
What are the different sizes of fluorescent bulbs?
- Diameter is 1.5 inches
- Length is 48 inches
- Energy to emit 2,500 lumens is 40 watts
- Durability is 10,000 hours
- CRI is 62
What is the standard length of a fluorescent tube?
They are available in lengths of 18, 24, 30, 36, 39, 40, 48, and 55 inches. The T8 fluorescent fixtures are the most common type. Its tube can be between 14 inches and 6 feet long. T12 tubes are the most common in the aquarium hobby.
What is the average length of a fluorescent light bulb?
The smallest fluorescent tube is the T2 and it has a length of between 250mm and 760mm. The next longest tube is the T4, with a total length of anywhere between 150mm and 1,500mm. This is followed by the T5, with a length of between 340mm and 1,800mm.
What is the difference between T12 and T8 fluorescent bulbs?
The main difference between T8 and T12 bulbs is that T8 bulbs have a diameter of 1.5 inches, whereas T12 bulbs have a diameter of 1 inch. T8 bulbs are a better choice than T 12 bulbs. This can be easily proved. T8 bulbs have a better color rendering index as well as high efficacy.

How do I know what length fluorescent tube I need?
For length it is imperative to measure your tube to the end of the tube including the pins. Sometimes it is easier to use a tape measure than a small ruler.
Which is bigger T8 or T12?
T12 vs T8 Fluorescent Tubes 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.
What are the sizes of fluorescent lights?
Fluorescent tubes are measured in eighths of an inch. A T8 has a one inch (8/8 inch) diameter, a T5 has a 5/8 inch diameter, and a T12 is a 12/8 inch (1.5 inch) in diameter.
Which is bigger T5 or T8?
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 output T5 bulbs.
What happens if you put a T8 bulb in a T12 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.
How do you tell if I have T8 or T12?
If no markings are available, the size in diameter of the tube is the easiest way to determine the type you have installed. T8 tubes are 1-inch in diameter and T12 tubes are 1 1/2 -inch.
Can you replace fluorescent tubes with LED tubes?
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 fluorescent light bulbs a standard size?
While there are multiple types of LED and fluorescent tube lights, the three most common are T12, T8 and T5. The terminology comes from “T” for “tubular” and the diameter of the bulb in eighths of an inch, so “T8” represents a tube of 8/8ths of an inch, or 1 inch.
Can I use LED tube lights in a fluorescent fixture?
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!
Can a T5 bulb fit in a T8 fixture?
T5 lamps cannot replace T12 or T8 lamps because of differences in physical and electrical characteristics. T5 lamps come in different lengths than T8 and T12 lamps.
What does the T mean in fluorescent lights?
tubularThe “T” designation in fluorescent lamp nomenclature stands for tubular — the shape of the lamp. The number immediately follow- ing the T gives the diameter of the lamp in eighths of an inch.
Are T8 bulbs being discontinued?
Even some T8 lamps have been phased out. US Congress has enacted legislation to prohibit the manufacture of these and other inefficient lighting technologies, and is calling for manufacturers to meet minimum efficiency requirements and lumens per watt for new products.
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 l...
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 re...
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...
How long do fluorescent tubes last?
How long do fluorescent tubes last, well that depends a lot on its wattage, design, and application, But, expect between 7,000 and 15,000 hours. Bu...
How big is a fluorescent circline tube?
Their outside diameter (which is measuring the circle from one end to the other) comes in four options – 6, 8, 12, and 16 inches. Shop fluorescent circline lamps.
What is a linear fluorescent tube?
Linear fluorescent tubes. Linear fluorescent tubes are the most common type of fluorescent lamps. There are three common sizes, shown in the chart the below. The difference is in the diameter.
What size lamp is used in a 2x2 troffer?
Occasionally, you’ll come across fluorescent bent lamps with a 1 and 5/8-inch leg spacing. When used in a 2x2 troffer, they will give off a very even, full amount of light.
What are fluorescent lights used for?
Widely used – Fluorescents are used in a variety of applications across multiple industries . Hotels, commercial office buildings, grocery stores, healthcare facilities, warehouses, parking garages, and more all use fluorescent lighting. All fluorescent lamps use the same technology, but there are several different variations and sizes.
What is a fluorescent bent lamp?
Fluorescent bent lamps come in a few different options. The most common that we see is a fluorescent bent T8 with six-inch leg spacing. As you would expect, the tube is bent in a U-shape. For this reason, they could also be called U-bent fluorescents.
Is the T12 fluorescent tube phased out?
T12s are beginning to phase out , and there are very few 1.5-inch LED tubes on the market. In most instances, a T8 or T5 will work in its place. Shop T12 linear fluorescents.
Is fluorescent lighting still popular?
Tweet. You might not realize it, but you interact with fluorescent lighting every day. Whether it’s in the office building or grocery store, fluorescent lamps are probably the most popular type of lighting. In today's world of LEDs, there are several reasons why fluorescent lighting has survived. Inexpensive – Fluorescents still remain one ...
What are the different sizes of fluorescent tubes?
Tubes used for general lighting are called tubular fluorescent lamps and come in four sizes: 2‘, 4‘, 8‘, and 12‘. Smaller wattage tubes are often called mini-tubes, mini-strips, or compact fluorescents (CFLs). Larger wattage tubes are called high output (HO) fluorescents. Some people refer to them as ‘triphosphor’ bulbs.
What is a T4 fluorescent light?
T4 Fluorescent Lights. The T4 fluorescent tube is also known as a “mini-tubular.”. As the name suggest, mini-tubulars are indeed smaller than regular (34") tubes and are ideal for low-light plant species. By comparison, the T5 fluorescent tube is usually 2.5 to 3 times larger than a T4 fluorescent tube.
