LED Tube Lights for Commercial Use
Often used in office spaces, warehouses, and workshops, LED tubes are versatile lighting options. They can be installed in drop ceiling fixtures, hung from the ceiling, or mounted directly to a flat ceiling surface.
The inside of an LED tube consists of a circuit board and electronic current supply components. They are commonly covered by a plastic housing (like polycarbonate).
Life Expectancy
There are a number of different types of LED tubes. These include single-ended LED tube lights that are designed to work in place of fluorescent light bulbs and multi-ended LED tubes that can be used in new lighting fixtures. Single-ended tubes have electrical connectors at one end and can be either “plug-n-play” or direct wired to an existing ballast. Multi-ended light bulbs LED tubes have electrical connections on both ends and must be wired to a compatible LED driver.
The life expectancy of an LED depends on a number of factors, including the temperature and drive current of the product. A standard industry measure is L70, which represents the number of hours that a lamp will maintain 70% of its original luminous output. It is important to note that this figure does not indicate how long a product will last; the reliability of an LED can only be assessed by looking at its warranty period.
The life expectancy of an LED also depends on how a product is used. For example, if a fixture is left on for 24 hours a day, it will need to be replaced earlier than a fixture that is only on for 8 hours a day. It is also important to remember that the lifespan of an LED bulb can be significantly shortened by poor electronics.
Color Temperatures
LED tube lights are available in a variety of color temperatures to suit specific lighting needs. The most popular choices are 3000K and 4000K, which produce warm or natural light with a soft feel that’s easy on the eyes. These are ideal for waiting rooms, restaurants and other areas where creating a pleasant ambiance is important. Another option is 5000K, which produces a bright daylight color that’s useful for industrial applications like workshops or warehouses where visibility is a priority.
Tubes are available in a variety of lengths, with both clear and frosted lenses. The lens material is typically polycarbonate, which provides a UL 5VA flammability rating and has excellent heat resistance. The material also helps disperse the heat produced by the LED chips. This is essential, as the high temperatures generated during operation can damage other components in the tube, including the plastic housing.
LED tubes come in a range of diameters, and T8’s are the most common. They’re designed to replace traditional fluorescent tubes and can be used interchangeably provided they have the same wattage. Some are led tube hybrid, working with a ballast while others bypass the ballast and operate directly on line voltage. It’s important to verify the milliamp (mA) requirements of the existing ballast before selecting an LED replacement.
Efficiency
Linear LED tubes can be used to illuminate long spaces like aisles or bays in warehouses and office cubicles. They also tend to consume less energy than traditional screw-in light bulbs, making them an attractive option for businesses seeking lower utility bills and environmental impact. In addition to reducing energy consumption, LEDs have several other benefits that can save businesses money and time.
One benefit of LED tube lights is their high CRI rating. This feature allows them to produce more accurate colors and reduce eye strain. This is particularly important for task-oriented spaces like offices and workshops where it’s easy to recognize unnatural colors.
Another advantage of LED tubes is that they don’t require a ballast to operate. This can simplify the retrofit process and save time and money. However, it’s important to consider the power configuration of the LED tube before purchasing it. Some LED tubes have single-end power and others use double-end power. Single-end power tubes have the neutral and live pins on one end of the bulb, while double-end power tubes have both on one side of the bulb.
The last benefit of LED tubes is that they can be installed in fixtures with existing magnetic or electronic ballasts. These types of LED tubes can be either Type A or Type B. Type A LED tubes are compatible with existing fluorescent ballasts, but they don’t continue to operate if the ballast fails. Type B LED tubes are more efficient, as they bypass the ballast and use only the line voltage from the fixture’s tombstone sockets.
Maintenance
LED tube lights require very little maintenance compared to fluorescent tubes. They are flicker free, instant on and have a longer life span than fluorescents. Additionally, they do not contain mercury which is a significant safety issue. As a result, you will save money by using these tubes to replace the fluorescent bulbs in your commercial lighting fixtures.
LED tube replacements are available in several different models. Some types work directly with a fluorescent fixture’s existing ballast while others do not. Those that don’t need a ballast are known as “Type B” or direct wire tubes. This type of tube requires the internal fixture ballast to be bypassed and the tombstones or lamp sockets replaced with non-shunted or shunted ones so that the LED tube can be wired direct to line voltage (120-277).
Some LED tubes may not have a starter because they don’t need one. However, the replacement starter that you can buy will have an electrical circuit that is completed by connecting the positive and negative pins of the LED to the replacement tube’s PC cover. An exposed electrical pin is a significant safety hazard and poses a risk of electric shock. Therefore, it’s recommended to use a digital multimeter or a voltmeter to test each LED for failure. If an LED fails, it should be removed and a new one added.
