The fixture that lights everything between the building and the parking lot
Wall packs handle the perimeter: building entrances, loading docks, walkways, dumpster enclosures, and the first 40-60 feet of parking area adjacent to the building. They mount directly to the exterior wall, draw power from the building's electrical system (no pole foundation required), and cover the zones that pole-mounted area lights cannot reach. The two critical specification decisions are distribution type (where the light goes) and lumen output (how much). Get both right and the perimeter is evenly lit with no glare complaints. Get either wrong and you have dark spots, light trespass onto neighboring properties, or both.
Forward throw vs. full cutoff: the distribution decision
Wall packs come in three distribution configurations. Each one directs light differently, and the right choice depends on what is on the other side of the light beam.
| Distribution | Where light goes | Best for | Not ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward throw | Outward and downward from the building face. Projects light 40-60+ feet into the adjacent area. Some light spills to the sides. | Loading docks, parking areas adjacent to the building, security perimeters where maximum reach matters. | Property lines, residential neighbors, areas with dark sky ordinances. Forward throw can create light trespass if aimed toward adjacent properties. |
| Full cutoff | Straight down with zero light above the 90-degree horizontal plane. Tight, controlled pool of light directly below and slightly in front of the fixture. | Building entrances, walkways along the building face, areas near windows, property lines, dark sky zones. Required for IDA dark sky compliance. | Deep parking coverage. Full cutoff does not project far enough to light areas 40+ feet from the building without supplemental pole-mounted fixtures. |
| Adjustable / dual-position | Field-configurable between forward throw and full cutoff. Single fixture serves either role. | Buildings with mixed perimeter conditions (loading dock on one side, neighbor's property on another). Reduces SKU count. Allows future adjustment if site conditions change. | No significant drawback. Adjustable fixtures cost slightly more per unit but save on inventory and allow the installer to make the final decision on site. |
For a deeper explanation of IES distribution types (Type III, Type IV) and BUG ratings as they apply to wall-mounted fixtures, see the LED optics and distribution guide.
Sizing: wattage and lumens by mounting height
Do not match old HID wattage directly. A 50W LED wall pack produces more usable light at the ground than a 175W metal halide because LED optics direct the lumens downward instead of scattering them in all directions inside a reflector housing. Size by lumen output and mounting height.
| Mounting height | LED wattage range | Lumen range | Typical application | Approximate HID equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-12 ft | 20-40W | 1,500-4,000 lm | Building entrances, short walkways, residential-scale perimeters. Full cutoff preferred at low mounting to prevent eye-level glare. | 70-100W MH/HPS |
| 12-16 ft | 50-75W | 5,000-9,000 lm | General commercial perimeter lighting, retail storefronts, office building exteriors. The most common mounting range for commercial wall packs. | 150-175W MH/HPS |
| 16-20 ft | 80-100W | 9,000-13,000 lm | Large commercial buildings, schools, warehouse perimeters. Forward throw optics needed at this height for adequate reach. | 250W MH/HPS |
| 20-25 ft | 100-150W | 13,000-20,000 lm | Loading docks, distribution centers, industrial perimeters. Highest mounting range for wall-mounted fixtures before pole-mounted area lights become necessary. | 400W MH/HPS |
The coverage rule of thumb: A wall pack's usable throw is approximately 2x the mounting height. At 15 feet, expect roughly 30 feet of useful coverage from the building face. At 20 feet, approximately 40 feet. Beyond that distance, foot-candle levels drop below useful thresholds and supplemental lighting (pole-mounted area lights or additional wall packs) is needed. Verify with a photometric layout.
Spacing: how far apart
The spacing-to-height ratio (SHR) provides a useful starting point. Multiply the mounting height by the SHR to get the center-to-center distance between fixtures.
| Distribution type | Typical SHR range | Example at 15 ft mounting |
|---|---|---|
| Full cutoff (Type III) | 1.0 - 1.3 | 15-20 ft spacing |
| Forward throw (Type IV) | 1.3 - 1.6 | 20-24 ft spacing |
| Wide distribution (Type V, corner mount) | 1.0 - 1.2 | 15-18 ft spacing |
These are starting points. Tighten the spacing if uniformity matters (retail, hospitality). Wider spacing may be acceptable for basic security perimeters where average foot-candle levels matter more than uniformity ratios. Always verify with an IES-based photometric layout or a nighttime walkthrough after installation.
Controls: photocells, motion sensors, and dimming
Wall packs run all night, every night. Controls can cut operating hours and energy consumption significantly without reducing safety.
