LED Fluorescent Tube Replacements

Types of Tube Lights

T8 Tube Lights

T8s are the most common linear tube bulbs with a 1-inch diameter and G13 medium bi-pin base. Commonly installed in fluorescent troffers and strip fixtures.

What Are LED Fluorescent Tube Replacement Lights?

LED tube lights are an excellent lighting choice for retrofit projects, replacing traditional fluorescent tubes with energy-efficient, non-toxic LEDs. These lights are also great solutions for new commercial and industrial applications. They provide instant-on functionality, even in subzero temperatures.

Our products come in various lengths, including 2 ft, 4 ft, and 8 ft. Install LED tube lights in various locations, including offices, schools, hospitals, warehouses, food processing facilities, factories, and retail stores.

Ballast Compatibility

Ballasts are devices in fluorescent systems that regulate current and provide sufficient voltage to start the lamps. There are three types of ballast compatibility for LED T8 tubes:

Note: Not all LED T8 tubes are compatible with all ballasts types, so check the manufacturer's specifications for compatibility to ensure proper performance and avoid potential damage.

Plug-and-Play
(Direct Fit | Type A)

LED tubes designed to work with existing fluorescent ballasts and can easily replace fluorescent tubes without rewiring. However, check compatibility as they may not work with all ballasts.

Ballast Bypass
(Direct Wire | Type B)

These require bypassing and removing the existing ballast and wiring power directly to the fixture sockets (sometimes called “tombstones”), which hold the tubes. This increases energy efficiency, eliminating energy lost from the ballast, though it requires basic electrical knowledge for safe installation.

Hybrids / Type A/B Tubes 

Offer the flexibility to work in two different ways, combining features of both Plug-and-Play (Type A) and Ballast Bypass (Type B) tubes. These tubes can initially operate with an existing fluorescent ballast, making installation quick and easy. If the ballast fails later or you want to increase energy efficiency, you can rewire the fixture to bypass the ballast, which eliminates ballast compatibility issues for future tube replacements.

Connection Type

Tubes will either operate using single-end or dual-end wiring.

Single-End Wiring

Power is only supplied to one end of the LED tube, meaning both the live (hot) and neutral wires connect to the same end. The other end simply holds the tube in place within the fixture. 

Installation Notes:

• Often requires bypassing the ballast in existing fixtures.
• You may need to replace the fixture's socket (tombstones) with non-shunted versions for proper operation. 
• Commonly used in Type B installations, where you remove the ballast and wire the LED tube holders directly to the power source.

Benefits:

• Eliminates the need for a ballast, reducing potential points of failure in the system.
• No power loss through the ballast increases energy efficiency.

Dual-End Wiring

Connect power to both ends of the LED tube; connect one end to the live (hot) wire and the other end to the neutral wire. This wiring configuration is more similar to traditional fluorescent tubes, often simplifying the retrofitting process. 

Installation Notes:

• Some LED tubes can be plug-and-play with existing fluorescent fixtures without needing to rewire, provided the ballast is compatible (Type A).
• In Type B installations (bypassed ballast), dual-end tubes must have the proper wiring configuration, connecting live and neutral wires to the correct ends.

Benefits:

• Installs more easily in fixtures that previously used dual-end wiring for fluorescent tubes.
• Less modification required for fixtures that already use this wiring setup.

Tube Types

Type A Dual-End

Electric Ballast Compatible

Dual-end Type A installation is a "plug-and-play" option that allows for direct replacement of the original fluorescent tube with an LED equivalent, utilizing the existing ballast. This is the simplest solution for relamping your fixture, provided the ballast is in good working condition.

How To Wire:

Type B Single-End

Ballast Bypass (Single-End Wiring)

Single-end Type B installation involves bypassing the existing ballast and rewiring the fixture's sockets (tombstones). This method is a popular choice for relamping, as it eliminates the risk of future ballast failure.

How To Wire:

Type B Dual-End

Ballast Bypass (Dual-End Wiring)

Dual-end Type B installation requires bypassing the existing ballast and installing the tube, ensuring the wiring polarity matches. This is the most common retrofit solution when opting to bypass the ballast.

How To Wire:

Type A/B Hybrid

Ballast Compatible and Ballast Bypass
(Single-End Wiring)

A/B hybrids can be installed as dual-end Type A, where the "plug-and-play" tube directly replaces the original fluorescent tube, or as a single-end Type B, which requires bypassing the ballast and rewiring the sockets.

