Must-Know Lighting Knowledge: T5 Fluorescent Tube vs. T5 LED Tube

 

What does T5 stand for in a T5 fluorescent tube?

T5 fluorescent tube is the most common in linear fluorescent tube. “T5” means the tube has an outer diameter of 5/8 inch (about 15.8 mm). The linear fluorescent tube has two end caps, the type is G5 with 5mm between two pins at each end.

How many kinds of lengths are there for T5 fluorescent tubes?

The dimensions of T5 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.
T5 fluorescent tubes are defined in HE (High efficiency) and HO (High output) groups due to the wattage and lumen output:

T5 Fluorescent tubes	Standard Wattage	Features	Applications
T5 HE (High Efficiency)	14W / 21W / 28W / 35W	High efficiency in lm/W, soft and comfortable light	Office, Schools, Commercial areas, medical centers, and resident
T5 HO (High Output)	24W / 39W / 54W / 80W	Higher lumen output	High bay area, factory, industry areas, and commercial areas

 

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：

• T5 fluorescent tube outer diameter: 15.8 mm
• Standard lengths: e.g. 549mm (2ft)、849mm (3ft)、1149mm (4ft)、1449mm (5ft)（excludes pin length）
• Base：G5 with 2pins（5mm 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 “FxxT5” for example:

• F54T5 HO：fluorescent tube、54W、4ft、T5、High Output
• F21T5：21W、3ft
• F14T5：14W、2ft

Explanations:

• xx means power wattage (W)
• T5 means its outer diameter “5/8 inch (about 15.8mm)”
• 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 7617-1：Fluorescent tube, the first part: safety specification
• JIS C 7617-2：Fluorescent tube, the second part: performance specification

Examples:

• FHF24SEW: high frequency tube、24W、549mm、white (4000K)
• FHF54SEL: high frequency tube、54W、1149mm、warm white (3000K)

 

⚡️Explanations：Taking「FLxxSEL」as the example.

• FL means fluorescent tube
• xx means wattage
• Initial letter FL is general fluorescent tube, FHF is high frequency fluorescent tube, FSL is slim fluorescent tube
• DL: Color Rendering A、SDL: Color Rendering AA、 EDL: Color Rendering AAA
• D: daylight white, N: neutral white, W: white, WW: warm white, L: incandescent light

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 use electronic ballast.

   

How does a T5 fluorescent tube emit light?

T5 fluorescent tubes are always working with an electronic ballast. The operating principle is to generate a high voltage through the electronic ballast, 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 T5 fluorescent tubes make it commonly seen in home environments, public areas, commercial lighting, indoor or outdoor.

Why did T5 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, T5 fluorescent tubes are gradually being replaced by LED light which are taking over the light market as a mainly lighting products. As retrofit light sources, T5 LED tubes are more eco-friendly, longer lifespan, more energy-efficient, and easy to install and maintain.

Are there any standards for T5 LED tubes?

There are specifications for T5 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 T5 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 T5 LED manufactures heavily referenced this standard that make sure LED tubes are compatible with traditional T5 fluorescent tubes.
EN 62776	Certificated by European Union，same as IEC international standard.

 

Common Size for T5 LED

Corresponding wattage for traditional T5 fluorescent tubes	Actual common lengths for LED T5 (overall size)	Diameter	Direct replace a fluorescent light source
549 mm (14W)	About 549 mm / 600mm	16~19 mm	Replace 549 mm T5 FL
849 mm (21W)	About 849 mm / 900mm	16~19 mm	Replace 849 mm T5 FL
1,149 mm (28W)	About 1,149 mm / 1200mm	16~19 mm	Replace 1,149 mm T5 FL
1,449 mm (35W)	About 1,449 mm / 1500mm	16~19 mm	Replace 1,449 mm T5 FL

 

Not only the common sizes of T5 LED tubes, but also a lot of special sizes for T5 LED tubes.

In addition to the most common lengths of T5 LED (e.g. 2ft/3ft/4ft/5ft, aka. 549mm / 849mm / 1149mm / 1449mm), there are some other lengths for T5 LED tubes, they are used to replace some old T5 fluorescent tubes in special applications. These special lengths are mostly for interior lighting like mobile vehicles, train or metro carriages, caravans, or boats, OEM lamps, signboards, and machines lighting.

