Description
PHILIPS Frameless LED Panel Series RC168
- PHILIPS
- RC168 Frameless
- 36 W
- 4,140 lm
- 110 lm/W
- CRI 90
- 4000K / 5700K
- UGR ≤ 26
- 600 × 600 & 300 × 1200
A frameless 600 × 600 and 300 × 1200 LED panel with an edge-to-edge diffuser, 4,140 lm from a 36 W engine and CRI 90 colour for offices, meeting rooms and client-facing ceilings.
RC168 is the frameless generation of the PHILIPS LED panel family: a one-piece ultrasonically welded body with a full-face diffuser and a 38 mm slim profile. Eight stock codes cover the two sizes offices actually specify — 600 × 600 and 300 × 1200 — in 4000K and 5700K, for exposed T-bar grid (CPC) and plasterboard recess. Every code shares the same 4,140 lm / 36 W engine, so a scheme can be mixed across sizes without mixing colour or output. Compare it with backlit, side-lit and troffer options in the PHILIPS LED panel range, or read on for cut-outs, specifications and 12NC codes.
Feature highlights
Four things that decide whether a frameless panel is worth specifying.
100% frameless luminous face
No bezel on the emitting side. The diffuser runs edge to edge, so a run of panels reads as one continuous luminous plane rather than a row of framed boxes.
110 lm/W, energy class Level 1
36 W delivers 4,140 lm at 110 lm/W system efficacy and meets China’s Level 1 energy efficiency grade — the lowest running-cost tier for a 600 × 600 troffer.
CRI 90, SDCM ≤ 5
Ra ≥ 90 keeps whites neutral and skin tones natural. SDCM ≤ 5 holds colour consistent panel to panel across a whole floor plate.
Flicker-free, RG0 blue light
PstLM ≤ 0.5, SVM ≤ 0.4 and 3.2% modulation depth meet the PstLM ≤ 1 / SVM ≤ 0.4 flicker criteria. RG0 exempt blue-light rating, UGR ≤ 26.
Product gallery
Frameless face, 38 mm profile, and how a run of panels actually reads in a ceiling.
Frameless face, 600 × 600 and 300 × 1200
Edge-to-edge diffuser with no bezel on the emitting side; 38 mm body depth on every version.
Open-plan office, continuous luminous run
Because there is no frame gap, adjacent panels merge into a single luminous plane.
Frameless by design, not by trim
What actually changes when the frame disappears, measured against a conventional panel with a ~22 mm border.
| Aspect | RC168 frameless | Conventional framed panel |
|---|---|---|
| Visible frame | None — diffuser runs to the edge | Roughly 22 mm border on all four sides |
| Light-emitting area | Full face, about 27% more area | Baseline for the same module size |
| Body construction | One piece, ultrasonic and heat-rivet welded | Frame assembled onto a back plate |
| Mounting | CPC grid, recessed, suspended (ETO) | Usually a single mounting type |
| Glare and colour | UGR ≤ 26, CRI ≥ 90, SDCM ≤ 5 | Depends on diffuser and LED bin |
Emitting-area figure is the Philips RC168 product data comparison against a conventional panel with a ~22 mm frame; other rows describe construction and configuration, not competitor performance. PHILIPS lighting products are designed and manufactured by Signify, which is why the RC168 keeps the standard 12NC ordering logic.
Where the RC168 belongs
Specified where the ceiling is part of the interior, not just a surface to hang light from.
- Open-plan offices — continuous luminous runs at 4,140 lm per panel, mixed 600 × 600 and 300 × 1200 for the same ceiling line.
- Meeting and video-conference rooms — PstLM ≤ 0.5 and UGR ≤ 26 keep faces and screens clean on camera.
- Education and training rooms — RG0 blue-light rating and no visible flicker, safe for long screen sessions.
- Reception, showroom and retail ceilings — CRI 90 renders product and material colour truthfully under 4000K.
Three mounting methods, one body
The same luminaire serves exposed grid, plasterboard and pendant layouts — only the trim differs.
CPC integrated ceilingSTOCK
Snap-in clips seat the panel directly into a standard 600 × 600 exposed T-bar grid. No tools and no frame trim — the panel becomes the grid module.
RecessedSTOCK
Drops into a 597 × 597 mm or 1198 × 298 mm plasterboard opening. Philips specifies a 100 mm minimum ceiling void and 50 mm clearance on each side.
SuspendedETO
Hangs on four ropes at 590 mm (600 model) or 1,190 mm (1200 model) hole spacing. The rope kit is not included and this version is engineered to order.
Installation sequence for all three methods
CPC snap-in joists, recessed drop-in with clearance detail, and rope suspension hole spacing.
Dimensions across the three mounting types
CPC 600 × 600 / 300 × 1200; recessed and suspended 597 × 597 / 1198 × 298; all 38 mm.
The optical surface faces down during fitting — protect the diffuser until the ceiling grid is clean. The light source is not replaceable; at end of life the whole luminaire is replaced.
