Which is better, led or fluorescent T8 bulbs?
The following are 8 fact-based reasons you should consider direct replacement LED bulbs over T8. 1. LED replacement bulbs are 30% more efficient. Not only do you get more light from a LED replacement bulb; they also use less wattage. Our LED replacement bulbs only use 22 watts vs. 28-32 watts with T8, making the LED 30% more efficient. 2.
Can you replace a T12 bulb with a T8?
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.
What is the brightest T8 fluorescent lamp?
The brightest four foot T8-sized LED tube light is the Barrina LED Shop Light Fixture. This tube shines with 5000 lumens using 44 watts. It replaces a 72 watt fluorescent tube. The light tubes cost around $81 for a pack of six.
What does T8 and T12 mean?
What does t8 and t12 mean? A T12 lamp (on the left in the figure below) is therefore twelve-eighths of an inch, or one-and-one-half inches (3.81 cm), in diameter. A T8 lamp (on the right in the figure below) is eight-eighths of an inch, or one inch (2.54 cm), in diameter. Click to see full answer. Also question is, can you replace a t12 with a t8?
Can I use T8 bulbs with a T12 ballast?
As far as safety is concerned, you can exchange them. 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. Save this answer.
Can I replace T12 fluorescent with T8?
Options for replacing T12 fluorescent tubes 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.
How do I know if I have a T8 or T12 ballast?
0:082:11UNDERSTANDING fluorescent lights t5 t8 t12 electronic magnetic ballastYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLike a generation 3 if you compare them side-by-side the t5 is smaller. Here's a t8 and the t12 isMoreLike a generation 3 if you compare them side-by-side the t5 is smaller. Here's a t8 and the t12 is the older version of the t8. You can take a t8. And put it into a t12 fixture the t12 is the oldest.
Why are T12 lamps being discontinued?
T12 technology is over 80 years old. Since that time, lamps and bulbs have been developed that just work better. T8 and T5 linear fluorescents have: lower mercury content. longer lamp life.
Are T8 and T12 pins the same?
A T8 lamp (on the right in the figure below) is eight-eighths of an inch, or one inch (2.54 cm), in diameter. Both T12 and T8 lamps use the medium bi-pin base, which allows T8 lamps to fit into the same luminaires as T12 lamps of the same length.
What happens if you use a T8 bulb in a T12 fixture?
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.
Can I replace a T12 fluorescent light tube with an LED tube?
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 all you need to do is take the old fluorescent tube out and install the LED tube in its place.
Can I replace my fluorescent tubes with 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. Plug-and-play tubes are the easiest to install as they do not require any rewiring to the fixture.
Are T8 and T12 fluorescent tubes interchangeable?
The Right Tubes for Your Fixture Quick answer first: Any T8 LED tube will also fit a T12 fluorescent fixture!
Can I replace a T12 fluorescent light tube with an LED tube?
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 all you need to do is take the old fluorescent tube out and install the LED tube in its place.
How big is a T8 fluorescent lamp?
Since the measurements come in eights of an inch, the T8 has an inch of diameter while a T12 comes in 1.5 inches. The narrower your choice of a fluorescent lamp is, the more efficient its energy output will be.
What is the T8 light?
The T8 light has replaced the T12 as the new standard in fluorescent lighting, which in turn is the cheaper alternative to incandescent lamps. The number that comes with the T is used to denote the diameter of the fluorescent tube.
Will the price of T12 lamps change?
At present, there is still no noticeable change in the price of these two types of lamps but it will change as soon as the T12 is phased out by its manufacturers. This is because T12 technology is now considered to be outdated.
Is a T8 light different from a T12 light?
You may not be able to distinguish the light output difference between a T8 and a T12 fluorescent lamp visually. Even though they are of comparable wattage, the T8 uses less power than a T12 lamp.
What is the difference between T5 and T8 fluorescent lights?
However, what sets T5 fluorescent lights apart from T8 bulbs is their dramatic reduction in size. T5 lamps are 40% smaller than T8 fixtures, but are capable of containing just as much and sometimes more light in a smaller area. In other words, more T8 fixtures are needed to produced the same amount of light generated by significantly fewer high ...
What is a T12 bulb?
The T12 is an older generation fluorescent bulb that generates light through electromagnetic induction, which is considered less efficient method of creating light compared to that of newer electronic based circuits. Like the T5, the T8 tube creates light through advanced electronic circuits and are available in standard 2, 3, 4, and 5 foot lengths.
