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Posted by Dara Greaney on 11/9/2023 to
What is a T8 Bulb?
LED tubes are a modern and efficient alternative to fluorescent bulbs for recessed lighting. LED technology has transformed the lighting sector, allowing you to replace your old fluorescent tubes with LED tubes without changing the entire housing. LED tubes have many advantages over fluorescent bulbs, such as:
- Faster turn-on time
- Higher energy efficiency
- Better color rendering
- No flickering
- Longer lifespan - up to 100,000 hours
Among the various types of LED tubes, T8 tubes are the most popular. They are used in different buildings and industries. The "T" stands for "tubular", which describes the shape of the bulb. The "8" indicates the diameter of the bulb in eighths of an inch. A T8 bulb is an LED tube lamp with a one-inch diameter.
Conventional fluorescent bulbs use electricity and mercury-vapor gas to produce light. LED T8 bulbs use LED diodes and a phosphor coating to produce light. The phosphor coating converts the blue light from the LED diodes into white light. Conventional fluorescent bulbs do not have a phosphor coating, but a fluorescent coating that emits light when excited by ultraviolet rays from the mercury-vapor gas.
What are the Types of T8 Bulbs?
The T8 LED bulbs are broadly classified into the following four groups:
T8 LED Type A (direct-fit) – Type A T8 bulbs are widely known for their price as well as ease of installation. These lamps function better when new ballasts replace the old fluorescent light ballasts. The replacement of the ballasts helps avoid early burnout and additional costs that usually arise from replacements.
T8 LED Type B (ballast bypass) – Many people prefer LED Type B bulbs to Type A. Type B is characterized by a direct electrical connection to the socket since the ballast is bypassed, meaning it contains an internal power supply. With the "double-ended" LED Type B, you do not need to rewire any existing connections but only bypass the ballast.
T8 LED Type A/B (hybrid with integrated heat sensor) – This is newer than Type A and B. It features an integrated circuit that recognizes the presence of any unusual heat. The integrated circuitry will immediately direct the tube to turn off in the presence of excess heat. This safety feature is significant when the fire is of great concern or poses great danger.
T8 LED Type C – In order to light up, Type C requires a remote power supply hence removing the potential of electric shocks. The feature also allows for dimming options. And it is hugely because of the dimming option that T8 LED Type C lamps can be more costly than the others. However, it is worth an investment in a setting where dimming features are essential.
Tips for Purchasing T8 Bulbs
T8 LED tube lights are gaining popularity as a modern and effective alternative to traditional fluorescent tubes. However, before you buy one, you need to take into account some factors to optimize its performance and suitability. Here are some things to consider before buying a T8 LED tube light:
- Tube Type: There are four major types of T8 LED tube lights: plug-and-play, ballast-bypass, hybrid, and dimmable. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and is suitable for different applications. You should compare the product, installation, and maintenance costs of each type and choose the one that meets your needs and budget
- Warranty: If you like to install and maintain the tube lights yourself, you should look for the ones that offer a 5-year warranty. This way, you can save hundreds of dollars on professional services and enjoy peace of mind.
- Color: The color of the tube light affects the mood and atmosphere of the space. If you need lighting for an office or a workspace that requires attention and focus, you should opt for daylight white, which has a color temperature of 5000K or higher. If you need lighting for a relaxing or cozy space, such as your living room or bedroom, you should go for warm white, which has a color temperature of 3000K or lower. Most LED tubes are used for spaces that require attention and focus, so daylight white is usually the preferred choice for many people.
- Safety Certification: You should always buy T8 LED tube lights that have a UL or ETL certification. This means that the tube lights have passed the quality and safety standards of the Underwriters Laboratories or the Intertek Testing Services. These certifications guarantee that the tube lights are safe to use and reliable. However, you should be aware that certified products are usually more expensive than uncertified ones.
- Energy Savings: You should also look for T8 LED tube lights that have a DLC certification. This means that the tube lights have met the energy efficiency and performance criteria of the DesignLights Consortium. These certifications qualify you for rebates from your utility provider in many cities. You can also save money on your electricity bill by using less energy.
Differences Between T5, T8, and T12 Tubes
Fluorescent linear tubes, or fluorescent lamps, are usually grouped according to their shape, wattage, and diameter. As the "T" in the name indicates its tubular shape, the digit next to it denotes the size of its diameter. For instance, the T5 is a tubular-shaped tube whose diameter is five-eighths of an inch. The T8, as we have already seen above, is a tube lamp with a one-inch diameter.
The T12, on the other hand, is an older-generation fluorescent bulb that generates light through electromagnetic induction. This method of generating light is considered less efficient than the newer electronic-based circuits. Both the T5 and T8 tubes generate light through advanced electronic circuits. They are also available in standard 2, 3, 4, and 5-foot lengths. The main difference between the T5 and T8 tubes is the considerably reduced size of the T5. They are 40% smaller than the T8. Despite their size, they can give out the same or sometimes more light than their counterparts in a smaller area.
Even though the T5 lights usually cost more than the T8 lamps, their maintenance cost is lower than other fluorescent bulbs. In addition to their ability to provide more light (lumen) than the other bulbs, such advantages translate to long-term cost savings on residential and commercial projects.
Benefits of T8 LED Lighting
For a very long time, the cost of LED tube lights discouraged people from embracing them. However, with the advances in LED technology, they have become more affordable, making them easy to acquire and install. Apart from energy savings, less heat emission, and reduced load on the HVAC system, these led fixtures are also controllable. They offer more design flexibility since they are more compact.
The following are additional benefits associated with the installation of T8 LED lighting:
- Dimmable – Dimming fluorescent lights has always been difficult and has baffled innovators for many years. Some fluorescent lights are not dimmable at all. Fortunately for modern-day users, LEDs dim easily.
- Directional – With LED technology, you can easily direct light exactly where you want it. You can avoid diffuse light spread over a large area by opting for T8 LED lighting.
- Work Well With Controls – Occupancy sensors and other control systems are easily integrated with LEDs.
- More Energy Efficient – T8 LEDs are way more energy efficient than linear fluorescent lighting (LFLs).
- Better Lighting Quality – Unlike LFLs, LEDs do not flicker. Additionally, they give light in a wide array of colors.
References:
https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightinganswers/pdf/view/lat8.pdf
https://www.aydinlatma.org/en/difference-between-t5-and-t8-fluorescent-light-bulbs.html
https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Fluorescent-lamp-type-codes.php
https://www.grainger.com/know-how/business-operations/energy-management/kh-benefits-of-t8-leds
https://www.greenlodgingnews.com/advantages-of-led-tube-lights-over-fluorescent-tube-lights/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-advantages-using-led-tube-lights-wasim-ahmad/?trk=read_related_article-card_title
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