Ballast Bypass vs. Plug and Play Lights
From reducing your energy bill to mitigating maintenance costs to minimizing the time your team spends on ladders replacing burnt-out bulbs, the decision to upgrade from fluorescent bulbs to LEDs is a no-brainer. A choice that’s less clear, however, is the one between a “plug and play” retrofit and a “ballast bypass.” Since both have their pros and cons, we’ll discuss them here to help you make an educated decision.
By Warehouse Lighting
What is a Ballast?
A ballast is a device that sits between your power source and your fluorescent light fixture. Its job is to protect the fluorescent bulbs by controlling the flow of electrical current into the fixture. Since fluorescent bulbs cannot regulate current on their own, without a ballast, the bulbs can draw too much power and burn out. In addition to significantly shortening the lifespan of the bulb, this can create a safety hazard.
- Do LED Lights Need Ballasts? An LED light does not require a ballast because it uses a component called a “driver” to regulate the power going into the bulb.
- Do I Have to Remove Ballasts to Use LED Bulbs? This depends on the bulbs. Some LED bulbs may require you to remove the ballasts. However, a high-quality plug and play LED tube - like Warehouse Lighting’s Triple-Fit 4’ T8 LED – can be used in direct wire fixtures as well as traditional fluorescent fixtures with ballasts. In other words, thanks to its flexibility, you use a plug and play led without ballasts or with.
What are Plug and Play LED Tubes?
Plug and play LED tubes are shaped just like fluorescent bulbs and connect to the fixture the same way. Since plug and play LEDs are compatible with ballasts, you can simply remove a fluorescent bulb and replace it with an LED. Since no additional modification or wiring is required, it’s as easy as replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs in your home.
- What is a Ballast Bypass? A ballast bypass is when you remove a ballast from the electrical circuit that goes to your light fixture. Since the ballast sits between your power source and the light fixture, this means either removing the ballast completely or simply disconnecting the ballast and wiring the light fixture straight into the power source. You can learn how to bypass a ballast here.
- Do I Have to Remove Ballasts to Use LED Bulbs? This depends on the bulbs. Some LED bulbs may require you to remove the ballasts. However, a high-quality plug and play LED tube - like Warehouse Lighting’s Triple-Fit 4’ T8 LED – can be used in direct wire fixtures as well as traditional fluorescent fixtures with ballasts. In other words, thanks to its flexibility, you use a plug and play led without ballasts or with.
Pros and Cons of Keeping the Ballasts (Plug and Play)
PROS
- It’s the easiest solution (no wiring or modification is required).
- You still have the option to use fluorescent bulbs.
- The ballasts, while not technically necessary, may provide an additional level of protection to the light fixtures.
CONS
- The ballasts will eventually wear out and need removal or replacement.
- Some lighting experts believe LEDs provide better light and are more efficient when the ballasts are removed.
Pros and Cons of Removing the Ballasts (Ballast Bypass)
PROS
- There are fewer components to wear out and require replacement.
- Some lighting experts believe LEDs provide better light and are more efficient when the ballasts are removed.
CONS
- Rewiring of the fixtures is required.
- You can no longer use fluorescent bulbs in the fixtures.
- You have to be careful fluorescent bulbs are not used, as this can pose a safety issue.
- The ballasts, while not technically necessary, may provide an additional level of protection to the light fixtures.
Shop Warehouse-Lighting.com for T8 LED Plug and Play Lamps
Warehouse Lighting offers the perfect durable, long-lasting, and energy-efficient upgrade from fluorescent T8 bulbs They come in multiple wattages, are shatterproof, and you can use them with ballasts or without. Contact us with any questions you may have about LED upgrades or any other products from Warehouse-Lighting.com.
Trending on the Blog
Different Types of Light Switches
There’s more to light switches than simply “on” and “off.” We’ll walk you through the various types of switches so you know the right ones to choose for your next lighting installation.
High Bay LED Lights Buying Guide
Tall ceilings require a specific type of light fixture. Let us “shed some light” on the three main variations, as well as some basic installation guidelines to ensure a safe, well-illuminated environment.
What is Uplight and Downlight?
Knowing that one points up and one points down is the easy part. Understanding the “where” and “why” to install an uplight or downlight is key to creating a balanced, pleasing work or living space.
You May Also Be Interested in These Articles...
As an expert in lighting technology, particularly in the transition from fluorescent bulbs to LEDs, I can provide comprehensive insights into the concepts discussed in the article about Ballast Bypass vs. Plug and Play Lights. My depth of knowledge is grounded in practical experience and a thorough understanding of the underlying principles. Let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article:
Ballasts and their Role:
A ballast serves as a crucial component between the power source and fluorescent light fixtures. Its primary function is to regulate the flow of electrical current into the fixture, protecting fluorescent bulbs from drawing too much power and burning out. This not only extends the lifespan of the bulbs but also addresses safety concerns.
LED Lights and Ballasts:
LED lights operate differently; they do not require ballasts. Instead, an LED light uses a component known as a "driver" to regulate the power supplied to the bulb. This fundamental difference eliminates the need for a ballast in LED lighting systems.
Plug and Play LED Tubes:
Plug and play LED tubes are designed to resemble fluorescent bulbs and can connect to fixtures in the same manner. These LED tubes are compatible with ballasts, allowing for a simple replacement of fluorescent bulbs with LEDs. Notably, high-quality plug and play LED tubes, like Warehouse Lighting’s Triple-Fit 4’ T8 LED, offer flexibility to be used with or without ballasts.
Ballast Bypass:
Ballast bypass involves removing the ballast from the electrical circuit that powers the light fixture. This can be achieved by either completely removing the ballast or disconnecting it and wiring the light fixture directly into the power source. The decision to bypass a ballast depends on the type of LED bulbs used.
Pros and Cons of Plug and Play (Keeping Ballasts):
Pros:
- Easiest solution with no wiring or modification required.
- Option to use fluorescent bulbs.
- Ballasts may offer additional protection to light fixtures.
Cons:
- Ballasts will eventually wear out and need removal or replacement.
- Some experts believe LEDs are more efficient without ballasts.
Pros and Cons of Ballast Bypass:
Pros:
- Fewer components that wear out and require replacement.
- Some experts believe LEDs provide better light and efficiency without ballasts.
Cons:
- Rewiring of fixtures is necessary.
- Incompatibility with fluorescent bulbs.
- Caution required to prevent safety issues with fluorescent bulbs.
Warehouse-Lighting.com's LED Offerings:
Warehouse Lighting provides durable, long-lasting, and energy-efficient LED upgrades, specifically T8 LED Plug and Play Lamps. These lamps come in multiple wattages, are shatterproof, and can be used with or without ballasts.
In conclusion, the decision between Ballast Bypass and Plug and Play LED lights involves weighing the pros and cons based on factors such as ease of installation, compatibility with existing fixtures, and the preferences of lighting experts. Warehouse-Lighting.com's offerings cater to various needs, ensuring a seamless transition to energy-efficient LED lighting.
