A practical guide to choosing the perfect LED lighting for your office

A company with 50 employees receives a health and safety inspection and discovers that its workstations do not reach the 500 lux required. The maintenance manager then needs to find a solution as quickly as possible, but he doesn't understand anything about the regulations and doesn't know which luminaires to choose either.

If you are also in this situation, this guide will help you correctly design LED office lighting in compliance with the regulations; this will improve productivity and also significantly reduce energy consumption.

Why lighting matters in the workplace

Impact on productivity and wellbeing

Lighting directly influences visual fatigue, concentration, work performance and the overall wellbeing of employees.

Adequate LED light for office productivity can improve performance and reduce errors.

European standard EN 12464 for offices

Complying with this standard is not only recommended but, in many cases, mandatory in work environments. The EN 12464 standard regulates lighting levels in workspaces, and some of the aspects to consider are: minimum lux levels, glare control (UGR), lighting uniformity and the colour rendering index.

During occupational risk inspections, failure to comply with these values can result in adaptation requirements or even penalties. That is why more and more companies are choosing to design their lighting in accordance with this standard, especially in refurbishment projects or existing offices that are being upgraded.

Recommended lighting levels by area

Individual work areas and desks

The recommended minimum is 500 lux, UGR <19 and uniform light without shadows.

Meeting rooms and communal areas

The recommendation is 300–500 lux, with adaptable light according to use and the possibility of dimming.

Corridors and rest areas

In this case, the recommendation is 100–300 lux, with a softer type of lighting and a focus on energy efficiency.

Here is a table of recommended lux levels:

These values should be understood as a minimum reference. The mistake that is commonly made is installing fewer luminaires than necessary in order to reduce initial costs, which leads to non-compliance with the regulations. The opposite can also occur, with excessive light causing glare and unnecessary consumption. Therefore, a proper calculation should be carried out before installation.

Which LED luminaires are most suitable for offices

60x60 LED panels with UGR19

They are the main solution for offices; they can be installed in suspended ceilings, provide uniform lighting and have a low level of glare. Furthermore, they are the replacement for fluorescent luminaires, as they offer greater luminous efficiency and uniform light distribution. This means there are no shadow areas and visual comfort in workspaces is improved.

A UGR19 office LED panel is essential to comply with the regulations.

Recessed LED downlights

This type of luminaire is used as a complement to general lighting and is ideal for use in spaces such as receptions, auxiliary areas and designed spaces where the LED panel is not sufficient on its own; a recessed office LED downlight provides reinforcement in specific areas or helps create more pleasant environments.

Track spotlights for representational areas

They are perfect for showrooms, presentation rooms and commercial spaces within the office; office LED track spotlights are perfect because their main advantage is flexibility, as they allow the light to be directed and the position of the spotlights to be changed without any building work. This makes them the best solution for dynamic spaces or areas where the lighting needs to be adapted regularly.

Colour temperature: what to choose for offices

Colour temperature directly affects performance; a 4000K tone (neutral) is the ideal option for offices, whilst 5000K–6000K (cool) is less comfortable but provides greater activation.

The recommended LED office colour temperature is 4000K for the balance between comfort and productivity.

Dimming and smart control systems

1-10V and DALI dimming

The simplest and most affordable system is 1-10V dimming, and DALI is a type of smart control that allows zone-by-zone operation. The advantage of DALI systems is that they allow the office to be divided into different lighting zones, adapting the intensity according to the use of each space; this not only improves comfort but can also generate additional energy savings of up to 30%.

Presence and daylight sensors

They have several advantages, such as automatic switching on, adjustment according to exterior light and reduced energy consumption. They are commonly used in LED office energy efficiency projects.

They are very effective in this type of project because they avoid unnecessary consumption and optimise performance.

How to calculate the number of luminaires needed

To calculate the lighting, first define the required lux, for example 500 lux; second, multiply by the m² of the space and, third, divide by the lumens of each luminaire. This calculation is basic, but for professional projects it is recommended to seek technical advice.

In professional projects, lighting calculation tools such as Dialux are used, which allow you to simulate the actual lighting a space will have before beginning installation; this ensures compliance with the regulations and avoids errors in the distribution of luminaires.

Conclusion and recommended solutions

Correctly choosing LED office lighting involves taking several aspects into account: complying with the EN 12464 standard, having adequate lux levels, controlling glare (UGR), having a dimming system and choosing the right type of luminaire.

For modern and efficient offices, the best combination is usually:

• 60x60 UGR19 LED panels in work areas.
• Downlights in auxiliary areas.
• Track spotlights in representational spaces.
• DALI control + sensors

As a professional recommendation, if you are refurbishing or adapting your office, request free technical advice to design a bespoke solution and ensure regulatory compliance from the outset.

How many lux does an office need according to regulations?

Around 500 lux at workstations according to the EN 12464 standard.

What colour temperature is best for working?

4000K is the most balanced colour temperature for productivity and comfort.

Is it mandatory to comply with the EN 12464 standard in offices?

Yes, especially in regulated work environments.

Can I dim LED panels?

Yes, with 1-10V, DALI or Triac systems.

What is the difference between UGR13 and UGR19?

UGR13 has less glare, but UGR19 is the one typically used in offices.

How much can I save by switching to LED in an office?

Between 40% and 70% compared to fluorescents.

What luminaire is best for meeting rooms?

Dimmable LED panels combined with decorative or focal lighting.