Can I replace standard fluorescent tubes with LED?

Yes, you can replace fluorescent tubes with LED tubes or LED-integrated fixtures. If you just want to replace the bulbs, you can use plug-and-play, direct-wire, or hybrid LED tubes. Plug-and-play tubes are the easiest to install as they do not require any rewiring to the fixture.

Do I need to remove the ballast to use an LED bulb?

An LED light does not require a ballast because it uses a component called a “driver” to regulate the power going into the bulb.

Can you put a LED bulb in a fluorescent fixture?

You have fluorescent tube lights in your home or business already, and you're wondering if you can pop LED tubes in these fixtures or if you'll need to change out the fixtures for something designed for LED. Good news! You can use LED tubes in your existing fixtures!

Do LED tubes need starters?

LED tubes do not need to have a starter (fuse) and can be fixed to be used without ballast.

How do you bypass a ballast to install LED tubes?

How To Convert T8 Fluorescent Lights to LED ● Explained in Simple Terms

Can you mix LED and fluorescent tubes?

LED and fluorescent lights on the same circuit? Some things were never meant to work together. If you intend to upgrade some lights to LED, ensure that there are no old technology lights remaining on the same circuit. LED drivers contain electronics that may be upset by old technology transformers on the same circuit.

Is ballast bypass safe?

Safety risk

The most significant negative to a ballast-bypass linear LED is the risk of electric shock since the sockets carry line voltage. It's a common practice to place a finger on the lamp pins while you are trying to install it, and this becomes a risky endeavor when using single-ended ballast-bypass lamps .

How do I know if a ballast is compatible with LED?

You can determine whether you have a compatible fixture in seconds. Simply turn the light on, then take a photo of the fixture using your smartphone or digital camera. If there are no dark bands on the resulting image, you have an electronic ballast that will work with direct drop-in LED tubes.

Are LED tube compatible with ballast?

Ballast compatibility absolutely matters when the LED lamp you've chosen is of the UL Type A variety. The Plug and Play LED T8, also referred to as direct fit, is the easiest of the two types to install. This lamp works directly with the existing ballast to quickly replace the fluorescent T8.

Will LED lights work with a ballast?

No LED bulbs require a ballast, although some are engineered to work with an existing ballast. You will find ballast-compatible or "plug-and-play" LEDs that are designed to replace linear fluorescents, compact fluorescents, or HIDs. Incandescent and halogen lamps do not require a ballast.

What can I replace fluorescent lights with?

Replacement choices include pendant lighting, flush-mount ceiling fixtures, track lighting, monorail lighting, potrack lighting and more. You can even skip the ceiling-mounted light and instead install a couple of wall sconces.

Are LED tubes brighter than fluorescent?

Fluorescent lights produce between 50 and 100 lumens per watt. By comparison, LEDs can produce roughly 130 lumens per watt. For example, a T5HO Commercial LED tube light uses only 25 watts to produce an output of 3334 lumens. In other words, LEDs require fewer watts to produce a brighter light.

Can I use LED bulbs in any fixture?

As long as the mounting base (socket) is the same size and type, you can use an LED bulb in an existing fixture. If the mounting base isn't the same size and type, the LED bulb will not fit the socket. You should never use a bulb with a higher wattage than what is recommended for the fixture.

What is the LED equivalent of a 40 watt fluorescent bulb?

A 40-watt fluorescent tube, for example, is rated around 2300 lumens. To replace it with the same intensity LED, just look for one that rates around 2300 lumens.

Which is better LED or fluorescent?

LEDs are up to 50% more efficient than fluorescent lights – so they use less energy. Translation: Dramatically smaller electric bills. LEDs usually last at least twice as long as fluorescents, which means they need to be changed less often.

How many lumens is a standard fluorescent tube?

Well, fluorescent tubes can only produce about 50-100 lumens per watt (lm/w). This is because a lot of the energy that is produced is wasted because it is transformed into heat instead of light.

How much does it cost to change fluorescent lights to LED?

Fluorescent to LED Conversion Kits

On average, an electrician charges $50-$100 an hour. Once the value of the electrician is added to the value of the LED conversion kit and LED bulb, the cost can be a bit high with an all-around amount of about $160-$506.

How do I update my old kitchen lighting?

Can I replace a T12 fluorescent light tube with an LED tube?

T8 LED tubes won't fall out if you try to install them in a T12 fixture—they'll fit just fine. But 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.

How do I know if my ballast is T8 or T12?

If no markings are available, the size in diameter of the tube is the easiest way to determine the type you have installed. T8 tubes are 1-inch in diameter and T12 tubes are 1 1/2 -inch.

Does T8 LED need ballast?

There are two types of TLEDs, some like Philips InstatFit LED T8 lamps require a ballast and some like Access Fixtures T8 LED Tube Lamps have an internal driver and work on 120v to 277v line voltage. Be sure what type of TLED you are using before installation.

Can you replace 8 foot fluorescent bulb with LED?

Option 1: Retrofitting Your 8ft Fluorescent Shop Lights with LED. So, you want to keep your existing shop lights and just switch them over to 8ft LED bulbs. No problem: this is a simple wiring job that takes about five minutes per fixture, once you get the hang of it.