LED Tube Lights Guide | What You Need to Know

For decades, tube lights have provided excellent illumination for various commercial and industrial environments, from office spaces to warehouses and workshops. Their versatility is one of their biggest selling points, as they can be hung, suspended in a drop ceiling, or mounted directly to a flat ceiling surface. Additionally, they are inexpensive to install and operate, which, combined with their strong lumen output and wide angle of spread, makes them one of the most popular lighting options in the lighting industry.

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In this guide, we will focus on the specifics of LED tube lights, including the wide variety of options available in today’s marketplace.

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LED Tubes vs. Fluorescent Tubes

Traditionally, these tube lights have been of the fluorescent type, which uses low-pressure mercury-vapor gas discharge technology to generate light when electricity is passed through it. While this served many businesses well for decades, it is now considered outdated, inefficient, and even environmentally hazardous due to the mercury contained within. As the fixtures age, they also require additional maintenance, such as the replacement of the ballasts required to run the lamps. The light produced by fluorescent lamps is regarded as subpar, with a consistent flicker from the light switching on and off at approximately 120 Hz that causes eye strain over long periods.

For these reasons, LED tubes have come to dominate the lighting marketplace for new installations and retrofitting existing fixtures. LED technology in tube lights resolves all of these concerns and adds some additional welcome benefits. When used in tube lights, LEDs offer a longer lifespan, are more energy-efficient, contain no toxic substances, and produce a much higher quality of light with less eye strain and greater visibility thanks to their high CRI ratings.

Tube Sizes

There are various shapes, lengths, and diameters in tube lights to suit a wide range of applications. Generally speaking, with LED tubes, the most common size and shape are the 4-foot length fixtures with a T8 diameter. Other lengths available in the marketplace include 2 feet, 3 feet, and 8 feet. In the past, T12 diameter bulbs were the standard, eclipsed first by T8 and then T5. For older fluorescent fixtures, the most common setup will be either a T12 or T8 type due to the costs associated with running T5 fluorescent light fixtures.

When upgrading older fixtures, sometimes the issue arises where it is unclear what diameter bulb is currently installed. Luckily, this is an easy fix as the labeling system is standardized across all manufacturers. The “T” stands for tubular, referring to the bulb’s shape, and the number following it represents the bulb diameter in eighths of an inch. This means a T8 bulb will be 1” in diameter, while T12 and T5 bulbs will be 1.5” and ⅝” in diameter, respectively. It should be noted that as long as a T8 and T12 are using the same pin base (G13 most likely), they can be used interchangeably, provided they are within the same milliamp requirements for the ballast if it is using one.

Below is a chart that illustrates the various sizes and base types for tube lights:

Tube Types

There are four different types of LED tubes available on the market today, which can be confusing for buyers, especially those who have never shopped for LED lights before. Most of what differentiates these tube types from each other depends on whether it uses a ballast or bypasses it, as well as whether it uses single or double-ended wiring. The main types are Direct Wire (also known as ballast-bypass or Type-B), Electronic Ballast Compatible, Hybrid, and Universal Ballast Compatible.

Direct Wire Tubes

Direct wire tubes are by far the most straightforward, as they bypass the ballast completely and run directly off line voltage. Not requiring a ballast offers a significant advantage in cost savings throughout the fixture's lifetime, as there is no longer the requirement to replace expensive ballasts that periodically fail or wear out. This is particularly beneficial for big installations such as warehouses and multi-story office buildings, as cost savings per fixture can add up quickly with many fixtures.

Something to keep in mind with direct wire fixtures is that they may require some additional parts to complete retrofitting. Tube lights use “tombstone” sockets to power and hold the bulb, and there are two main types of tombstones used in the lighting industry – Shunted and Non-Shunted. For direct wire fixtures, non-shunted rapid start tombstones are required for proper operation. If the existing fixture is a T12 type, then it should already have the correct tombstone type installed.

However, if it is a T8 type fixture, then the input tombstone sockets will need to be changed over to non-shunted rapid start T12 style sockets to work properly. This is due to a circular connector in T8 sockets that doesn’t allow them to separate the line or circuit's neutral sides properly. Even though this process is fairly straightforward, it is recommended that a qualified and licensed electrician completes this task since it involves some rewiring. For commercial properties, the use of the correct tombstones is required.

Electronic Ballast Compatible Tubes

Commonly known as “Type-A” or “Plug-n-Play” tubes, electronic ballast compatible tubes are a relatively new addition to the tube lighting marketplace. As suggested by the name, these lights are designed to work with existing tube fixtures equipped with electronic ballasts. Because of this, these lights will not function if installed in fixtures that contain magnetic ballasts or no ballast at all. Since the last generation of fluorescent fixtures exclusively used electronic ballasts, these tubes are becoming one of the most common types sold that work with existing fixtures and will likely increase in popularity as existing fixtures continue to be retrofitted with LED technology.

