Will LED bulbs fit in fluorescent fixtures?
Many LED tubes are “plug and play”, meaning you can just install them like you would a fluorescent bulb. For this to be true, look for bulbs that are “ballast-compatible” meaning that they can use the ballast already installed in your fluorescent fixture to power the LEDs.
Can you replace fluorescent tube lights 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.
Can you mix fluorescent and LED tubes?
Yes, and there are advantages in mixing them. The LEDs comes on instantly, whereas the CFLs can take longer, so a mixture is faster acting than only CFLs. Even though CFLs don’t come up to full brightness instantly, their slow speed is much less noticeable with an LED or two in the mix.
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. LED bulbs have much lower wattage than incandescent bulbs, so it’s important to know the light output (in lumens) for the bulb you’re replacing.
Do I need to remove the ballast to use an LED bulb?
A plug and play LED is a fixture where you can install LED bulbs to what was once a fluorescent bulb. This is an easy solution and requires minimal effort on your part. Since it works with the existing ballast, there is no need for rewiring or ballast removal.
Are T8 and T12 fluorescent tubes interchangeable?
T12 primarily run off a magnetic ballasts and T8 bulbs operate on electronic ballasts. So the bottom line is that these are not interchangeable and if you’re going to upgrade from a T12 to a T8 bulb, then you also have to change out the ballast.
Are T8 and T12 LED bulbs interchangeable?
T8 tubes are simply 1 inch in diameter versus the 1.5 inch diameter of T12 tubes. In an effort to make LED tube lights compatible with the internal dimensions of most fixtures, you will find that most LED tube lights feature a T8 or 1 inch diameter. They can indeed be used in T12 fixtures.
Can you mix incandescent and LED lights in the same fixture?
You can use LED and Incandescent bulbs in the same fixture, but it’s not recommended. It can cause the LED lights to flicker, or damage the LED bulbs or bulb fixture if it’s much older. Using matching bulbs in a fixture is always recommended for practical as well as aesthetic reasons.
Can I use a LED light bulb in a regular socket?
Can I bypass the ballast for LED lights?
Since LED lights work on low DC voltage, they need a driver. Most T8 LED tubes do not need a ballast. So, if you are going to install a T8 LED tube light, it will require a ballast bypass unless you choose a ballast compatible T8 LED tube.