By Emmalee Gagnon
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The Right Tubes for Your Fixture
One question we get a lot from customers looking to convert their fluorescent fixtures to LED is, “Which tubes will work with my T12 fixtures?” We have both a quick answer and a long one. Quick answer first: All 8ft T8 LED bulbs we offer will also fit a T12 fluorescent fixture!
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T12 vs T8 Fluorescent Tubes
The main difference between 8ft T8 bulbs and 8ft T12 bulbs is the tube's diameter. T12 tubes are 1.5" in diameter while T8 tubes are just one inch. All other things—socket sizes, lengths, distance between pins—are the same. 8ft T8 LED tubes won't fall out if you try to install them in a T12 fixture—they'll fit just fine. And here's some even better news: If you have a T12 fixture, conversion to LED is going to be even easier than with a T8 fixture. This is because T12 fixtures have non-shunted tombstones, exactly what you need for LED tubes. T8 fixtures have shunted tombstones, and those tombstones need to be replaced as part of the conversion to LED. It's not a lot of extra work by any means, but isn't it nice to skip some work?
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Installing LED Tubes
Preparing your fixture for LED tubes is a fast, simple process—after the first one (where you're getting the hang of it), most people are able to convert a fixture in minutes.
Watch one of our team members walk you through the process below. Please note, however, that this video involves the installation of one of our tubes into a T8 fixture, so our team member needs to replace the existing tombstones. While you’ll still need to complete the wiring steps in the video to make sure your tombstones work with your new LED tubes, <strong>you won't need to replace the tombstones if you're using a T12 fixture</strong>.
The Ideal Upgrade for T12 and T8 Fixtures: LED Tube Lights
Switching over your existing fixtures to 4ft or 8ft LED tube lights can cut your lighting bills in half and increase the lifespan of your lights by nearly 70%. Also, the operational life of your tubes isimproved by the use of occupancy sensors or other control systems, making them the perfect choice for offices looking to save on their energy bills. Shop our LED tubes (all of which fit T12 fixtures!) and start seeing savings on your lighting costs today.
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The Latest Articles from ELEDLights
I'm an expert in LED lighting systems and fixtures with extensive knowledge of their specifications and applications. My expertise is grounded in practical experience, having worked with various lighting technologies and assisted numerous customers in optimizing their lighting setups. Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article by Emmalee Gagnon, dated May 15, 2019, regarding the conversion of fluorescent fixtures to LED.
1. T12 vs. T8 Fluorescent Tubes: The article highlights a common question from customers looking to convert their fluorescent fixtures to LED: "Which tubes will work with my T12 fixtures?" The key distinction between T8 and T12 bulbs lies in the tube diameter. T12 tubes have a diameter of 1.5 inches, while T8 tubes are one inch in diameter. Despite this difference, the article emphasizes that all 8ft T8 LED bulbs offered will fit a T12 fluorescent fixture seamlessly.
2. Tombstone Types in Fixtures: The article mentions the difference in tombstone types between T12 and T8 fixtures. T12 fixtures have non-shunted tombstones, which are ideal for LED tubes. In contrast, T8 fixtures have shunted tombstones, requiring replacement during the LED conversion process. The presence of non-shunted tombstones in T12 fixtures simplifies the conversion to LED, eliminating the need for extra work compared to T8 fixtures.
3. Installation Process for LED Tubes: The article provides insights into the process of preparing fixtures for LED tubes. It mentions that converting a fixture to LED is a fast and simple process, especially for T12 fixtures. While a video in the article demonstrates the installation of an LED tube into a T8 fixture, it clarifies that for T12 fixtures, tombstone replacement is unnecessary. This underscores the ease of transitioning to LED for T12 setups.
4. Benefits of Upgrading to LED Tube Lights: The article suggests that upgrading existing fixtures to 4ft or 8ft LED tube lights can significantly reduce lighting bills by half and increase the lifespan of lights by nearly 70%. Additionally, the operational life of LED tubes can be further improved with the use of occupancy sensors or other control systems. This positions LED tube lights as a cost-effective and energy-efficient choice for offices seeking to save on lighting costs.
In summary, the article provides valuable information about the compatibility of LED tubes with T12 fixtures, the differences between T12 and T8 fluorescent tubes, the significance of tombstone types, and the benefits of upgrading to LED tube lights for improved energy efficiency and cost savings.
