Typical diameters are T12 or T38 (1.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;white-space:nowrap} 1⁄2 inch or 38 mm) for residential lamps with magnetic ballasts, T8 or T26 (1 inch or 25 mm) for commercial energy-saving lamps with electronic ballasts, and T5 or T16 (5⁄8 inch or 16 mm) for very small lamps, which may even operate from a battery-powered device. Typical diameters are T12 or T38 (1 ⁄2 inch or 38 mm) for residential lamps with magnetic ballasts, T8 or T26 (1 inch or 25 mm) for commercial energy-saving lamps with electronic ball… Bright White. Daylight. This is h… Also from the 1930s, not as efficient as new lamps. Compare; Find My Store. Lamps are typically identified by a code such as FxxTy, where F is for fluorescent, the first number (xx) indicates either the power in watts or length in inches, the T indicates that the shape of the bulb is tubular, and the last number (y) is the diameter in eighths of an inch (sometimes in millimeters, rounded-up to the nearest millimeter). A T8 has a one inch (8/8 inch) diameter, a T5 has a 5/8 inch diameter, and a T12 is a 12/8 inch (1.5 inch) in diameter. Take a look at all the different types of LED light fixtures on our website that utilize this type of T8 configuration and you’ll probably find something that will work great for you. Many more tube ratings exist, often country-specific. This section lists the more common tube ratings for general lighting. This is a question we often get asked and the answer is very simple. Compare; Find My Store. I hope that answers your question, let us know if there's anything else we can help you with. Original 4–13 W range from 1950s or earlier. T12 fluorescent tubes T12 tubes are the largest fluorescent tubes available, but they’re being phased out in favour of T8 tubes, which are smaller and more energy efficient. This does not affect their light output as it’s the same as that of T12s. T5 bulbs use about 45% less energy than T12s. Call or email for special discount pricing. Sizes range fromT2 to T17. The T12 is an older generation fluorescent bulb that generates light through electromagnetic induction, which is considered less efficient method of creating light compared to that of newer electronic based circuits. T9 + See All. But most people have them operating on a magnetic ballast. A 5-watt, 25-watt, or 300-watt incandescent bulb can be screwed into anEdison socket and they will all work as they are supposed to. they were designed for, these are based on multiples of the 300 mm (11.8 in) "metric foot" instead of the 12 in (305 mm) imperial foot, but are all 37 mm (1.5 in) shorter to allow space for the lampholder connections within the 300mm modular units, and for much easier insertion into and removal from troffer lights within the grid. Sometimes, they even produce more light than T12s. It took a very long time but finally back in the mid-80s, T8 lamp technology was introduced and became the new standard for energy efficiency and people began moving to that type of lighting. Running a T8 tube with a ballast for T12 will reduce lamp life and can increase energy consumption. You will usually … Lamps are typically identified by a code such as FxxTy, where F is for fluorescent, the first number (xx) indicates either the power in watts or length in inches, the T indicates that the shape of the bulb is tubular, and the last number (y) is the diameter in eighths of an inch (sometimes in millimeters, rounded-up to the nearest millimeter). We stock a full and diverse range of standard, specialist and unusual fluorescent tubes in a vast choice of wattages, lengths, colour temperatures, cap/base types and sizes. We sell to everyone, no order too big or too small! The Story Behind This Account of Fluorescent Lamp Development", "Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: T-8 lamp retrofits", "Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: History and problems of T12 fluorescent lamps", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fluorescent-lamp_formats&oldid=995768139, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2010, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Slim lamps. T12 primarily run off a magnetic ballasts and T8 bulbs operate on electronic ballasts. For some applications, one T5 bulb can replace two T12 bulbs, providing even greater energy savings (a process called “de-lamping.”) The most common form of fluorescent lamp is a straight tube. In the 1990s, longer T5 tubes were designed in Europe (making it to North America in the 2000s), in addition to the shorter ones (mentioned above) already in use worldwide. We have free shipping on all orders over $700. That number is divided into 8 to translate into inches. The wattage level is dependent on the length of the fluorescent tube. Since their introduction as a commercial product in 1939, many different types of fluorescent lamp have been introduced. Although