What is the difference between a T5 and a T12?
The "T" in T5 indicates the bulb is tubular shaped, while the "5" denotes that it is five eighths of an inch in diameter. The other common lamps are the larger T8 (eight eighths inch = 1") and T12 (twelve eights inch = 1½" tubes). The T12 is an older generation fluorescent bulb that generates light through electromagnetic induction, ...
Do T5 bulbs cost more than T8 bulbs?
In other words, more T8 fixtures are needed to produced the same amount of light generated by significantly fewer high output T5 bulbs. Although the newest T5 lights generally cost more than T8 models, they are lower maintenance than other fluorescent bulbs.
What is the difference between T5 T8 and T12 lights?
In short, the difference between t5, t8, and t12 lights are the sizes and energy efficiency. The smaller t5 and t8 tubes use less energy and have less mercury in them than T12 bulbs.
Why are T12 fluorescent lights still used?
Another reason why they are still used is the cheaper purchasing price compared to the others, but, they are no longer being made. Despite being an older model, the T12 fluorescent tube lights still offer a range of color temperatures at different watts.
How do I know which fluorescent light bulb to buy?
When considering the question of how do I know which fluorescent light bulb to buy you need to figure out what you currently have. Once you have removed the bulb most will be marked with the type on the end, if there are no markings then you can measure the tube diameter to determine their type.
What is the smallest fluorescent bulb?
T4 tubes are the smallest of the fluorescent bulb sizes, at only 4 eighths of an inch (0.5 in). Their size is what makes T4 lights popular for under cabinet lighting purposes and accent lighting for displays or a staircase.
What are the different types of fluorescent tubes?
What are the different types of fluorescent tubes? There are 3 types: t12 tubes, t8, and t5 tubes, and the t12 which is the oldest and being phased out and no longer manufactured. The t8 is probably the most used with the t5 being the smallest and most energy-efficient so are often used in large office buildings and warehouses for energy savings.
How many watts does a T4 light bulb use?
There is no industry standard for the length or wattage of T4 tube lights. They can range anywhere from 6 watts to 30 watts, the lower the number the lower the energy consumption, and many lengths. If you are replacing a T4, you may struggle with finding the same fluorescent light bulbs sizes. Be sure to measure the length ...
What is the color rendering index of T5 bulbs?
The CRi of T5 fluorescent bulbs generally range in the lower end of 70 -80 but there are options with more accurate color rendering up to 95.
How many lumens does a T12 light bulb produce?
The easiest and probably best change for you would be to move to a T8 lamp. Your current T12 (assuming it’s a daylight) produces approximately 850 lumens. If you were to move to a T8 lamp that fits in the same sockets you would bump each lamp up to 1325 lumens. You will have to change out the ballasts as well, but that isn’t difficult.
How many lumens does a T12 lamp have?
Not only are you going to see a 35% reduction in energy consumption, you’ll also see a dramatic difference in light output. 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.
How many watts is a T12 ballast?
Good question. This is mostly true, however most people are still using magnetic ballasts. When using this ballast, the actual input wattage of a T12 – 34 watt bulb on a two lamp fixture is 72 watts. It is 86 watts on a when using a 40 watt T12 lamp. So yes, there is a significant savings when using a 34 watt bulb versus a 40 watt T12. A typical 2 lamp T8 fixture using standard 32watt lamps uses 59 input watts. This is an 18% energy savings on a 120v system. The T8 lamp will also have an extra 4,000 hours of average rated life on a 3 hour start cycle, and a couple hundred extra lumens per lamp. Plus in most states there’s a rebate from the energy company for upgrading to this technology. If that’s not enough, the T12 lamps are being outlawed in 2012 by the EPA. (Although, I’m sure you’ll still be able to find them)
How much energy does a T12 light use?
A standard 4 lamp fixture, similar to what most every office in America uses, has a standard 40 watt T12 lamp on a standard magnetic ballast (which won’t be produced after June of 2010) and uses 172 watts of energy. The same fixture retrofitted with T8 lamps and a new electronic ballast uses 112 watts of energy – that’s a 35% reduction in energy usage! To retrofit an existing fixture with the new ballasts is a simple process that requires very basic wiring knowledge. Remove (2) T12 ballasts, replace with (1) T8 ballast, and replace old lamps with new ones in the same sockets.
