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

As far as safety is concerned, you can exchange them. 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.

Is T8 or T12 better?

The smaller the lamps the more energy efficient they are. T8 bulbs use about 35% less electricity to produce the same amount of light as a T12. For some applications, one T5 bulb can replace two T12 bulbs, providing even greater energy savings (a process called “de-lamping.”)

What is difference between T12 and T8 bulbs?

The main difference between T8 and T12 tubes is the tube’s diameter. T12 tubes are 1.5″ in diameter while T8s are just one inch. All other things—socket sizes, lengths, distance between pins—are the same. T8 LED tubes won’t fall out if you try to install them in a T12 fixture—they’ll fit just fine.

Whats brighter T8 or T12?

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.

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.

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:

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

What does T12 mean in lighting?

The number immediately follow- ing the T gives the diameter of the lamp in eighths of an inch. 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.

What does T8 and T12 mean?

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. A T8 lamp (on the right in the figure below) is eight-eighths of an inch, or one inch (2.54 cm), in diameter.

Are T12 bulbs going away?

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.

Are T12 fluorescent bulbs being phased out?

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.

What’s the difference between a T8 and T12 light fixture?

As we describe in our how to article, T8 and T12 feature the same G13 bi-pin connector. 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.

What happens if I switch from T12 to T8?

There are also no additional expenses that you will incur if you are going to switch to T8 since it is compatible with the fixture that is used for a T12. This includes the ballast which is the transformer that moderates the electricity going to the lamp.

How many Watts Does a T8 lamp use?

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.

How many Watts Does a T12 light bulb use?

T12 use 40watts… T8s use 32watts. The ballasts don’t convert 120 into 277. This is just showing you that the ballast can be used in 120v and 277v systems. 277 is used frequently in office buildings/commercial applications. You are better off getting a conversion kit, using new electronic ballasts and T8, or even better, LED T8’s.