It’s perfectly ok to modify shunted tombstones in order to connect double ended LED tubes – cut all wires entering the tombstone then wire them directly to either power or neutral, your choice. Make sure the opposite tombstone is neutral if other positive or the converse.

Can you use shunted tombstones on LED lights?

Sunco requires non-shunted tombstones for our direct wire LED T8 tubes (SEP). Using the wrong tombstone can void the UL listing on your lamp and shorten the life of your LED tube. It can also cause an electrical short and potentially cause a fire hazard.

How do you replace a shunted tombstone?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: We have right here tools put that in there the wire in it and the wire into that they're secure all right now these tombstones have grooves in the side of them.

How do you tell if you have shunted from non shunted tombstones?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Through the tombstone or socket all the way to the lamp spin non shunted sockets have separate contacts or entry.

What’s the difference between shunted and Unshunted tombstones?

Shunted tombstones have two joined electrical contacts internally which allows you to create a single track for the electrical current. An unshunted tombstone has separate points of entry, or contacts, for the wires which will create two tracks for the electrical current.

Can you convert shunted to non-shunted?

It’s perfectly ok to modify shunted tombstones in order to connect double ended LED tubes – cut all wires entering the tombstone then wire them directly to either power or neutral, your choice. Make sure the opposite tombstone is neutral if other positive or the converse. Make sure you really have a shunted tombstone.

How do you wire a shunted tombstone on an LED?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: This particular fixture we're gonna take and put a black wire to this bank of tombstones. We're gonna put the white wire to that bank of tombstones. And when we put this bulb. In bingo.

Are T12 and t8 tombstones the same?

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.

How do you test for shunted tombstone?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Looking at the electrical contacts may give you an indication. But the only way to be certain about the type of socket that you have is to test it with a multimeter.

How do you remove wires from tombstones?

Straighten a large, heavy-duty paper clip. Insert the paper clip into the damaged tombstone next to one of the two tombstone wires. The paper clip opens the tension spring connector inside the tombstone and allows you to pull out the wire.

What is a tombstone socket?

The term “tombstone” refers to the shape of the socket that provides a track from the ballast to the lamp’s pins.

How do you bypass a ballast on a 4 light fixture?

How to Bypass A Ballast

  1. Step 1: Disconnect All Power So There is No Electrical Current. …
  2. Step 2: Find the Ballast. …
  3. Step 3: Locate and Cut Only the Hot and Neutral Wires. …
  4. Step 4: Cut the Socket Lead Wires. …
  5. Step 5: Remove the Ballast (if you wish) …
  6. Step 6: Connect the Wires. …
  7. Step 7: Reattach Any Coverings and Turn On.


Is it safe to bypass a ballast?

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 .

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.

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.

How do you bypass an LED tube ballast?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You can fold the black and white wires on your ballast out of the way because you don't need them anymore. Next you'll need to cut the red wire that runs from your ballast to the side of your fixture.

Can I replace my old 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.

Can you use LED tubes with electronic ballast?

Ballast-compatible, “plug and play,” or “direct drop-in” LED tubes make upgrading to cost-saving, long-life LED technology easy: simply take the fluorescent tubes out of your fixture and put the LED tubes in. However, direct drop-in LED tubes are compatible only with fixtures that have electronic ballasts.

Are fluorescent tubes being phased out?

The government has announced plans today (Wednesday 9 June) to end the sale of halogen light bulbs from this September, as part of the UK’s wider efforts to tackle climate change. Legislation being brought forward this month will also include the removal of fluorescent lights from shelves from September 2023.

How do I know if I have a T8 or T12 ballast?

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.