What is initial lumens?
Initial lumens – the average lumen output of the lamp after 100 hours of operation under controlled lab conditions.
Is the T12 lamp better than the T8?
I’ll get into why the T8 lamp is a better lamp as far as color later – but the 35% energy savings and a better lumen maintenance are 2 of the reasons why switching is better.
Can you change out T5 bulbs?
As far as T5 goes… You won’t be able to simply change out the bulbs and have T5. The T12 lamp and T5 lamp are completely different. You would have to change out the entire fixture in order to get to T5.
What happens if you put a T12 ballast in a T8?
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. Share.
How long do T8 ballasts last?
Personal experience, with T8 tubes in a T12 fixture with old ballasts, supports what Nathan L posted. T8 tubes rated to last 36,000 hours may last less than 2,000 hours. Apparently, at least one ballast model is rated for F32T8, F40T12 lamps, the Keystone KTEB-240-1-TP /B.
Can you mix two bulbs?
Mixing the two bulbs types is chancy: it might work out great for you, but probably not . Many of the old ballasts are pretty bad anyway: the new ones in this case really are better. Old ballasts are likely magnetic and might hum. They may have PCB chemicals, and they have a reputation for getting hot and even igniting.
Is T12 lamp inefficient?
Based on [Department of Energy] analysis... most T12 lamps are too inefficient to meet the [current] standards and can no longer be manufactured for distribution in commerce after July 14, 2012. In addition, if a consumer replaces an existing T12 system with a more-efficient T8 or T5 diameter system, he or she may need to purchase a new ballast or fixture. Even with this additional cost, however, DOE has determined that increasing the energy conservation standards will save consumers money overall. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/pdfs/general_service_fluorescent_factsheet.pdf
What is the best fluorescent to replace a T12?
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.
What is a T8 lamp?
T8s are the easy fix here. It’s a simple ballast and lamp change. Newer, lower-wattage energy-saver T8 lamps have made their way to the market over the last several years in an effort for traditional manufacturers to compete with highly energy-efficient products. This is your bare-bones update requiring little effort and not a lot of money.
When did the sylvania tube stop being made?
The mandate said production of the tubes would have to cease after July 14, 2012. Big-name manufacturers like Philips and Sylvania were granted two-year extensions on the deadline. But as soon as the phase out was announced, production began to decline.
Is LED lighting competitive?
If your fixtures are still in good shape, the LED tubes are becoming increasingly competitive on pricing, so you may want to evaluate this option even if you think LEDs are out of your budget. If your fixtures are in disrepair (cracked lenses, bent reflectors, etc.) and you are interested in updating the fixture anyway, the LED fixture option could give you maximum efficiency and ease of maintenance with a snazzy, updated look.
Is T12 still manufactured?
High-output and high-CRI T12s are still manufactured today, but production is down. Second, magnetic ballasts – which conventional T12s require to run – are no longer manufactured in the U.S. Read: What to do if your T12 magnetic ballast goes bad.
What Is AT8 Bulb
What Is AT12 Bulb
- T12 bulbs work on the principle of electromagnetic induction, which isn’t veritably effective. It generally uses glamorous ballast. One can use the same institution for The T8 and T12 bulbs. A T12 bulb is about 6 percent less bright than a T8 one. T12 bulbs consume further energy but release less output than LED. A typical T12 bulb consumes a wattage of about 172 watts which i…
Main Differences Between T8 and T12
- Brightness And Compatibility
You may not be suitable to distinguish the light output difference between a T8 and a T12 fluorescent lamp visually. Indeed though they’re of similar wattage, the T8 uses lower power than a T12 lamp. There are also no fresh expenses that you’ll incur if you’re going to switch to T8… - Cost
At present, there’s still no conspicuous change in the price of these two types of lights but it’ll change as soon as the T12 is phased out by its manufacturers. This is because T12 technology is now considered to be outdated.
Conclusions
- Both T8 and T12 bulbs are fluorescent bulbs. They were constructed during the late 20th century. They both were great inventions back also. T12 is older than T8. T8 was considered to be a great replacement for T12 back also. Still, the arrival of LEDs has changed the lighting industry to a whole another position. LEDs have all advantages over typical fluorescent bulbs and can also sa…