Types of Tube Light

Tube light uses a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge phenomenon to produce white illumination. The electricity causes electrons to strike the mercury atoms, which emit ultraviolet radiation that excites phosphor coated on the inside of the glass tube and produces visible light.

LED T8 bulbs are available in lengths ranging from 2 to 8 feet and are designed to replace 4-ft fluorescent lamps. They operate off existing ballasts and do not require specialty fixtures.

Type A

This type of tube light is the most popular in the marketplace and works with any fixture that uses fluorescent bulbs. It bypasses the ballast and connects directly to line voltage, which eliminates compatibility issues with existing fluorescent fixtures and cuts out the cost of purchasing a driver or new ballast.

LED tube lights have a built-in driver that converts AC power from the power grid into DC power that powers the LEDs. Some manufacturers incorporate this driver into the tube itself, which makes them called Type B LED tubes. The drivers have live and neutral pins on opposite ends that can work with either shunted or unshunted tombstone sockets in an existing fixture.

Some of these LED tube lights have single-ended power, meaning only the two pins on one end are electrically functional (one pin = live; the other is led light bulbs neutral). The other end is nonfunctional and can be exposed if an installer accidentally removes the tube from the socket incorrectly.

Hybrid LED tubes are the newest in the market and are designed to work with both types of fixtures (with or without a ballast). They use a combination of both the Type A and Type B LED tube lights, so they require the same mechanical dimensions as the old fluorescent bulbs and can be installed using the same installation methods. However, since they have the driver inside, they are also more expensive than other LED tubes and don’t offer the ability to be dimmed.

Type B

The Type B tube light has an internal driver and bypasses the existing ballast in the fixture. This results in a higher energy efficiency, which also saves money. This type of tube is available in a variety of lengths and diameters to fit your space. It is a great choice for new fixtures and retrofitting older fluorescent tubes.

The type of tube light you choose will depend on your installation needs and budget. If you’re looking for the fastest and easiest installation, choose a hybrid or Type A+B LED tube. These tubes can be installed in both ballast-compatible and ballast-bypass configurations. They can be plugged into your fixture’s shunted tombstone sockets or you can install them using a single-ended power connection and non-shunted sockets.

All LED lights have drivers inside them that convert AC power from the utility company into DC power for the lamp. This is what makes the light shine and is why some LED tube manufacturers build these drivers into their products.

When shopping for an LED tube light, look for the highest CRI possible to get the most accurate and natural-looking lighting. While the majority of fluorescent bulbs have a CRI rating around 80, LEDs can have a much higher CRI rating. This is important for environments that require accurate color perception. This includes retail stores and showrooms.

Hybrid

Whether installed in an office, workshop or warehouse, tube lights are a great way to illuminate spaces with bright light. They are available in many lengths, diameters and shapes and come in a variety of colors and kelvin temperatures. These features make them a popular choice for facilities across industries. However, one downside of tube lights is that they are usually only able to provide lighting in a limited radius around the fixture. This is due to their construction, which tends to focus the light downward rather than spreading it outwards like incandescent lamps.

Fortunately, LED tube lights are now available that can help to resolve this issue. These tubes are able to work with existing ballasts or can be directly wired, giving facility managers more options when it comes to upgrading their fixtures.

These types of tube lights are known as hybrid LED tubes. They can be used with either magnetic or electronic ballasts, making them a great option tube light for facility managers who are trying to reduce energy consumption. They can also be used with both shunted and non-shunted tombstone sockets, allowing users to choose the type of installation that best suits their needs.

Whether using a hybrid LED tube or another type, the key is to ensure that the proper wiring is followed. This will help to prevent failures or fire hazards.

Universal

Unlike fluorescent tubes that contain low-pressure mercury vapour and other dangerous materials, LED tube lights are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. They also last longer and have a higher luminous efficacy, meaning they can provide more light for the same amount of power. In addition, LED tube lights produce a more natural and comfortable light that reduces eye strain and provides a better overall experience for customers and staff.

There are four main types of LED tube lights on the market today: Direct Wire (also known as ballast bypass or Type B), Electronic Ballast Compatible, Hybrid and Universal. These LED tube lights are used in existing T12 or T8 fluorescent fixtures and work by either plugging directly into the tombstone sockets or bypassing the old ballast. Universal LED tube lights are the most versatile as they can be configured to work as either a Plug and Play Type A if a compatible ballast is present or can be hardwired for ballast bypass in case of an incompatible one.

They are the easiest to install as they use the same electrical connections as their fluorescent counterparts and can be directly swapped out for them. They are ideal for T12 or T8 fluorescent fixtures with the older electromagnetic (EM) ballasts. They will not work with high-frequency or magnetic ballasts.