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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 is the length of fluorescent tube?
Common tube ratings Tube diameter in 1⁄8 in (3.175 mm) Nominal length Nominal power (W) T8 4 ft (1,219 mm) 36 T8 5 ft (1,524 mm) 58 T8 6 ft (1,829 mm) 70 T12 14–14.5 in (356–368 mm) 14,15.
Does fluorescent tube length include the pins?
Fluorescent Tube Length Once you have selected the diameter the next stage is identifying the length. 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.
How is light bulb length measured?
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.
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 T8 fit in T12?
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 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.
What’s the difference between T5 and T8?
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.
What means T8?
What does “T8” mean? The “T” designation in fluorescent lamp nomenclature stands for tubular — the shape of the lamp. A T8 lamp (on the right in the figure below) is eight-eighths of an inch, or one inch (2.54 cm), in diameter.
How do you read a fluorescent tube?
Fluorescent tube shape Linear fluorescent lamps typically include a “T” in the shape abbreviation with a number following it. This “T” stands for tube and the number that follows is the diameter of the tube. That number is divided into 8 to translate into inches. So a T8 has a one inch diameter.
How do I order fluorescent tubes?
First, you will need the diameter or how wide it is around. This is expressed as a number such as T8 or T12. The “T” stands for tubular, and the number is a measurement of the diameter in 1/8″ increments. So a bulb with a 1″ diameter would be a T8—eight 1/8″ increments.
What is a T8 fluorescent tube?
The largest category of tube light in widely-available use, T8 tube lights measure 26mm in diameter and are often used for lighting large, wide-open spaces. They’re normally seen in supermarkets, warehouses, garages and offices, although they’re suitable for smaller environments that need plenty of light too.
What is T5 fluorescent tubes?
A T5 is a type of fluorescent tube. It differs from a T12 and a T8 in its diameter. All T5s are 5/8ths of an inch (T8s are exactly 1inch thick and T12s are 12/8ths or 1.5 inches thick). T5s are 16mm in diameter making them the thinnest fluorescent tube out of the three.
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 I replace a T12 ballast with a T8?
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. Another option is to move forward with an LED retrofit.
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.
