What does T12 mean in fluorescent bulbs?

A T12 lamp (on the left in the figure below) is therefore twelve-eighths of an inch, or one-and-one-half inches (3.81 cm), in diameter.

READ ALSO

Can you pour bleach in AC drain?

How do I get a good finish with eggshell paint?

Likewise, What is the difference between T8 and T12 fluorescent bulbs?

Fluorescent lights are tube shaped lamps with a chemical phosphor coating on the inside of the tube. The have small pins on each end that fit into the ballasts located in light fixtures. T12 lamps have a diameter of 1 ½ inches (or 12/8^th of an inch.) T8 lamps are fluorescent lights one inch (or 8/8ths) in diameter.

Also, Are T12 fluorescent bulbs being phased out?

In effect since July 2012, the legislation eliminates nearly all 4-foot T12 lamps, some 4-foot T8 lamps, most 8-foot T12 lamps, and almost all standard halogen PAR38, PAR30 and PAR20 lamps from the market. T12 technology is over 80 years old. Since that time, lamps and bulbs have been developed that just work better.

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

If you place T12 tubes in a fixture with a T8 ballast, you will wear out the ballast and have to replace it. If you place T8 tubes in a fixture with a T12 ballast, then the tubes will have a shorter life due to a higher current through the tube.

Can you put LED bulbs in fluorescent fixtures?

To convert a fluorescent light fixture to use LED bulbs, you can either use LED bulbs that are compatible with the existing fluorescent ballast (plug-and-play tubes) or you can rewire the fixture to bypass the ballast and replace with sockets with non-shunted lampholders.

How do I convert T12 fluorescent to LED?

If you’re converting your existing T12 lamps to LED, you have six options to choose from:

Install ballast-bypass linear LED lamps. …
Install plug-and-play magnetic and electronic ballast-compatible linear LEDs. …
Install electronic ballast-compatible linear LEDs and a new electronic ballast.

Can I put LED bulbs in my fluorescent fixtures?

How can you tell if a fluorescent light ballast is bad?

2. Look for warning signs that the ballast is failing.

Buzzing. If you hear a strange sound coming from your bulbs or light fixture, like a buzzing or humming noise, that’s often a sign your ballast is going. …
Dimming or flickering. …
No lights at all. …
Changing colors. …
Swollen casing. …
Burn marks. …
Water damage. …
Leaking oil.

Is F40 the same as T12?

A T12 is 12/8ths of an inch, or 1.5″ in diameter. A T5 is 5/8″ in diameter. All F32 and F40 lamps are essentially 4 foot long lamps (47″ if you don’t count the pins). The FR71T12 is actually a 71″ long x 1.5″ diameter lamp that can handle from 80-120w and is typically run at 100w.

Which is brighter T12 or T8?

The Standard T12 lamp produces 2,650 initial lumens per lamp. The standard T8 produces 2,800 initial lumens per lamp, 6% brighter. But the standard T12 lamp produces 2,300 design lumens and the T8 produces 2,660 design lumens.

Will a T8 fluorescent light work in a T12 fixture?

Quick answer first: Any T8 LED tube will also fit a T12 fluorescent fixture!

Can I replace a T12 ballast with a T8?

The easiest and lowest price option to replace a T12 is a T8 linear fluorescent. They have become the go-to option for pre-existing T12s. If you still have magnetic ballasts, switching to a T8 will require a ballast swap. Another option is to move forward with an LED retrofit.

Are LED lights brighter than fluorescent?

You will not experience any kind of flickering or dark spots left at any of the indoor places. The LED tube lights are noticeably brighter than fluorescent tubes and you don’t get exposed to any kind of harmful rays such as UV/IV rays as well that can damage your eyes and can result in skin allergies as well.

Which is better fluorescent or LED?

LED tube lighting is the better choice because it lasts about 40,000 hours longer in testing, is more energy efficient, will save you more money, and will leave less impact on the environment.

Is fluorescent light bad for you?

The Good: Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs save energy. They are 75% more efficient than a regular incandescent bulb and they last longer. … The Bad: Fluorescent tubes & CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury gas (about 4 mg) – which is toxic to our nervous system, lungs and kidneys.

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

Should I replace fluorescent with LED?

LED replacement lamps are on average 30% more efficient than their fluorescent counterparts. That means if you are spending $10,000 on your lighting energy costs per year, your bill will be reduced by $3,000 or more, every year that you use the LED bulbs.

Can I use a T8 fluorescent tube in a T12 fluorescent fixture?

T8 tubes are simply 1 inch in diameter versus the 1.5 inch diameter of T12 tubes. … They can indeed be used in T12 fixtures.

Can I replace a T12 with a T8?

What happens when fluorescent ballast goes bad?

If the ballast is bad, then the needle won’t move. If you’re using a digital multimeter, often the digital readout will possibly list a “1” when it doesn’t find a measurable resistance.

Do you need an electrician to change a ballast?

Yes. As a matter of fact, you do need a lock out tag out device in place for changing a ballast. … ‘An electrician is replacing the ballast on a fluorescent light. The electrician uses the light switch on the wall to de-energize the florescent light.

Are T8 and T12 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.

What does F40CW mean?

F40CW/RS/EW is a model number for a Philips bi-pin 40 watt cool white , Rapid Start, tube. The “do not use in a residential fixtures” is a red herring, as this was stamped on the “ballast”, since the only limitation is to match 40 or 34 watt t12 tubes with the correct ballast.