T8 T12 Bulbs Difference

Difference between t5 t8 t12 tubes what is the difference between t5 t8 and t12 lamps.

T8 t12 bulbs difference.

Fluorescent lamps or fluorescent linear tubes as they are also known are categorized according to their wattage shape and diameter. A 48 inch t8 lamp produces 2 600 design lumens using 32 watts while the same size t12 lamp produces 2 520 design lumens using 40 watts. For example a typical t5 bulb is 46 inches long rather than the 48 inches 4 foot of t8 and t12 bulbs. T8 bulbs have a luminous efficacy of 80lm w making them a step up from the 70lm w of t12 bulbs.

These are the basic different characteristics of each different fluorescent lamp type that is most commonly used in offices and commercial industrial lighting all across the world. The t8 tubes are slightly smaller at 1 inch in diameter compared to the 1 5 inch diameter of t12 tubes. Due to high power consumption the world is slowly moving away from t12 lamps. In short the difference between t5 t8 and t12 lights are the sizes and energy efficiency.

Typical diameters are t12 or t38 1 1 2 in or 38 mm for residential lamps with magnetic ballasts t8 or t26 1 in or 25 mm for commercial energy saving lamps with electronic ballasts and t5 or t16 5 8 in or 16 mm for very small lamps which may even operate from a battery powered device. The t12 runs on a magnetic ballast and a t8 operates on an electronic ballast. T8 fluorescent bulbs are just as bright as the t12 and much more economical. In an effort to make led tube lights compatible with the internal dimensions of most fixtures you will find that most led tube lights feature a t8 or 1 inch diameter.

The smaller t5 and t8 tubes use less energy and have less mercury in them than t12 bulbs. The t8 models cost almost half of the t12. A t12 lamp measures 1 5 inches 12 8 1 5 or 3 81 cm while a t8 lamp measures 1 inch 8 8 1 or 2 54 cm in diameter. The t in t5 indicates the bulb is tubular shaped while the 5 denotes that it is five eighths of an inch in diameter.

T5 bulbs save money over time because of a longer lifespan while producing more light with less wattage. T8 lamps have a 1 inch diameter and t12 lamps are 1 5 inches in diameter. As we describe in our how to article t8 and t12 feature the same g13 bi pin connector. A more popular choice for fluorescent lighting are the second generation t8 bulbs.

T8 lighting tends to be more expensive and have a shorter lifespan of around 15 000 hours. The t12 fixtures tended to use magnetic ballasts. The t12 is 1 5 inches in diameter and the t8 is 1 inch in diameter. Conversion kits are available with a ballast allowing t5 bulbs to fit t8 and t12 fixtures.

T8 tubes are simply 1 inch in diameter versus the 1 5 inch diameter of t12 tubes. Both lamps use the same bi pin base meaning that users can fit t8 lamps into sockets designed for t12 lamps.