Must-Know Lighting Knowledge: T8 Fluorescent Tube vs. T8 LED Tube

 

What does T8 stand for in a T8 fluorescent tube?

T8 fluorescent tube is the most common in linear fluorescent tube. “T8” means the tube has an outer diameter of 8/8 inch, or 1 inch (about 25.4 mm). The linear fluorescent tube has two end caps, the type is G13 with 13mm between two pins at each end.

How many kinds of lengths are there for T8 fluorescent tubes?

The dimensions of T8 fluorescent tubes are regulated by international standards, there are several standards in different areas:

• IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission)
• ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
• JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards)

 

These standards defined the diameter, length, base type, power wattage, luminous efficacy and specifications of fluorescent tubes.

1. IEC Standard (Also European Standard)

⚡️IEC Regulations：

• IEC 60081：Double-capped fluorescent lamps – Performance specifications
• IEC 61195：Double-capped fluorescent lamps – Safety specifications

 

⚡️IEC Defined specifications：

• T8 fluorescent tube outer diameter: 26 mm (1 inch)
• Standard lengths: e.g. 437 mm、590 mm、895 mm、1,200 mm、1,500 mm（excludes pin length）
• Base：G13 with 2pins（13mm between 2 pins ）

 

2. ANSI Standard (American Standard)

⚡️ANSI Regulations：

• ANSI C78.81：Electric Lamps – Double-Capped Fluorescent Lamps – Dimensional and Electrical Characteristics

 

⚡️How to ready the length and code?

Taking “FxxT8” as the example:

• F32T8：32W, 4ft, T8 type
• F25T8：25W, 3ft
• F17T8：2ft

 

Explanations:

• xx means power wattage (W)
• T8 means its outer diameter “1 inch”
• The length is specified in feet (UK standard), but the length size would be almost the same as European standard.

 

3. JIS（Japanese Standard）

⚡️JIS Regulations：

• JIS C 7601：General fluorescent specification
• JIS C 7605：Fluorescent tubes lengths and wattages

 

⚡️Features of Japanese Standard:

• Common wattages/ lengths：10W（330mm）、20W（580mm）、30W（830mm）、40W（1,198mm）

 

The power labeling is different from the European standard, so it is important to make sure lengths and wattages are correct when we select a LED replacement tube.

They major used magnetic ballasts (old type), but they changed to use electronic ballast

How does a T8 fluorescent tube emit light?

T8 fluorescent tubes are always working with a starter, a magnetic ballast or an electronic ballast. The operating principle is to generate a high voltage through the electronic ballast or the magnetic starter, it excites mercury vapor to discharge in the fluorescent tube. The ultraviolet light triggers the phosphor coating on the inner wall of the tube to release the visible lights. The low cost and high adoption rate of the T8 fluorescent tubes make it commonly seen in home environments, public areas, commercial lighting, indoor or outdoor.

Why did T8 fluorescent tubes discontinue production?

With the improvement in LED technology, growing awareness of environmental protection and energy efficiency, increasingly strict regulations, and the ban on fluorescent tube sales and productions, T8 fluorescent tubes are gradually being replaced by T8 LED tube which are taking over the light market as a mainly lighting products. As retrofit light sources, T8 LED tubes are more eco-friendly, longer lifespan, more energy-efficient, and easy to install and maintain.

Are there any standards for T8 LED tubes?

There are specifications for T8 LED tubes, but there is no unified standards or regulations in global.

Mainly standards as reference：

International Standard	Main Definition
IEC 62776	This international safety standard is for replacing T8 fluorescent tubes, mainly and specific international standard which is available in the world.
ANSI C78.81	This standard is widely followed in Northern America markets (America/ Canada). Although this standard is defined for “fluorescent tubes”, but the T8 LED manufactures heavily referenced this standard that make sure LED tubes are compatible with traditional T8 fluorescent tubes.
EN 62776	Certificated by European Union，same as IEC international standard.

 

Common Size for T8 LED

Corresponding wattage for traditional T8 fluorescent tubes	Actual common lengths for LED T8 (overall size)	Diameter	Direct replace a fluorescent light source
2 ft (18W)	About 603 mm / 600mm	26~28 mm	Replace 590 mm T8 FL
3 ft (30W)	About 906 mm / 900mm	26~28 mm	Replace 895 mm T8 FL
4 ft (36W)	About 1,213 mm / 1200mm	26~28 mm	Relace 1,200 mm T8FL
5 ft (58W)	About 1,517 mm / 1500mm	26~28 mm	Replace 1,500 mm T8FL

 

Not only the common sizes of T8 LED tubes, but also a lot of special sizes for T8 LED tubes.

In addition to the most common lengths of T8 LED (e.g. 2ft/3ft/4ft/5ft, aka. 600mm / 900mm / 1200mm / 1500mm), there are some custom or special lengths for T8 LED tubes, they are used to replace some old T8 fluorescent tubes in special applications. These special lengths are mostly for OEM lamps, freezers, signboards, machines lighting, or for non-standard design.

