wdalrymple
Member
My question is in regards to type t-8 bulbs. I know that they are energy efficient, but my question is can you replace type T-12 bulbs with Type T-8 bulbs or do you need to do something extra to make it work.
T-8's for T-12's
- Thread starter wdalrymple
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: T-8's for T-12's
OK I can't resist. Its lamps not bulbs. Bulbs grow in the ground, lamps are installed in luminaires. I'm a member of the Illumination Engineering Society, if I said IES you wouldn't know what that was.
OK I can't resist. Its lamps not bulbs. Bulbs grow in the ground, lamps are installed in luminaires. I'm a member of the Illumination Engineering Society, if I said IES you wouldn't know what that was.
mvrandazzo
Member
- Location
- Michigan
Re: T-8's for T-12's
Tom, I understood the question. And yes I know what IES is also. But I think the answer to his question whould be no. You need to also change the ballast to get the energy efficiency. I could be wrong. As a member of IES Tom you are more qualified to answer this one than me. I have proposed a change-out of 50 4-lamp 4' troffers for a church. Would the savings be considerable compared to the cost of the labor to change them. Of course, it is my church and I won't charge my labor. What say you? I value your opinion.
Blessings, Mark
Tom, I understood the question. And yes I know what IES is also. But I think the answer to his question whould be no. You need to also change the ballast to get the energy efficiency. I could be wrong. As a member of IES Tom you are more qualified to answer this one than me. I have proposed a change-out of 50 4-lamp 4' troffers for a church. Would the savings be considerable compared to the cost of the labor to change them. Of course, it is my church and I won't charge my labor. What say you? I value your opinion.
Blessings, Mark
electricman2
Senior Member
- Location
- North Carolina
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Re: T-8's for T-12's
I too refer to them as "lamps" Sometimes get strange looks. To most people a lamp is something with a shade sitting on a table with a "bulb" in it.
I too refer to them as "lamps" Sometimes get strange looks. To most people a lamp is something with a shade sitting on a table with a "bulb" in it.
Re: T-8's for T-12's
Not trying to be special, but I have always refered to "lamps" as lamps, of course this might be because here in the mountains I've never heard of a "bulb" are you talking about "bubs", as in light bub?
Roger
Not trying to be special, but I have always refered to "lamps" as lamps, of course this might be because here in the mountains I've never heard of a "bulb" are you talking about "bubs", as in light bub?
Roger
wdalrymple
Member
Re: T-8's for T-12's
those of you who danced around the issue of replacing t8;s for t-12s does this mean that you have no clue. I just dont want to burn down the elementery school .
Thanks will The "lamp changer"
those of you who danced around the issue of replacing t8;s for t-12s does this mean that you have no clue. I just dont want to burn down the elementery school .
Thanks will The "lamp changer"
scott moran
Member
Re: T-8's for T-12's
You do not need to change out the lamp holders, the pin sizes are the same. But the lamps must match the ballast. If you install a T-8 lamp in a standard ballast you will burn that lamp out in a matter of days, sometimes much soon.
You do not need to change out the lamp holders, the pin sizes are the same. But the lamps must match the ballast. If you install a T-8 lamp in a standard ballast you will burn that lamp out in a matter of days, sometimes much soon.
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Re: T-8's for T-12's
Scott most t-8 lamps have only one wire to each end of the lamp holder. while the bulb will fit when you install the correct ballast the two existing wires will have to be connected together and then to the single wire coming from the new ballast. I have seen a few rapid start ballest that did list the 32 watt T-8 lamps on it but I dont remember which brand. Most T-8 lamps even have the preheat heaters in them too.
Scott most t-8 lamps have only one wire to each end of the lamp holder. while the bulb will fit when you install the correct ballast the two existing wires will have to be connected together and then to the single wire coming from the new ballast. I have seen a few rapid start ballest that did list the 32 watt T-8 lamps on it but I dont remember which brand. Most T-8 lamps even have the preheat heaters in them too.
Re: T-8's for T-12's
You have to replace the ballast, if your'e going from T-12 to T-8's. You also MUST have a good ground at the fixture for the electronic ballast to work properly and not fail prematurely. The sockets do not have to be changed, but most likely you will have to rewire the socket to the new ballast. It depends on instant start or rapid start ballast and how were the old sockets wired before. I have done a few hundred of these retrofits.
You have to replace the ballast, if your'e going from T-12 to T-8's. You also MUST have a good ground at the fixture for the electronic ballast to work properly and not fail prematurely. The sockets do not have to be changed, but most likely you will have to rewire the socket to the new ballast. It depends on instant start or rapid start ballast and how were the old sockets wired before. I have done a few hundred of these retrofits.
william runkle
Senior Member
- Location
- Michigan
Re: T-8's for T-12's
Yes you have to change the ballast to match the lamp but a T-8 will light up on a T-12 ballast but will not be efficient or will stay lit the ballast thermal usually trips and after a time to cool down will relight. And changing out the four foot four bulb luminaries ballasts will give you a pay back in time and continue to save on the electric bill also make the luminaire lighter from two ballast which are heavy compared to the T-8 ballast which will be able to use one ballast for four luminaries. Never considered a flourescent luminaire a bulb.
Yes you have to change the ballast to match the lamp but a T-8 will light up on a T-12 ballast but will not be efficient or will stay lit the ballast thermal usually trips and after a time to cool down will relight. And changing out the four foot four bulb luminaries ballasts will give you a pay back in time and continue to save on the electric bill also make the luminaire lighter from two ballast which are heavy compared to the T-8 ballast which will be able to use one ballast for four luminaries. Never considered a flourescent luminaire a bulb.
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