What do you need to know about LED tube lights?
Everything You Need to Know About LED Tube Lights 1 Advantages of LED tubes over fluorescent tubes 2 Fluorescent tubes sizes and LED retrofitting 3 Fluorescent ballasts and LED retrofitting UL Type A - Ballast Compatible UL Type B - Ballast Bypass UL Type C - Remote Driver Shunted vs Non-shunted Tombstones Determine if your ... More items...
Can LED tube lights be used with fluorescent ballasts?
LED tube lights that have a "UL Type B" specification are not compatible with fluorescent ballasts. They cannot be used with the fluorescent ballast, and must be connected directly to mains electricity. The LED driver, however, is integrated into the LED tube itself.
What are Tubetube lights?
Tube lights, with a lasting life high energy efficiency and a superb performance, are sure to enlighten your nights with super bright and quality lighting that these tubes provide. Now, traditional tube lights used a lot of extra accessories in order to function.
What is the function of LED light bulb?
The function of the LED lamp is otherwise identical to other LED illuminants: The light-emitting diode is a semiconductor component. The LED chip emits photons, which we perceive as visible light. An LED tube contains a carrier board on which a large number of LEDs are soldered in a row.
Can LED tube work without ballast?
An LED light does not require a ballast because it uses a component called a “driver” to regulate the power going into the bulb.
Can I just replace a fluorescent tube with LED?
Can I convert a fluorescent fixture to LED? Yes, you can replace fluorescent tubes with LED tubes or LED-integrated fixtures. If you just want to replace the bulbs, you can use plug-and-play, direct-wire, or hybrid LED tubes.
How does an LED work simple explanation?
Compared with conventional light sources that first convert electrical energy into heat, and then into light, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) convert electrical energy directly into light, delivering efficient light generation with little-wasted electricity.
Do you need starters for LED tubes?
LED tubes do not need to have a starter (fuse) and can be fixed to be used without ballast. LED tubes are mostly used for home offices, garages and storage spaces at home.
Can you put LED bulbs in old fluorescent fixtures?
You have fluorescent tube lights in your home or business already, and you're wondering if you can pop LED tubes in these fixtures or if you'll need to change out the fixtures for something designed for LED. Good news! You can use LED tubes in your existing fixtures!
How do I convert old fluorescent tubes to LED?
3:3810:42How to easily convert fluorescent Lights to LED – UPDATED! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe pop in the led light tube. And we see that it works now here we have an led fixture this isMoreWe pop in the led light tube. And we see that it works now here we have an led fixture this is actually the fixture from the first. Video. It's been converted. And it uses a single ended connection.
What is the disadvantage of LED light?
Perhaps the biggest drawback of LED light bulbs is that they emit more blue light than incandescent bulbs, which are more on the red end of the spectrum. Blue light can cause a disruption in your circadian rhythm, negatively affect your ability to fall asleep and the quality of your sleep.
Why does an LED emit light?
A light-emitting diode (LED) emits light by applying a forward current to the pn junction of a compound semiconductor. When forward current is passed through the light-emitting diode, carriers (electrons and holes) move.
How do LED lights change color?
LEDs produce different colors by using various materials which produce photons at different wavelengths. Those individual wavelengths appear as light of different colors. LEDs use materials that can handle the necessary levels of electricity, heat, and humidity.
How do you wire LED tubes without ballast?
1:315:48StarLED T8 / T12 Ballast Bypass Instruction for LED G13 Bi-Pin Tube ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe neutral wire in this lamp fixture will connect directly to the red and blue wires note that notMoreThe neutral wire in this lamp fixture will connect directly to the red and blue wires note that not all fixtures will have color coded wires. So you want to make sure what wires you are working.
How do you connect LED tubes?
0:542:42How to install LED T8 Tube - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne wire from each socket will go to line and the other to neutral. Use wire nuts to cover ends ofMoreOne wire from each socket will go to line and the other to neutral. Use wire nuts to cover ends of exposed wires and connect line and neutral wires.
How do I know if my ballast is compatible with LED?
Simply turn the light on, then take a photo of the fixture using your smartphone or digital camera. If there are no dark bands on the resulting image, you have an electronic ballast that is likely to work with direct drop-in LED tubes (with caveats: see the next section below).
Do I need to change the ballast for LED lights?
What is this? Essentially, LED bulbs do not require ballasts in them to work. Unlike fluorescent lights, it is not a ballast that controls the LED's current and voltage regulation. Those are regulated with a component called a driver inside an LED that serves a similar function to a ballast.
How do I know if my ballast is compatible with LED?
Simply turn the light on, then take a photo of the fixture using your smartphone or digital camera. If there are no dark bands on the resulting image, you have an electronic ballast that is likely to work with direct drop-in LED tubes (with caveats: see the next section below).
How LED light bulbs work?
An LED produces light when electrons move around within its semiconductor structure. A semiconductor is made of a positively charged and a negative...
What are the advantages of LED bulbs?
