Traditional “high bay” light fixtures are composed of two large spaces. One of the large spaces is formed by a reflector/refractor encasing the light source of the light fixture, and the other large space is in an electronics compartment encasing the components that control the light source. Aside from the overall large space taken up by these spaces, the electronics housing is typically situated directly above the light source. In such light fixtures, the electronic components in the electronic housing are exposed to heat generated by the electronic components themselves and to heat generated by the light sources. Even with solid state light sources, the thermal loads generated by the light source reduce the effective life of the electronics, and in turn, the effective life of the complete light fixture.
Thus, a lighting structure or fixture that reduces the damaging effects of heat generated by the light source of the lighting fixture on the electronic components of the lighting fixture may extend the effective life of the electronics and the lighting fixture.