.
Common mistakes with yard and fence floodlights
- ⚠ Too much power. A very strong unit causes glare and shines into neighbours' windows. DarkSky: direct light only where needed and use the lowest level necessary.
- ⚠ Wrong aim. A unit tilted upward throws light outside the target area. Aim it down and only at the area you need.
- ⚠ Loose watertight joints. The IP65 rating applies to the unit as supplied, so a loose joint or unsealed cable entry can let water in. Follow the unit's manual and have the electrician close the joints.
- ⚠ Cable not rated for outdoor use. Choose a cable suitable for outdoor exposure per the manufacturer's manual; the electrician decides the type. Any cable size must be a standard size (1.5 / 2.5 / 4 / 6 / 10 mm²) and is set by the total power on the circuit.
- ⚠ Forgetting circuit protection. Outdoor equipment needs protection; see our RCCB guide and review the joints with our junction box guide.
- ⚠ Light on all night. DarkSky suggests timers or motion sensors so light is on only when needed.
Frequently asked questions
30, 100 or 200 W for the yard?
There is no fixed number. The 30 W listing mentions gardens, pathways and facades, 100 W larger outdoor spaces, and 200 W gardens, facades and parking. Choose by the lumens printed on the unit and the mounting height, and let an electrician estimate.
What does IP65 mean?
Full dust protection (digit 6) and protection against water jets from any direction (digit 5) per IEC 60529. It does not mean immersion.
Warm or white?
Warm 3000K around homes and neighbours, white 6500K for functional areas such as parking. It is guidance, not a rule.
Are watts the same as brightness?
No. Watts are consumption; brightness is in lumens. In the LEDVANCE catalog the same 30 W gives 2700 lm warm and 3000 lm white.
Is 400 W right for a house?
Our 400 W listing mentions outdoor areas, parking lots, warehouses and security lighting, so it is likely too strong for a yard and may glare into neighbours' windows. Ask an electrician first.
Can I install it myself?
No. Final installation and connection belong to a qualified electrician or engineer.
Do you deliver?
Tawredaat delivers in Cairo and Giza only.
Ready to choose your outdoor floodlight?
See the outdoor floodlights at Tawredaat, with delivery in Cairo and Giza.
About Tawredaat: Tawredaat (توريدات) is an Egyptian supplier of electrical and finishing materials, serving homeowners, companies and contractors in Cairo and Giza. Questions? See our FAQ.
English summary: Choose an outdoor LED floodlight by the lumens the area needs, not by watts alone: watts are consumption, lumens are light output. Tawredaat's Luma floodlights come in 30, 100, 200 and 400 W, all rated IP65 (IEC 60529: dust-tight and protected against water jets from any direction), in warm 3000K or white 6500K. No public area-per-watt rule exists, so size by the unit's lumens and the site with an electrician or lighting designer. Prefer warm light near homes and neighbours, avoid over-powered glare, and have installation done by a qualified electrician.
Sources
- Bopla, Protection classification IP 65 to DIN EN 60529 (VDE 0470) (a summary of the IEC 60529 / EN 60529 code: first digit 6 = dust-tight, 'dust must not enter at all'; second digit 5 = water jets from any direction must have no harmful effect; test with a 6.3 mm nozzle, 12.5 litres per minute, from 2.5 to 3 m, 3 minutes; ratings apply to the enclosure as supplied and do not account for ageing or temperature changes) — bopla.de/en/technical-data/technical-information/protection-classification/ip-65
- LEDVANCE, VALUE FLOOD LIGHT G3 technical information (example catalog figures: 30 W = 2700 lm at 3000K and 3000 lm at 4000K/6500K; 100 W = 9000 / 10000 lm; 200 W = 18000 / 20000 lm; IP65, 100° beam, 220-240 V; no 400 W model) — cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2241/3179/files/TI_of_LEDVANCE_VALUE_FLOOD_LIGHT_G3.pdf
- LEDVANCE, PERFORMANCE FLOOD LIGHT 65-200 W technical information (example: 200 W = 22000 lm at 3000K and 25000 lm at 4000K/6500K; IP65, 100° beam, 100-277 V; no 400 W model) — cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2241/3179/files/TI_of_LED_PERFORMANCE_FLOOD_LIGHT_65-200W.pdf
- DarkSky International, Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting (useful, targeted, low level, controlled, warm-colored: direct light only where needed, use no more than necessary, use timers or motion sensors, use warmer-color lights where possible; the page gives no numeric CCT value) — darksky.org/lighting-principles
- Montreal Lighting, Dark sky lighting (a lighting supplier's blog citing the DarkSky International / IES principles: correlated colour temperature at or below 3000K, 2700-3000K for most residential use; glare = harsh unshielded brightness; light trespass = light spilling onto neighbouring properties or into windows) — montreallighting.com/blogs/blog-english/dark-sky-lighting
- Tawredaat product listings (wattage, 3000K / 6500K, IP65 and suggested uses are taken only from the Luma floodlight listings on tawredaat.com; the listings do not state lumens, voltage or beam angle) — tawredaat.com/collections/industrial-flood-lights
