Are all t8 ballast the same?

Asked by: Chris Ward

Not every T8 ballast is created equal.

Are all T8 ballasts interchangeable?

If T8 and T12 are using the same bi-pin base (G13 most commonly), then you can use the bulbs interchangeably using the same fixture just as long as you check the milliamp requirements for the ballast (if applicable).

How do I know which ballast to buy?

When purchasing a ballast, you’ll need to read the type of lamps it’s designed for, how many lamps it operates, and the voltage the lamps will run on. Choosing the right ballast for a lamp will optimize the light output and life of the bulb.

Are all fluorescent ballasts the same?

Types of fluorescent ballasts

Fluorescent ballasts use three different types of starting technologies: rapid, instant, and programmed.

What do the numbers mean on a ballast?

The most common types are T12, T8, and T5. The T stands for tubular and the number indicates the diameter in 1/8 of an inch. Lamp diameter is determined by ballast type. A fixture with a T12 ballast must use a T12 bulb. A fixture with a T8 ballast must use a T8 bulb, etc.

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

Type A – LED tube has an Integrated Driver for use on Existing Fluorescent Ballast. Type A LED tubes need an existing T8 electronic ballast to operate. If you have T8 electronic ballasts this makes installation very easy. All you need to do is remove the existing T8 fluorescent lamp and install a new T8 LED Type A lamp …

What is the difference between magnetic and electronic ballast?

What’s the Difference between an Electronic Ballast and a Magnetic Ballast? Electronic ballasts alter the flow of electricity in the light bulb by using a series of induction coils that are separated from one another. In contrast, magnetic ballast uses 1 induction coil and not a series.

Are T8 and T12 ballast interchangeable?

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.

How do I know if I have a T8 or T12 ballast?

If no markings are available, the size in diameter of the tube is the easiest way to determine the type you have installed. T8 tubes are 1-inch in diameter and T12 tubes are 1 1/2 -inch.

How do you determine the wattage of a ballast?

There’s also a common way to estimate the system wattage of a fluorescent fixture if you don’t have a ballast catalog handy: multiply the lamp wattage by the number of lamps and the ballast factor.

How many watts does a T8 ballast use?

1. Energy Consumption

How many volts does a T8 ballast put out?

These ballasts deliver >550 open circuit volts when starting lamps and operate lamps at high frequencies which offers flicker-free operation and better lamp efficiencies.

Can you use a higher wattage ballast?

But using a ballast rated for higher wattage is not necessarily over-driving, IMO. Using a higher wattage ballast on the lower wattage bulb is overdriving by definition It has to do with how the ballasts work. They do not produce output according to what bulb is attached. Ballast output is the same, no matter the bulb.

Can you use a 250 watt bulb in a 400 watt ballast?

Sure, you can do it… it might explode, but you can do it. Visit hahnmeister’s homepage! If it did light it would be dim. I accidently ran a 175watt bulb on a pulse start 400watt ballast for at least a month.

Can I use 35w ballast with 55w bulbs?

You can use 55w ballasts with standard 35w bulbs, but the life of the bulb will be shortened a bit, and their color will Wash Out a bit. Again, OEM applications use 35w ballasts, and when coupled with a high performance projector, you’ll really be putting plenty of light on the road even going that route.

Can you put a 40w bulb in a 30w lamp?

As long as you don’t go over the manufacturer’s recommended wattage, you’ll be safe. If your fixture doesn’t have a wattage recommendation, the rule of thumb is to choose bulbs with 60-watts or lower.

What happens if you use a 60 watt bulb in a 40 watt lamp?

They do not rely on heat to produce light. A 60-watt LED bulb uses the equivalent of 9 watts. Despite what the figures say, the LED bulb won’t actually exceed the limits of the lamp. In that regard, it is perfectly okay to use a 60-watt LED bulb in a 40-watt lamp.

What happens if you use a light bulb with lower wattage?

Yes, going with a lower wat bulb doesn’t present any major safety concerns for your home. The only drawback is that the bulb will offer weaker light than what a higher wattage bulb would have. But as long as you’re satisfied with the amount of light you’re getting, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

What happens if you use 100W bulb in 60w is recommended?

If your fixture is rated to accept 60 Watts, you can safely use 75W, 100W, or even 125W equal bulbs (which all draw less than 50 Watts of power) instead.

WHAT LED is equivalent to 100 watt?

LED equivalents to traditional incandescent light bulbs

Can I mix LED and halogen bulbs in same fixture?

Put simply, you can also mix LED and halogen bulbs together and it’s an easy way to slowly start transitioning your fixtures to energy-saving LED lights.

Do LED bulbs get hot?

Contrary to some marketing claims, LED bulbs do indeed generate heat as does anything that consumes electricity. The important thing to keep in mind is that LEDs consume a lot less energy than incandescent or halogen bulbs and are much more efficient in how they use that energy versus traditional bulb types.

Can I leave LED lights on all night?

To put it simply, well-manufactured LED lights are extremely long-lasting and can be left on 24 hours, 7 days a week. This is because, unlike conventional types of light, LEDs produce minimal amounts of heat, which means they are unlikely to overheat or set on fire.

Are LED bulbs cool to the touch?

In one sense this is true: LEDs are cool to the touch because they generally don’t produce heat in the form of infrared (IR) radiation (unless of course they are IR LEDs). IR radiation heats the enclosures and surroundings of incandescent bulbs and other sources, making them hot to the touch.