T5 fluorescent tube lighting
Before the advent of LED lighting, a "standard" T5 fluorescent tube was the most energy-efficient lamp on the market. It was the efficient variant and thus the successor to conventional T8 fluorescent tubes. Due to their longer lifespan combined with lower power consumption, conventional/traditional T5 fluorescent tubes already saved 50% on energy costs compared to conventional T8 fluorescent lighting. With the introduction of LED fixtures , new LED T5 fluorescent tubes have become practically obsolete. However, your current conventional T5 fluorescent tubes will eventually break, for which an LED alternative has been developed. This LED variant is much more efficient than conventional T5 fluorescent tubes. Replacing your current T5 tubes with LED T5 fluorescent tubes yields significant savings. In addition to saving on energy costs, you also save on maintenance costs. Furthermore, an LED T5 fluorescent tube is more environmentally friendly than its conventional predecessor.No harmful gases are used.
Types of LED T5 fluorescent tubes
You can get two types of LED T5 fluorescent tubes: LED tubes with a ballast and LED T5 lamps without a ballast. With ballast means they can be placed directly into your current fixtures. An LED T5 fluorescent tube without ballast can only be installed if you modify your current T5 fixture. We always advise converting your current fixtures to LED fixtures or ordering a new LED fixture. This offers the following benefits:
- Extra energy savings (the ballast continuously consumes power and becomes redundant when installing an LED T5 tube. When converting the T5 fixture, you remove it).
- Extend the lifespan (Removing the ballast will increase the lifespan of the LED T5 fluorescent tube).
- Make them directly suitable for the future (when you install LED T5 fluorescent tubes WITH ballast, the ballast remains operational. This will eventually still fail. Afterwards, the fixture will still need to be converted to a LED T5 fixture.
Difference between T5 fluorescent tubes & T8 fluorescent tubes
T5 fluorescent tubes have their power connections (pins) 5mm apart. For a T8 fluorescent tube, this is 8mm. In addition, the diameter of a T5 tube is only 1.5 cm. The diameter of a T8 tube is 2.5 cm. As described above, a conventional T5 fluorescent tube is more energy-efficient than a conventional T8 fluorescent tube. This difference does not exist with LED lighting. Therefore, purchasing an LED T5 tube or an LED T8 tube has no effect on power consumption.
Our advice on T5 fluorescent tubes
Our advice would always be to purchase an LED fixture in combination with an LED fixture . Therefore, when purchasing completely new lighting, do not choose the LED T5 fluorescent tube. The LED T8 fluorescent tube is the most common size. Furthermore, LED T8 fluorescent tubes offer a wider choice of lengths and light colors. However, if you have a building or space with good T5 fluorescent fixtures, the most cost-effective solution is to purchase LED T5 fluorescent tubes. Nevertheless, completely replacing the "old" fixtures is the best option. This ensures you will not face any surprises in the future.
Questions & advice
If you have any questions or need advice regarding LED T5 fluorescent tubes, please feel free to contact us without obligation. This is possible via live chat, email, or phone.
