While the discontinued products may no longer be manufactured, they can still be sold until existing supplies are gone. In the meantime, consumers are likely to pay a premium for the lamps themselves, but also more in utility costs because these technologies use more energy.
Just so, What will replace fluorescent tubes?
Choose a Ballast Compatible LED fluorescent tube replacement for a direct swap, plug and play led tube light. For almost all cases, Ballast Compatible LED tube lights are a better choice, due to their extremely easy installation.
Can I replace a T12 with a T8? The easiest and lowest price option to replace a T12 is a T8 linear fluorescent. They have become the go-to option for pre-existing T12s. If you still have magnetic ballasts, switching to a T8 will require a ballast swap.
Similarly, Is T8 the same as T12?
T8 tubes are simply 1 inch in diameter versus the 1.5 inch diameter of T12 tubes. In an effort to make LED tube lights compatible with the internal dimensions of most fixtures, you will find that most LED tube lights feature a T8 or 1 inch diameter. They can indeed be used in T12 fixtures.
What’s the difference between T8 and T12 fluorescent bulbs?
The main difference between T8 and T12 tubes is the tube’s diameter. T12 tubes are 1.5″ in diameter while T8s are just one inch. All other things—socket sizes, lengths, distance between pins—are the same. T8 LED tubes won’t fall out if you try to install them in a T12 fixture—they’ll fit just fine.
What is a T8 fluorescent tube?
The “T” designation in fluorescent lamp nomenclature stands for tubular — the shape of the lamp. … A T8 lamp (on the right in the figure below) is eight-eighths of an inch, or one inch (2.54 cm), in diameter.
Are LED tubes brighter than fluorescent?
The LED tube lights are noticeably brighter than fluorescent tubes and you don’t get exposed to any kind of harmful rays such as UV/IV rays as well that can damage your eyes and can result in skin allergies as well.
What happens if you put a T12 bulb in a T8 fixture?
If you place T12 tubes in a fixture with a T8 ballast, you will wear out the ballast and have to replace it. If you place T8 tubes in a fixture with a T12 ballast, then the tubes will have a shorter life due to a higher current through the tube.
Can I use T5 bulbs in a T12 fixture?
If the T5 lights have G5 bi-pin socket, that is quite standard for these kind of lights, then T8 and T12 lights have G13 bi-pin or single pin or recessed double contact sockets which means that you absolutely and no way can put T5 bulbs in fixtures that are meant for T8 or T12 bulbs.
Which is brighter T12 or T8?
The Standard T12 lamp produces 2,650 initial lumens per lamp. The standard T8 produces 2,800 initial lumens per lamp, 6% brighter. But the standard T12 lamp produces 2,300 design lumens and the T8 produces 2,660 design lumens. … Design Lumens are the average lumen output of the lamp after 40% of its rated life.
Will a T5 bulb fit in a T12 fixture?
For some applications, one T5 bulb can replace two T12 bulbs, providing even greater energy savings (a process called “de-lamping.”) The typical T12 four-lamp fixture uses 172 watts of power between the lamps and ballast.
Will T8 bulbs work with T12 ballast?
T12 tubes pull 40 watts, and are frequently being replaced with lower wattage t8 tubes, which operate on 32 watts. When posing the question can a t8 light work on a t12 ballast, the short answer is no. … The only way around the dilemma is to replace the ballast.
How many lumens is a T12 fluorescent bulb?
A standard T12 lamp has a life of 20,000 hours and a lumen output of around 2500 lumens. The lumens per watt of T12 is roughly around 60 and a CRI of 70.
What’s better T5 or T8?
If you do not need as many lumens, the lesser wattage T8 would be the better choice since it offers lower lumen and watt consumption. If you need higher levels of lighting, the T5 might be ideal for your situation.
What does T4 mean in light bulbs?
T4 (13mm Diameter)
They’re compact and easy to install making them perfect for illuminating kitchen counters and worktops as well as under cabinet lighting. These tubes will generally use between six and eight times less energy. This will save you money and help save the environment.
Which fluorescent bulb is the brightest?
Fluorescent T5s
These are the newest development in the fluorescent family. Although they are the smallest, they are the most energy efficient and brightest. In fact, some T5s last up to 90,000 hours.
Can you mix LED and fluorescent tubes?
Many LED tubes are “plug and play”, meaning you can just install them like you would a fluorescent bulb. For this to be true, look for bulbs that are “ballast-compatible” meaning that they can use the ballast already installed in your fluorescent fixture to power the LEDs.
Is LED cheaper than fluorescent?
Higher Initial Cost.
The initial cost of an LED lightbulb is significantly more than a fluorescent light, but due to the long life of a bulb, you do end up saving over time.
What is a Balaster?
ballast – A device required by electric-discharge light sources such as fluorescent or HID lamps to regulate voltage and current supplied to the lamp during start and throughout operation.
Do I need to remove the ballast to use an LED bulb?
A plug and play LED is a fixture where you can install LED bulbs to what was once a fluorescent bulb. This is an easy solution and requires minimal effort on your part. Since it works with the existing ballast, there is no need for rewiring or ballast removal.
How hot should a fluorescent ballast get?
Ballasts usually run hot, about 140 degrees F, but if one is so hot that you can’t keep your hands on it, it is likely the culprit.