T8 Vs T12 Fluorescent Bulbs

The most commonly available is the t8 bulbs.

T8 vs t12 fluorescent bulbs.

A more popular choice for fluorescent lighting are the second generation t8 bulbs. Differences between t8 and t12 lamps 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. One alternative is to replace or retrofit existing fixtures with more efficient and more environmentally friendly electronic ballasts and t8 fluorescent lamps. The other common lamps are the larger t8 eight eighths inch 1 and t12 twelve eights inch 1 tubes.

T8 bulbs are 8 8 inch a full inch in other words while t12 bulbs are 12 8 of an inch in diameter 1 1 2 inches. For example a t5 bulb is five eighths of an inch wide a t8 bulb is 1 inch wide or eight eights wide and a t12 is 1 1 2 inches or 12 8ths in diameter. T8 lights are a good choice for an adjustable lighting system because of their color temperature range from a soft yellow white to bright daylight. The t12 is an older generation fluorescent bulb that generates light through electromagnetic induction which is considered less efficient method of creating light compared to that of newer electronic based circuits.

T8 fluorescent bulbs are one inch in diameter and feature a medium bi pin base similar to the t12 bulbs. 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. T8 tubes are simply 1 inch in diameter versus the 1 5 inch diameter of t12 tubes. 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.

T12 type since their conception in the 1930s fluorescent t12 bulbs were the choice of building contractors. While both bulbs come in standard lengths commonly 4 feet the designation of 8 or 12 refers to the difference in the diameter of the bulb. As we describe in our how to article t8 and t12 feature the same g13 bi pin connector. T8 bulbs have a luminous efficacy of 80lm w making them a step up from the 70lm w of t12 bulbs.

This type of fluorescent tube lighting is the most popular because of its high cri and many color temperature options.