How do I know if I have T8 or T12
Eleanor Gray
Published Apr 28, 2026
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 I choose fluorescent light bulbs?
First, you will need the diameter or how wide it is around. This is expressed as a number such as T8 or T12. The “T” stands for tubular, and the number is a measurement of the diameter in 1/8″ increments. So a bulb with a 1″ diameter would be a T8—eight 1/8″ increments.
What size is a T5 tube?
The T5 Fluorescent Tube is often referred to as a miniature fluorescent tube as it has a diameter of only 15mm. We stock the full range of these replacement T5 linear lamps in the wattages ranging from 4 Watts to 80 Watts and lengths starting at 150mm and increasing to 1500mm.
Does T8 fit in T12?
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. They can indeed be used in T12 fixtures.What is a T8 fluorescent tube?
The “T” designation in fluorescent lamp nomenclature stands for tubular — the shape of the lamp. The number immediately follow- ing the T gives the diameter of the lamp in eighths of an inch. … A T8 lamp (on the right in the figure below) is eight-eighths of an inch, or one inch (2.54 cm), in diameter.
Is my ballast T8 or T12?
Replace Current Lamp You will see either T8 or T12 stamped on one side near the end with the prongs. You also will see the lamp’s rated wattage, usually 32 watts for T8 and 40 watts for T12. Measure the diameter of the lamp. T12 lamps are larger than T8 lamps, with a 1 ½-inch diameter.
What size is T8 tube?
The T8 tube has a one-inch (8/8) diameter, while the T5 tube has a 5/8 diameter.
Which is better T8 or T5?
If you do not need as many lumens, the lesser wattage T8 would be the better choice since it offers lower lumen and watt consumption. If you need higher levels of lighting, the T5 might be ideal for your situation.What's better T5 or T8?
However, T5 high-output bulbs have an even more significant advantage in being roughly 9% more efficient than T8 bulbs, allowing them to generate more light in a smaller space while using less wattage (75 to 90 lumens per watt). T5 also has a high color rendering index (CRI), making them more visually appealing.
Is T5 the same as G5?Fluorescent G5 tube base types are a two pin fitting located at each of the tube with 5mm between the two pins. The T5 (16mm tube diameter) and T4 (12mm tube diameter) uses the G5 cap fitting.
Article first time published onWhat does 840 mean on a fluorescent tube?
So for example 840 means the lamp has a CRI of 80% and a colour temperature of 4000K.
Are T8 and G13 the same?
A T8 tube is also called a TL-D tube from Philips and a Lumilux tube from Osram. You can recognize a T8 tube from it’s 28mm diameter. The socket is called G13 this because the 2 pins are 13mm apart from each other. . A T8 tube can work on an electronical ballast using a fixture without a starter.
Are fluorescent tubes being phased out?
The sale of halogen lightbulbs will be banned in the UK from September as part of ministerial efforts to cut carbon emissions. A ban on fluorescent lighting, which is mostly used in offices, will follow in September 2023.
Are T8 or T12 bulbs brighter?
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. … Design Lumens are the average lumen output of the lamp after 40% of its rated life.
Can I replace T8 with LED?
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. … All you need to do is remove the existing T8 fluorescent lamp and install a new T8 LED Type A lamp.
What does T5 light mean?
What does T5 mean? The “T” in lamp nomenclature represents the shape of the lamp-tubular. The number following the “T” usually represents the diameter of the lamp in eighths of an inch (1 inch equals 2.5 centimeters). T5 lamps have a diameter equal to 5 times an eighth of an inch, or 5/8″.
What size do T5 lights come in?
T5 lamps are available for standard output and high output. The wattages for standard T5 lamps are 14, 21, 28, and 35 watts. The high-output T5 (T5 HO) lamps are available in 24, 39, 54, and 80 watts (49-watt T5 HO lamps are also available from GE Lighting).
Are T8 fluorescent bulbs being discontinued?
Even some T8 lamps have been phased out. US Congress has enacted legislation to prohibit the manufacture of these and other inefficient lighting technologies, and is calling for manufacturers to meet minimum efficiency requirements and lumens per watt for new products.
What does the F stand for in fluorescent bulbs?
F = type of lighting. 32 = wattage. T8 = shape. “F” stands for fluorescent, which is the type of lighting.
What is a T5 fluorescent tube?
A T5 is a type of fluorescent tube. It differs from a T12 and a T8 in its diameter. All T5s are 5/8ths of an inch (T8s are exactly 1inch thick and T12s are 12/8ths or 1.5 inches thick). T5s are 16mm in diameter making them the thinnest fluorescent tube out of the three.
What are the different watts and size of fluorescent tube lamp?
Bulb Type200-300 Lumens1,250-2,000 LumensIncandescent25-30 watts150-250 wattsCFL5-6 watts20 watts
Are all fluorescent lights the same?
There are three distinctive types of fluorescent light bulbs. Depending on the type of fixture, the ballast type it has, and the age of your fixture, you’ll be able to find one of these type bulbs more than likely. Though they range in length and width, they all do the same thing: light the room they are in.
How do I identify a T8 bulb?
If the label is missing or illegible, you can measure the diameter to determine the size. The letter “T” will stand for tubular shape and the number will tell you the bulb diameter in eighths of an inch. T8 will have one-inch diameter, the T5 will have a 5/8 diameter, and a T12 will have 12/8 inch or 1.5 inch diameter.
How many lumens is a 22 watt fluorescent bulb?
Warm WhiteCool WhiteWattage22 Watts22 WattsVoltage120 Volts120 VoltsLumens1150 Lumens1120 LumensLife Hours12,000 Hours12,000 Hours
How do I know what ballast I have?
You can determine whether you have a compatible fixture in seconds. Simply turn the light on, then take a photo of the fixture using your smartphone or digital camera. If there are no dark bands on the resulting image, you have an electronic ballast that will work with direct drop-in LED tubes.
Is F40 same as T12?
This is calculated in 1/8″ increments. This means a T8 lamp is 8/8ths of an inch in diameter, or 1 inch. A T12 is 12/8ths of an inch, or 1.5″ in diameter. … All F32 and F40 lamps are essentially 4 foot long lamps (47″ if you don’t count the pins).
Can you use T5 bulbs in a T8 fixture?
T5 lamps cannot replace T12 or T8 lamps because of differences in physical and electrical characteristics. T5 lamps come in different lengths than T8 and T12 lamps. … Miniature bi-pin sockets fit T5 lamps, while T8 lamps need medium bi-pin sockets.
What is the difference between T5 and T10 bulbs?
“Five-sided lighting” , Bulbs uses five-sided lighting in order to increase brightness and wider angle of brightness area. In fact, the history of T5 is same as late evolution of T10. We got to solve the problem that the illuminate breadth is not enough, resulting in multi-faceted illumination.
Are T5 brighter than T8?
because the T8 tube light is high brighter than t5 tube. T5 led tube light, which is less filled with electrons and inert gas. In contrast, If you want to creat a darker lighting environment.
How do I know if my bulb is a T5?
The “T” in T5 indicates the bulb is tubular shaped, while the “5” denotes that it is five eighths of an inch in diameter. The other common lamps are the larger T8 (eight eighths inch = 1″) and T12 (twelve eights inch = 1½” tubes).
What does G5 mean on bulbs?
G5 / G13 / 2GX13 Socket These sockets are used for fluorescent tubes. A G5 fitting for example, is made for T5 tubes, which have 5mm distance between their pins. G13 sockets have a distance of 25mm and are used to connect T8 fluorescent tubes.