Photocells (dusk-to-dawn): The baseline control. Turns the fixture on at dusk and off at dawn automatically. Most commercial wall packs include a photocell receptacle (twist-lock) on top of the housing. If the fixture ships without one, an aftermarket photocell can be added. Make sure the photocell is positioned so it does not "see" the fixture's own light, which causes cycling (the light triggers the photocell to shut off, which triggers it to turn back on).
Motion sensors (bi-level / vacancy dimming): The fixture runs at a reduced output (typically 10-30% of full brightness) when no motion is detected, then ramps to full output when the sensor detects activity. This reduces energy consumption by 50-70% during unoccupied hours while maintaining a visible baseline of light for security cameras and general safety. ASHRAE 90.1 mandates this dual-reduction strategy (scheduled + occupancy) for many exterior lighting applications. See the ASHRAE 90.1 energy code guide for the exterior controls requirements.
0-10V dimming: Allows integration with building automation systems and networked lighting controls. Useful for large campuses where all exterior fixtures are managed centrally. See the dimming protocols guide.
Jarvis wall pack options
Jarvis Lighting manufactures three wall pack series, each featuring the patented FlexPack adjustable mounting system that allows field selection between forward throw and full cutoff.
LUMOS Series FlexPack
The full-size commercial wall pack with 2-position adjustable mounting plate. Built-in space for factory-installed PhotoMotion sensors. Die-cast aluminum housing. Available in multiple wattage and CCT options.
AWP Series Compact FlexPack
Compact form factor for entrances, stairwells, and tight mounting locations where a full-size wall pack is too large. Same FlexPack adjustable mounting. Lower wattage range for applications that need less output.
AL Series FlexPack with Emergency Backup
Full-size wall pack with integrated emergency battery backup. Provides code-required emergency egress lighting during power outages without a separate emergency fixture. FlexPack adjustable mounting included.
Wall pack specification checklist
| Item | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Distribution type | Forward throw for reach, full cutoff for dark sky and property line control, adjustable for mixed-use sites. |
| Lumen output | Match to mounting height per the sizing table above. Verify from spec sheet, not wattage equivalency. |
| Color temperature | 4000K default for most commercial. 3000K near residences. 5000K for security camera optimization. CCT guide. |
| IP rating | IP65 minimum for outdoor wall-mounted fixtures. Higher for coastal or wash-down environments. |
| Voltage | 120-277V universal driver covers most commercial buildings. Verify before ordering. |
| Photocell | Twist-lock photocell receptacle included or available. Specify button or stem type. |
| Motion sensor | Built-in or add-on. Required by ASHRAE 90.1 for many exterior zones. Verify programmable timeout and dimming levels. |
| DLC listing | Required for utility rebates. Verify the specific model/wattage/CCT configuration is on the DLC QPL. |
| Mounting | Junction box compatibility (4" round or octagonal). Bolt pattern for existing locations on replacement projects. |
| Emergency backup | Required at egress points per local code. Integrated battery backup or connection to emergency circuit. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between forward throw and full cutoff?
Forward throw projects light outward from the building to cover parking areas and loading docks. Full cutoff directs all light downward with zero uplight, minimizing glare and meeting dark sky requirements. Forward throw provides more reach; full cutoff provides more control. Adjustable fixtures like the Jarvis FlexPack series allow field selection between both.
What wattage wall pack do I need?
Size by mounting height: 20-40W at 8-12 feet, 50-75W at 12-16 feet, 80-100W at 16-20 feet, 100-150W at 20-25 feet. These ranges replace 70W to 400W metal halide/HPS fixtures. Always verify with lumen output rather than wattage equivalency.
How far apart should wall packs be spaced?
Start with 1.2-1.5x the mounting height as center-to-center spacing. At 15 feet, that is 18-22 feet apart. Forward throw fixtures can be spaced wider (1.3-1.6x) than full cutoff (1.0-1.3x). Verify with a photometric layout for uniformity.
What replaces a 175W metal halide wall pack?
A 50-70W LED wall pack. The LED produces equal or greater usable light at the ground because the optics direct lumens downward instead of scattering them inside a reflector. Check lumen output and distribution rather than relying on wattage alone.
What is FlexPack?
A patented Jarvis Lighting design that allows one wall pack fixture to serve as either forward throw or full cutoff. The installer rotates a 2-position mounting plate during installation to select the distribution. One SKU covers both applications, reducing inventory and providing uniform appearance across the building. Available in the LUMOS, AWP, and AL series.
Need help specifying wall packs for your project? Jarvis Lighting provides complimentary photometric layouts and project consultation. Request a project consultation or visit the wall pack collection to browse all options.
