T5 lamps need special ballasts to operate. In most cases, the T5 ballasts will not work with T12 or T8 lamps, although at least one manufacturer offers electronic ballasts that can operate either T5 or T8 lamps with appropriate wiring. T5 lamps operate at frequencies greater than 20 kilohertz.

Are T5 and T8 bulbs the same?

T5 lamps are 40% smaller than T8 fixtures, but are capable of containing just as much and sometimes more light in a smaller area. In other words, more T8 fixtures are needed to produced the same amount of light generated by significantly fewer high output T5 bulbs.

Does the ballast have to match the bulb?

When considering a ballast for your lamp, make sure they have corresponding ANSI (American National Standards Institute) codes. Matching ANSI codes guarantees that the ballast you chose can be used with your lamp. However, ballasts are often compatible with more than one lamp, and vice versa.

Is T8 brighter than T5?

If you want to high bright led tube lights, you can first choose T8 led tube. because the T8 tube light is high brighter than t5 tube. T5 led tube light, which is less filled with electrons and inert gas. In contrast, If you want to creat a darker lighting environment.

Can you put a T5 bulb in any fixture?

Standard wattage T5’s are usually 28 watts from my experience. Standard wattage T5 lamps should fire fine in a high output fixture.

Is T8 stronger than T5?

T5 Tubes. These newer tubes have only been around for a few years and despite being slimmer than the T8 tubes, actually have a higher output. They offer brighter and higher quality UVB light.

What is difference between T5 and T8 grow light?

The main difference between the T5 and T8 Grow Lights is the diameter of the fluorescent tubes. T5s are 5/8″ in diameter, while T8s are 1″ in diameter. Also, T5s are slightly shorter than T8 fluorescent tubes. This is an important note as it means it could be difficult to swap out T5s and T8s on the same fixture.

How do I know if a ballast is compatible?

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.

Do T5 lights need a ballast?

T5 lamps need special ballasts to operate. In most cases, the T5 ballasts will not work with T12 or T8 lamps, although at least one manufacturer offers electronic ballasts that can operate either T5 or T8 lamps with appropriate wiring.

Are all fluorescent light ballasts the same?

Fluorescent lamp ballasts are used to start and operate fluorescent lamps by providing the high voltage required to start the lamps and then limiting the current to a safe value. There are two basic types of fluorescent ballasts: magnetic (low frequency) and electronic (high frequency).

How do I convert my T8 to T5?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Now take a standard t5 tube and fit the adapters to each end replace the existing starter with the safe and easy replacement starter insert the adapted t5 tube.

How do I know if I have T5 or T8?

T5 fluorescent lamp is thin and long with a diameter of 16 mm. There are two pins on each end. The distance between the pins is 5 mm. T8 fluorescent lamp is thicker than T5.

Is T5 LED or fluorescent?

Plug and Play, or direct wire, LED T5 lamps make switching from fluorescent to LED simple. These bulbs are easy and quick to install. Replacing the ballast in your current fixture won’t be necessary, as it plugs directly into the fixture without any rewiring.

Are T8 bulbs being discontinued?

Even some T8 lamps have been phased out. US Congress has enacted legislation to prohibit the manufacture of these and other inefficient lighting technologies, and is calling for manufacturers to meet minimum efficiency requirements and lumens per watt for new products.

What happens if you put a T8 bulb in a T12 fixture?

T12 vs T8 Fluorescent Tubes



T12 tubes are 1.5″ in diameter while T8s are just one inch. All other things—socket sizes, lengths, distance between pins—are the same. T8 LED tubes won’t fall out if you try to install them in a T12 fixture—they’ll fit just fine.

What does T5 mean in lighting?

What does T5 mean? The “T” in lamp nomenclature represents the shape of the lamp-tubular. The number following the “T” usually represents the diameter of the lamp in eighths of an inch (1 inch equals 2.5 centimeters). T5 lamps have a diameter equal to 5 times an eighth of an inch, or 5/8″.

Are T5 bulbs being discontinued?

Active Member. T5’s will be phased out when a newer technology makes them no longer saleable or profitable. There are no (US, at least) government regulations driving their demise.

Can you replace T5 with LED?

T5 LED Tube Lights and LED Fluorescent Tube Replacements. Reduce the time and money spent relamping your T5 fluorescent fixtures in your home or business by upgrading to LED with these LED T5 tube lights from 1000Bulbs.com!

Do T8 LED bulbs need a ballast?

Most T8 LED bulbs do not need a ballast. The only type of LED tube that requires a ballast is plug-and-play. Used as direct replacements for fluorescent tubes, plug-and-play LED tube lights install without fixture rewiring, and operate off the existing fluorescent ballast.

Will T8 LED work 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.

What type of ballast do I need for LED lights?

You do not need a ballast for LED lights, but instead a driver. This is called a Type C application, with a tube and driver that work together. Verde often uses this approach to replace T12 magnetic ballasts, as well as older T8 systems with aging electronic ballasts.