T8 tubes are often employed to get better energy savings than the older style fluorescent tubes, the effect is basically the same as any other linear fluorescent. This will reveal a lot about your current fluorescent tube and usually indicate if the bulb is T8 or T12. Aperture lamps can produce a concentrated beam of light suitable for edge-lit signs. Soft White. The number immediately follow-ing the T gives the diameter of the lamp in eighths of an inch. Even though the fluorescent light socket is exactly the same for both of them, they cannot operate on the same ballast. Circular tubes are FC##T#, with the outer diameter of the circle (not circumference or watts) in centimeters (inches in North America) being the first number, and the second number referring to the tube size as with linear ones. For some tube sizes, the nominal length (in feet) is the required spacing between centers of the lighting fixtures to create a continuous run, so the tubes are a little shorter than the nominal length. T8 lamps are smaller than T12 lamps. The smaller the lamps the more energy efficient they are. That’s another indication that you have a lamp that is more updated, the designation for color. Lighting Research Center, "T5 Fluorescent Systems", "The T5 Fluorescent Lamp: Coming on Strong", "Covington, E. J. All of these lamps use the same technology as linear fluorescent tubes but are wrapped into shapes which make them more suitable for smaller spaces. 99 ($16.67/Count) $124.83 $124.83 If a T12 and a T8 use the same bi-pin base, you can use them interchangeably with the same lighting fixture as long as you double check the milliamp (mA) requirements of the ballast. Color Temperature. A fluorescent lamp tube is filled with a mix of argon, xenon, neon, or krypton, and mercury vapor.The pressure inside the lamp is around 0.3% of atmospheric pressure. Find fluorescent light bulbs at Lowe's today. That led to the development of different kinds of ballasts to accommodate this newer type of 1-inch diameter tube. They fit in older fittings and some modern fittings that employ twist lock lamp holders, even though the modern fittings were not electrically designed for them. Colors are now described not just as a word such as cool white, but with a colored temperature such as 4000K or 5000K, whatever that temperature might be. Aperture lamps were commonly used in photocopiers in the 1960s and 1970s where a bank of fixed tubes was arranged to light up the image to be copied, but are rarely found nowadays. Fluorescent bulb widths are measured in eighths of an inch. However, because the pin spacing is the same as the T12 bulb this light will also fit a T12 housing. On tri-phosphor and multi-phosphor tubes, the first digit indicates the color rendering index (CRI) of the lamp. Click to add item "Sylvania® 48" 32W Full Spectrum T8 Linear Fluorescent Light Bulb - 2 pk" to the compare list. The other thing that’s changed is that color temperatures became more precise over time. Another example is color matched aperture lights (with about 30° of opening) used in the food industry for robotic quality control inspection of cooked goods. The most common that we see is a fluorescent bent T8 with six-inch leg spacing. It's engineered differently to operate best on electronic ballasts of various types whether it be an instant start or a program start. Philips and Osram use numeric color codes for the colors. This spawned a whole new variety of fluorescent lighting that continues to be used to this day. T8 bulbs use about 35% less electricity to produce the same amount of light as a T12. Model #93903. Cool White. The 18w 48″ T8/T12 LED Tube Replacement Bulb is an ideal upgrade for older power hogging fluorescent tubes. Most commercial buildings and people that use them in their homes have the instant start ballast that operates the T8 light bulb. Now we're explaining what T8 means. for pricing and availability. Now with the advent of LED T8 bulbs, people can now move into something that’s even more energy-efficient and won’t have to have a ballast anymore if they don’t want it. Now the changes coming with many LED tubes replacing even the T8’s. No such designation exists for the amount of reflector coverage the lamp has. For example, these lamps can be used in tanning beds or in backlighting electronic displays. BL is used for ultraviolet lamps commonly used in bug zappers. Also, let us know if we can help you determine what might be the best way to go for more efficient lighting. That is not true of fluorescent lamps, because the lamp must match theballast in the fixture. For example, a T5 bulb is five-eighths of an inch wide, a T8 bulb is 1 inch wide or eight-eights wide … This is a professional salesman who engaged in led lighting for 8 years. Improved color rendition as well with T12 fixture if bulb base is G13 bi-pin.... 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