How To Safely Convert Fluorescent To LED Lighting

Fluorescent bulbs used to be one of the most popular types of lighting fixtures and you can find them in many places like schools, warehouses, offices, and industrial spaces. But as technology advances, LED lighting has started to gain in popularity. One main reason for the increase in popularity is due to the obvious advantages of LED technology. As compared to fluorescent fixtures, LED lighting provides higher light quality and lumen output, is more energy-efficient, does not contain any mercury, and is less costly to maintain.

However, as the two technologies have a number of differences, it is not that straightforward to convert fluorescent light fixtures to LED lighting. You will need to have a good understanding of the current infrastructure to make sure that the fluorescent tube replacements are suitable and of the right fit. The LED tubes will only work when they are compatible with the current features.

In this guide, we will talk about the important things you need to know when converting your fluorescent fixtures to LED lighting.

One important factor to consider when converting fluorescent to LED lighting is the color temperature. The measurement is in Kelvin (K) and a majority of the colors range from 2500 to 6500K. Lower Kelvin figures mean that the color will tend to be closer to orange and the color is warmer. On the other hand, high Kelvin figures around 4000K mean that the color is closer to white and is cool. This is ideal for shop lights and offices. Temperatures that are more than 5000K will produce a glow similar to daylight, making it suitable for spaces like high-security areas, displays, and garages.

To determine the exact diameter of the fluorescents you have, you should check the label found at the end of the tube. If you are not able to find the label, you can just take the necessary measurements on your own. For example, the T8 LED lamps with one-inch diameter are usually the best and most popular option. Many of the LED bulbs can be used interchangeably as long as they have similar bi-pin connections and the right milliamp requirements.

LED Replacement Tubes

Most people convert to LED lamps as they have a brighter light, longer lifespan, and much more energy efficient. Yet, it can be a little more complicated to replace the fluorescent light fixtures, as the technologies are not really compatible by themselves. It is ideal to use the same fixtures due to both time and cost considerations of converting the fluorescent lights. Unfortunately, at times it is necessary to do an expensive conversion before the new tubes can function well on the current infrastructure. In general, many of these challenges are why some people choose not to replace their fluorescent lighting.