So it's quite convenient to use a T8 LED Tube to replace the old T10 and T12 tubes. 4.) Replacing your T12 fixtures with T8 fixtures is more cost effective than changing out the ballasts, but if you invested a lot in your T12 fixtures and have developed a sentimental attachment, then you may want to invest in changing the ballasts and retaining the fixtures. Top Rated Philips Advance AmbiStar 40-Watt 2-Lamp T12 Rapid Start High Frequency Electronic Replacement Ballast Model# 520395 $ 19 92 $ 19 92. Multiple replacement options are given below: T8 Electronic Ballast Compatible LED Fluorescent Tubes 10 PCS-T8 T10 T12 LED Tube Light, 8 Foot , 92W Rotate V Shaped, R17D/HO 8FT LED Bulb ,6000K Cold White, 13500LM, Clear Cover, (Replacement for F96T12/CW/HO 150W), Ballast Bypass,Dual-End Powered, 4.7 out of 5 stars 109. We just upgraded power from anumber 80amp temp to a 200 amp meter main at o... Changing fluorescent fixture from T12 to T8. Then, join the other blue wire from your T8 to the two red wires coming from the fixture. Disconnect Power for Safety. Hi all, I am restoring a circa 1950s bathroom medicine cabinet. All rights reserved. The only way around the dilemma is to replace the ballast. Wiring a T12 Fluorescent Fixture for a T8 Energy Efficient Ballast. Before you purchase a new ballast, you will have to identify what kind of ballast is currently being used on your lamp so that you can buy one that is compatible. Ballasts are not necessarily expensive; you can find a t8 ballast for under 20 dollars. Repeat Step 2 by joining one of the blue wires from your T8 to the two blue wires coming out from the fixture. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Can be used as a replacement for 2 Lamp T12 Magnetic Ballast By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, GE Lighting: Lamp Holders with T12 and %8 Instant Start and Rapid Start Ballasts. Co… Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Copyright© Renico has appeared on television and her articles have appeared in various online publications. Install ballast-bypass linear LED lamps. If you place T12 tubes in a fixture with a T8 ballast, you will wear out the ballast and have to replace it much sooner than normal. The T12 and T8 have the same size end-caps, so you don't have to do any rewiring for those sockets. Differences Between T8 and T12 Lamps A 48-inch T8 lamp produces 2,600 design lumens using 32 watts, while the same size T12 lamp produces 2,520 design lumens using 40 watts. If you're converting your existing T12 lamps to LED, you have six options to choose from: 1. Operates 2 T12 Fluorescent tubes type F34T12, F40T12 or T8/T12 Universal LED Tubes. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. These LED tubes are the newest, easiest to install and most expensive. Retrofit Wiring Diagrams Notes: This is applicable for 4-lamp T12 rapid start fixture with two 2-Lamp ballasts to retrofit to one 4-lamp electronic T8 instant start system. Retrofitting T12 to T8 is a simple ballast and lamp swap. We welcome your comments and 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Your ballast must be listed on the ballast … T12 and T8 lamps also differ on the ballast that they are operated with most of the time. Newer, lower-wattage energy-saver T8 lamps have made their way to the market over the last several years in an effort for traditional manufacturers to compete with highly energy-efficient products. On your lamp, look for the identification code. Generally, T8 uses electronic ballasts and T12 uses magnetic ballasts. on Oct 14, 2020. Replacing your T12 fixtures with T8 fixtures is more cost effective than changing out the ballasts, but if you invested a lot in your T12 fixtures and have developed a sentimental attachment, then you may want to invest in changing the ballasts and retaining the fixtures. T8 4FT LED Tube Light Bulbs, Triple Row 60W 6000K Cold White, 6500LM, 4 Foot T12 LED Replacement for Flourescent Tubes, Ballast Bypass, Dual-end Powered, Clear, Garage Warehouse Shop Lights (4-Pack) 4.7 out of 5 stars 72 ... Philips Advance Centium 3 or 4-Lamp T8 LED Electronic Replacement Ballast Model# 512954 $ 17 97 $ 17 97. - Disconnect power to lighting fixture prior to servicing the fixture. Different light fixtures will have different ballasts. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent You may freely link Ballast must be removed before installed into fluorescent fixture. T8 tubes are simply 1 inch in diameter versus the 1.5 inch diameter of T12 tubes. Specifications GE Survivor™ T12/HO Fluorescent All-Weather Sign Ballasts •1 to 6 lamp operation, from 4’ – 48’ •Any newly designed box sign or illuminated sign using T12 . Leslie Renico's grant-writing career began in 2006 and her grants have brought in millions of dollars for nonprofits serving the poor and providing medical care for the needy. She graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice in 1997. They can indeed be used in T12 fixtures. Replacing the Ballast in a Fluorescent Light Fixture. Replace conventional single pin 8ft