How to Choose an LED Panel Light
LED panel lights give a clean, glare-free wash of light that suits modern false ceilings across Tricity homes. The right choice comes down to how you mount it, the size and wattage for the room, the colour temperature, and above all a well-built driver that survives our voltage swings. This guide walks you through each decision so you buy once and light well.
How do I choose an LED panel light?
Decide recessed or surface mount based on your false-ceiling depth, size the wattage to roughly 100 to 120 lumens per square foot, pick a colour temperature that fits the room, and insist on a wide-input driver with surge protection.
01Recessed vs surface mount
Recessed panels drop into a cut-out in a gypsum or POP false ceiling and sit flush, giving that seamless flat-ceiling look most Tricity flats aim for. Surface-mounted panels bolt directly onto a solid RCC ceiling and project a few centimetres down, which is the sensible route when there is no false ceiling or no plenum space above.
The common mistake is buying a recessed panel and then discovering there is only 30 to 40 mm of gap above the ceiling for the driver and wiring. Always confirm you have at least 60 to 80 mm of clear depth before choosing recessed. If not, pick a surface panel or a slim edge-lit model.
02Size and wattage per room
Panels are sold in square and round formats. Common sizes are the small 3 to 6 W spot panels, the 600 x 600 mm office-style panel at around 36 to 40 W, and slim round panels from 6 to 24 W. As a rule of thumb, aim for roughly 100 to 120 lumens per square foot for general living areas, more for kitchens and study zones.
- Small bedroom (up to 100 sq ft): two to three 12 to 15 W panels.
- Living room (150 to 200 sq ft): four to six 15 to 22 W panels, or a mix with cove lighting.
- Kitchen work zone: brighter 4000K panels plus under-cabinet strips.
Buying one large central panel rarely works; several smaller panels spread evenly kill shadows far better.
03Colour temperature and 3-in-1 CCT
Colour temperature sets the mood. Warm white at 3000K feels cosy and suits bedrooms and living rooms; neutral 4000K is crisp and good for kitchens and bathrooms; cool 6500K is stark and better kept to utility and work spaces. Many modern panels are 3-in-1 CCT, letting you switch between 3000K, 4000K and 6500K from the wall switch or a small selector on the fixture.
CCT panels are handy when you are unsure of the final feel of a room, but check that switching is clean and does not flicker. Avoid mixing very warm and very cool panels in the same open-plan space, as the colour mismatch looks jarring.
04Driver quality and surge protection
The driver is the heart of a panel and the first thing to fail. Tricity mains routinely swing between 190V and 250V, and cheap constant-current drivers cook themselves in a couple of summers. Look for a driver rated for a wide input of 100V to 265V or at least 140V to 265V, with basic surge and over-voltage protection built in.
An isolated driver is safer and quieter than a non-isolated one, and a metal-bodied driver dissipates heat better than a plastic-potted unit. Where you run costly panels on a circuit, an external surge protection device at the distribution board is cheap insurance against lightning-season spikes during the monsoon.
05Cut-out sizes and installation
Every recessed panel has a specified cut-out diameter, and getting it wrong means an ugly gap or a panel that will not seat. Round downlight-style panels usually list a cut-out that is 10 to 20 mm smaller than the visible rim. Always cut to the manufacturer's stated cut-out, not the outer size.
- 3 to 6 W: around 75 to 90 mm cut-out.
- 12 to 15 W: around 145 to 170 mm cut-out.
- 18 to 24 W: around 200 to 225 mm cut-out.
Mark cut-outs from a ceiling plan before the carpenter closes the POP, and keep panels at least 200 mm clear of AC ducting and beams.
06Dimming, efficiency and lumens
If you want scene control, buy a panel explicitly marked dimmable and pair it with a compatible TRIAC dimmer, since forcing a non-dimmable driver to dim causes buzzing, flicker and early failure. Efficiency matters for the electricity bill, so look for a panel delivering around 90 to 110 lumens per watt; a 22 W panel at 100 lm/W gives roughly 2200 lumens.
Do not judge a panel by wattage alone, as two 18 W panels can differ widely in real output and colour quality. Check the stated lumens and, for kitchens and studies, a colour rendering index of 80 or higher so colours look natural. A good warranty of two years or more is a fair signal of build quality.
07Common mistakes to avoid
Under-lighting is the number one regret, so err slightly brighter and add a dimmer if you want control. The second is ignoring the driver and buying on price alone, which leads to early flicker and dead panels. Third is choosing a colour temperature that clashes with the room's purpose, and fourth is forgetting that a panel with no accessible driver box is a nightmare to service later. A fifth is cutting the ceiling hole to the outer rim size instead of the smaller stated cut-out, which leaves an unsightly gap around every fitting.
LED panel light sizing quick reference
| Room / use | Suggested wattage | CCT | Typical cut-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom | 2 to 3 x 12-15 W | 3000K warm | 145-170 mm |
| Living room | 4 to 6 x 15-22 W | 3000-4000K | 170-225 mm |
| Kitchen | 3 to 4 x 18-24 W | 4000K neutral | 200-225 mm |
| Bathroom | 1 to 2 x 12-18 W | 4000K neutral | 145-200 mm |
| Office / study | 600x600 36-40 W | 4000K neutral | surface / grid |
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose an LED panel light?
Decide recessed or surface mount based on your false-ceiling depth, size the wattage to roughly 100 to 120 lumens per square foot, pick a colour temperature that fits the room, and insist on a wide-input driver with surge protection.
What is a 3-in-1 CCT panel?
It is a panel that lets you switch between three colour temperatures, usually 3000K, 4000K and 6500K, from the switch or a selector on the fixture, so you can tune the light after installation.
How much depth do I need above a recessed panel?
Aim for at least 60 to 80 mm of clear space above the ceiling for the driver and wiring; if you have less, choose a slim surface-mounted panel instead.
Why do my panel lights flicker or fail early?
It is almost always the driver. Tricity voltage swings damage cheap drivers, so choose a model rated for a wide input range and add a surge protection device on costly circuits.
What CCT is best for a living room?
Warm white at 3000K gives a cosy, relaxing feel for living rooms and bedrooms, while 4000K neutral is better reserved for kitchens and bathrooms.
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