 

T5 LED common sizes and applications

Length （overall size）	Remarks / Direct replace a fluorescent light source	Applications
T5 136mm	Replace T5 HE 4W FL	Compact devices, Instrument lighting, Vehicle interior lightning, Caravan interior or Marine interior lighting
T5 212mm	Replace T5 HE 6W FL	Counter or display lighting, Vehicle compartment lighting, Vending machine lighting, RV interior or Marine interior lighting
T5 288mm	Replace T5 HE 8W FL	Small light boxes, Decorative lighting, Vehicle compartment lighting, Caravan interior or Marine interior lighting
T5 517mm	Replace T5 HE 13W FL	Small commercial spaces, Train or metro cabins
T5 549mm	Replace T5 HE 14W FL	Office lighting, Metro station lighting
T5 849mm	Replace T5 HE 21W FL	Working areas lighting, home or office lighting
T5 1149mm	Replace T5 HE 28W FL	Subways and train station public areas, industrial lighting, exhibition or display spaces lighting
T5 1449mm	Replace T5 HE 35W FL	Commercial lighting, industrial areas, public areas, outdoor lighting

 

Benson Saving Energy Technology positively expanding global markets, not only produces T5 standard sizes for European Standard, American Standard, and Japanese Standard, but also tailor for customers’ special requests

How to upgrade from fluorescent tubes to T5 LED tubes?

Types for replacement	BEST T5 LED tubes	Descriptions	Strength	Weakness and notes
Plug & Play (Type A)	ECGsmart T5 LED tubes	Directly replace the old fluorescent tube, and keeping the ECG (electronic ballast), install directly with our direct-fit and compatible ECGsmart T5 LED tubes.	Fast and safest installation, without rewiring	Not available for dimming electronic ballasts and CCGs.
Bypass ballast (Type B)	SW T5 LED tubes	Removing original ballast, directly connect AC power to T5 LED tube (Single end or double ends).	Great stability, more energy saving and no limitation of ballasts	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 T5 LED tube	Directly replace the old fluorescent tubes, keeping the ECGs or CCGs, removing the starter, install the Universal compatible T5 LED tubes (ECGall T5 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	Higher price, and not available for dimming ballasts
An External driver type	DC T5 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 T5 LED tube	Special application, requires the battery or a LED driver to directly active T5 LED tube with 10-30VDC. VBDC LED T5 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. Interior LED fixtures for caravans and boats. Railway and metro carriages applications.	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 T5 LED tubes dimensions to meet the different requirements, specifications, and applications. Following is our available sizes list of T5 LED tubes for your reference.

Benson Energy Saving Technology T5 LED tubes

Lengths（overall size）	Remarks / Corresponding old specifications	Corresponding BEST T5 LED tubes
T5 136mm	Replace T5 HE 4W FL	VBDC T5 136mm LED 4W
T5 212mm	Replace T5 HE 6W FL	VBDC T5 212mm LED 4W
T5 288mm	Replace T5 HE 8W FL	VBDC T5 288mm LED 5W
T5 517mm	Replace T5 HE 13W FL	VBDC T5 517mm LED 7W
T5 HE 549mm	Replace T5 HE 14W FL	T5 549mm LED 9W
T5 HO 549mm	Replace T5 HO 24W FL	T5 549mm LED 12W
T5 HE 849mm	Replace T5 HE 21W FL	T5 849mm LED 13W
T5 HO 849mm	Replace T5 HO 39W FL	T5 849mm LED 18W
T5 HE 1149mm	Replace T5 HE 28W FL	T5 1149mm LED 18W
T5 HO 1149mm	Replace T5 HO 54W FL	T5 1149mm LED 24W
T5 HE 1449mm	Replace T5 HE 35W FL	T5 1449mm LED 21W
T5 HO 1449mm	Replace T5 HO 49W FL	T5 1449mm LED 24W
T5 HO 1449mm	Replace T5 HO 80W FL	T5 1449mm LED 28W

 

Please feel free to reach out if you have a request or application for T5 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: [email protected]
Address: 711009 No.36, Minsheng 12th St., Guiren Dist., Tainan City 711009, Taiwan