LED Tube Replacements for Fluorescent Tubes

What are LED Tube Lights?

LED tube lights are direct replacements for traditional fluorescent tubes, engineered to fit into your existing fixtures while delivering superior performance and energy efficiency. We offer comprehensive solutions across all standard form factors, including T8, T5, and T12 configurations, with multiple installation options. Our ballast-compatible Type A models provide plug-and-play installation, while ballast bypass Type B tubes offer maximum energy savings through direct wiring. Hybrid designs give you the flexibility to choose either installation method. Light output ranges from 1500 to 4000 lumens, depending on your specific needs, with color temperature options spanning 3000K warm white to 5000K daylight. Every tube we sell features a 50,000-hour rated lifespan and comprehensive warranty coverage.

What are the Benefits of LED Tube Lights?

Converting from fluorescent to LED tube lighting transforms your facility's lighting performance while dramatically reducing operational costs. Most customers achieve 50% or more energy reduction immediately after installation, with many projects qualifying for utility rebates. De-lamping strategies allow you to replace two fluorescent tubes with a single LED tube while maintaining the same illumination levels, doubling your energy savings potential.

• Energy savings: reduce your lighting costs by 50% or more compared to fluorescent tubes
• De-lamping capability: replace two fluorescent tubes with one LED tube while maintaining equivalent light output
• Extended lifespan: approximately 50,000 hours of operation (roughly 16 years under typical commercial usage)
• Zero maintenance requirements: eliminate frequent tube replacements and ballast failures
• Instant illumination: immediate full brightness without warm-up delays, even in cold environments
• Silent operation: eliminates buzzing, humming, and flickering common with fluorescent systems
• Mercury-free construction: safe disposal without hazardous material concerns
• Flexible installation: choose between plug-and-play compatibility or ballast bypass for maximum efficiency

What Is a Type "A" LED Tube Light?

Type A LED tubes work with your existing fluorescent ballast, making them the simplest retrofit solution for immediate upgrades. We typically recommend these for smaller projects or situations where minimal installation time is critical. However, ballast compatibility isn't universal across all manufacturers, so verification is essential before ordering. The existing ballast continues to control power delivery while the LED tube handles light conversion.

• Type "A" advantages: Quick installation requires only tube replacement, no rewiring needed
• Type "A" considerations: Future ballast replacement will be necessary, compatibility verification required, ballast continues consuming power and may produce audible noise

What Is a Type "B" LED Tube?

Type B tubes bypass the ballast entirely, connecting directly to line voltage for maximum efficiency and reliability. This ballast bypass approach eliminates the most common failure point in fluorescent systems while delivering the greatest energy savings. Installation involves disconnecting the existing ballast and rewiring tombstones to accept 120-277V AC power directly. Most of our Type B tubes feature internal drivers, though external driver options are available for specific applications.

• Type "B" advantages: Maximum energy savings, eliminates ballast-related failures, no compatibility concerns, longest-term solution
• Type "B" considerations: Requires electrical work for installation, but provides a permanent solution without future ballast issues

What Is a Hybrid Tube?

Hybrid tubes offer the ultimate flexibility by functioning as both Type A ballast-compatible and Type B direct-wire solutions. You can install them initially with the existing ballast for immediate conversion, then bypass the ballast later when it fails or during planned maintenance. This approach allows a gradual transition while ensuring compatibility across different installation scenarios.

Safety and Performance Certifications

All our fixtures carry essential certifications, including DLC Premium, UL Listed, and ETL Listed approvals. These certifications ensure safety, performance, and energy efficiency while qualifying your project for utility rebates and tax incentives. DLC Premium certification guarantees the highest efficiency standards and maximum rebate eligibility.

Warranty and Warranty Support

All our lights come with at least a 5-year warranty, and all warranty support is based in the USA. We take customer support seriously, and helping you with a warranty claim is important to us. Our experienced support team understands the importance of keeping your lighting operational and will work quickly to resolve any warranty issues.

Expert Support for Your LED Tube Conversion Project

Our lighting specialists work with hundreds of facilities each year to navigate the complexities of LED tube conversions. We provide detailed energy savings calculations specific to your current fluorescent setup, showing exact ROI timelines and utility cost reductions. Our team can prepare complimentary lighting plans that identify optimal tube placement, de-lamping opportunities, and color temperature recommendations for your specific facility type. With over 15 years of commercial LED experience, we understand ballast compatibility issues across different fixture manufacturers and can guide you toward the right tube type for your existing infrastructure. This expertise ensures your project delivers maximum energy savings while avoiding costly compatibility mistakes that often occur with generic LED tube purchases.

LED Tube Lights FAQs

Can You Replace Fluorescent Tubes with LED?

