The actual power of CCT LED spots and panels measured

CCT-adjustable lighting is extremely popular. Almost every home we design includes adjustable lighting, and questions often arise when calculating power consumption. In this article, we explain the measured actual power of CCT LED spots and panels.

Why measure the actual power of CCT LED luminaires?

Often, a luminaire’s power is specified for only one color temperature (for example, “9W”), but CCT luminaires contain both a warm and a cool LED circuit. If both LED circuits are powered simultaneously without a CCT driver, the power consumption can be nearly double. In such cases, the luminaire may consume, for example, 18W even though the package states 9W. A CCT driver distributes power between the warm and cool LED circuits so that the total power remains constant.

When used incorrectly, a 9W CCT spotlight can in practice become an 18W luminaire – meaning that both the warm and cool LEDs are operating at full power at the same time.

This is not merely a theoretical risk: the luminaire’s electronics can be damaged by excessive current if the driver is not designed for such use. Therefore, the stated power consumption of CCT spots and panels already reflects the correct total input power.

---

CCT LED Spotlights – Actual Measurement Results

Below is a table of four recommended CCT spotlights. Each has been measured at three different color temperatures. NOTE! The measurements for spotlights R023, R033, and SQ033 were carried out with an opal diffuser. The diffuser can be removed, which increases the total light output by approximately 10–15% and narrows the beam angle, allowing the light to project further (lux measured at 1 m). A common characteristic of all these luminaires is that the light source is recessed. The 023 spotlight has a frosted glass lens that cannot be removed. In the 023 model, the light source is surface-mounted. All measurements were carried out using a Zigbee CCT controller.

Product	Colour temperature	Power (W)	Luminous flux (lm)	CRI	R9	Lux 1m	Luminous efficacy (lm/W)
023	Warm white	9.3	577	97	99	750	62
	Neutral white	9.3	688	95	96	891	74
	Cold white	9.3	799	92	92	1032	85
R023	Warm white	9.1	481	98	99	196	53
	Neutral white	9.1	563	95	96	229	62
	Cold white	9.1	645	92	92	262	71
R033	Warm white	9.4	683	90	90	266	73
	Neutral white	9.4	744	91	91	289	80
	Cold white	9.4	804	91	92	311	86
SQ033	Warm white	9.1	558	90	90	207	61
	Neutral white	9.1	639	91	92	236	70
	Cold white	9.1	719	91	94	265	78

---

What did we learn from the LED spotlight results?

• All spotlights remain within a power range of 9.1–9.4 W, meaning the driver is designed to operate only one circuit at a time.
• Cool light produces up to 40% more light than warm light, as its luminous efficacy is higher.
• All spotlights achieve a CRI above 90 – an excellent choice for indoor use and accurate color rendering.

---

CCT LED Panels – Actual Measurement Results

Below are the measurement results for all tested panels. Various sizes are included (ø120 → 300×300 mm). All measurements were carried out using a Zigbee CCT controller.

Product	Colour temperature	Power (W)	Luminous flux (lm)	CCT (K)	CRI	R9	Lux 1m	Luminous efficacy (lm/W)	Beam angle (°)
Plafond ø120	Warm white	6.5	477	3235	98	99	155	74	124
	Neutral white	6.5	486	4236	98	94	158	75	124
	Cold white	6.5	495	5236	99	92	161	76	124
Plafond ø160	Warm white	9.6	796	2658	97	99	243	83	129
	Neutral white	9.6	871	4624	97	95	266	91	129
	Cold white	9.6	945	6589	97	90	289	99	129
Plafond ø200	Warm white	15.2	1282	2896	98	99	403	85	127
	Neutral white	15.4	1368	4192	98	99	430	90	127
	Cold white	15.6	1453	5488	98	98	456	95	127
Panel 300x300	Warm white	15.6	1355	2736	97	987	379	87	131
	Neutral white	15.6	1488	4617	97	98	405	96	131
	Cold white	15.6	1621	6498	97	98	431	104	131

---

Panels: What does the data tell us?

• In CCT panels, the power consumption clearly corresponds to a single LED circuit, rather than being the sum of both circuits.
• The luminous efficacy is slightly better than that of the spotlights.
• The CRI remains above 97 in almost all measurements, making them ideal for task and work lighting.

In a wood-panelled room, the shades of the wood, as well as the floor, change dramatically depending on the shade of white light you adjust from the panels. Even if the controller allows it for a short time, a continuous 2x load will lead to overheating and failure of the components. So never connect hot and cold to the same terminal, but control should be done with transformers and reactors designed for CCT control. In the image, a CCT LED strip light is shown, with the wiring identical to that of CCT spotlights or CCT panels. If the color temperature only needs to be set once and no control devices are desired, a slide switch can be installed in between to select the desired tone. CCT slide switch for setting the color temperature during installation.

---

FAQ

Why isn’t the power of a CCT luminaire twice as high, even though it has two LED circuits?

Because the driver distributes the power between the circuits, preventing overload.

Is cool light always more efficient than warm light?

Yes. Typically, cool light (5000–6500K) produces more light at the same power level—about 5–15% more.

Can I combine warm and cool light to create a neutral tone?

Absolutely NOT! Only with a controller specifically designed for this purpose, which limits the current to the LED circuit. Otherwise, you will damage the LED circuit by overloading it.

How were the values measured?

All values were measured at a distance of 1 meter using a calibrated photometer.

Which luminaire is suitable for precise task lighting?

A luminaire with a CRI of >95 or higher and a high lux value – for example, a 300×300 panel or the 023 spotlight.

What happens if I overload a CCT luminaire?

Overheating and failure.

---

Summary

• CCT luminaires offer adjustability and accurate color rendering.
• The beam angle of a luminaire affects the lux levels, even when the lumen output is the same.
• Well-designed lighting always provides the best solution for homes, offices, and public spaces.

---

LedStore’s customer service is always happy to help with questions and can handle even the most challenging technical issues!

Read more about this topic

Actual power of an LED strip light measured (reference article)