LED tubes are the most common light fixtures in both residential and commercial environments. Essentially they have replaced traditional fluorescent lights in every other type of general lighting fixture.
Most fluorescent tubes are known as T8 tubes because of the diameter they are commonly available in. LED tubes were specifically designed keeping in mind that they can replace fluorescent tubes without having to entirely replace the fixture.
They are called retrofit LED tubes. Currently there are three types of T8 led tubes:
UL type A:
UL type A tubes are super easy to install and just need to be compatible with ballast of the preexisting fixture. They have integrated led driver and does not require technical assistance for installation.
UL type B:
Type B tubes are also commonly called ballast bypass led tubes because they operate directly from main voltage, which require bypassing of the ballast to avoid any compatibility issues. They are more efficient than UL Type A tubes and require less maintenance.
UL type C:
This is the easiest to install and most advanced retrofit LED tube light in comparison. They do not require any ballast bypassing as they dont run on main voltage. In fact they have a powerful LED driver which operates directly when plugged in. A bigger advantage is that UL type C led driver can power many other tubes connected with it. They are very efficient and cost-effective in the long run.
UL Type A and B:
Also called hybrid T8 tube. They are super efficient and takes up the advantage of having both specifications simultaneously which makes them a good fit in spaces where electrical issues are frequent and other integrations are unsuccessful.
Benefits of LED tubes:
LED technology has taken over the lighting industry in a flash and for all the right reasons. They have a number of advantages over traditional light bulbs like fluorescent, incandescent or halogen lamps despite their light output.
The basic preference when it comes to choosing LED tube lights over these are:
1. Energy efficiency:
LED technology is designed to be energy efficient. Their key specification is energy saving. LED tube light produces more light than it wastes unlike other fixtures.
2. Directional light source:
LED tubes provide uniform bright light over a focused angle. They have a fixed beam angle and the light coming out of the fixture is not dispersed and wasted entirely.
3. Heat dissipation:
This is the biggest advantage of LED technology. The diodes produce less heat than traditional light bulbs. They work best even in cold or extremely hot temperatures. Halogen light bulbs are comparatively brighter than traditional light bulbs but at the cost of producing a lot of heat which in the long run damages the life and efficiency of the fixture.
4. Cost-effectiveness:
They are initially costly but with such advantages their initial cost is covered and prove to reduce electrical costs in the long run with less frequent replacement that too until after or close to expiry date of warranty.
5. No maintenance issues:
LED tubes do not require maintenance once after they are properly installed. They do not flicker or cause any undesirable sounds.
6. Adjustable color temperature:
This feature of LED lighting makes them stand out. They have adjustable temperature for light. The temperature range lies between 2500K to 6000K. 2500K being warm yellow and 6000K being cool white. This help sets the ambience of the environment they are installed in.
7. High CRI
Fluorescent light tubes have color rendering index of 80 which gives of white light with blue undertones. LED tube lights have a CRI above 80 which enables them to produce various colors with sharp undertones. This allows LEDs to be used across multiple applications for general lighting, moody lighting and backlighting.
Melissa Calvin
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