Yes, LED tubes install directly into existing fluorescent fixtures. Type A (plug-and-play) tubes work with your current ballast, while Type B (ballast bypass) tubes require ballast removal for maximum efficiency.

Can you Convert a Fluorescent Fixture to LED?

Absolutely. Plug-and-play LED tubes drop right in without rewiring—your maintenance staff can handle the swap. When ballasts fail, Type B tubes offer better long-term performance but require an electrician to bypass the ballast and rewire tombstones to line voltage.

Are LED Tubes Brighter Than Fluorescent?

LED tubes deliver superior light output with 40-50% better efficiency. In our facility conversions, we routinely achieve de-lamping ratios of 2:1—replacing two fluorescent tubes with one LED tube while maintaining or improving light levels. Sample a few fixtures first to verify your optimal de-lamping strategy.

How Many T5 LED Tube Lights Can You Connect?

No electrical limitation exists on tube quantity per circuit. LED tubes draw 60-70% less current than fluorescent equivalents, so existing 20-amp circuits handle significantly more LED tubes. Your fixture capacity and desired light levels determine the practical limit.

How Many T8 LED Tube Lights Can Be in a Single Row?

Circuit capacity isn't the limiting factor—LED tubes consume minimal power. Focus on achieving proper foot-candle levels for your application. Most office spaces perform well with 30-50 foot-candles, while warehouse areas need 10-20 foot-candles.

How Long Do LED Tube Lights Last?

Quality LED tubes rated at 50,000+ hours deliver 16+ years of service at typical commercial usage patterns. L70 ratings ensure 70% lumen maintenance throughout the rated life, eliminating frequent replacements and maintenance calls.

When Should You Retrofit an Existing Fixture With LED Tubes Instead of a New Fixture?

LED tube retrofits make sense when fixture housings remain structurally sound. Plug-and-play installation takes minutes per fixture without electrical work. Your maintenance team handles the conversion during normal operations—no downtime or contractor scheduling required.

Are there LED Tube Lights That Support One-Sided Power?

Yes, single-ended power tubes receive line and neutral at one tombstone only. These tubes require non-shunted tombstones and simplify ballast bypass wiring by eliminating power connections at the opposite end.

Can you Replace Fluorescent Tubes with LED Without Removing the Ballast?

Type A plug-and-play tubes operate with existing electronic ballasts—no rewiring needed. These tubes work with 95%+ of modern T8 ballasts and provide immediate energy savings with zero installation labor.

What's the Best Way to Bypass a Ballast When Installing LED Tubes?

Ballast bypass requires removing ballast connections and wiring tombstones directly to 120-277V AC power. Match your tube type to tombstone requirements: single-ended tubes need non-shunted tombstones, while double-ended tubes work with shunted tombstones. This modification requires a licensed electrician.

Are Tube Tombstones Shunted or Non-Shunted?

Shunted tombstones connect both pins internally—suitable for double-ended power tubes with line/neutral separation. Non-shunted tombstones keep pins isolated, allowing single-ended tubes to receive both line and neutral at one end only.

Can You Switch from T5 to T8 LED Tube Lights?

Tube compatibility depends on tombstone pin configuration and fixture clearance. T8 tubes (1-inch diameter) need more space than T5 tubes (5/8-inch diameter). Verify mechanical fit and consider lumen output differences—T5HO applications may need higher-output T8 LEDs or supplemental magnetic strip lights.

How Many LED Lumens Are Needed to Replace T12 / T8 Fluorescent Tube?

Target 1800-2200 lumens per LED tube for standard T8 replacement. Higher-output 2400-2800 lumen tubes enable 2:1 de-lamping in many applications. T12 replacements typically need 2200+ lumens due to the higher output of older T12 lamps.

How Many LED Lumens to Replace T5 Fluorescent Lights?

T5HO (High Output) lamps produce exceptional brightness levels. Replace with LED tubes delivering 3200-4000 lumens for equivalent performance. Standard T5 lamps need 2400-2800 lumen LED replacements.

What's the Difference Between Single-Ended Power vs. Double-Ended Power?

Single-ended tubes receive line and neutral power at one tombstone, requiring non-shunted tombstones with the opposite end unpowered. Double-ended tubes use shunted tombstones with line power at one end and neutral at the other—similar to fluorescent lamp operation.

Do You Need to Replace Tombstones with LED Tube Lights?

Tombstone replacement isn't required, but Type B (ballast bypass) installations need tombstone rewiring to handle AC line voltage instead of ballast output. Verify tombstone type matches your LED tube requirements—shunted versus non-shunted compatibility is critical.

Are LED Tubes Dimmable?

Select LED tubes offer 0-10V dimming capability down to 10% output levels. Dimming requires compatible LED drivers and control systems. Talk to a LED Lighting Supply expert to specify the right dimmable solution for your application.