The Education of LED Tube Lights | HomElectrical.com

As we search for cost-effective lighting options, the popularity of T8 LED tubes is surging. However, choosing the right LED tube light can be overwhelming and confusing because of lengths, colors and options available.

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In this post, we will break down everything you need to know about LED tube lights and how they can best serve your lighting needs.

Choosing the right length for your LED tube is largely dependent on the application at hand. For example, if you’re looking to replace the fluorescent tube in a desk lamp, you certainly won’t require an 8-foot LED tube!

For some applications, such as lighting a garage, the correct tube length may not be as straightforward to determine. The length of the LED tube directly correlates with the light spread. If you're unsure about the suitable length for your lighting needs refer to this table. It details typical bulb lengths and their recommended uses.

The “T” in T5, T8, T10 and T12 stands for “Tubular”. The following number represents the tube’s diameter in 1/8 of an inch increment. At HomElectrical, T5, T8, T10 and T12 tube models are available for purchase:

• T5 LED tubes measure just 5/8 inches in diameter and are known for their modest light output. This makes it an excellent choice for residential spaces where gentle, subtle illumination is required.
• T8 tubes measure 1 inch in diameter. This tube, perfectly balancing size and brightness is ideal for commercial spaces needing significant, but not extreme light.
• T10 tubes measure 1.25 inches in diameter. This model is preferred for areas like display cases or store lighting that need bright but not overpowering light.
• T12 lights are 1.5 inches in diameter and can produce a high level of brightness. Its large diameter and intense light output make it ideal for industrial settings requiring maximum visibility. Applications such as warehouses, factories, or other large commercial buildings benefit from the use of T12 LED tubes.

Determining Methods of Installation

Choosing the right LED tube light is only half the battle. Understanding the installation method is equally important:

Direct wire LED tube lights are considered the standard for replacing fluorescent bulbs, especially in commercial lighting fixtures. They’re the most efficient option and operate without a power source controller like a ballast. However, a licensed electrician is required to remove the ballast and rewire the fixture for direct line voltage operation.

Traditionally, direct wire LED tube lights are wired at one end. They typically require a specific fixture that uses non-shunted tombstones only. The recent introduction of double-ended LED tube lights has added flexibility to your lighting choices. These are wired at both ends and can be utilized with both non-shunted and shunted sockets.

The process bypasses ballasts by disconnecting the hot, neutral, and socket lead wires. The input wire is then connected to the output wire, connecting the sockets directly to the line voltage.

If rewiring sounds too complicated or daunting, plug-n-play tubes could be your best bet. These tubes are user-friendly and require no rewiring. They operate with the fixture’s existing ballast, provided they are compatible.

Another method is the type C or external driver tubes . This method separates the driver from the LED module to improve lifespan and performance by keeping electronic components cooler. Note that installing Type C External Driver requires the removal of the existing ballast. This is similar to the direct wire method.

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The hybrid type A/B allows the light to function with or without an existing ballast, or directly offline voltage. This method is attractive to many due to its quick installation process. It also includes the flexibility to wire from single or double ends of the tube. This ensures seamless transition whether you’re retrofitting existing lights or setting up a new one.

LED lights are a revolution in the lighting industry. As government and local initiatives help bring down LED lighting fixtures’ costs, more people gravitate towards the smart lighting solution. From homes to commercial facilities, LED lights are ‘’tried and tested’’ to perform in various indoor and outdoor locations. Even so, planning to invest in an LED lighting replacement for fluorescent tubes can get confusing. There are a plethora of options available in the T-series, and the best is yours to decide.

What is the difference between a single and double-ended LED tube light?

Like fluorescent lights, T8 LED tubes have pins on both ends, and they serve two functions. First, the pins act as the contact point from where the electric current enters the light fixture. Second, the pins allow a tight grip so that the LED tube does not fall off a fixture.

The difference between single and double-ended LED tubes is as follows:

Single-ended LED tubes take input power from one end of the fixture, which means that one has to connect the live and neutral wires to one side of the light fixture.
Double-ended LED tubes get input power from both the ends. Therefore, one has to connect the live wire to one end and the neutral wire to the other end of a light fixture.

Nevertheless, single-ended tubes still have pins on both sides. The pins on the ‘’non-energized’’ allow secure installation and ensure that the tube light fits tightly in the fixture.

When should you choose single-ended T8 LED tubes?

Unlike fluorescent tubes, most single-ended tubes do not rely on ballasts. Also known as ‘’plug and play’’ type tubes, they need a ‘’ballast-bypass’’ installation. Therefore, if you want to replace an existing fluorescent fixture so that the new fixture would never need a ballast, go for single-ended tube installation.

You can also choose a single-ended tube installation when replacing an existing T8 fluorescent fixture with rapid start ballast. As both T8 single-ended LED and fluorescent bulbs work with non-shunted tombstones, there will not be any problem during and after the installation.

Read this article to know more about single-ended tube replacement.

When should you choose double-ended T8 LED tubes?

Unlike fluorescent tubes, most double-ended tubes need non-shunted tombstones. Thus, installing a double-ended LEDtubelight will require a ‘’ballast-bypass.’’ Nevertheless, there are ‘’hybrid’’ double-ended T8 LED tubes that can work with or without a ballast. So, you can choose a ‘’hybrid’’ design and decide the installation method afterward!

Know more about double-ended T8 tube installation by reading This article.

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