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How to choose LED panels and track lights for an office, shop or flat
Lumens instead of watts, colour temperature 3000/4000/6500 K, panel sizes, single-phase versus magnetic track and how many fixtures a room needs, in plain terms.
Look at lumens, not watts
For an LED fixture the wattage only tells you how much electricity it uses; brightness is measured in lumens (lm). Modern LED panels and track lights deliver roughly 80–120 lm/W, so a 36 W panel gives about 3,000–4,000 lm and a 20 W track light about 1,600–2,200 lm.
When comparing two models, go by lumens and efficacy (lm/W): the higher it is, the less the fixture draws at the same brightness. Check the colour rendering index (CRI, Ra) too: for a clothing, cosmetics or grocery shop choose fixtures with CRI above 90; for an office or corridor 80 is enough.
Colour temperature: 3000, 4000 or 6500 K
3000 K is warm white, a cosy light for flats, cafes and lounge areas. 4000 K is neutral white, the standard for offices, classrooms and retail spaces where people work and need to see colours correctly. 6500 K is cool white with a bluish tint, used in warehouses, garages and production areas.
Avoid mixing different colour temperatures in one room; the difference is obvious. For homes choose between 3000 and 4000 K; a typical mistake is putting 6500 K in a bedroom. Some panels have a three-temperature switch (3000/4000/6500 K), handy if you do not yet know which light you will prefer.
LED panel sizes and types
The standard recessed panel is 600×600 mm and fits exactly into a modular (Armstrong-type) ceiling grid; 300×600, 300×1200 and 600×1200 mm are also made. For plasterboard ceilings there are round and square recessed panels of 6–24 W, about 120–300 mm across, and for concrete or low ceilings surface-mounted panels that screw straight onto the ceiling.
A recessed panel needs a cut-out of the exact size, so always check the mounting dimension on the box. The driver (power supply) is usually included and may be built in or external. For an office where people work at monitors, choose a panel with a matt or microprism diffuser; it causes less glare.
Single-phase track or magnetic track system
A single-phase track runs on 220 V: fixtures clip in at any point along the rail and all switch on together as one group. It is a simple, affordable option for a shop, exhibition space or kitchen. The rail comes surface-mounted or recessed, in 1 and 2 m lengths, with straight, corner, T-shaped and flexible connectors. Track spotlights have beam angles of 24°, 36° or 60° and usually 10–40 W.
A magnetic track system is low-voltage (most often 48 V) and needs a power supply. Fixtures hold onto the profile with magnets and are easy to move; one rail can combine different models such as spots, linear lights and pendants, often dimmable. The profile is slim and looks neat recessed into plasterboard, but the system costs more. Size the power supply with roughly 20–30 % headroom above the total wattage of the fixtures.
How many fixtures a room needs
Rough illuminance targets: office and work areas about 300–500 lux, sales floor 300–500 lux (more on displays), corridors and warehouses 100–200 lux, living rooms 150–300 lux. A simple formula: area × required lux ÷ (lumens of one fixture × a loss factor of about 0.6–0.7 for walls and ceiling height).
Example: a 40 m² office × 400 lux = 16,000 lm; allowing for losses you need roughly 23,000–27,000 lm, which with 3,600 lm panels means 7–8 pieces of 600×600. A 60 m² shop with 20 W track lights (about 2,000 lm): 60 × 400 ÷ 0.65 ≈ 37,000 lm, so around 18 fixtures, some of them aimed at the displays. These are general guidelines: with ceilings above 3 m, dark walls or higher demands, increase the count.
What to check before buying
IP20 is enough for dry rooms; for a bathroom or canopy choose IP44 or higher. For dimming, both the fixture and the driver must be dimmable. For one space take fixtures from the same series so the tint matches. ASB Trade stocks ACK LED panels, track lights, track rails and magnetic track systems, with next-day delivery in Tbilisi.
Frequently asked questions
Which colour temperature should I choose for an office?
The office standard is 4000 K: neutral white that does not tire the eyes and shows colours correctly. 3000 K is cosy but too "evening-like" for work, and 6500 K feels harsh at a monitor.
How does a magnetic track differ from a regular one?
A regular single-phase track runs on 220 V and all fixtures switch on together; it is simple and inexpensive. A magnetic system is low-voltage (usually 48 V), needs a power supply, and its fixtures hold on by magnets and can be spots, linear lights or pendants; the profile is slim and looks more modern in an interior.
How many 600×600 LED panels does a 20 m² office need?
For about 400 lux a 20 m² room needs 20 × 400 ÷ 0.65 ≈ 12,000 lm. With 3,600 lm panels that is 3–4 pieces; in a standard ceiling grid four are usually installed, evenly spaced.