Now you know all you need to about fluorescent tubes sizes and their differences. But below we will answer the questions that people ask us the most. What is the difference between T5 T8 and T12 lights? If you would like to switch out a T5 light for a T8 light or vice versa then you will need to use a ballast. Finding the correct ballast size may also take some effort as there is no industry standard for them. T12 Tube But first, you must know whether you are looking for office lighting with a lot of lumens or something with a softer light as this will make a difference to the option you require. T4 Fluorescent Lights Fluorescent tubes fall under the classification of hazardous waste due to their mercury content. Care should be taken during the disposal process as part of your commitment to environmental and legal compliance. It will be important to switch off the power source before detaching a fluorescent tube. The tube may then be wrapped in paper or towelling to prevent breakage. The tubing can then be transferred to recycling or hazardous waste disposal in accordance with the legal requirements. What Do the Numbers Mean on a Fluorescent Tube? categorised as an extra warm white, this colour temperature is typically featured in fluorescent tubes designed for domestic use

However, there are still many office spaces and homes that use the T12 fluorescent tube lights, especially in older buildings. Another reason why they are still used is the cheaper purchasing price compared to the others, but, they are no longer being made. Fluorescent lighting is economical to run and uses long-lasting tubes to provide bright and effective general lighting. T4 fluorescent tubes are ideal for home and commercial use for kitchen worktops, in cabinets, under stairs, as a pelmet lamp, or to create a well-lit workstation for DIY, craft, or commercial use. T5 bulbs are great for large space such as schools, supermarkets, offices, and underground railways. T8 bulbs can be used in schools, garages, offices, conference rooms, retail stores, and most other environments. The most commonly available is the T8 bulbs. This type of fluorescent tube lighting is the most popular because of its high CRi and many color temperature options. Another aspect to remember about T5 fluorescent lighting is the different output possibilities. There are three levels of output available on the market; normal output (NO), high output (HO) and very high output (VHO).Both the colour temperature and colour rendering index will have a bearing on the appropriate choice of fluorescent tubing. The colour temperature corresponds with the warmth of the light. Warmer tones will have a yellowish appearance, while cooler shades will be relatively bright. You should be aware that lumens are specific to the total amount of light emitted by the light source, while watts refer to the amount of energy consumed. As the levels of energy efficiency increase, the wattage decreases in relation to the generation of lumens. T8 lights are a good choice for an adjustable lighting system because of their color temperature range from a soft yellow-white to bright daylight. You will also have several options that you can connect to a dimmer.

coming under the category of bulk standard white, this colour temperature is considered suitable for a wide variety of commercial purposes T4 tubes are the smallest of the fluorescent bulb sizes, at only 4 eighths of an inch (0.5 in). Their size is what makes T4 lights popular for under cabinet lighting purposes and accent lighting for displays or a staircase.If you are using T5 lights for garage lighting or an art display, then make sure that you choose a model with a higher Color Rendering Index, CRi. The CRi of T5 fluorescent bulbs generally range in the lower end of 70 -80 but there are options with more accurate color rendering up to 95. Basically that means the light color can go from daylight white to extra warm white. T12 lamps are the least popular size. This is because they use older technology that is less energy-efficient compared to the smaller options. Colour Temperature: usually marked with a K rating on your bulb - you won't need this information now. This is the output color of the bulb and another colour temperature will work in your fitting. T4 tubes have an impressive lamp life of up to 10,000 hours and require a lot less energy to produce light compared to traditional light bulbs, in fact, fluorescent lamps save 60% on energy usage compared to incandescent lights. There are still so many existing T4 fittings out there that constantly need replacing, but as they decrease in popularity, it can be hard to find the right replacement. At BLT Direct, we’ll help you to find the right fitting you need to instantly re-energise your space. Whether you used your fluorescent light to highlight a certain area of your house or brighten up your workspace to boost productivity, we have a range of sizes that are ideal in any environment. The number of watts will be indicated after the F on the fluorescent tube. As an example, an F8 tube with 24 watts will have the number F24T8. The level of light output will also have a bearing on the wattage of the fluorescent tube. The efficacy of the fluorescent tube will range from around 16 lumens per watt for a 4-watt tube with a regular ballast to more than 100 lumens per watt for a tube featuring a modern electronic ballast. The level of light emitted from the fluorescent tube is also affected by the lamp temperature in the coldest area of the lamp. Fluorescent Tube Choices by Size

this variety of cool white is typically applied to office buildings. It is also considered suitable for formal home offices These tubes from Leyton Lighting have plastic end caps that can be removed. This makes the tube slightly shorter which can help with installation into some brands of light fitting. There will be some variation in the amount of lumens generated by fluorescent bulbs given the type and efficacy of the lamp. However, the majority of fluorescent bulbs generate between 45 and 100 lumens per watt. A 20-watt tube may then be expected to generate between 90 and 100 lumens. The wattage and lumen levels have a direct bearing on running costs. How Much is a Fluorescent Light Bulb? The colour rendering index indicates the ease with which colours can be distinguished on the application of different light sources. A bulb with around 80 CRI may be suitable for common domestic applications. However, you should ensure the fitting of a bulb with a CRI of 90 or more given the need for high levels of light. How Many Lumens are Fluorescent Bulbs? T12 fittings use a magnetic start ballast which is less energy efficient. The smaller and newer models have already been fitted with the more energy-efficient electric ballasts. The ballast is what regulates the current to the fluorescent lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps

In short, the difference between t5, t8, and t12 lights are the sizes and energy efficiency. The smaller t5 and t8 tubes use less energy and have less mercury in them than T12 bulbs. How do I know which fluorescent light bulb to buy?

This 30w bulb is 748mm long excluding pins and 762mm long including pins. The manufacturer specifies a tolerance of +/- 2mm for these tubes. The energy efficiency of the T5 tubes means they also last the longest, around 20,000 hours. However, this is still less than half of the expected lifespan of a T5 LED tube light which lasts an average of 50,000 hours.On the other hand, T5 tube lights are little powerhouses when comparing T5 vs T8 tube sizes. Compared to a T8, T5 tube can achieve higher luminous flux using less power. Compared to T5 lighting, the 8 Foot T8 tube lights are less economical. T8 lighting tends to be more expensive and have a shorter lifespan of around 15,000 hours, but can last up to 50,000 hours if you choose the LED alternatives.