Known for their range of lengths and average life expectancy, T8 Tubes are a great type of fixture if you're looking for a more cost-effective alternative to fluorescent lights. At Vision Lighting, we have spent the past decade helping businesses and homeowners with their LED lighting solutions, and have seen the benefit of these products for shopfitters, electricians, and sign makers.
Here you'll learn more about what a T8 tube is, as well as answers to some frequently asked questions. By the end, you'll know everything you need to know about them. To purchase your new LED T8 tubes simply head to our product page and add the correct one to your basket. As a Leeds based lighting manufacturer, we can deliver your products either the next day or within 1-2 working days.
Our LED Tube Option
We stock one type of energy-efficient LED tube. T8 products such as this are a fantastic alternative to the traditional tubes that were power-hungry, lacked energy efficiency, and didn't last particularly long. One of the reasons why they are so popular is the choice of lengths that it comes in. For instance, the products we sell come in six different sizes, starting at 610mm (2 feet long) and ending with our biggest size which is 2440mm (8 feet long). So no matter how big your tube guard is, or how many fluorescent tubes you need to replace, we have a host of sizes for you.
As well as various lengths, we also offer the tube in two different shades of white - warm white and cool white colours. So if you're fitting a new reception area or coffee shop and want to give a welcoming, inviting feel then the warm white tube would be a perfect option. Similarly, if you're looking to illuminate a corridor or car park, the cool white light will do the job and ensure multi-directional light.
Our T8 LED tubes come with a 2-year warranty so you can rest assured knowing that, if anything were to go wrong, we'd be able to replace it straight away.
However, given that they are made from aluminium and polycarbonate and have an average life of 50,000 hours (nearly six years), we're confident that you'll never experience power loss once it's installed.
Once it arrives, installation could not be easier. The tube's internal driver means that no additional external power supplies are needed to convert the mains power to the level that is required by the tube to work smoothly. To keep it running smoothly, we also stock a selection of connectors, such as our T8 Tube End Cap, which fit neatly at the end of the plastic tube. We also stock a 3-way Terminal Block that can help with wiring, as well as a Terry Clip that can hold the tubes securely in place if mounting is required.
What to Consider when Choosing Your Tube Light
When deciding which LED tube light is most suitable for you, there are several factors to consider. Let’s take a look.
Cost: With the wide range of LED lights available, there is also a huge variety in prices. Whether you’re seeking a T8 tube light or another type of LED bulb, you should first define your budget.
Colour temperature: T8 tube lights are available in different lighting colour temperatures; with 6000K, being a cool white colour, and 3000K being a warm white colour temperature.
Size: Finding the right tube light is also reliant on its size - as you’d expect, bigger tube lights typically light up spaces better than smaller-sized tube lights; however, this is also dependent on the size of the room.
Maintenance: You must also consider the maintenance of your chosen tube lights to identify a cost-effective solution in the long run, including how often you might need to replace them and which one offers low maintenance needs (like a T8 tube light).
Interested but unsure about Read our blog on the top 10 questions about LED lights to give you peace of mind.
What Is A T8 Tube?
Often associated with office lighting and warehouse applications, LED T8 tubes are, as mentioned, a more cost-effective alternative to the old glass tube construction. These old tubes were made of fluorescent lights and were very inefficient. The modern tube construction design makes them ideal to light up places that have high ceilings and need a light source with a long average life.
What Does T8 Mean In Lighting?
The 'T' in T8 LED tubes stands for 'Tubular' and the corresponding number is the bulb diameter in eighths of an inch. This means that the T8 has a one-inch diameter, a T5 tube will have 5/8ths of a diameter, and the larger T12 will have a 12/8ths diameter.
Traditional T8 fluorescent tubes required electronic ballasts, a device integrated into the electrical circuit to regulate the voltage and current supplied to the lamp the minute it turns on. Choosing the right ballast of suitable capacity and quality is essential to ensure the proper functioning and longevity of the tubes.
T8 LED tubes, on the other hand, do not require ballasts to function. This makes creating new electrical circuits for T8 LED tubes straightforward and more cost-effective to install. They also require no maintenance whatsoever, which is an obvious additional bonus.
If you were upcycling an old fluorescent light fitting, ensure it is disconnected from all mains power and remove the electronic ballast, starters, and fluorescent tubes from the fitting. Then install new T8 LED tubes, in the light colour of your choice, with new wiring and connectors and reconnect to the mains power to see the upcycled fitting emit bright light once again.
Always dispose of old electronic equipment responsibly through your local WEEE recycling site. Recycling ensures that rare earth elements such as gold, silver and copper can be extracted for use in new electrical goods. Never dispose of old electronic equipment through general waste methods because this ends up in a landfill and is harmful to the environment.
Our team can advise on all this and will make sure all your questions are answered so you have everything you need. Just pick up the phone and give us a call - we'd be happy to help.
LED T8 Tube Lights vs Fluorescent: Time to Replace?
The main difference between the two is how they work - fluorescent tubes ionise mercury vapour, resulting in UV light photons being released that change into visible light when they touch the phosphor coating of the fluorescent tube.
Meanwhile, an LED T8 tube light utilises LED diodes instead of gas and phosphor coating like the fluorescent tube, meaning that less energy is required to light up the tube.
So, is it time to replace fluorescent tubes?
Before T8 tube lights, most commercial (warehouses, offices…), and even residential properties (garages…), used the fluorescent tube for their lighting applications. However, like the halogen bulb ban, new fluorescent tube lights have also been phased out by the UK government in September 2023.
This means that if you currently own fluorescent tubes, the time has come to make the switch to the more energy-efficient LED equivalent!
Benefits of LED T8 Tube Lights
LED lighting comes with many benefits that you can take advantage of, such as:
Energy efficient: The energy consumption of a T8 tube light is lower than, for instance, a fluorescent tube light, meaning that you can save on energy bills in the long run.
Lamp life: LED lights have a better lifespan than other types of lighting, which means that you do not have to replace them as frequently as you would with a fluorescent lamp.
Recyclable: Unlike fluorescent and incandescent lights that contain harmful materials or chemicals (like mercury), an LED light source contains neither and can be recycled hassle-free; the former are not considered recyclable.
Durable: The T8 tube light, in comparison to fluorescent tubes, is stronger and more durable, capable of being dropped without breaking; meanwhile, a fluorescent tube light is fragile, breaking easily if dropped.
No matter if you own a shop or an office, Vision Lighting can assist you with commercial LED lighting products for your business.
How to Install Your T8 Tube Light
Good news - the installation process of a T8 tube light (when replacing fluorescent tube lights) is simple:
- Turn off and disconnect from the main power.
- Remove ballast, starter, fluorescent tubes.
- Install the tube by connecting the N and L wires of the mains to the N and L ends of a non-shunted lamp holder (single-ended), OR connecting the N and L wires to the mains with the 2-terminal lamp holder wires (double-ended).
- Install the bracket and lamp.
If you experience problems with your LED lights, make sure to read our blog on common issues with LED lighting.
Get In Touch For More Info About Our LED Products
If you have any more questions about our T8 LED tubes or any of our other products for that matter, feel free to get in touch. We will listen to your requirements and come up with a host of lighting solutions that we feel would satisfy your needs. We've helped countless businesses in our 10 years working as a Leeds based lighting manufacturer and are confident we'll be able to help you.
From LED ceiling panels, LED bulbs, and LED modules to strips and our cutting-edge Nanolight (which is the only IP66 rated product of its type), we have a product for you. You can contact our friendly team by giving us a call on 01132 799 745, or you can drop us an email at info@vision-lighting.co.uk.