These bulbs are straightforward to install as they simply require replacing the old fluorescent tube with a new LED tube. Because there are so many different electronic ballasts on the market, LED tube manufacturers have conducted extensive testing to ensure that their electronic ballast compatible tubes will work regardless of the ballast manufacturer. This removes the guesswork for buyers and makes installation as easy as possible.

While this is great from an ease-of-use standpoint, it usually results in these tubes having a higher initial cost. On top of this, if the ballast fails, the tube will no longer illuminate, adding to the potential long-term costs of this type of LED tube lighting setup. Because of this, ballast-compatible tubes are usually only installed in small-scale applications where ease of installation is a priority and the relatively low number of ballasts powering the tubes does not present as much of a financial risk.

Hybrid Tubes

Known as “Type A+B,” these tubes are unique in that they offer compatibility with fixtures using ballasts and those that do not. The closest thing to a “one-size-fits-all” tube, hybrid tubes take the guesswork out of bulb selection and have become a very popular choice in the tube lighting marketplace. They can be used with existing electronic ballasts and can also be directly wired for those who prefer it.

This flexibility benefits users, especially those who have both T8 and T12 type fixtures in a building that may require both types of wiring to complete installation. It also gives users the option to quickly and easily upgrade their ballast-equipped fixtures to LED technology while allowing them to switch to direct wiring in the future if the ballast were to fail. This saves the hassle of having to replace the ballast or make the switch to a dedicated direct wire type of tube.

Universal Ballast Compatible

The newest type of tube on the market, universal tubes are the easiest to install and the most expensive. Unlike Hybrid and Type-A tubes, universal tubes are compatible with both the magnetic ballasts found in T12 fixtures and newer electronic ballasts found in T8 fixtures. This is a very popular option for smaller projects such as retail stores, workshops, and homeowner applications whose primary purpose for upgrading to LED technology is to reduce energy consumption while minimizing downtime during installation.

One of the downsides to universal ballast tubes is their higher initial investment costs per unit. In fact, universal tubes are some of the most expensive of the four major options on the market today. Additionally, there are still the maintenance concerns associated with ballasts, and since these tubes are only designed to be used with ballasts, they cannot be directly wired in the event that a ballast fails. This is of particular concern when they are used in older fixtures using magnetic ballasts, such as T12 style units, where replacement ballasts are no longer available.

Color Temperatures

After selecting the correct size and type of tube, buyers will have multiple options for color temperature ranges. Color temperature is the hue or color of the light produced and is measured using the Kelvin (K) scale, which usually ranges from 2400K to 6500K. In the LED lighting marketplace, the typical color temperatures available are normally 2700K, 4000K, 5000K, and 6000K.

The lower the color temperature, the warmer or more red the light becomes. On the opposite end of the color temperature range, the light becomes white and then blue in its hue. For offices and general workspace use, the 4000K range is one of the most popular, with a “cool” white color. For areas requiring a daylight equivalent such as high-security areas, garages, parking structures, private roads, alleyways, and general display areas, 5000K is the top choice.

Below we have included a chart that details these different color temperature ranges and their applications:

Wattage Selection

One of the most confusing things for buyers new to the LED marketplace is determining the correct wattage for their application. This is because LED lights require a fraction of the energy used by traditional lighting technologies such as fluorescent to produce the same amount of light, measured in lumens. In general, when trying to choose the appropriate LED light wattage for an application, it is best to determine the lumen output required. Once the lumen requirement is determined, the correct LED bulb that meets that requirement can be selected.

Because most users do not know and do not have any practical way of determining the lumen output of their existing fluorescent lighting, we have created the chart below that compares the lumen output of traditional fluorescent tubes with LEDs:

Installation

While installation is pretty straightforward in most cases, there is the possibility that rewiring will be required, such as with direct wire tubes. Because of this, we strongly recommend working with a licensed electrician experienced in LED retrofitting. This will not only ensure the best lighting performance but also make certain that the installation was completed safely. The best way to find an electrician is via a directory, which can be narrowed down by state or province, depending on whether the installation is in the United States or Canada. Below are a couple of directories that can help in this search:

United States:
Electric Contractors Directory

Canada:
Electrical Safety Authority Directory

Understanding Tube Sizes

If the label is missing or illegible, you can measure the diameter to determine the size. The letter “T” stands for tubular shape, and the number indicates the bulb diameter in eighths of an inch. T8 will have a one-inch diameter, T5 will have a 5/8 inch diameter, and T12 will have a 12/8 inch or 1.5-inch diameter. If T8 and T12 are using the same bi-pin base (G13 most commonly), you can use the bulbs interchangeably using the same fixture, as long as you check the milliamp requirements for the ballast (if applicable).