LED bulbs consume less power than other lighting technologies. They are also energy-efficient, safe to use and have a longer life. Compared to inca...
Can LED lights be left on all the time?
Yes, LED lights are ideal for places where light needs to be left on all the time. You don’t have to worry about high electricity bills because LED...
Do LED lights burn out?
Typically, LED lights can last for up to 25,000 hours. However, just like other electronic components, LED lights may burn out before that, due to...
Does turning LED lights on and off shorten their life?
No, turning the LED light on and off doesn’t shorten its operating life. This usually happens with fluorescent bulbs. What really shortens the life...
What are LED Tubes?
An LED tube functions within a lighting fixture (sometimes referred to as a luminaire).
Will LED Tubes Work In Fluorescent Fixtures?
LED tubes do function in fluorescent fixtures, which is exactly why they're such a do-it-all option.
Common Types of LED Tubes
Let's cover the three main types of LED tubes used in warehouse LED lighting:
Pros and Cons of Direct Wire LED Tubes
At A1 Energy, we install direct wire LED tubes more frequently than ballast-compatible solutions.
How LED Tubes Keep Your Warehouse Energy Efficient
Any switch from fluorescent to LED lighting is going to put a noticeable dent in your energy usage. Direct wire (or ballast-bypass) LED tubes are the most efficient type of LED tubes because no energy is lost in the ballast. That's more money in your wallet over the long term.
The Best Way to Install LED Tube Lights Is with a Lighting Professional
An LED lighting retrofit can be a highly involved process, from determining the right type of tube to actually instituting the installation safely and effectively. Plus, every building is unique, and every business owner has their own vision for what their LED lighting should be.
How Do LED Tube Lights Work?
LED Tube lights provide light when a current runs through the wiring. This will occur when specific semiconductor materials are used to create PN diodes (also known as two-electrode semiconductor devices.) These semiconductor materials are labeled on either side with a positive and negative charge. The N side of the semiconductor will inject electrons into the positive side while the positive side injects holes into the negative side. After this process occurs on each side, the majority charge type (P) reacts with the minority charge side (N), producing light in the process of taking the energy from the electrical current running through the light.
What Is the Difference Between Conventional Fluorescent Tube Lighting and LED Tube Lighting?
The first is the structural differences and the second is the benefits of each type of lighting. In general, the most notable differences between the two are as follows:
How does an LED work?
Stated very simply, an LED produces light when an electrical current passes through a microchip, which illuminates the tiny light sources called LEDs and the result is visible light. For a complete explanation, see How Light Emitting Diodes Work. Advertisement.
What is an LED light bulb?
LED Light Bulb Basics. An LED is what's called a " solid-state lighting " technology , or SSL. Basically, instead of emitting light from a vacuum (as in an incandescent bulb) or a gas (as in a CFL), an SSL emits light from a piece of solid matter. In the case of a traditional LED, that piece of matter is a semiconductor.
What is the replacement for incandescent bulbs?
When the new lighting standards began in 2012, prime replacements for the incandescent light bulb were the higher-efficiency compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and the light emitting diodes (LEDs). The CFL, though, has its own problems, primarily the inclusion of toxic mercury in the design and a strange, sometimes unpleasant color that even gives some people headaches.
How much less energy does an LED bulb use?
It's dramatically more efficient than the vacuum/filament method used in incandescent bulbs — using at least 75 percent less energy and it emits very little heat in comparison with incandescent bulbs (which release 90 percent of their energy as heat) and CFLs (which release about 80 percent of their energy as heat).
How much does a 60 watt LED bulb cost?
A 60-watt LED replacement bulb runs in the area of $9.48 for a four-pack, while the same pack cost $3.97 for incandescent bulbs, according to Home Depot.
How many kilowatts does a 100 watt bulb use?
If you operate your lighting for 4,320 hours per year (360 hours per month/90 hours a week/12.85 hours a day), a 100-watt incandescent bulb would use 432 kilowatt-hours per year, while an equivalent 14-watt LED bulb would use just over 60 kilowatt-hours per year.
How long do LED lights last?
Typically, LED lights can last for up to 25,000 hours. However, just like other electronic components, LED lights may burn out before that, due to extreme voltage fluctuations or premature part failures.
Why are LED lights still around?
That makes LEDs sound pretty great – and they are – but there are reasons incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs are still around. The biggest reason is price; LED bulbs cost more than the other options, even though prices for LED bulbs have come down in recent years. However, their longer life spans and dramatically lower power usage help make up for the higher barrier of entry.
What is the process of adding impurities to an LED?
The process of adding impurities is called doping. In the case of LEDs, the conductor material is typically aluminum-gallium-arsenide (AlGaAs). In pure aluminum-gallium-arsenide, all of the atoms bond perfectly with their neighbors, leaving no free electrons (negatively charged particles) to conduct electric current.
What Is a Diode?
This creates an insulating layer in the middle of the diode called the depletion zone.
