LED Panel Lights & Troffers

What Are LED Panel Lights?

LED panel lights (also known as LED troffers) are slim, low-profile fixtures engineered to replace traditional fluorescent troffers in a wide range of commercial and institutional settings. Using edge-lit or back-lit LED technology, they deliver smooth, uniform illumination with minimal glare, making them ideal for environments where visual comfort and consistency matter.

These panels fit directly into standard T-bar grid ceilings or can be surface-mounted for finished ceilings without grid systems. These are commonly used as office light fixtures, as well as LED ceiling panels in classrooms, hospitals, retail stores, and other spaces that rely on high-quality, energy-efficient lighting for everyday productivity and occupant comfort.

What Are the Different Types of LED Panel Lights?

LED panel lighting comes in several configurations to match different ceiling layouts, brightness needs, and design preferences. Here’s a quick guide to the most common types contractors use on commercial projects:

• 2×2 LED Flat Panels: Compact 24” x 24” fixtures ideal for smaller rooms, corridors, and tighter ceiling grid layouts. Typical wattage ranges from 20W–40W.
• 2×4 LED Flat Panels: Larger 24” x 48” panels designed for open areas that need higher output and wider coverage. Typical wattage runs from 30W–50W.
• LED Troffers: Recessed led lighting fixtures that sit directly in the ceiling grid, offering a familiar fluorescent look with the efficiency and longevity of LED technology.
• Surface Mount Panels: Built for solid ceilings without grid systems. Frame kits allow recessed panels to be converted for surface installation when needed.
• Edge-Lit Panels: LEDs positioned along the perimeter create ultra-slim profiles – often under 0.5” thick – ideal for modern, clean ceiling designs.
• Back-Lit Panels: LEDs mounted behind the diffuser deliver higher lumen output and excellent uniformity across the panel surface.

Where Are LED Panel Lights Used?

Flat panel LED lights are built for the kinds of spaces where people work, learn, and move all day long: places that demand clean, consistent, low-glare illumination. Contractors choose them because they drop right into standard ceilings, run efficiently, and keep maintenance calls to a minimum. You’ll see them in:

• Offices and corporate buildings
• Schools and universities
• Healthcare facilities and hospitals
• Retail stores and showrooms
• Government buildings
• Conference rooms and meeting spaces
• Libraries and museums
• Hospitality spaces like hotel corridors and lobbies
• Clean rooms and laboratories

Wherever a project needs reliable, professional-grade lighting that looks good, installs quickly, and performs for years, LED panel lights are the solution that keeps the job simple – and keeps clients happy.

Benefits of LED Panel Lights

LED light panels are designed for efficiency, comfort, and long-term reliability – all the things that matter most in busy commercial environments. Here are the key advantages contractors count on:

• Energy Efficiency: Uses up to 80% less energy than fluorescent troffers
• Uniform Illumination: Even light distribution eliminates hot spots and shadows
• Slim Profile: Low-profile design (0.4”–2”) maximizes ceiling space
• Long Lifespan: 50,000+ hours reduces replacement and maintenance
• Flicker-Free: Helps prevent eye strain in work and learning environments
• Instant On: Full brightness immediately — no warm-up time
• Dimmable: 0–10V dimming for adjustable output and extra energy savings
• DLC Listed: Qualifies for rebates and incentive programs
• Color Options: Selectable CCT (3500K/4000K/5000K) to fit any application

How Do You Connect LED Panel Lights?

LED panel lights are typically hardwired into standard commercial voltage (120–277V) and install cleanly into a variety of ceiling types. Common mounting methods include:

• Drop-in / Lay-in: Panels rest directly on T-bar grid flanges in suspended ceilings
• Recessed mount: Fixtures sit flush within the ceiling for a seamless, built-in look
• Surface mount: Frame kits allow installation on solid ceilings like drywall or concrete
• Pendant mount: Suspension cables hang panels below the ceiling for open-plenum layouts

Most LED panel lights include quick-connect wiring or junction box knockouts to speed up installation. For dimming capability, use compatible 0–10V dimmers and drivers. All wiring should be completed by a licensed electrician to ensure proper code compliance.

Maximum Run of LED Panel Lights

LED panel lights operate as individually powered fixtures, not as daisy-chained systems like strip lighting. Each LED light panel requires its own electrical connection, and circuit capacity determines how many can be installed per run.

• 20A circuit at 120V: Supports roughly 40–50 panels (40W each)
• 20A circuit at 277V: Supports roughly 90–110 panels (40W each)

In larger commercial projects, panels are typically split across multiple circuits to accommodate switching zones, dimming groups, and emergency lighting requirements. Always refer to electrical plans and local codes to ensure proper load distribution and compliance.

Why Buy Panels and Troffers from Duralec?

Contractors choose Duralec because we carry ceiling fixtures built for real commercial workloads: from everyday office installations to high-performance institutional projects.

Our lineup includes everything from the classic 2×4 LED troffer to the compact 2×2 LED troffer, along with modern flat-panel options like the 2×4 LED panel and 2×2 LED panel for clean, contemporary ceiling designs. Many of these come from our flagship IntrinsiX line, known for exceptional uniformity, longevity, and reliable color performance.

Every panel and troffer we stock is backed by a long-term warranty and tested for consistent output and build quality. With same-day shipping on qualifying orders and next-day delivery options, contractors get the fixtures they need without schedule delays. Whether the job calls for recessed grid installation, surface mounting, or dimming compatibility, our products are engineered to make installation faster and headaches fewer.

When you want ceiling lighting that installs smoothly, performs for years, and keeps clients happy, Duralec delivers.