How many watts does a T12 tube have?
These tubes are produced by three major manufacturers in the U.S. These manufacturers produce similar quality tubes but in slightly different thicknesses. Thus, they range in wattage from 13W to 20W. The T12 tube’s slim size creates an attractive style but you must use care in how you use them in your aquarium.
How long is a T12 aquarium tube?
T12: Right between the two, 1.5-inches in diameter, extra-long length. T5 and T8 are the most commonly used tubes in today’s aquarium market. Both tubes are very similar in length and performance. They do differ, however, in the light spectrum that they produce.
How long does a T8 fluorescent light last?
Its tube is 8 inches long and the fixture is called an F8T8. Light output is 75-82 lumens per watt (LPW) and the life span is about 15,000 hours. Don’t worry too much about the lamp’s life span, because it’s very unlikely that you will actually use it for that long.
What is the best light for an aquarium?
Fluorescent lighting is a cheap and efficient alternative to incandescent lights, and are great for a lot of uses. T5 lighting has become popular in aquarium keeping, and increasingly so over the last few years. T5 stands for 5/8” tubing diameter, and it’s thelargestoneormosit is still available to aquarium owners.
What is a T5 aquarium?
Larger aquariums tend to need more illumination than smaller aquariums. T5 are also known as “full-size” or “long-tubed” fluorescent tubes. They are available in lengths of 18, 24, 30, 36, 39, 40, 48, and 55 inches. If you use a T5 or T8 tube, you will need a fluorescent fixture designed for a 5 or 8 based ballast.
What are Standard Fluorescent Bulb Sizes?
When you search for fluorescent lamps, you’ll find a few types on offer more than others. Here are the most common light bulbs you can find.
How Do I Know if My Ballast is T8 or T12?
Fluorescent lamps or fluorescent tubes are often T8 and T12. Magnetic ballasts were first used with T12 lamps, yet can be used with electronic ballasts, lighter than traditional ballasts, and produce less noticeable light flicker. Electronic ballasts designed specifically for T8 lamps are used in all of them.
What is the Difference Between T8 and T12 Fluorescent Light Bulbs?
This is a question often asked is the difference between these bulbs. On the most basic level, the T12 and the T8 bulbs have different diameter tubes where the T12 is 1.5 inches in diameter, and the T8 is 1 inch in diameter.
What does T12 mean in fluorescent bulbs?
A T12 lamp twelve-eighths of an inch, or one-and-one-half inches in diameter. A T8 lamp is eight-eighths of an inch or one inch. And a T5 lamp will be 5/8ths of an inch. The common tube ratings for general lighting are shown below.
What is An Allen Key?
A hex key, also known as an Allen key or Allen wrench, is a compact handheld tool created by the Allen Manufacturing Company to drive a screw or bolt by hexagonal sockets. They come in a variety of sizes, but all have the same hexagonal-shaped heads.
Types of Allen Keys
The Allen wrench doesn’t appear to be much of a tool at first glance. It’s a piece of metal in the shape of an L. However, you shouldn’t be misled by its unassuming appearance; the Allen wrench is a powerful hand tool capable of producing enormous torque for its size.
What is Hex Key?
With so many hex screws, metric, or SAE (imperial), it is handy to find a hex wrench and the different hex keys and Allen key socket tools you can find. It doesn’t matter to the company besides a different class of tool or a unique design.
How to determine the length of a fluorescent tube?
As previously stated, you can establish the length of a fluorescent tube by measuring the total distance between the two end pins. The lengths of these tubes are commonly indicated by the wattage. The smallest fluorescent tube is the T2 and it has a length of between 250mm and 760mm.
What are the different types of fluorescent tubes?
As previously mentioned, fluorescent tubes range from the modern T2 to the old style T12. The slim-line T2 tubes feature a W4.3 fitting and a 4.3 mm wide push fitting. T4 tubes are best suited to under-cabinet lighting and have a G5 fitting with 5mm separating the two pins. Standard T8 tubes have a G13 fitting, with 13mm separating the pins. The T12 tubes came complete with the same G13 cap as the T8 tube, meaning that older T12 tubes can be replaced with T8 tubes.
What is the temperature of fluorescent light?
Common varieties of colour temperature include: 1 2700k – categorised as an extra warm white, this colour temperature is typically featured in fluorescent tubes designed for domestic use 2 3000k – also classified as a warm white, fluorescent tubes featuring this level of colour temperature share lighting properties with halogen lamps 3 3500k – coming under the category of bulk standard white, this colour temperature is considered suitable for a wide variety of commercial purposes 4 4000k – this variety of cool white is typically applied to office buildings. It is also considered suitable for formal home offices 5 5400-6500k – light generated at this temperature takes on a distinctive bright appearance. It may help in alleviating the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder
How many lumens does a 20 watt bulb have?
However, the majority of fluorescent bulbs generate between 45 and 100 lumens per watt. A 20-watt tube may then be expected to generate between 90 and 100 lume ns.
What is the difference between lumens and watts?
You should be aware that lumens are specific to the total amount of light emitted by the light source, while watts refer to the amount of energy consumed. As the levels of energy efficiency increase, the wattage decreases in relation to the generation of lumens.
What is a T8 tube?
T8 Fluorescent Tubes. These fluorescent tubes are used for a wide range of domestic and commercial purposes, primarily because of the high levels of light emission. Such tubes have outstanding colour rendering capabilities and offer excellent levels of energy efficiency.
How long do T5 fluorescent tubes last?
They are an excellent cost-saving option, particularly given their expected lifespan of up to 30,000 hours.
