Q: What are the benefits of T8 bulbs?

T8 LED tubes have a few great benefits over other kinds of lighting. —LED T8 lamps are more energy-efficient than fluorescent lamps—up to 80% more efficient! —They can last up to 7 years. —They don't use dangerous chemicals and gases such as mercury. —They don't flicker like some lights can, which can frighten people, make it difficult to see, and even trigger seizures in people with certain medical conditions such as epilepsy. —There's no electronic or magnetic ballasts to deal with.

Q: Which LED tubes are right for me?

Before you run out and buy your T8 or T12 fluorescent lights, you should consider these two things: What Color Temperature (CCT) do you currently have? Better yet, what CCT would you like to have? The 4 most common CCT for LED tubes are 3500K, 4000-4100K, 5000K, and 6000K. The lower the temperature, the softer the light output is. The most common CCT you see in an office is between 3500K-4100K. 5000K-6000K is more often found in warehouses, garages, and body shops. To learn more about Color Temperature (CCT), Visit our Color Temperature Guide LED tubes come in 3 different configurations. What are the differences between ballast compatible, ballast bypass (aka direct wire), and hybrid LED Tubes? Ballast Compatible LED Tubes (Type A) - These LED tubes are designed to work with the current ballast within your fluorescent fixture. They will not work without a ballast. Pro: These are easy to install Con: Ballasts are responsible for an additional 12% of energy consumption. They need to be replaced every 18-24 months. These tubes will always need a ballast to operate. Ballast Bypass LED Tubes (Type B) - These tubes will only work without a ballast. You must remove the current ballast from your fixture before installing these LED tubes. Pro: No more replacing the ballast! Maximze your energy consumption savings Con: A certified electrician is needed to retrofit current fluorescent fixture wiring configurations. Hybrid LED Tubes (Type C) - These tubes are the best of both worlds and will work with or without a ballast. Pro: Best solution of both worlds Con: A little bit more expensive

Q: What's the difference between T8 vs T12 tubes?

T8 vs T12 tubes is a difference in size. T12 lamps have a diameter of 1 ½ inches, which is equal to 12 eighths of an inch. Meanwhile, T8 bulbs are an inch in diameter, which is equal to 8 eighths of an inch.

Question 1

What are the benefits of T8 bulbs?

Accepted Answer

T8 LED tubes have a few great benefits over other kinds of lighting.

—LED T8 lamps are more energy-efficient than fluorescent lamps—up to 80% more efficient!

—They can last up to 7 years.

—They don't use dangerous chemicals and gases such as mercury.

—They don't flicker like some lights can, which can frighten people, make it difficult to see, and even trigger seizures in people with certain medical conditions such as epilepsy.

—There's no electronic or magnetic ballasts to deal with.

Question 2

Which LED tubes are right for me?

Accepted Answer

Before you run out and buy your T8 or T12 fluorescent lights, you should consider these two things:

What Color Temperature (CCT) do you currently have? Better yet, what CCT would you like to have?
1. The 4 most common CCT for LED tubes are 3500K, 4000-4100K, 5000K, and 6000K.
2. The lower the temperature, the softer the light output is.
3. The most common CCT you see in an office is between 3500K-4100K.
4. 5000K-6000K is more often found in warehouses, garages, and body shops.
5. To learn more about Color Temperature (CCT), Visit our Color Temperature Guide
LED tubes come in 3 different configurations. What are the differences between ballast compatible, ballast bypass (aka direct wire), and hybrid LED Tubes?
1. Ballast Compatible LED Tubes (Type A) - These LED tubes are designed to work with the current ballast within your fluorescent fixture. They will not work without a ballast.
  - Pro: These are easy to install
  - Con: Ballasts are responsible for an additional 12% of energy consumption. They need to be replaced every 18-24 months. These tubes will always need a ballast to operate.
2. Ballast Bypass LED Tubes (Type B) - These tubes will only work without a ballast. You must remove the current ballast from your fixture before installing these LED tubes.
  - Pro: No more replacing the ballast! Maximze your energy consumption savings
  - Con: A certified electrician is needed to retrofit current fluorescent fixture wiring configurations.
3. Hybrid LED Tubes (Type C) - These tubes are the best of both worlds and will work with or without a ballast.
  - Pro: Best solution of both worlds
  - Con: A little bit more expensive

Question 3

What is a ballast for?

Accepted Answer

A ballast regulates the current to the light. It acts as a dampener. For some lights, if there is no ballast present, connecting to a high-voltage electricity point would allow the current to be drawn in increasing quantities without any level of control. The ballast makes sure the light gets just the right amount of current: not so little that it becomes weak, and not so much that it floods the lamp with current.

Question 4

What's the difference between T8 vs T12 tubes?

Accepted Answer

T8 vs T12 tubes is a difference in size. T12 lamps have a diameter of 1 ½ inches, which is equal to 12 eighths of an inch. Meanwhile, T8 bulbs are an inch in diameter, which is equal to 8 eighths of an inch.

Question 5

Do T8 LED Tubes need a starter?

Accepted Answer

No, T8 LED tubes do not require a starter. However, traditional T8 fluorescent tubes often require a starter to initiate current flow. The role of a starter in fluorescent tubes is to send a surge of high voltage to the tube, causing it to illuminate.

T8 LED tubes are designed to work without a starter. They are engineered in such a way that they can either be compatible with existing fluorescent ballasts or they can be directly wired to the electrical supply.

The method of installation for these LED tubes depends on the type of tube being used. It is important to carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions to identify the specific installation requirements of your T8 LED tubes.

Check out our blog on T8 Fluorescent LED Tube Replacement for more installation tips.

Question 6

Can I replace a T12 ballast with a T8 ballast?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a T12 ballast can be replaced with a T8 ballast. However, it is important to note that T12 and T8 refer to the diameter of the lamps:

T12 lamps have a diameter of 1.5 inches.
T8 lamps have a diameter of 1 inch.

Because of this difference in size, if you are replacing a T12 ballast with a T8 ballast, you will also need to replace your T12 lamps with T8 lamps. In addition to replacing the ballast, you will also need to remove or bypass the starter if one is present, as T8 LED tubes don’t require it.

Keep in mind, using a T12 lamp in a T8 ballast can easily cause the ballast to fail due to the size difference, and using T8 lamps in T12 ballasts could lead to shortened tube lifespan due to the higher voltage output of the ballast.

T8 / T12 LED Tube