How many lumens does a 60 watt LED bulb have?
Light emitting diodes have a higher luminous efficacy (how efficiently electricity is converted to visible light) than incandescents – a 60-watt incandescent bulb can generate between 750-900 lumens, but you can get the same output from a LED bulb using only 6-8 watts.
What is the insulating layer in the middle of a diode?
This creates an insulating layer in the middle of the diode called the depletion zone.
How long do LED lights last?
The life span of an LED surpasses the short life of an incandescent bulb by thousands of hours. Because of these advantages, tiny LEDs are one of the most popular technologies used to light LCD TVs. LEDs have several advantages over conventional incandescent lamps, but their main advantage is efficiency.
Why does no current flow across the junction?
No current flows across the junction because the holes and the electrons are each moving in the wrong direction. The depletion zone increases. (See How Semiconductors Work for more information on the entire process.)
Why are LED tubes better than fluorescent tubes?
LED tubes have almost only advantages compared to fluorescent tubes. After being switched on, these tubes light up immediately with their full light output without flickering. The environmental balance is also very positive due to the absence of mercury and the savings of 40 – 60% in energy consumption. The higher acquisition costs are quickly amortized due to the high efficiency and the long lifespan.
How does a fluorescent tube ignite?
A fluorescent tube contains a noble gas which is ignited by a high voltage when switched on. This ignition voltage is generated by a choke or electronics in the ballast. During this process, the gas in the glass body is ionized and the fluorescent material on the inner wall of the glass begins to glow.
How long do fluorescent tubes last?
The lifespan of fluorescent tubes is between 5,000 and 20,000 hours, depending on the type and used ballast. On conventional ballasts, the lifespan of the tubes is more in the range of the lower value. The upper value can most be achieved on an electronic ballast with few switching cycles.
Why are fluorescent tubes called neon tubes?
The first generation of fluorescent lamps was filled with neon gas, which is why the colloquial term neon tube is still frequently used today. Due to better properties, other noble gases such as argon or krypton are usually used in today’s fluorescent tubes.
What is the color rendering index of fluorescent tubes?
Many fluorescent tubes have a color rendering index of Ra 75 to Ra 85. There are now also fluorescent lamps with a Ra > 90. The disadvantage is the decreasing efficiency at high CRI values.
What is a fluorescent tube?
Fluorescent tubes are available in a wide variety of types and sizes. T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes are the most commonly used types today. These are used in private households, for example to illuminate basements or garages. In the commercial sector, fluorescent lamps are often used to illuminate offices, workshops or halls.
What frequency does a fluorescent bulb flicker?
When operated with conventional ballasts, fluorescent tubes flicker at each zero crossing of the mains frequency of 60 Hz. The resulting 120 Hz flicker can lead to fatigue and headaches. The strobe effect is particularly dangerous in conjunction with rotating machines:
How to tell if LED tube is single ended?
This end will be the “Input” end. A simple way to know if you have a single ended tube is to look for the L/N or AC INPUT sticker at the end of the tube.
What does "double-ended" mean on an LED light?
Double-end powered means your light fixture is wired to the tube (s) on both ends.
What does the L on a single end tube mean?
The "L" indicates the pin that live power will go into. The "N" indicates the pin that neutral power will go into. If the tube is being installed as part of an LED Retrofit Kit into a fluorescent fixture, ...
Can you retrofit a tombstone with LED tubes?
When upgrading to LED tubes using an LED Retrofit Kit, you can the existing tombstones if they are in good condition, helping to reduce the average retrofit installation time. Check any tombstones to be reused for damage.
Can fluorescent tubes be double ended?
Fluorescent tubes are typically double-ended as well, making retrofit applications easier to complete with double-ended LED tubes. A double-ended tube can use either shunted or non-shunted tombstones.
What is an LED tube light?
Most probably the light you were looking at was an LED tube. Having the ability to leave such lasting impressions, LED tubes are creating heavy buzz in the lighting industry ever since LEDs were invented. Tube lights, with a lasting life high energy efficiency and a superb performance, are sure to enlighten your nights with super bright ...
How does a ballast work?
Basically a ballast increases the voltage going into the tube to quickly heat up the filament so that the gases ignite and produce light, then the ballast decreases the voltage so as to prevent overheating of the filament .
What is ballast support?
Here are the three types of LED tubes based on ballast support. What is a ballast? A ballast is a component of a fluorescent tube which is used in starting the tube. Without a ballast the tube would not start or would overheat and explode.
Do LED tubes need extra lighting?
Now, traditional tube lights used a lot of extra accessories in order to function. Modern-day LED tubes do not need such extra apparatus in order to function, but sure do support those fixtures as and when needed.
Do LED tubes need a ballast?
A fresh LED tube of this type can simply be installed into the existing fixture without the need for bypassing or removing the ballast. Type B:These LED tubes do not need a ballast to function. So if its a new installation of an LED tube you don’t need to do anything, simply plug the tube and operate without the need for any additional component ...