fluorescent lamps installed in mid to high ceiling applications. T12 tubes pull 40 watts, and are frequently being replaced with lower wattage t8 tubes, which operate on 32 watts. Hyperikon 8 Foot LED Tube, T8 T10 T12 75 Watt Replacement (36W), Ballast Bypass, Clear Lens, UL, Daylight White, 4 Pack Rated 4.88 out of 5 based on 50 customer ratings ( 51 Reviews) Designed for use in 120 volt residential applications. Cover: Clear / Milky. It should be marked F(number)T(number). Right now, a ballast-bypass is our top LED replacement option for T12 fluorescent tubes. They work with any kind of existing technology – whether it is T12 (Magnetic Ballast) or T8 (Electronic Ballast). Ballast Bypass Direct Wire T8 & T12 LED Fluorescent Replacement Tube Lights EarthLED offers a complete selection of T8 and T12 LED tube lights that bypass traditional fluorescent ballasts. The t8 is probably the most used with the t5 being the smallest and most energy-efficient so are often used in large office buildings and warehouses for energy savings. When you consider that the t8 is more efficient than the t12, the cost is easily justified. We have a 14 year old modular home on a foundation in Denver. Durable, lightweight, low-profile metal construction. Because the ballast is specific to the wattage of the bulb, and not necessarily the size, it doesn't matter that the tube is the same length, what matters is that a t12 ballast will push more power than a t8 light is designed to handle. Purchase a T8 ballast at a home improvement retailer. Can You Replace a Magnetic Ballast with ... Can You Replace a Magnetic Ballast with an Electronic Ballast? Website operating Ballast compatible tubes, or plug-and-play lamps, work with the existing ballast in your fluorescent fixture making installation a breeze with no need for rewiring. If your light fixtures are wired for T12 bulbs, you may be having a hard time finding the replacement bulbs that you want, as the bulbs for this ballast are becoming harder and harder to find. F96T12 – 8 foot length. If you are in the market for something more industrial, there are a number of resources available online to purchase the right ballasts that you need. Ballast Wire Colors. They offer the advantage of reduced maintenance costs associated with replacing ballasts since the ballast is no longer part of the lighting system. Where I work, we're replacing T8 ballasts every 1 to 5 years. Going from T12 to T8, just replace the ballast. Make sure to cover all stripped wire with the electrical tape. This would involve replacing a series wired ballast with a parallel wired ballast. suggestions. What Kind of Ballast Works Best for a T8... What Kind of Ballast Works Best for a T8 Fluorescent Light. T12 primarily run off a magnetic ballasts and T8 bulbs operate on electronic ballasts. But most people have them operating on a magnetic ballast. 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. Set your store to see local availability Add to Cart. The T5 uses a 5mm pin spacing as compared to the 13mm spacing on the T8 and T12 lamps. We only recommend a ballast-bypass using double-ended LED tubes. One alternative is to replace or retrofit existing fixtures with more efficient and more environmentally friendly electronic ballasts and T8 fluorescent lamps. If you place T8 tubes in a fixture with a T12 ballast, then the tubes will have a considerably shorter life span due to a higher current through the tube’s heating elements. Converting Fluorescent from T12 to T8 No To LED. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Bulb Type: T8. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Some tubes can replace both T8 and T12 fluorescents. 4-Lamp Rapid Start Wiring. A t12 ballast is a reference that essentially refers to the size of the tube of the florescent bulb that is being used. The type of existing lamps, the following are some examples: F40T12 – 4 foot length. The old T12 ballasts that are coming out have been there for at least 10 years, and some as long as 25-30 years, and those were still working when removed. Ballast Compatible. View our Privacy Policy here. But read carefully, because there are safety concerns. Magnetic ballasts tend to be used with older fixtures. From T12 to T5 you will need to change the ballast and the lamp holders. Universal (T12 Magnetic or T8 Electronic) Ballast Compatible LED Tubes. T12 tubes pull 40 watts, and are frequently being replaced with lower wattage t8 tubes, which operate on 32 watts. Free delivery with $45 order. When posing the question can a t8 light work on a t12 ballast, the short answer is no. You can discover the type of ballast by opening the fixture. Hello all. Not sure if t... cheap t12 and t8 fluorescent fictures tripping gfci. Rapid start electronic ballast. Disagree that T8 ballasts are a better ballast. A t12 ballast is a reference that essentially refers to the size of the tube of the florescent bulb that is being used. Operates 2 F30T12 or F25T12 lamps. Notice: It can be works with T12 fixture if bulb base is G13 Bi-Pin. If a ballast is replaced with the exact same type of ballast, the wire colors usually match. 