Surface-Mounted LED Panel Luminaires Selection Guide
In a surface-mounted LED panel, the housing and the luminous surface are one piece; when choosing, compare it with a flush-mounted panel plus a separate housing, the housing shape and dimensional fit.
This guide covers what to look at when choosing products in the Surface-Mounted LED Panel Luminaires category.
A ready-made surface-mounted panel, or a flush-mounted panel with a housing
When there is no ceiling cavity, there are two ways to go. The first is a ready-made surface-mounted panel whose housing and luminous surface are one piece; the products in this category are like this and are ordered as a single item. The second is fitting a flush-mounted LED panel luminaire into a separately sold surface-mounted housing; these housings are in the LED panel housings category, and the dimensional fit between the panel and the housing is checked separately. On jobs where rooms with suspended ceilings and rooms without ceilings are mixed, the second way makes it possible to use the same panel in all rooms.
Panel constructions and mounting options by ceiling type are summarized on the LED panel luminaires page.
Types by housing shape
- Round and square housing panels: used in small sizes, singly or in rows.
- Square backlight panels: made in sizes such as 30x30 and 60x60 cm; chosen for setting up an orderly panel array in wide areas.
- White and black housing: the difference is in appearance; there are series in which the same power and color temperature are offered in two housing colors.
Look at luminous flux instead of watts
The light a luminaire gives is measured in lumens (lm) and the power it draws in watts; the ratio of the two is the luminous efficacy (lm/W). In this category there are both a 24 W model giving 2160 lm and one giving 2450 lm; the first comes to 90 lm/W, the second about 102 lm/W. Make the comparison from the Luminous Flux field on the product page; for models where this field is empty, verify the value from the manufacturer's data.
Illuminance (lx) is lumens falling per square meter; in workplace-type rooms, the number of panels is determined by a lighting calculation.
Fixed-color, CCT and remote-controlled models
In fixed-color panels, the color temperature is a single value such as 3000 K, 4000 K or 6500 K, and it does not change later. In lighting engineering, light up to 3300 K is considered warm white, between 3300 and 5300 K intermediate (neutral) white, and above 5300 K cool white.
In CCT models, the color temperature can also be changed after installation. According to store data, depending on the model, this adjustment is made with a switch on the housing, with an infrared remote control, and in the "CCT - SMART" model with a remote control or a phone app over Bluetooth. Color differences stand out in luminaires that will sit side by side on the same ceiling; choose all of them at the same color temperature and, if possible, from the same series.
Rated lifetime and the first digit of the IP code
In the product data, rated lifetime appears with values such as 50000 hours and 15000 hours. In an LED luminaire, lifetime is not the time until the light goes out; it is the time until the light output drops to a certain percentage of its initial value. For example, "L80 50000 hours" means that the light output has dropped to 80 percent at the end of 50000 hours. When comparing the hour values of two products, check whether the manufacturer's data states this percentage.
The first digit of the IP code indicates protection against solid objects: in IP20, the entry of objects larger than 12.5 mm is prevented, and in IP40, objects larger than 1 mm; the difference between the two ratings lies in this digit. In places with moisture or water splashes, LED tri-proof luminaires and LED ceiling luminaires with a higher IP rating in the product data are examined.
Brands in this category
- ACK: round and square surface-mounted panels, square backlight models, CCT panels and a remote-controlled CCT panel; white and black housing.
- İnoled: round and square panels and backlight models in the Volga and Supra series; the names of some models include the note ENEC driver.
- Cata: 18 W and 25 W surface-mounted panels, with a black-housing option.
Order notes
Products are sold by the piece. Some models are listed as made to order, and for these models the lead time is confirmed before ordering. If you have the manufacturer code (for example AP06-01801), you can search for it in the site search with this code.
Comparison and selection table
| Selection Criterion | Compact Surface LED Panel (6 W – 18 W) | Medium Surface LED Panel (24 W – 36 W) | Large 60×60 / 30×120 Surface Panel (40 W – 48 W) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape & Dimensions | Round or Square (Ø120 mm – Ø225 mm) with twist/clip bracket | Round or Square (Ø280 mm – Ø300 mm / 30×30 cm) | 60×60 cm square or 30×120 cm rectangular surface frame |
| Lumen Output | 450 – 1,500 lm (hallways, balconies, restrooms) | 1,800 – 3,200 lm (kitchens, bedrooms, small offices) | 3,600 – 4,800+ lm (open-plan offices, classrooms, clinics) |
| Key Advantage | Mounts directly to solid concrete ceilings without cutouts | Internal driver concealed inside slim rim, glare-free diffuser | Delivers clean architectural panel look on solid ceilings |
| Color & Finish | 3000K, 4000K, 6500K; White, Black or Metallic bezel | 3000K, 4000K, 6500K; Backlit or Edgelit optical plate | 4000K neutral white or 6500K daylight |
Frequently asked questions
Can a flush-mounted LED panel be used as surface-mounted?
It can be used with a separately sold surface-mounted panel housing. In the store, one-piece and knock-down surface-mounted housings for the 30x60 and 60x60 cm class are listed in the LED panel housings category. Check the dimension and brand compatibility of the housing and the panel before ordering. In small round and square sizes, choosing a ready-made surface-mounted panel that comes with its housing is the shorter route.
How many lumens does an 18 W surface-mounted LED panel give?
It varies by model. In this category there are both an 18 W panel giving 1620 lm and one giving 1820 lm; the first corresponds to a luminous efficacy of 90 lm/W, the second to about 101 lm/W. Because watts only show the power consumed, when comparing two models look at the luminous flux value on the product page, and for efficacy at the ratio of lumens to watts.
How is the light color changed on a CCT LED panel?
It depends on the model, according to store data: some CCT panels have an adjustment switch on the housing, in remote-controlled models an infrared remote control is used, and the CCT - SMART model has the option of a remote control or a phone app over Bluetooth. In models with a switch, the adjustment is made on the luminaire itself, so it is practical to decide on the color during installation.
What do 3000 K, 4000 K and 6500 K mean?
It is the color temperature. In lighting engineering, light up to 3300 K is considered warm white, between 3300 and 5300 K intermediate white, and above 5300 K cool white; accordingly, 3000 K is in the warm group, 4000 K in the intermediate and 6500 K in the cool white group. Choose all luminaires in the same space at the same color temperature. If you cannot decide, look at the CCT models whose color can also be changed after installation.
What is the difference between IP20 and IP40 surface-mounted panels?
The difference is in the first digit of the code, which describes protection against solid objects: in an IP20 housing, the entry of objects larger than 12.5 mm is prevented, and in an IP40 housing, objects larger than 1 mm. The second digit is 0 in both ratings, meaning no protection against water is defined. For this reason, both ratings are for dry indoor spaces.
What does a rated lifetime of 50000 hours mean for an LED panel?
In LED luminaires, lifetime is the time until the light output drops to a certain percentage of its initial value; it does not mean the luminaire will go out at that hour. For example, L80 50000 hours indicates that the light has dropped to 80 percent after 50000 hours. If the product data gives only hours, verify from the manufacturer's document which percentage it is based on.