Technical specifications
Identical optical and electrical performance across all eight stock codes; only size, mounting and CCT change.
| Parameter | W60L60 — 600 × 600 | W30L120 — 300 × 1200 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical | ||
| Lumen output | 4,140 lm | 4,140 lm |
| System efficacy | 110 lm/W | 110 lm/W |
| Colour temperature | 4000K / 5700K fixed | 4000K / 5700K fixed |
| Colour rendering (CRI) | ≥ 90 | ≥ 90 |
| Colour consistency (SDCM) | ≤ 5 | ≤ 5 |
| Unified glare rating (UGR) | ≤ 26 | ≤ 26 |
| Electrical | ||
| System power | 36 W | 36 W |
| Input voltage | 220-240 Vac, 50/60 Hz | 220-240 Vac, 50/60 Hz |
| Power factor | ≥ 0.9 | ≥ 0.9 |
| Total harmonic distortion | ≤ 20% | ≤ 20% |
| Surge protection | L-N: 1 kV | L-N: 1 kV |
| Flicker | PstLM ≤ 0.5 / SVM ≤ 0.4 / MD 3.2% | PstLM ≤ 0.5 / SVM ≤ 0.4 / MD 3.2% |
| Control gear | PSU fixed output | PSU fixed output |
| Electrical protection class | Class II | Class II |
| Mechanical | ||
| Dimensions — CPC | 600 × 600 × 38 mm | 300 × 1200 × 38 mm |
| Dimensions — recessed | 597 × 597 × 38 mm | 298 × 1198 × 38 mm |
| Cut-out — recessed | 597 × 597 mm | 1198 × 298 mm |
| Weight | 2.0 kg | 2.1 kg |
| Ingress protection | IP40 emitting face / IP20 whole luminaire | IP40 emitting face / IP20 whole luminaire |
| Impact rating | IK02 | IK02 |
| Ambient temperature | -20 to +40 °C (Ta 25 °C) | -20 to +40 °C (Ta 25 °C) |
| Lifetime and compliance | ||
| Rated life | 30,000 h @ L70B50, Ta 25 °C | 30,000 h @ L70B50, Ta 25 °C |
| Blue light hazard | RG0 (exempt) | RG0 (exempt) |
| Certification | CCC / energy efficiency Level 1 | CCC / energy efficiency Level 1 |
Complete product lineup
Eight stock codes: two sizes, two mounting types, two colour temperatures. 940 is 4000K and 957 is 5700K, both CRI 90 at 4,140 lm.
| 12NC | Description | Mounting | L × W × H | CCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 911401906097 | RC168 LED40/940 W60L60 PSU CPC GC | CPC integrated ceiling | 600 × 600 × 38 | 4000K |
| 911401906098 | RC168 LED40/957 W60L60 PSU CPC GC | CPC integrated ceiling | 600 × 600 × 38 | 5700K |
| 911401906099 | RC168 LED40/940 W30L120 PSU CPC GC | CPC integrated ceiling | 300 × 1200 × 38 | 4000K |
| 911401906101 | RC168 LED40/957 W30L120 PSU CPC GC | CPC integrated ceiling | 300 × 1200 × 38 | 5700K |
| 911401906102 | RC168 LED40/940 W60L60 PSU GC | Recessed | 597 × 597 × 38 | 4000K |
| 911401906103 | RC168 LED40/957 W60L60 PSU GC | Recessed | 597 × 597 × 38 | 5700K |
| 911401906104 | RC168 LED40/940 W30L120 PSU GC | Recessed | 298 × 1198 × 38 | 4000K |
| 911401906105 | RC168 LED40/957 W30L120 PSU GC | Recessed | 298 × 1198 × 38 | 5700K |
Also from PHILIPS Lighting Range
The latest PHILIPS indoor series — backlit and Aura panels, frameless panels, skylights and classroom systems — newest first.
PHILIPS Backlit LED Panel Series RC038V
PHILIPS Aura RC430 Tunable White LED Panel
PHILIPS Aura RC430X Interact Wireless Panel
PHILIPS Aura RC430V DALI Dimmable Panel
PHILIPS Aura RC430 Direct Indirect Panel
PHILIPS Frameless LED Panel Series RC468V
PHILIPS NatureConnect Skylight Series LP913P
PHILIPS Classroom Lighting SP135P SP136P
Frequently asked questions
The questions that decide a frameless panel specification.
Is the RC168 really frameless, and what does that mean for a ceiling?
Yes. There is no bezel on the emitting side — the diffuser runs edge to edge, so the whole face is luminous. In a 600 × 600 exposed grid the four CPC panels sit flush in the T-bar and read as one continuous luminous plane instead of a row of framed boxes; on plaster ceilings the recessed version drops into the opening with the same frame-free front. Against a conventional panel with a ~22 mm border, that is roughly 27% more light-emitting area for the same module.
What cut-out size does the recessed version need, and how much ceiling void?
597 × 597 mm for the 600 model and 1198 × 298 mm for the 300 × 1200 model, both 38 mm deep. Philips specifies a minimum 100 mm ceiling void and at least 50 mm clearance on each side of the opening. The CPC version needs no cut-out at all — it clips straight into a standard 600 × 600 T-bar grid.
Does it dim? Is DALI or tunable white available?
The eight stock codes are PSU fixed output, so no dimming out of the box. DALI dimming (PSD), tunable white 3000-5000K (TWH), Office Flex (FL) and FL TWH are available as ETO (engineered-to-order) options. These are not catalogue codes and carry case-by-case feasibility and minimum order quantity, so confirm with us before specifying.
Can I get 5000K / 6500K, a microprism diffuser, or a suspended version?
All three are ETO. Fixed 5000K and 6500K, a microprism OC diffuser that brings UGR down to 19 or below, and suspended mounting (rope kit not included) can be engineered to order. Stock coverage stays at 4000K and 5700K, 600 × 600 and 300 × 1200, in CPC and recessed.
How does it behave on camera, and what certifications does it carry?
PstLM ≤ 0.5, SVM ≤ 0.4 and 3.2% modulation depth meet the PstLM ≤ 1 / SVM ≤ 0.4 flicker criteria, so panels do not band on video calls or slow-motion capture. The RG0 exempt blue-light rating and UGR ≤ 26 keep screen work comfortable — UGR is the unified glare rating defined by the International Commission on Illumination. Rated life is 30,000 h L70B50 at Ta 25°C, certified CCC with Level 1 energy efficiency.
