LED Tube Lights
LED Tube Lights
Plug and play LED tubes come with a driver that handles the current flow. This means no ballast is needed and it makes the installation process very simple.
These are hybrid tubes that can work with the existing ballast (with compatible transformers) or without it by bypassing the ballast and rewiring the fixture to use shunted tombstone sockets. They are ideal for reducing maintenance costs.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a huge selling point for LED tubes. They consume significantly less electricity than fluorescent tubes and can produce the same amount of light. This translates into lower utility bills and reduced maintenance costs.
When shopping for LED tubes it’s important to understand the difference between different types. There are two major categories, Type A and Type B. A Type A tube is compatible with existing ballasts while light bulbs a Type B tube bypasses the ballast and can be wired directly to line voltage.
It’s also important to consider the lumen output and color temperature of the tubes you are considering purchasing. The lumen output will determine how bright the bulb is and the color temperature will influence the shade of white rendered. LED tubes are available in a variety of colors and wattages ranging from 2700K up to 6500K.
Long Lifespan
A long lifespan makes LED tubes a wise investment for facility and commercial lighting, as they require less maintenance. They also have a higher lumen per watt ratio, meaning they produce more light for the same wattage compared to fluorescent tubes that waste energy in the form of heat.
LED tube lights are available as either ballast compatible or direct wire versions. The former works with a fluorescent fixture’s existing magnetic or electronic ballast, while the latter bypasses the ballast and is directly wired to line voltage. Each option offers its own benefits and drawbacks, so consider your facility’s needs when deciding between these three options:
When selecting an LED tube, look for a manufacturer that does extensive driver component testing. For example, Current puts its LED chips through rigorous stress and reliability tests to ensure they can last a long time. It also selects only quality drivers that can operate at elevated temperatures and provide superior protection against transients. In addition, it conducts L70 testing to determine the number of hours until a tube’s light output declines to 70% of its initial level.
Low Maintenance
The low maintenance requirements of LED tubes make them a perfect choice for any space where the lights will be on for long periods of time. They consume less energy than their fluorescent counterparts, and their service life is much longer as well. This makes them ideal for areas such as art galleries, warehouses, and parking garages.
UL Type A LED tubes are designed to work with existing fluorescent ballasts and can be installed as a simple swap-in. However, these types of LED tubes are not compatible with all ballasts, and the tubes must be replaced when the ballast fails.
Type B LED tubes require bypassing (or removing) the ballast and directly wiring to line voltage. These are the most popular LED tubes, as they eliminate the ballast and reduce maintenance costs.
Ensure the safety of your installers by choosing a tube that uses a double-ended driver that prevents the risks of installation-related electric shock. Suitable for both shunted and non-shunted tombstone sockets, these LED tube lights led tube are ideal for replacing existing fluorescent tubes in a fixture.
Durability
Unlike traditional fluorescent tubes, which contained glass lenses that housed gas, LED tube lights are made from plastic or aluminum. This makes them much less prone to breaking. Some plastic tube light models even come with a frosted lens that diffuses the light and prevents hot spots. This makes them safer to use in areas where the lighting is frequently disturbed or walked under.
In addition to durability, the high CRI of most LED tube lights ensures that you can accurately render colors and textures in your space. This is important in a task-oriented workspace or retail space where you want your products to be shown to their best advantage.
Another consideration is whether you’re installing a Type A, Type B or Type C tube. A Type A LED lamp operates on a fluorescent ballast, while a direct-wired Type B model bypasses the ballast and draws power from the line voltage to the tombstones. You’ll need to replace or rewire the fixture to run these types of LEDs. In either case, you’ll have a lot less hassle with a Type A hybrid tube, which can operate on both fluorescent or direct-wire ballasts while also providing the option to switch to a dedicated LED driver in the future when the existing ballasts are expected to fail.
Safety
While LED tubes are safer than fluorescents, they still require careful handling and installation. It is also important to choose the right type of LED tube for a given fixture. The most common types of LED tubes are Direct Wire (also known as ballast bypass or Type A), Electronic Ballast Compatible, and Hybrid.
A direct-wire LED tube has all the necessary electronics built into the plastic body of the tube. This eliminates the need for a separate driver and reduces the amount of wiring that needs to be done during installation. However, this solution can be more expensive than other options and is not compatible with all ballasts.
Electronically compatible LED tubes have undergone extensive testing to ensure that they work with most types of electronic ballasts. This option is more expensive than Direct Wire but it saves on labor and installation time. It is also more compatible with older fixtures that only have a magnetic ballast. Some manufacturers have even incorporated safety features into their electronically compatible LED tubes to protect installers from shock hazards.