T5 (2 foot / 4 foot / 8 foot)

T8 (2 foot / 4 foot / 8 foot)

T12 (2 foot / 4 foot / 8 foot)

Different Types of LED Tubes

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Questions You Should Know about LED Projector Light Supplier

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There are currently four different kinds of options available in the marketplace:

1.) Direct Wire or Ballast Bypass LED Tubes

Also known as “Type-B,” the most commonly installed is the direct wire or ballast bypass option. Instead of building expensive circuitry within for the ballast to function, this option enables the ballast to be bypassed entirely by the user. At installation, it will run directly off the line voltage, therefore “bypassing” the ballast.

Interacting with the line voltage (which in commercial applications can be up to 277V) does cause potential safety hazards. Therefore, standards have been introduced by safety organizations like UL to ensure that the product can be safely installed. This results in a majority of single-end (SEP) powered instead of double-end (DEP) powered tubes. Single-end powered means the power is wired through one end of the tube. Double end powered means power is wired through the tube on both ends.

Non-Shunted Rapid Start Tombstones

This introduces a unique requirement. It is required that the socket is a “Non-Shunted Rapid Start” or T12 type. If you have a T12 fixture, you are fortunate because you already have all of the necessary hardware. The input-side sockets on T8 fixtures must be changed over to “Non-Shunted Rapid Start” T12 sockets because a circular conductor in T8 sockets disallows them to separate the line or the circuit’s neutral sides properly. Although the wiring is fairly simple and only takes a few minutes per fixture to perform, we recommend this task only be performed by a qualified electrician, especially for commercial properties. Although the installation requirements for ballast bypass tubes are more complex, there are greater advantages. Their unit costs are lower compared to all other options. This is important for large projects.

2.) Electronic Ballast Compatible Tubes

Also known as “Type-A” or “Plug-n-Play.” Electronic Ballast Compatible Tubes are a fairly new option. As suggested by the name, they are intended to work with electronic ballast installations. They will not function without ballasts or with magnetic ballasts. According to industry data, this combination accounts for more than 1.2 billion tube lights and continues to become more popular. Like universal tube technology, installation is easy.

For installation, you just need to pull the old tube out and replace it with the LED tube. Due to the huge assortment of electronic ballasts available in the marketplace, many manufacturers have conducted compatibility testing and developed a complete listing of compatible ballasts that their LED tubes work with. The disadvantages are the higher upfront cost per unit and the continuous worry that the LED tube won’t illuminate if the ballast fails. Organizations and individuals need to weigh the potential drawbacks against the lack of downtime and ease of installation.

3.) Hybrid (Electronic Ballast Compatible + Ballast Bypass)

Also referred to as “Type A+B.” Some sellers recognize the opportunity to provide LED tube lights that work with both ballast and non-ballast installations. This has resulted in a new category being introduced, the “hybrid” tube light. They work with both T8 electronic ballasts and can be wired directly. This tube install provides flexibility when a ballast fails or when a facility has both T12 and T8 that require both types of wiring. This would be considered in most cases a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

The technology is continually developed, and we are seeing new customers and maintenance supervisors buy the hybrid tube for everyday installs, making it their go-to choice for tube lighting. The advantage of being able to bypass a failed ballast is a huge benefit for installers and mitigates the need for tube replacement.

4.) Universal (T12 Magnetic or T8 Electronic) Ballast Compatible LED Tubes

These LED tubes are the newest, easiest to install, and most expensive. They work with any kind of existing technology – whether it is T12 (Magnetic Ballast) or T8 (Electronic Ballast). To install them, you just need to take the old fluorescent tube out and install the LED tube in its place. They are a good option for smaller facilities or homeowners whose main goal is no downtime during installation and complete power reduction.

The main drawback to these options is their higher upfront costs per unit. They are one of the highest of all options. Also, since the ballast is still in place, there are maintenance concerns. This is particularly critical with T12 magnetic applications where procuring new ballasts is no longer possible.

Installation Guide and Wiring Diagram for LED Tubes

We recommend that only qualified electricians attempt to install LED tubes due to possible electrical shock. For more information on installing LED tubes, see our T8 ballast bypass installation guide.

We Are LED Fluorescent Replacement Tube Experts

Hopefully, this article has helped simplify the basics of how to choose the best solution for your LED fluorescent tube replacement needs