Outdoor IP65 Remote Heads: Spacing, Aiming & Mounting

Why IP65 for exterior egress areas

IP65 heads are gasketed against water jets and wind-driven rain, making them a safe choice for doors that open to the weather, parking canopies, and exterior walkways. They also hold alignment better under vibration than many open-frame housings—important when you’re trying to keep light at the threshold instead of in occupants’ eyes.

Spacing patterns that work outdoors

• Single door: One head centered above the door, aimed slightly down and out to the egress path. For deeper overhangs, consider a second head offset to cover the landing.
• Double doors / wide openings: Two heads flanking the opening (left/right) aimed to overlap at the centerline; this evens out the landing and first steps outside.
• Corridors / canopies: Repeat evenly along the path so beams overlap just past mid-points; avoid large gaps that create dark bands between fixtures. For general interior layouts, see the remote head spacing guide.

Tip: If you’re unsure, mock up at dusk with temporary power and adjust aim before final tightening.

Mount height & aiming angles

• Mount height: Commonly 7–10 ft above grade (or as site allows). Lower mounts reduce shadows at thresholds but may need tighter beam control to avoid glare.
• Aiming: Start ~10–20° down and slightly off-axis from the doorway to keep light on the landing and first 10–15 ft of path. Nudge left/right until bright spots blend.
• Beam selection: Narrower beams throw farther along canopies; wider beams fill landings and stairs. For MR-style optics vs. PAR styles, compare pros/cons in MR-16 vs PAR36.

Wet-location mounting do’s & don’ts

• Gasket surfaces: Keep clean, flat, and dry before tightening. Don’t over-compress the gasket—water finds the warp.
• Conduit entry: Use listed hubs; create a drip loop so water doesn’t track into the housing. Check weep/drain orientation where provided.
• Hardware & corrosion: Use stainless fasteners and anti-seize as needed; avoid dissimilar-metal corrosion on steel canopies.
• Thermal considerations: Dark canopies run hot—verify ambient rating and avoid trapping heads in tight recesses.

Power & wiring notes for exterior runs

Exterior distances and temperature swings make voltage drop more likely. If your layout pushes long runs or many heads, compare supply options in 12V vs 24V for remote heads, and size conductors using the wire gauge & distance tables. Keep junctions accessible and label polarity (+/–) at every termination.

Inspection-ready checklist

• Coverage: Threshold, landing, and first section of egress path are evenly lit; no harsh glare at eye level.
• Hardware: Gaskets seated, hubs sealed, and fasteners corrosion-resistant.
• Documentation: One-line diagram, head schedule (W, qty), conductor gauge, estimated run lengths, and aiming notes on file.
• Compliance: Verify local expectations for emergency egress illumination and signage; see the remote head code requirements.

This article focuses on outdoor IP65 remote-head placement and aiming. For fundamentals and step-by-step sizing, use the core remote head sizing & wiring guide.