CSS LED Strip Light | Lithonia Lighting

For general office ambient lighting, we recommend mounting the Lithonia Lighting CSS at 9 to 11 feet above the finished floor. This height provides uniform illumination on work surfaces without creating glare on computer screens.

In spaces with higher ceilings, consider pendant mounting to bring the fixture closer to the task plane. Our pendant kit allows field-adjustable cable length, so you can fine-tune the mounting height during installation. For conference rooms or private offices with 8-foot ceilings, surface mounting works well and keeps the fixture profile low to maximize headroom.

The standard CSS LED strip light is rated for dry indoor locations only. It is not suitable for outdoor installation or areas with direct water exposure such as car washes, covered exterior canopies, or food processing facilities.

For damp or wet-location applications, consider our IBZ or VTN series fixtures, which carry IP65 or IP66 ratings and include sealed gaskets around the lens and end caps. If you need a linear LED solution for a space with occasional moisture exposure, contact our technical support team to specify the appropriate model for your environment.

Lighting design depends on the intended use of the space and the applicable building code. As a general guideline, offices require 30 to 50 footcandles on work surfaces, retail environments need 50 to 100 footcandles, and corridors typically require 10 to 20 footcandles.

Use our online lumen calculator to input room dimensions, ceiling height, and desired footcandle level. The tool will recommend the appropriate CSS model and spacing. For complex layouts or spaces with unusual geometry, we offer photometric design services through our specification team. Provide a floor plan and ceiling height, and we’ll generate a point-by-point lighting layout with fixture placement and expected illuminance levels.

Yes, the 0-10V dimming driver in the CSS accepts control signals from occupancy sensors, photocells, and building automation systems. The driver responds to voltage changes between 0 and 10 volts, where 0 volts corresponds to minimum output and 10 volts corresponds to full brightness.

For occupancy control, wire the sensor’s switched output to the driver’s input leads according to the wiring diagram in the installation guide. For daylight harvesting, connect a photocell to the driver and configure the desired light level setpoint. The fixture will automatically dim when sufficient daylight is available, reducing energy consumption while maintaining consistent illumination on the task plane.

The CSS delivers a minimum CRI of 80, which is the baseline for most commercial applications. This level of color rendering accurately reproduces skin tones, printed materials, and common interior finishes without significant color shift.

If your project requires higher color fidelity—such as retail environments with color-critical merchandise or healthcare settings where accurate skin tone assessment matters—we offer a CRI 90+ option at the time of order. The higher-CRI version uses a different LED binning selection and phosphor coating but maintains the same lumen output and efficacy as the standard CRI 80 model.

The CSS offers several advantages over T8 or T12 fluorescent strip lights. LED technology eliminates the need for ballast replacement, reducing long-term maintenance costs. The 60,000-hour rated life is three to four times longer than fluorescent lamps, further lowering labor and material expenses over the fixture’s operational life.

Energy consumption is typically 40 to 50 percent lower than equivalent fluorescent fixtures, translating to immediate utility cost savings. The CSS also provides instant-on operation without the warm-up period or flicker associated with aging fluorescent ballasts. Finally, the fixture contains no mercury, simplifying disposal and reducing environmental impact when the fixture eventually reaches end of life.