Panel Selection Guide: Choosing the Right Panel for Your Project

Panel Selection Guide: Choosing the Right Panel for Your Project

CSC LED’s panel and volumetric troffer lineup gives specifiers several ways to deliver uniform, efficient illumination in offices, classrooms, healthcare facilities, retail spaces, and other commercial or institutional environments.

The main differences are found in the fixture profile, optical design, mounting flexibility, control options, output, and certification. The PLP02, PLS02, and VOL each offer a distinct combination of features, making it easier to match the fixture to the project without overcomplicating the specification.

Application Overview

Panel or Volumetric Troffer?

CSC LED’s panels and volumetric troffers can both provide uniform illumination, but their different designs make them better suited to different project needs.

Panel Fixtures

Panel fixtures are a versatile choice for spaces where a low-plenum, consistent appearance and flexible installation are important. They work well across:

• Offices and open workspaces

• Classrooms and educational facilities

• Retail and commercial interiors

• Healthcare and institutional spaces

• Corridors, common areas, and multi-residential buildings

• Retrofit projects replacing traditional grid-mounted fixtures

Their clean, flat appearance makes them easy to integrate into a variety of interior designs, while their flexible mounting options make them suitable for projects with different installation conditions.

Volumetric Troffers

Volumetric troffers are well suited to spaces where visual comfort, glare control, and broad light distribution are key considerations.

Common applications include:

• Open-plan offices

• Classrooms and learning environments

• Healthcare and institutional spaces

• Commercial interiors

• Areas with extensive grid ceiling layouts

• Projects where a traditional recessed troffer appearance is preferred

The volumetric design distributes light more broadly throughout the space, making these fixtures a strong option where comfortable, well-balanced illumination is a priority.

Panel vs. Volumetric Troffer: Quick Comparison

Key Differences:

PLP02 – Maximum Flexibility

• DLC: Premium & Standard (for low bay applications)

• Motion Sensor: Integrated motion sensor receptacle

• Mounting: Recessed, surface, or suspension

• Profile: Less than 1.5"

• Best suited for: Projects requiring integrated controls, multiple mounting options, and DLC Premium availability

PLS02 – Flexible Panel Solution

• DLC: Standard

• Motion Sensor: Not compatible

• Mounting: Recessed, surface, or suspension

• Profile: Less than 1.5"

• Junction Box: Optional PLS-JB provides 25.5 in³ of additional wiring volume

• Best suited for: Projects looking for a flexible, slim panel without integrated motion control

VOL – Volumetric Performance

• DLC: Standard

• Motion Sensor: Not compatible

• Mounting: Recessed / grid

• Design: Volumetric optical distribution

• Junction Box: Not compatible

• Best suited for: Projects prioritizing volumetric distribution, visual comfort, and glare performance

Quick Selection Guide

CSC LED Panel and Troffer Lineup

CSC LED’s panel and volumetric fixtures are designed to cover different combinations of appearance, installation, controls, output, and performance requirements.

• PLP02: Feature-rich slim panel with motion sensor receptacle and DLC Premium availability

• PLS02: Flexible slim panel for general commercial and institutional applications

• VOL: Volumetric troffers for comfortable recessed grid illumination

Together, these fixtures provide a range of solutions for projects that require adaptable panels, traditional troffers, flexible mounting, selectable performance, or improved visual comfort.

Looking for help selecting the right lighting solution for your project? Contact the CSC LED team or visit www.csc-led.com to learn more.

High Bay Selection Guide: Selecting the Best Fixture by Application