QUESTION: What is the difference between well lights, direct burial and in-grade fixtures?

ANSWER:

Well Lights

A well light is designed to allow water to pass through the fixture and drain into the soil below. The optical compartment inside the fixture housing is sealed, keeping water from the electrical components that would be damaged by water exposure, but the outer housing is vented and often referred to as a flow-through housing, because it allows water to drain from the surface and flow through the fixture.

Well lights are often installed in areas that require surface water drainage, such as tree grates. In a tree grate application, the luminaire can be integrated into the drain system and uplight the tree too.

Well lights should never be installed in applications where there is no drainage or poor drainage, because if the water is unable to drain out of the fixture, it will sit in the fixture and eventually cause the fixture to fail. If a well light is to be installed on a project where the soil is not permeable, a draining system will need to be installed.

Direct Burial Lights

Direct burial lights do not offer a method for draining surface water. These fixture housings are completely sealed and self-contained, designed for installation in concrete or soil. Despite being completely sealed, providing adequate drainage at each fixture is still a recommended practice, because extended exposure to saturated soil or submersion increases opportunities for the fixtures to leak and increases the risk of fixture failure.

Direct burial lights are often used to illuminate building perimeters surrounded by a sidewalk or to uplight structures such as flagpoles, sculptures, and monuments, because the direct burial lights can be installed into the sidewalk or the concrete base that is often poured to support these elements.

Recessed In-Grade Luminaire Features

Recessed in-grade fixtures are installed in the ground, flush with the grade. This elevation poses unique environmental challenges not faced by a luminaire installed above the ground. Fortunately, fixtures are being developed with features designed to better accommodate the elements. Some well lights and direct burial lights can be designed to withstand complete submersion in water, for short periods of time, to keep the temperature of the lens low enough to touch, and to hold up when driven over by an SUV.

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