 

T8 LED Special lengths and common applications

Length（overall size）	Remarks / Direct replace a fluorescent light source	Applications
T8 330 mm	Replace JIS 10W	Compact light box、Indicator light、Wall lamp
T8 437 mm	Replace EN 15W	Under-cabinet light、Compact cooler light
T8 450 mm	Relace JIS 15W	Advertising light、OEM lighting
T8 580 mm	Replace JIS 20W	Japanese old-type lamps、OEM equipment
T8 588 mm	Replace HF16W	Stores and Retail shops、Underground parking lot and walkway
T8 630 mm	Replace JIS 30W	Station display、Japanese brand OEM
T8 830 mm	Replace JIS 32W	Advertising light、Outdoor Information illuminated sign
T8 895 mm	Replace JIS 30W	Old commercial space、Industrial lamp
T8 1000 mm	Replace JIS 35W	Specially designed industrial lamp or working lamp
T8 1,178 mm	Replace JIS 63W	Supermarket and mall, school, airport and station
T8 1,198 mm	Replace JIS 40W	One of the most common sizes in Japanese market.
T8 1,449 mm	Special Size	Old-model machine lamps, carriage lighting
T8 1,500 mm	Replace EN 58W	Factory or warehousing lighting, commercial lighting
T8 1,800 mm	Extra-long design	High-bay industrial lighting
T8 2,400 mm	Extra-long (Replace 110W)	Gym and arena, warehouse, sports facilities

 

Benson Saving Energy Technology positively expanding global markets, not only produces T8 standard sizes for European Standard, American Standard, and Japanese Standard, but also tailor for customers’ special requests.

How to upgrade from fluorescent tubes to T8 LED tubes?

Types for replacement	BEST T8 LED tubes	Descriptions	Strength	Weakness and notes
Plug & Play (Type A)	ECGsmart T8 LED tubes	Directly replace the old fluorescent tube, and keeping the ECG (electronic ballast), install directly with our direct-fit and compatible ECGsmart T8 LED tubes.	Fast and safest installation, without rewiring	Not available for dimming electronic ballasts and CCGs.
Bypass ballast (Type B)	SW T8 LED tubes	Removing original ballast, directly connect AC power to T8 LED tube (Single end or double ends).	Great stability, more energy saving and no limitation of ballasts Reference: Introduction of industrial T8 half-aluminum and plastic LED tube	Rewiring is necessary, the qualified technician has to check the connection before installations. (Single end or double ends).
Universal compatible type (Type A+B)	ECGall T8 LED tube	Directly replace the old fluorescent tubes, keeping the ECGs or CCGs, removing the starter, install the Universal compatible T8 LED tubes (ECGall T8 LED tube) Ballasts are available at early stage; it can be changed to connect mains power if the ballast is broken.	Universal compatible function with ballasts, high adaptability > Reference: The best choice for industrial lighting- All compatible direct-fit T8 LED tubes!	Higher price, and not available for dimming ballasts
An External driver type	DC T8 LED tube	Work with a LED Driver (usually for industrial/ commercial projects), it can be upgraded to central control and system service for whole building	Easy to intergrade with a system or central control, to control the dimming function for energy saving and intelligent control	Need expert planning
Other applications 12VDC / 24VDC ... etc.	VBDC T8 LED tube	Special application, requires the battery or a LED driver to directly active T8 LED tube with 10-30VDC. VBDC LED T8 is designed for mobile vehicles/ Rail train carriages/ medical instruments/ machining control cabinet	Special applications, low risk for electric shock, lower heat is generated, ideal for sealed lamp or high ambient temperature places.	Can not be connected directly to AC mains power

 

With the trend that fluorescent tubes are phased out of global lighting market, Benson Energy Saving Technology continues developing various LED tubes for replacements. For the sustainable developments of global environments, Benson Energy Saving Technology produces the most complete T8 LED tubes dimensions to meet the different requirements, specifications, and applications. Following is our available sizes list of T8 LED tubes for your reference.

Benson Energy Saving Technology T8 LED tube

Lengths（overall size）	Remarks / Corresponding old specifications	Corresponding BEST T8 LED tubes
T8 330 mm	Replace JIS 10W	T8 1F 330mm LED 5W
T8 437 mm	Replace EN 15W	T8 437mm LED 7W
T8 450 mm	Replace JIS 15W	T8 450mm LED 7W
T8 580 mm	Replace JIS 20W	T8 2F台規LED 9W
T8 588 mm	Replace JIS HF 16W	T8 588mm LED 9W
T8 600 mm	Replace EN 18W / 20W	T8 2F LED 9W
T8 630 mm	Replace JIS 30W	JPT8 630mm LED 15W
T8 720 mm	Replace EN 16W	T8 720mm LED 9W
T8 830 mm	Replace JIS 32W	JPT8 830mm LED 16W
T8 895 mm	Replace EN 30W	T8 3F LED 15W
T8 970 mm	Replace EN 36W	T8 970mm LED
T8 1000 mm	Replace JIS 35W	JPT8 1000mm LED 18W
T8 1047 mm	Replace EN 38W	T8 3.5F LED 24W
T8 1178 mm	Replace JIS 63W	T8 1178mm LED 25W
T8 1,198 mm	Replace 36W/38W/40W	T8 4F LED 18W/20W/24W
T8 1,500 mm	Replace EN 58W	T8 5F LED 24W/28W

 

Please feel free to reach out if you have a request or application for T8 LED sizes, please get in touch with us for further cooperation!

 

About Benson Energy Saving Technology Ltd.

Benson Energy Saving Technology is a professional manufacture for commercial lighting products. We offer ODM and OEM service, also commercial, industrial, office design planning, please contact us for further information!

We provide wide-ranging LED solutions: the lighting for semi-industrial lighting, factory, school, office spaces, machines and equipment, commercial applications, stores, museums and other lighting for interior and outdoor.

We invite customers with relevant needs, like light manufactures, lighting designer, interior decorators, project engineers, or other customers are looking for upgrading to LED lighting, to get in touch with us for further business cooperation!

Tel: +886-6-230-9930
Fax: +886-6-230-9667
E-MAIL: service@best-energysaving-tech.com
Address: 711009 No.36, Minsheng 12th St., Guiren Dist., Tainan City 711009, Taiwan