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How do I know what size fluorescent tube I need?
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.
What are the sizes of fluorescent bulbs?
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.
How do you measure the length of a light bulb?
To correctly measure the length of your light bulb, measure from the top of the glass or plastic bulb to the very tip of the base using a ruler or measuring tape.
What are the standard sizes of fluorescent tubes?
Fluorescent circline tubes are typically 1 and 1/8 of an inch in diameter. Their outside diameter (which is measuring the circle from one end to the other) comes in four options – 6, 8, 12, and 16 inches.
How do I know 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.
Will a T8 fit in a T12 fixture?
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 better T5 or T8?
The T5 has a better lumen-to-watt ratio than the T8, implying that its output is more efficient and brighter per watt of energy used.
What size is a T5 tube?
The T5 Fluorescent Tube is often referred to as a miniature fluorescent tube as it has a diameter of only 15mm. We stock the full range of these replacement T5 linear lamps in the wattages ranging from 4 Watts to 80 Watts and lengths starting at 150mm and increasing to 1500mm.
Can I replace 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.
What do the numbers on a fluorescent tube mean?
Lamps are typically identified by a code such as FxxTy, where F is for fluorescent, the first number (xx) indicates either the power in watts or length in inches, the T indicates that the shape of the bulb is tubular, and the last number (y) is the diameter in eighths of an inch (sometimes in millimeters, rounded-up to.
What is the difference between T5 T8 and T12?
So a T5 is 5/8ths of an inch, a T8 is exactly one inch thick (i.e. 8/8ths) and a T12 is 12/8ths or one and a half inches thick.
What is difference between T5 and T8 fluorescent?
The major physical difference between T5 and T8 light bulbs is the length and diameter of the tube itself. The T5 tends to be slightly shorter than the T8 tube, and is significantly smaller in diameter. This factor is important to consider when looking at your fixture, because the two tubes are not interchangeable.
Is my ballast T8 or T12?
Replace Current Lamp You will see either T8 or T12 stamped on one side near the end with the prongs. You also will see the lamp’s rated wattage, usually 32 watts for T8 and 40 watts for T12. Measure the diameter of the lamp. T12 lamps are larger than T8 lamps, with a 1 ½-inch diameter.
Can a T8 tube 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. If you still have magnetic ballasts, switching to a T8 will require a ballast swap.
Which is better T8 or T12 bulbs?
The smaller the lamps the more energy efficient they are. T8 bulbs use about 35% less electricity to produce the same amount of light as a T12. T5 bulbs use about 45% less energy than T12s.
Are T12 bulbs being discontinued?
In effect since July 2012, the legislation eliminates nearly all 4-foot T12 lamps, some 4-foot T8 lamps, most 8-foot T12 lamps, and almost all standard halogen PAR38, PAR30 and PAR20 lamps from the market. T12 technology is over 80 years old. Since that time, lamps and bulbs have been developed that just work better.
What does T8 mean on a light bulb?
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.
