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Tube lights, also known as linear light bulbs, are frequently used in office buildings, kitchens, work spaces and commercial installations as well as homes, with varying sizes and brightness levels.
What are the long tube light bulbs called?
A fluorescent lamp, or fluorescent tube, is a low-pressure mercury-vapor gas-discharge lamp that uses fluorescence to produce visible light.
What are tubular lights called?
The fluorescent tube, also referred to as the fluorescent strip or tube light, is a low-pressure mercury vapour gas-discharge tube that converts fluorescence into visible light. Fluorescent tubes have the advantage of benefitting from much greater energy efficiency than incandescent lamps.
What is T8 and T12 bulbs?
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 still buy fluorescent tubes?
While the discontinued products may no longer be manufactured, they can still be sold until existing supplies are gone. In the meantime, consumers are likely to pay a premium for the lamps themselves, but also more in utility costs because these technologies use more energy.
Are T8 and T12 interchangeable?
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.
Can I replace T12 with 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.
What is T5 T8 and T12 lighting?
Following the letter is a number representing the diameter of the bulb measured in fractions of an inch. For example, a T5 bulb is five-eighths of an inch wide, a T8 bulb is 1 inch wide or eight-eights wide and a T12 is 1-1/2 inches or 12/8ths 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.
What is a T5 light?
T5 lamps are fluorescent lamps that are 5/8″ of an inch in diameter. Differences in length and socket pin design versus conventional fluorescent lamps prevent any problems with electric circuits or human factors.
Can I use T5 bulbs in a T12 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. A nominal 4-foot T5 lamp is actually shorter than an equivalent T8 lamp [1149 millimeters (45.23 inches) in total].
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.
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 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.
Why are T12 lamps being discontinued?
In response, Congress made legislation stating that T12 linear fluorescents and other inefficient lighting technologies would no longer be manufactured. This legislation was put into action in 2012 with the DOE regulating T12 linear fluorescent lamps as a way of encouraging consumers to be more energy efficient.
How long do T12 bulbs last?
Typical lamp life for a fluorescent bulb is about 20,000 hours, but this can degrade as a consequence of frequent switching (turning on and off). Burning life is extended if lamps remain on continuously for long periods of time.
How do I know if my fixture is 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 I replace my T8 bulbs 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.
Can you put an LED tube in a fluorescent fixture?
In short, YES! New linear LED tube bulbs are simple plug and play and ballast compatible. You will simply need to remove your fluorescent bulb and plug in your LED replacement.
