Nearly any LED tube is a better replacement to fluorescent tubes and is also quite energy efficient. These work well in areas that incorporate climate control and have normal ceiling heights like offices, classrooms, storage rooms, mechanical garages, and manufacturing floors.
With a fast-growing technology for lighting, LED linear tube options raise concerns around the industry about which option is in fact the safest choice.
Led tubes available for retrofit designs are called T8 led tube lights. They got this name from basic fluorescent tube fixtures available with the size specification of T5, T8 and T12. Which are quite outdated now and available options in the market are mostly T8 designs.
The letter “T” denotes tubular shape and the number specifies the bulb diameter in eighths of an inch.
T8 has one-inch diameter,
The T5 has 5/8 diameter,
a T12 has 12/8 inch or 1.5 inch diameter.
These tubes mostly operate on G5 and G13 bases. If T8 and T12 are using the same bi-pin base (G13 most commonly), then you can use the bulbs interchangeably using the same fixture just as long as you check the milliamp requirements for the ballast.
Knowing the differences in length and socket pin size as compared to standard fluorescent lamps is resourceful in order to avoid any electrical circuit issues or accidents while retrofitting them with LED counterparts.
T5 LED tube makes it easier to switch with any fluorescent tube very easily mostly without bypassing the ballast.
Each LED tube has been specified under a UL safety standard, according to which it incorporates and works with fluorescent fixtures. Those specifications are UL Type A, UL Type B and UL Type C.
Direct wire/ UL Type A: operate on existing ballast
Ballast bypass/ UL Type B: requires the wire to be interchanged and connected directly to the mains supply. Efficient and longer lasting as compared to type A.
Remote driver/UL Type C: uses a remote LED driver instead,they are the most efficient hence they have relatively higher upfront cost. They are most functional and offer much flexibility when it comes to operation.
T8 led tubes are still the best yet retrofit design for a number of reasons. Particularly because of the function, varying colour temperature and all the added benefits of an LED.
The color temperature is measured on a scale known as Kelvin ( K), which ranges from 2400k to 6500k. A lower Kelvin value means the light intensity would be nearer to an orange or “hot” or “soft” tint. “Cool” White usually refers to bulbs with an estimated 4000k color rendering and are similar in color to transparent metal halides,cool white is usually used in offices.
The “daylight” equivalent with an output that renders pure white to bluish white has a rating of 5000+K. Daylight color temperature is useful for any high-security areas, garages, parking structures and display areas.
It is important that you learn about color temperature when installing your overhead lighting so you get desired consistent lighting across the entire coverage area of your application.
The colors available on the market usually fall in the range from 2700k, 4000k, 5000k to 6000k.
The T8 led tube is the perfect replacement for traditional fluorescent tube being very eco friendly as it contains no harmful chemicals. Also it saves energy up to 70-80% so a perfect light item for commercial and residential spaces.