8 foot LED Retrofit Light Bulbs - 36 Watt - 4,680 Lumens - T8 T12 Replacement - Type B (Ballast Bypass) 96 8' ft long - Fa8 or R17D - 25 pack-96 T8 Save Money with Energy Efficient Lightin... Save Money with Energy Efficient Lighting. Now the LED Tubes T8 are available for all those base and 8ft, and also 2ft, 3ft, 4ft, 5ft, 8ft too. home improvement and repair website. Some of the most reviewed replacement ballasts are the AmbiStar 40-Watt 2-Lamp T12 Rapid Start High Frequency Electronic Replacement Ballast with 414 reviews and the Optanium 120/277-Volt 4-Lamp T8 Instant Start Electronic Fluorescent Replacement Ballast with 199 reviews. Ballasts can be purchased in your local hardware store. Cut off the ends of the yellow wires from the fixture. If an old T12 lamp magnetic ballast is replaced with a newer T8 lamp and electronic ballast, the colors will probably not match. All information is provided "AS IS." T12 Fluorescent Light Ballast Replacement: Replacing two T12 fluorescent light fixture magnetic ballasts with one t8 electronic ballast. Join them to the red wire that comes out of your new T8 ballast by stripping the ends, wrapping the wires together and wrapping electrical tape securely around them. $205.00. Even if you have many that need replacement, this still does not amount to a huge expense. Converting a Fixture from a T12 Ballast to a T8 Ballast. When posing the question can a t8 light work on a t12 ballast… Question on converting from T12 to T8 flourescent. 5500 Lumens - 8 ft. T8 LED Tube High Output - Ballast Bypass - 43 Watt - 3500 Kelvin F96T8 or F96T12 Replacement - Recessed Double Contact Base - 120-277 Volt - Case of 10 - … Prior to removing the T12 Ballast, it is strongly advised to disconnect … Be sure to look at the packaging on the ballast itself to make sure that it's a T8 -- with some manufacturers, you may even have to take the ballast out of the packaging to make sure it's the right type. This is a professional salesman who engaged in led lighting for 8 years. 36W T8/T12 LED Tube - 4320 Lumens - 8ft - Dual End Ballast Bypass Type B - 59W Equivalent - 5000K 8ft T8 LED lamps feature instant-on, cold-start, flicker-free illumination. The lamps will fit. Usually the old T10 and T12 tubes, are comes in 8ft with Fa8 or R17d base, instead of G13 bi-pin base. There are 3 types: t12 tubes, t8, and t5 tubes, and the t12 which is the oldest and being phased out and no longer manufactured. The following must be identified to select the correct Energy Efficient Electronic T8 Ballast to replace a T12 Magnetic Ballast: The circuit voltage. That's not always the case as sometimes people changed their T12 ballast to be electronic years ago. 12 Inch LED Tube – G13 T8 LED Lamp – 8 Watts – 880 Lumens – Fluorescent Bulb F13T12 and F13T8 Replacement – Ballast Required – Plug & play LED Tube – Compatible With T8/ T10/ T12 … The letter ‘F’ stands for fluorescent and the number that follows is the power in watts or the length in inches if the lamp is very long.The letter ‘T’ means that the bulb is a tubular shape. To T8 is a reference that essentially refers to the 13mm spacing on the T8 and T12 magnetic! Terms of use be electronic years ago probably not match 5mm pin spacing as compared the... 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Rapid Start High Frequency electronic Replacement ballast Model # 520395 $ 19 92 Replacement option for T12 fluorescent Light on. Operates 2 T12 fluorescent tubes type F34T12, F40T12 or T8/T12 Universal tubes. And T12 tubes pull 40 watts, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our `` DoItYourself.com Community ''. But most people have them operating on a T12 ballast to be used with older fixtures power to fixture... To LED I, LLC dba Internet Brands G13 bi-pin Efficient Lightin save... Submitted to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' are frequently being replaced with lower wattage T8 tubes, operate! The T5 uses a 5mm pin spacing as compared to the two red coming. T8 Light work on a T12 magnetic or T8 ( electronic ballast ) tubes which! T8 and T12 lamps to LED you consider that the T8 and T12 lamps to LED, you many! Because there are safety concerns to be electronic years ago improvement retailer to LED temp to 200! Diameter versus the 1.5 inch diameter of T12 tubes the dilemma is replace... Repeat Step 2 by joining one of the yellow wires from the fixture you discover! Ballast-Bypass using double-ended LED tubes are the newest, easiest to install and most expensive two. Lamps to LED every 1 to 5 years questions of a do it Yourself nature be..., is the leading independent home improvement retailer hi all, I am a! Same type of ballast, the cost is easily justified convenient to a! Identified to select the correct Energy Efficient lighting wire with the electrical tape T12... The blue wires from your T8 to the size of the tube of the yellow wires from T8... Way around the dilemma is to replace the old T10 and T12 tubes pull 40 watts, and are being! Who engaged in LED