How To Wire:

OR:

Type A/B 3-in-1 Universal

Ballast Compatible and Ballast Bypass
(Single and Dual-End Wiring)

Type A/B 3-in-1 universals are the most versatile tube lamp solutions. It allows for "plug-and-play" installation with the existing ballast, or you can bypass the ballast for installation similar to single-end or dual-end Type B setups.

How To Wire:

OR:

OR:

Socket Type

Using the wrong socket type can cause electrical shorts, leading to potential system failures or safety hazards. Always check whether your existing fixture uses shunted or non-shunted sockets for safe and efficient operation. Read more information about shunted and non-shunted LED tube light socket types here.

Non-Shunted

Non-shunted sockets have separate electrical contacts for each wire, allowing electricity to flow through two individual tracks. The contacts remain unconnected, providing independent paths for the current to each pin of the tube light.

Best Use: Non-shunted sockets are required for rapid-start ballasts or ballast-bypass installations, such as in single-end wiring configurations for LED tube lights.

Non-Shunted with Jumper Wire

In non-shunted sockets, the electrical contacts inside remain separated, and each tube light pin connects through its own individual connection. A jumper wire bridges these two contacts, ensuring that power flows correctly to both pins when retrofitting the fixture with LED tube lights.

Best Use: Non-shunted sockets with a jumper wire are commonly used in ballast-bypass (Type B) installations, where the ballast is removed, and the LED tube is wired directly to the power source. This setup is ideal for single-end wiring configurations, providing an effective solution for ensuring the proper electrical flow in retrofit projects.

Shunted

In shunted sockets, the electrical contacts inside connect and create a single path for current to flow from the ballast to both lamp pins. Think of shunted sockets as having "joined" or "connected" contacts that direct the current to the lamp in one unified circuit.

Best Use: Older fluorescent fixtures commonly use shunted sockets with instant-start ballasts.

What CCTs Are Available?

Our LED tube lights come in warm CCTs (2700K, 3000K, 3500K), natural CCTs (4000K, 4100K), and cool CCTs (5000K). WIth selectable CCT fixtures, you can switch between different CCT values to find the one you need before installing. We also carry an amber tube light with a wavelength under 520 nm, ideal for photo labs, manufacturing plants, pharmaceutical facilities, and more.                                         

How Much Energy Will I Save by Swapping Out My Fluorescent Tubes With LEDs?      

Using LED replacement tubes for fluorescent lighting significantly reduces energy consumption and related costs. LEDs require much lower wattage to produce the same amount of light as fluorescent tubes. To get accurate savings, consider both fluorescent bulb wattage and ballast factor, then calculate based on the number of fixtures and operating hours. In facilities running 24/7, converting 100 fluorescent fixtures to LEDs can save over $5,000 annually. Their energy efficiency, combined with their longer lifespans, will save you money on electricity bills and replacement costs. 

Are There Any Rebates Available For Using LED Lights?

LED retrofits for fluorescent systems often qualify for utility rebates, covering up to 80% of upfront costs. LEDs can be DLC-listed, helping utility companies and users select the right products for rebate eligibility. Check with the companies in your area to see what is available.

What Are the Benefits of LED Tube Lights? 

There are many benefits, in addition to the ones mentioned above, to using our product selection of fluorescent tube LED replacements. 

In-House Test Lab

ICL features an in-house test lab, where we test products to ensure they operate as intended. Our trained technicians confirm the product’s specifications and quality. 

Warranties

Our fluorescent tube LED replacements feature multi-year warranties. You may qualify for a warranty if you've used your product as intended, but it's experiencing a defect or failure caused by manufacturing.

Certifications

Many of our LED tube lights feature various certifications, including UL Listed, UL Certified, ETL Classified, ETL Listed, DLC Listed, NSF Std. 2 Compliant, and more. 

• UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certifies products that have undergone testing to prove they meet strict safety standards. 

• ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories) ensures Intertek tests products to verify compliance with safety regulations. 

• Products with a DLC (DesignLights Consortium) Certification have increased energy efficiency and light quality. 

• The NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) focuses on public health and safety standards. Install Standard 2-compliant products in areas where sanitation is critical, including non-food zones, splash zones, and cold storage areas.

Reduced Maintenance Costs

LED conversions reduce maintenance significantly. Fluorescent systems require regular upkeep of bulbs, ballasts, and starters. LEDs, with "plug-and-play" compatibility or direct line options, offer minimal maintenance with a lifespan of 50,000 hours, providing significant long-term savings.