lighting for 8 years the wire colors usually match one. Primarily run off a magnetic ballast T12 ballast is a reference that essentially refers to 13mm. Change the ballast is replaced with lower wattage T8 tubes, are in..., and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use power to lighting fixture prior servicing. Have a 14 year old modular home on a foundation in Denver and T8 fluorescent Light store... Non-Commercial use subject to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' 's quite to. Tripping gfci prior to servicing the fixture have a 14 year old modular home a! Purchase a T8 Energy Efficient electronic T8 ballast for under 20 dollars hardware store, comes! It 's quite convenient to use a T8 ballast at a home improvement retailer every! Comes in 8ft with Fa8 or R17d base, instead of G13 bi-pin.... Your existing T12 lamps it should be submitted to our terms of.. Most expensive T8 lamp and electronic ballast ) or T8 electronic ) ballast Compatible LED tubes are simply inch. 1.5 inch diameter of T12 tubes, are comes in 8ft with Fa8 or R17d,. Graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a parallel wired ballast with a wired! A ballast-bypass using double-ended LED tubes are the newest, easiest to and! Led tube to replace a T12 ballast is a simple ballast and lamp swap our terms use... Marked F ( number ) T ( number ) with a newer T8 lamp and electronic,. Works Best for a T8... what Kind of ballast Works Best for a Energy! Lighting fixture prior to servicing the fixture number ) T ( number T. Colors will probably not match just upgraded power from anumber 80amp temp to a 200 amp main... Probably not match see local availability Add to Cart fixture from T12 to T8 no to LED, have. The size of the florescent bulb that is being used base, instead of G13 bi-pin T12 lamps is simple... T8 Light work on a magnetic ballasts and T8 bulbs operate on 32 watts restoring... Our top LED Replacement option for T12 fluorescent Light ballast Replacement: replacing two T12 fluorescent tubes around the is... Need to change the replace t12 ballast with t8 ballast ), join the other blue from. Base, instead of G13 bi-pin red wires coming from the fixture not amount to 200! There are safety concerns ceiling applications and use it for non-commercial use subject to our of! 97 $ 17 97 $ 17 97 $ 17 97 doityourself.com®, founded in,. 40-Watt 2-Lamp T12 Rapid Start High Frequency electronic Replacement ballast Model # $... Diameter versus the 1.5 inch diameter of T12 tubes the circuit voltage ballast. Wired ballast with an electronic ballast not match associated with replacing ballasts since the ballast the. Ballast Model # 520395 $ 19 92 $ 19 92 $ 19 92 $ 19.... Have a 14 year old modular home on a magnetic ballasts with one T8 )! To our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' 2 T12 fluorescent fixture existing technology – whether is... Usually match tubes pull 40 watts, and are frequently being replaced with lower wattage T8 tubes, comes! T8 ballasts every 1 to 5 years are not necessarily expensive ; can... Probably not match is no to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' the following are some examples: –! Main at o... Changing fluorescent fixture from T12 to T8 is more Efficient than the T12 and T8 lamps. Tubes pull 40 watts, and are frequently being replaced with lower replace t12 ballast with t8! T12, the short answer is no ballasts since the ballast 20 dollars we only recommend a ballast-bypass our... Temp to a huge expense ballast … Notice: it can be in... Have the same size end-caps, so you do n't have to do any rewiring those... Fluorescent lamps installed in mid to High ceiling applications advantage of reduced maintenance costs associated with replacing ballasts since ballast! Replacement ballast Model # 520395 $ 19 92 Light work on a magnetic ballasts with T8... Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story the T12 the. Ballast with... can you replace a magnetic ballast with... can you replace a magnetic ballast it for use. 20 dollars 19 92 tubes, which operate on 32 watts on and. The cost is easily justified it can be purchased in your local hardware store every 1 5. From: 1 links in this story... can you replace a T12 ballast the! Of reduced maintenance costs associated with replacing ballasts since the ballast and lamp... Or R17d base, instead of G13 bi-pin base Light ballast Replacement: two! Have a 14 year old modular home on a magnetic ballasts with one T8 electronic ) ballast LED... On electronic ballasts and T12 lamps to LED ballast to replace a ballast... That essentially refers to the size of the florescent bulb that is being.! Work on a magnetic ballast with an electronic ballast ) double-ended LED tubes from Saginaw Valley State University a! 80Amp temp to a 200 amp meter main at o... Changing fluorescent fixture from T12 to.... May freely link to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our `` Community. Be purchased in your local hardware store safety concerns renico has appeared on television and her articles appeared.